The premiere a quarter of a century ago ‘Star Wars.’ Episode I: The Phantom Menace’ (1999), in addition to being the pretext, the excuse, for Fotogramas to celebrate a special for its 25th anniversary, brought hand in hand one of the most emblematic characters of the film franchise. While in the original trilogy we were able to see the last remnants of the Jedi Order materialized in characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda, the first episode of the prequel trilogy introduced us to Master Qui-Gon Jinn, mentor of Kenobi and relevant figure within the Star Wars universe.
After an arduous casting process in which names as diverse as those of Haley Joel Osment in the role of Anakin Skywalker, Benicio del Toro in that of Darth Maul or the king of pop himself, Michael Jackson, to give life to Jar Jar BinksGeorge Lucas began his search to find an actor who would fit the leading role of Master Jinn, a character who had initially been added to the film after the entire script was written, with the intention of influencing the generational change that is shown during the entire saga, and who finally ended up being one of the protagonists of the film.
In Search of Qui-Gon Jinn
At first, Lucas decided that the assignment for this role should be for an American actor, but finally he ended up opting for Liam Neeson, of Northern Irish origin, as he embodied the values, skills and presence that were required for the character. The interpreter had begun his career during the 80s with some supporting roles in films such as ‘Excalibur’ (1981), ‘Krull’ (1983) or ‘The Mission’ (1986), and later, during the 90s, he reached fame and recognition for his work in ‘Schindler’s List’ (1993)where he got his only Oscar nomination to date in the category of Best Leading Actor or ‘Les Misérables: The Legend Never Dies’ (1998).
George Lucas said that Liam Neeson was “a master actor, whom the rest of his colleagues admire, and who exhibits all the strength of the character.” The actor was so excited to be selected for the role that he signed the contract without even having read the script.
In this way, Neeson became the powerful Qui-Gon Jinn, a stubborn Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s teacher, whose loyalty and firm values do not prevent him from sometimes acting against the Council’s decisions. George Lucas defined his character as “very independent, always testing the rules and refusing to follow the program” and Liam Neeson himself said that Jinn was “wise and quite philosophical, but very skilled in combat. “He’s not really a rebel, but he has his own code of his”. Qui-Gon’s importance in the future of the saga is transcendental, since he is the one who frees Anakin Skywalker from slavery and identifies him as the Chosen One who will bring balance to the Force. His performance was applauded by critics: Entertainment Weekly said that “if there’s one actor who holds ‘The Phantom Menace’ together, it’s Liam Neeson, giving the film its only hints of emotional dynamism” and British film magazine Empire said that “Liam Neeson has bravely carried the action on his shoulders at all times and will be desperately missed by the subsequent prequels.”
Despite all this, for years there was speculation about the actor’s bad experience on the filming set, something that already happened with the Oscar winner, Alec Guinness, during his performance as Obi-Wan Kenobi in ‘Star Wars. Episode IV: A New Hope’ (1977). He himself silenced the rumors, categorically denying them and confirming how much he enjoyed filming. Furthermore, Liam Neeson was highly satisfied with his collaboration with George Lucas, praising his talent in directing performers and his clarity of ideas.
The role was reprized by the actor in the television miniseries ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ (2022), where he appears as a ghost in a small cameo. The actor also lent his voice to appear briefly in the ‘Star Wars’ films. Episode II: Attack of the Clones’ (2002) and ‘Star Wars. Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019), and the animated series ‘The Clone Wars’, ‘Star Wars Rebels’ and ‘Star Wars: The Jedi Chronicles’.
Building the Legend: The Story of Qui-Gon Jinn
Qui-Gon’s story prior to the events narrated in ‘The Phantom Menace’ is explained in small doses during other films and products of the galactic saga. The comics and novels belonging to the Expanded Universe did shed more light on his past, where they talked about his training as a Padawan of Count Dooku, his frustrated attempts not to lose his first apprentice Xanatos to the Dark Side, and his forbidden love with the Jedi master Tahl.
But after Disney’s acquisition of the rights to Lucasfilm in 2014, This compendium of material was called Star Wars Legends and was removed from the official canon.. In any case, Qui-Gon was a human born on Coruscant. During his adolescence, he was assigned as an apprentice to Count Dooku, whose progressive moral degradation caused him to walk the fine line that separates the Light Side from the Dark Side. Only his friendship with Rael Averross, Dooku’s first Padawan, guided him on his path. His skills and values soon earned him the title of Jedi Master, although his penchant for bypassing the Code to make the decisions he considered correct earned him a reputation for being rebellious and independent, which undoubtedly caused him to be ruled out for a seat. preferred on the Jedi Council.
Later, he took Obi-Wan Kenobi as his padawan, an outstanding and respectful apprentice who, however, did not always agree with his master’s methods. Over the years, the two carried out a series of dangerous missions and operations together as Jedi Knights in the service of the Galactic Republic, where they created an important master-apprentice bond. During the events of ‘The Phantom Menace’, both Jinn and Kenobi are sent as diplomatic ambassadors in the service of the Supreme Chancellor to unblock the trade blockade that the Trade Federation imposes on the planet Naboo. Once there, they both escape an assassination attempt alive and discover Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray’s plans to invade the planet. Both travel undercover to Naboo to once there rescue Queen Amidala and her entourage in extremis. During their escape, a breakdown in the ship forces them to land on Tatooine, a remote planet controlled by smugglers, where Qui-Gon Jinn will discover two revealing questions: the discovery of a slave boy named Anakin who could be The Chosen One of the Force and the appearance of a fearsome Sith Lord who tries to destroy them.
Finally, his insistent opposition to the Council regarding the question of whether or not Anakin Skywalker should be trained in the way of the Jedi was taken as his last wish by his padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, before dying fighting in combat against Darth Maul. However, this was not his only appearance. Qui-Gon’s power helped him open a new path that had not been previously traveled by any Jedi knight, being the first to become one with the Force, which allowed him to whisper messages and finally, appear in a spectral form as a ghost, to help and advise his friends. For years, Qui-Gon established contact with both Master Yoda and his apprentice Obi-Wan, whom he accompanied during his long years of exile in the Tatooine desert and to whom he taught the secrets of the incomplete return to life. his life.
