Qui-Gon Jinn actor Liam Neeson reflects on his return to the Star Wars universe and reveals that his cameo appearance in Obi-Wan Kenobi was an emotional experience. The Disney+ series premiered in May of this year and followed the post-Revenge of the Sith adventures of Ewan McGregor's titular Jedi master as he hides on Tatooine following the destruction of the Jedi Order. Kenobi's hiding is made more difficult as he is hunted by the Inquisitors and his former apprentice-turned Sith Lord Anakin Skywalker, aka Darth Vader.
Qui-Gon returned as a Force ghost at the end of the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale, "Part VI", and it marked Neeson's first live-action appearance in the franchise since 1999's Episode I - The Phantom Menace; he had previously returned to voice the character for three episodes of the long-running Star Wars: The Clone Wars series. Qui-Gon's return was teased throughout Obi-Wan Kenobi as the beleaguered fallen Jedi constantly sought council from his former master. Neeson was not the only Star Wars veteran to return for the series. In addition to McGregor, he was joined by the likes of Hayden Christensen, Jimmy Smits, Joel Edgerton and even Ian McDiarmid's Emperor Palpatine, who all reprised their roles from the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
During a press conference at the San Sebastián Film Festival (via Twitter user hanleiarey and Collider) Neeson spoke of his joy of working alongside McGregor once again on Obi-Wan Kenobi. Neeson recalled what it was like on set, revealing the emotional side ot their reunion. He said:
"It was Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan on a camel, a real camel, and me. We rehearsed it before we shot it, and we just started crying, and it was lovely. That Star Wars that we did, Phantom Menace, we shot it over 25 years ago. It came out in 1999."
Would An Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 2 Include Qui-Gon?
With his return in Obi-Wan Kenobi, it seems Neeson isn't quite done with Star Wars just yet. He is set to reprise his role of Qui-Gon once more in the upcoming Tales of the Jedi animated anthology series. As Neeson previously said he would only return to Star Wars if it was for a movie, it looks like his emotional experience on Obi-Wan Kenobi might've changed his mind. That television series gave him the opportunity to reunite with an old friend, and Neeson was very aware of the significance of that. Now, his character is making quite a comeback. With the Star Wars universe constantly expanding with spin-off material, Qui-Gon's influence could continue to be felt for years to come.
One such opportunity for another Qui-Gon Jinn reprisal is a potential Obi-Wan Kenobi season 2. Although a second season has yet to be confirmed, there has been plenty of talk regarding a continuation of Obi-Wan's story, even from Lucasfilm execs. With how Obi-Wan Kenobi culminated, Neeson could return in an expanded mentor role as he continues Obi-Wan's training and offers advice to his former padawan. Neeson's reaction to his onscreen reunion with McGregor indicates he might be willing to make such an occasion happen again, so there could very well be room for Qui-Gon in Obi-Wan Kenobi season 2, if it ever happens.
Source: hanleiarey/Twitter (via Collider)