Liam Neeson achieved notable recognition for his portrayal of Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, the inaugural installment of George Lucas’ prequel trilogy. Despite appearing in just one film, the immense scale of the franchise means that such iconic roles tend to become a lifelong association for actors.
Liam Neeson disclosed on an episode of Conan O’Brien’s podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, that he continues to be frequently approached for autographs, particularly at airports and similar public places. While children are often present in these interactions, it’s evident that it’s often the fathers or grandfathers who are the ones most eager to secure signature.
Liam Neeson Thinks Disney Is Ruining Star Wars
When discussing the fervent fanbase, Liam Neeson succinctly described it as a “cult,” highlighting the intense devotion. This observation reflects the expansive realm of media franchises. Regarding Star Wars, Neeson believes that the franchise may be engaging in excessive expansion and rapid development. “There’s so many movies and spin-offs, and I think, you’re diluting the whole thing. I think. That’s my personal thing,” Neeson said.
Nonetheless, Star Wars had already established itself as a significant franchise long before this new wave of shows emerged. It’s worth noting that the anticipation and excitement surrounding The Phantom Menace far surpassed what is currently observed for, let’s say, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, an upcoming Disney+ series that might not be as familiar to many.
Regarding The Phantom Menace, Neeson shared an amusing anecdote about how he and Ewan McGregor, who portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi, initially began producing lightsaber sound effects by making “whoosh-swoosh” noises with their mouths during filming. He recounted how George Lucas intervened, suggesting they could incorporate those sounds during post-production.
Overall, Neeson appears somewhat less enthusiastic about the contemporary landscape of filmmaking, where actors often interact with CGI characters inserted in post-production. He also recounted an incident while filming a scene alongside Watto, the winged insectoid junk dealer featured in the prequel trilogy.
Liam Neeson Hated Working In TDKR
The process of crafting a film carries a weighty significance, implying that each frame should contribute meaningfully to the narrative. Filmmaker Christopher Nolan adheres to this principle, demonstrating a meticulous commitment to every detail in his projects. This dedication yields some of the industry’s most iconic and outstanding films. However, it’s crucial to note that this rigorous approach doesn’t always guarantee that the stars collaborating with him will find the experience enjoyable on every occasion.
During an interview, Liam Neeson, renowned for his collaboration with the director of Oppenheimer on The Dark Knight Rises, shared a perplexing yet mildly irksome experience. This occurred during the filming of a scene in which Christian Bale’s character was bound to a chair, and Neeson’s character, Ra’s Al Ghul from The Dark Knight trilogy, appeared in his consciousness. Neeson recalled arriving on set and questioning Nolan’s actions, prompting the filmmaker to provide a concise explanation of the scene’s concept.
Star Wars series can be streamed on Disney+.
Source: Twitter
