Returning Star Wars actor ‘didn’t want anyone else playing’ his role in Obi-Wan Kenobi

The guest appearance Star Wars fans waited and hoped for in Obi-Wan Kenobi finally happened this week. After weeks of buildup, Ewan McGregor and another former Star Wars co-star met face-to-face again as their original characters. Qui-Gon Jinn returned — and the actor behind the character was more than happy to be a part of a galaxy far, far away once more.

Liam Neeson told The Hollywood Reporter that playing Qui-Gon again wasn’t even a question — both because he wanted to work with Ewan McGregor again and because he’s affectionately attached to the role — as he has every right to be.

“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,” Neeson said. “Plus, Ewan [McGregor] is a pal, and I loved working with him during The Phantom Menace 25 years ago.”

Qui-Gon appeared as a Force Ghost in the final minutes of the Disney+ series finale ready to guide Obi-Wan along to his next Tatooine destination. Obi-Wan spent the entirety of the series speaking with his former master, but the latter never replied. Meeting once again, Qui-Gon tells Obi-Wan he was with him the whole time; Obi-Wan just couldn’t see him yet.

Because this is likely one of the last times the two actors will appear alongside each other as their original characters in live-action, it was good to see them on Tatooine again — even if only for a short time. Qui-Gon waiting until the last minute to appear to Obi-Wan serves as a meaningful symbol of what can be gained from letting go of the past and accepting the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

All episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi are streaming now exclusively on Disney+.

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