Superman(2025) actor David Corenswet recently shared his take on howQui-Gon Jinntraining Anakin Skywalker would have gone, and, fascinatingly, I prefer Corenswet’s view over George Lucas'. The impact of Obi-Wan Kenobi training Anakin instead of Qui-Gon inStar Warsmovies and TV showshas been discussed at length, yet it remains a heated debate today.
PerCulture Craveon X,Superman(2025) actorDavid Corenswet shared his perspective on Anakin Skywalker’s training. Speaking about the effects of Anakin being trained by Obi-Wan Kenobi rather than Qui-Gon Jinn, Corenswet said:
“[Obi-Wan Kenobi] wasn’t the one who was supposed to train Anakin; that was supposed to be Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon had the experience and the instinct and, frankly, the love, which, you know, in the Jedi Order is not terribly encouraged. Qui-Gon went against the Order in feeling this great love for the kid and having this sense, and if it had been Qui-Gon, you know, it probably would’ve gone better. But, that said, Obi-Wan is also justified because he made a promise to his dying master. He’s gotta follow through, and he cares about the kid too.”
On the one hand, this is a brilliant assessment both of how Qui-Gon’s training would have been different to Obi-Wan’s and the ways in which Obi-Wan still wasn’t ‘at fault’ for how Anakin’s training went. On the other,this perspective directly contradicts George Lucas' own—and I happen to agree more with Corenswet.
George Lucas' Take On Qui-Gon Is Very Different (& Very Shocking)
Lucas Doesn’t Agree That Qui-Gon Should Have Trained Anakin
While it’s clear that David Corenswet believes Qui-Gon should have been the one to train Anakin,George Lucas had a very different opinion on Anakin being trained by Qui-Gon or otherwise. Rather,George Lucas believed Yoda was right, and Anakin should not have been trained. Speaking withCut Magazinein 1999, Lucas said:
“I think it is obvious that he [Qui-Gon] was wrong in Episode I and made a dangerous decision, but ultimately this decision may be correct. The ‘phantom menace’ refers to the force of the dark side of the universe. Anakin will be taken over by dark forces which in turn destroy the balance of the Galaxy, but the individual who kills the Emperor is Darth Vader - also Anakin.”
Although Lucas adds that this may have been the correct choice in the long-run, it’s fairly shocking to realize that Lucas himself thought Qui-Gon was in the wrong for his decision, especially considering Anakin wasthe Chosen One. Lucas' word choice in this quote and where he places the blame are particularly surprising.
Lucas isn’t just saying that Qui-Gon was wrong to be so stubborn about this decision and go against the Jedi Council (which I think most people would agree with).Lucas indicated that Qui-Gon’s very decision to have Anakin trained at all was wrong and dangerous. Yes, Anakin eventually fell, but this view nevertheless took me by surprise.
David Corenswet’s Take Feels So Much More “Right” To Me
Corenswet Understands Why This Was The Better Choice
Ultimately, the question of whether Qui-Gon would have been better for Anakin is a thorny issue inStar Wars, and it’s something fans can only speculate about. When comparing Lucas' view against Corenswet’s, though,I much prefer Corenswet’s.
For one, I think Corenswet is correct that Qui-Gon’s love for Anakin would actually have been a benefit (despite what the Jedi think). While Anakin’s feelings of ostracization and being misunderstood would likely have been minimized had he been trained by Qui-Gon, I believe he was destined to struggle with anger and attachment.
Had it been Qui-Gon, I think Anakin would have felt more heard and understood, which may even have helped Anakin go to Qui-Gon for guidance, whereas he actively hid things from Obi-Wan and the rest of the Jedi Council and consistently kept things bottled up. That’s why we see multiple outbursts inStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.
Of course, Anakin was destined to turn into Darth Vader, not least of all because the prequels had to tell that story. But, as a fun thought experiment of what could have been, I strongly prefer and primarily agree withSuperman(2025) actor David Corenswet’s interpretation of whatQui-Gon Jinn’straining would have meant for Anakin.
