Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liam Neeson pours scorn on Star Wars spin-offs: ‘It’s taken away the mystery and the magic’

Actor famously played Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn in 1999’s ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’

Tom Murray
Friday 17 February 2023 16:52 EST
Comments
Liam Neeson tells Dame Helen Mirren how he fell in love with her

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Liam Neeson has ruled out a return to the Star Wars franchise, criticising its many recent spin-offs.

Neeson famously played Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn in 1999’s prequel trilogy opener, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.

Appearing alongside Paul Rudd on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Thursday (16 February), Neeson was asked by a fan whether he’s interested in reprising his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi’s mentor.

“No, I’m not,” Neeson responded.

“There’s so many spin-offs of Star Wars. It’s diluting it to me, and it’s taken away the mystery and the magic in a weird way.”

“It was nice to do the little bit with Ewan [McGregor],” the actor stipulated about his short cameo in McGregor’s Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The Northern Irish actor previously told Comicbook.com last year that he would consider a return to the role on the condition that it was in a film.

“Yeah, I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to TV, I must admit. I just like the big screen, you know? Qui-Gon, I can’t believe it’s 24 years since we made The Phantom Menace, I just cannot believe where the time has gone. It was a terrific experience shooting that film in London,” he said.

Neeson is currently promoting Marlowe, in which he plays the titular detective character alongside a cast of Diane Kruger, Jessica Lange and Alan Cumming.

Never one to mince his words, Neeson told IndieWire in an interview this week that he was “worried” Tom Hanks would ruin Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis for him.

Marlowe does not yet have a UK release date.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in