Amid growing rumors of anObi-Wan Kenobiseason 2, I think Liam Neeson’s potentialStar Warsreturn is a pretty big risk. Having played Jedi MasterQui-Gon Jinnin 1999’sThe Phantom Menace, Neeson made a recent live-action cameo in the finale ofObi-Wan Kenobi’sfirst season. However, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have concerns about an expanded role in a second season.
Tragically,Qui-Gon Jinn died at the hands of Darth Maulat the end ofThe Phantom Menace. However, Jinn’s presence would continue to be felt as one of the first known Force ghosts. Having learned how to retain his consciousness after death, Jinn taught this skill to Yoda and his own apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi.However, I do wonder if Qui-Gon’s possible return risks repeating old mistakes.
Liam Neeson Seems Willing To Return To Star Wars After All
The Actor Was Fairly Tight-Lipped About Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 2
BeyondThe Phantom Menace, Neeson provided some key voice work inAttack of the Clonesand in the animatedClone Warsseries. This was before his most recent return in 2022’sObi-Wan Kenobi.However, Neeson suggested back in 2023 that all the recentStar Warsexpansions and various series were starting to “dilute” the magic of the franchise. He has also cited his age as a factor.
Overall, Liam Neeson has seemed fairly uninterested in returning to theStar Warsgalaxy…until now. While promotingThe Naked Gun,Neeson seems to show some renewed interest in aStar Warsreturn, while also remaining pretty aloof about recentObi-Wan Kenobiseason 2 rumors and his potential involvement. However, it certainly seems like the most positive response from Neeson in recent memory.
There’s Only One Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 2 Story Neeson Would Fit With
Force Ghost Training
It’s important to note that nothing has been officially confirmed just yet.Obi-Wan Kenobiseason 2 has yet to be announcedby Disney and Lucasfilm, let alone Liam Neeson’s return as Qui-Gon Jinn.However, there really is only one story that would make the most sense for Qui-Gon to be involved with, especially after his cameo in the first season’s finale.
InObi-Wan Kenobi, Ewan McGregor’s titular Jedi is shown to be struggling during the Dark Times, living as a hermit on Tatooine, ten years afterRevenge of the Sith. Protecting Luke Skywalker from afar, Obi-Wan is wracked with guilt and trauma, having closed himself off from the Force. However, it’s his journey to rescue Leia that motivates him to finally reconnect with the Force as a Jedi once more.
This is what allowed Obi-Wan to finally communicate with Qui-Gon at the end of theStar Warsseries, despite Yoda having taught him to commune with Jinn years prior. One can imagine thatQui-Gon would then show Obi-Wan how to become a Force ghost himself, as seen in the original trilogy. However, this could end up being a pretty big gamble on Lucasfilm’s part.
This Would Be Dangerous Territory For Star Wars
It Could Be Midi-chlorians All Over Again
The concern is simple: Force ghosts are currently one of the more mysterious aspects of this “mystical energy field that binds all living things”.I’m worried any prolonged scenes with Qui-Gon teaching his former apprentice how to become a Force ghost will effectively demystify the entire thing, and it’ll end up being midi-chlorians all over again.
InThe Phantom Menace, it was revealed thatForce-sensitivity and one’s ability to wield the Force are tied to midi-chlorian counts.As was confirmed by Neeson’s Qui-Gon Jinn himself, midi-chlorians are microscopic, intelligent lifeforms that reside in the cells of all living beings.
Forming a symbiotic relationship, the Force speaks through the midi-chlorians, and this is how beings in theStar Warsgalaxy can use the Force, depending on their personal midi-chlorian count.This was determined via blood tests, like when Qui-Gon tests Anakin Skywalker, leading Jinn to believe the boy to be the Chosen One based on the unique nature of his conception and extremely high midi-chlorian count.
Naturally, this full breakdown of the Force in the first prequel movie was highly controversial. After all, the explanation was more based in science than spiritual, making the Force feel less like a mystical source of power in the eyes of many.Keeping that in mind, Qui-Gon’s possible return inObi-Wan Kenobiseason 2 to likely train Obi-Wan how to become a Force ghost is similarly dangerous territory.
If it does end up happening, I feel as though there will be a thin line to be walked to make sureStar Warsdoesn’t fall into the same problem they had back in 1999.While I would still like to see Liam Neeson return as Qui-Gon Jinn, I think I’d like to see him used sparingly to better keep the magic of Force ghosts intact when and if new insights are revealed.
