Liam Neeson Reflects on Qui-Gon Jinn’s “Namby-Pamby” Death in The Phantom Menace

Liam Neeson, who portrayed Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, recently voiced his disappointment with his character’s iconic death scene. In an interview with GQ, Neeson criticized how easily his Jedi fell in battle against Darth Maul, despite being billed as a “Master Jedi.”

“I thought my death was a bit namby-pamby,” Neeson said. “My character fell for that. ‘Oh, I’m going for your face! No, I’m not, I’m going for your stomach.’ ‘Oh, you got me!’ Like, oh please. Hardly a Master Jedi.”

Despite his criticism, Neeson still fondly remembers the experience of making the film. More than 20 years after The Phantom Menace, he briefly reprised the role in a cameo during the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, reuniting with co-star Ewan McGregor. “It was nice to recreate that and be with Ewan after 18, 20 years. It was sweet,” Neeson said.

Interestingly, Neeson’s role could have played out very differently. Concept artist Iain McCaig revealed during the film’s 25th anniversary celebration that George Lucas once considered an alternate storyline in which Neeson’s character lived longer—and McGregor’s Obi-Wan wasn’t introduced until later. In that version, Obi-Wan would have been the one to die in the climactic duel, with Qui-Gon surviving, taking on his Padawan’s name, and continuing the story.

“As Obi-Wan dies and Qui-Gon defeats Darth Maul and stays with his Master as he passes away, he not only takes on his Master’s quest, but he takes on his name,” McCaig explained. This twist would’ve led to the same eventual outcome—training Anakin Skywalker and ultimately influencing Luke—but with a major reveal at the end of the film.

While the final version kept Qui-Gon’s death intact, it’s clear that Neeson still holds affection for the role, even if he wishes his heroic exit had been a bit more fitting for a Jedi Master.