Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 6!
Following his surprise appearance in the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale, Liam Neeson explains why he returned as Qui-Gon Jinn. The latest Star Wars Disney+ series gave many actors from the prequel trilogy a chance to return. Ewan McGregor headlined Obi-Wan Kenobi's cast, but audiences were also thrilled to see Hayden Christensen return as Darth Vader. Viewers were treated to seeing Joel Edgerton's Owen Lars, Bonnie Piesse's Beru, Jimmy Smitts' Bail Organa, and even Temuera Morrison as a clone trooper again.
In the lead-up to Obi-Wan Kenobi's release, one of the biggest theories was that Liam Neeson's Qui-Gon Jinn would also return. Obi-Wan's story in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith ended with the setup for him to commune with Qui-Gon and learn how to become a Force ghost. Early episodes of the Star Wars Disney+ show included mentions of Obi-Wan's former master. It was not until the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale's final shot that Neeson returned.
Now that the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale is out on Disney+, Liam Neeson is discussing why he returned as Qui-Gon Jinn in the Disney+ series. He spoke to THR about the opportunity to play the beloved character again, citing his desire to not see other people play the Jedi as a major reason why he came back. This was just one of a few reasons mentioned by Liam Neeson to explain his Obi-Wan Kenobi cameo.
I certainly didn’t want anyone else playing Qui-Gon Jinn, and I wanted to show my respect for George [Lucas] and that mythical world that he created. Plus, Ewan [McGregor] is a pal, and I loved working with him during The Phantom Menace 25 years ago.
Despite the heavy speculation that Qui-Gon Jinn would be in Obi-Wan Kenobi at some point, Neeson continued to deny his role in the press. He mentioned that Lucasfilm never contacted him about such a possibility. The actor went on to claim that he would only return as Qui-Gon Jinn in a Star Wars movie, saying he was "a bit of a snob when it comes to TV." Just as many fans suspected, this was all Neeson's attempt to preserve the surprise of his cameo in the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale.
Now that fans have seen Neeson's Qui-Gon Jinn again, the big question is whether or not he will be seen again. It is already confirmed that Neeson is returning to voice Qui-Gon in the animated Tales of the Jedi shorts. However, there is also great interest in Obi-Wan Kenobi season 2 happening. Since Kenobi's story in the finale ends with him riding off with Qui-Gon Jinn's Force ghost, it would appear that lessons with the Jedi Master would be part of the next season. Now, only time will tell whether Neeson's Obi-Wan Kenobi finale cameo is the last time audiences see him in a live-action Star Wars project.
Source: THR
