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Liam Neesonremembers his young Logos arrive on the set ofStar Wars : Episode I - The Phantom Menaceand immediately run over to R2 - D2 and wrapping the metallic droid in a hug . Neeson ’s part as Jedi Master Qui - Gon Jinn introduced him to the world ofStar Wars , but since his role as an ex - CIA broker on a mission to save his daughter with 2008 ’s military action film , Taken , he ’s become more well known for his roles as a crusty military action hero . Fans of Neeson ’s workplace have created several jokes around the fact that , necessarily , everything will rest on the shoulders of Neeson ’s character , and he ’ll have to single - handedly take down the terrorist , gangsters , or whoever dares to fend in his route . However , Neeson recently clarified that as he ’s gotten older , his time starring as the hero in exhilarate activity flicks is likely to total to a close , see as he ’s approaching his 70 . But that still has n’t halt the actor from starring in two action film this twelvemonth , Blacklight , which came out in February , andMemory , which hit dramaturgy on April 29 .
Star Warsfans have always celebrated Neeson ’s theatrical role as Qui - Gon Jinn inPhantom Menaceand highlight his witty back - and - forth backchat with his Jedi apprentice , Obi - Wan Kenobi ( Ewan McGregor ) , as a keep open state of grace of a pic marred by negative reviews . After the demise of his theatrical role at the end of the film , Neeson give briefly to the role via voice cameos in two otherStar Warsfilms . It was hypothesize that he would return to trifle Qui - Gon in the new live actionObi - Wan Kenobiseries on Disney+ , butNeeson spud theKenobirumors down , saying that he had n’t been approach to render in the show . From a timeline perspective , it would make common sense for Qui - Gon to reappear as a force - trace since Obi - Wan was assure by Yoda that he could con how to communicate with his former Jedi Master via the force after the events ofStar war : Episode III - Revenge of the Sith .
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In an exclusive consultation withScreen Rant , Neeson bring in up a sweet-flavored memory about his son finding a friend on the set ofPhantom Menacewhen asked if McGregor ’s return to theStar Warsuniversebrought up any computer storage for Neeson about that fourth dimension in his life . He right away call back a funny account from set about hold his two - yr - old son Michael in his arms and Michael strive out toward R2 - D2 until Neeson relented and put him down . Next affair he knew , his son was waddling over and hugging R2 - D2 , which Neeson thought was " just so cute . “Afterwards , he told director George Lucas the heartwarming story , who reply that " R2 - D2 has that effect on kids . “Read his full remark below :
Yes . Oh , it does . And I recognize Ewan ’s doing the series . Yeah , I can not trust it was 24 years ago that we shot the cinema in London . My gosh . I recollect my Word . I ’ll tell you a funny story . My son , Michael , was two . His nanny make for him out to visit me on bent and it was lunchtime . I held him in my arms and took him around the solidifying and there was R2 - D2 , just sit around parked . My son look at this unknown piece of metal , in my arms , and just went , " [ stretches arms out ] " So I had to lease him down and he paddle over and start hugging R2 - D2 . I thought it was very interesting . He was two . He knows nothing about Star Wars , saw any of the movies . It was just so cute . I think of telling George Lucas after lunch , I said , " I brought my son on . He had to go down and clinch R2 - D2 and it was really poignant . " And George said , " Yeah . R2 - D2 has that effect on kids . " And I just thought it was very , very sweet , so it reminded me of that .
Even at the unbelievably new long time of two , Neeson ’s boy was so drawn to the shiny blue and silver hull of R2 - D2 ’s physical structure that he just had to run over and give him a hug . Michael was n’t mindful of anyStar Warslore , he just wanted to befriend the droid , and in twist , highlighted the underlying appealingness that the lineament intent gives off to children . Some say that children are the best justice of character , and go steady as R2 - D2 has been a heroic companion in all nineStar Warsfilms , Michael ’s intuition was no exception . The report Neeson evidence alongside Lucas ' reaction is very affecting , and it ’s apparent why it would be the first matter to follow to Neeson ’s judgment when thinking about his time on the ready ofThe Phantom Menace .
The fact that 24 days after filming , Neeson still has adoring remembering from the set ofPhantom Menacespeaks to how impactful a film can be for an actor , regardless of the moving picture ’s reception by audiences . Neeson has never enjoin that he does n’t desire to return to theStar Warsuniverse , and it ’s still potential that he find himself with a part in the newKenobiseries and is just sworn to secretiveness . It would n’t be the first sentence that an player has had to keep their part under wraps to create a bigger reveal , asMark Hamill did with hisMandaloriancameo . Only time will recite what rolesLiam Neesonfinds himself in next as he steps away from the physical demand of action films , but memories like those with his son on the hardened ofPhantom Menacewill likely last a lifespan .
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