Qui-Gon Jinn

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Qui-Gon Jinn
Star Wars character
Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace
First appearanceThe Phantom Menace (1999)
Created byGeorge Lucas
Portrayed byLiam Neeson (Episode I, Obi-Wan Kenobi)
Voiced by
In-universe information
SpeciesHuman
GenderMale
OccupationJedi
Affiliation
MasterCount Dooku
ApprenticesObi-Wan Kenobi
HomeworldCoruscant[citation needed]

Qui-Gon Jinn (

Tales of the Jedi, which depicts some scenes from his life before the events of The Phantom Menace; Neeson voices adult Qui-Gon in the series, while his son Micheál Richardson
voices Qui-Gon as a padawan.

Within the fictional Star Wars universe, Qui-Gon mentors

Force spirit after death, teaching the idea to Yoda
during the Clone Wars and later to Obi-Wan.

Outside of the films, the character appears in various

Appearances

Film

The Phantom Menace (1999)

Qui-Gon is the main character in the first episode of the

prequel trilogy, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. He is a Jedi Master and the mentor of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Unlike other, more conservative Jedi, he values living in the moment as the best way to embrace the Force
. Jinn is not a member of the Jedi High Council and had no desire to be.

The Phantom Menace opens with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan sent to the planet Naboo to resolve a political conflict involving the Trade Federation, a corrupt business conglomerate that has blockaded the planet for political leverage. Upon arrival, they are attacked by their host. The Jedi retreat to the planet and rescue its besieged Queen, Padmé Amidala. Their attempt to run the blockade and make way for the galactic capital of Coruscant succeeds, but the queen's ship is damaged by attacks from a Trade Federation blockade, causing the hyperdrive to malfunction. With no other choice, the ship lands on the desert planet of Tatooine for repairs.

While searching for replacement parts on Tatooine, Qui-Gon discovers a 9-year old slave boy named Anakin Skywalker, who is extraordinarily strong in the Force; a test of his blood reveals that his midi-chlorian count—a measure of Force potential—is the highest ever detected. Qui-Gon becomes intrigued when Anakin's mother, Shmi, tells him that the boy had no father. Knowing that Anakin might be the "Chosen One" of Jedi lore destined to bring balance to the Force, Qui-Gon bets Anakin's freedom and the spaceship parts on a pod race, which Anakin wins. The entourage prepare to leave Tatooine, but they encounter a black cloaked lightsaber wielding being that Qui-Gon believes to be a Sith Lord, their brief duel is the first Jedi and Sith battle recorded in a thousand years,[5] which with before escaping on the ship. Upon returning to Coruscant, Qui-Gon asks the Jedi Council to allow Anakin to be trained as a Jedi. Master Yoda senses fear in the boy, and the Council denies his request. Undaunted, Qui-Gon vows that he himself will train Anakin when Obi-Wan becomes a Jedi Knight.

Amidala, R2-D2, and the two Jedi return to Naboo to liberate the planet. There, they encounter the Sith Lord from earlier, who reveals himself to be Darth Maul. After an arduous lightsaber duel, Maul mortally wounds Qui-Gon, stunning him by thrusting his saber hilt to his chin and then running Qui-Gon through. Maul is subsequently defeated by Obi-Wan. Before dying, Qui-Gon makes Obi-Wan promise that he will train Anakin. Qui-Gon is later cremated on a funeral pyre with everyone else witnessing.[6]

Attack of the Clones (2002)

Although Qui-Gon Jinn does not appear physically in Attack of the Clones, he does have a brief voice cameo when Yoda hears Qui-Gon's voice echo out to Anakin through the Force as Anakin slaughters a tribe of Tusken Raiders. In addition, Qui-Gon does appear as a statue in the Jedi Archives in one scene of the movie. Obi-Wan discovers that Qui-Gon's old master, Count Dooku, has become a Sith Lord; and Dooku mentions Qui-Gon as he interrogates a captured Obi-Wan, expressing grief over his former apprentice's death and debating that Qui-Gon would have followed him in leaving the Republic had he survived.

Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Though he does not appear in

Revenge of the Sith
in any form, Qui-Gon is briefly mentioned near the end of the film by Yoda, who reveals to Obi-Wan that they have been in communication with each other.

The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

In

The Rise of Skywalker, Qui-Gon's voice is heard speaking to Rey, along with other past Jedi, encouraging her to battle the resurrected Darth Sidious. Neeson returned to voice the character.[7]

Television

The Clone Wars (2008–2014; 2020)

In

Mortis, he informs Obi-Wan in the episode "Overlords" and later Anakin in the episode "Ghosts of Mortis" about the three beings who believe, like Qui-Gon, that Anakin is the Chosen One: the Father (the Unifying Force manifestation), the Daughter (the light side incarnation) and the Son (the dark side embodiment).[8] Later in the sixth-season episode "Voices," Yoda is contacted by the disembodied voice of Qui-Gon. Despite his presence on Mortis, Qui-Gon is revealed to have not been able to manifest a semi-physical form. Following his deceased friend's instructions, Yoda goes on a quest across the galaxy in order to learn the secrets of becoming one with the Force as well. During one of the tests of the Force Priestesses, an illusion of Qui-Gon appears along with Jedi Master Count Dooku and Obi-Wan.[9]
It is only after Yoda passes his test that he is allowed to learn Qui-Gon's technique to retain one's consciousness after death.

Rebels (2014–2018)

In Star Wars Rebels while he neither appears nor is mentioned, Obi-Wan finally avenges Qui-Gon Jinn's death in the season 3 episode "Twin Suns", where Obi-Wan and Maul have their final duel on the planet Tatooine. Obi-Wan uses Qui-Gon's favored form of lightsaber combat to bait Maul into overextending himself, allowing him to easily slay him.

Qui-Gon's voice can be heard briefly in the season 4 episode "

Skywalker saga, demonstrating how the eponymous realm that Ezra Bridger
enters widely spans all time and space in the Star Wars universe.

Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)

In

Force spirit
finally appears to him. Qui-Gon tells his former apprentice that he had always been there, but that Obi-Wan's grief had made him unable to see him. As Qui-Gon vanishes into the Force, Obi-Wan rides off into the desert, ready to continue his training.

Tales of the Jedi (2022)

In the

Darth Sidious
, claiming that Qui-Gon's death was unnecessary, as Qui-Gon might have been a powerful ally to them. Master Yaddle sees this meeting after havign followed Dooku to his meeting place with Sidious, Yaddle tells Dooku that he can make up for any crimes that he has committed by helping her bring the Sith Lord to justice. Dooku says that it is too late before igniting his lightsaber. Yaddle says no and fights back with her lightsaber. The two engage in a lightsaber duel in the presence of Sidious, eventually leading Yaddle to reveal that she has left the Jedi Council and that Dooku was right about so many things. The two continue their lightsaber duel at the maw of the hangar and Dooku then uses the Force to lower the gate, seemingly crushing Yaddle to death. However, Yaddle survives and uses the Force to lift the gate of the hangar. In her last moments, she looks up to Dooku. When Dooku says that he only wants to bring peace and order to the galaxy, Yaddle counters that so many have already suffered for what he calls "order." Dooku offers to bring her peace and strikes her down with his lightsaber, killing her, affirming his transition into a Sith and the Dark Side. Sidious watches in the darkness.

Novels

A novel involving Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, set before the events of The Phantom Menace and titled Master and Apprentice, was written by Claudia Gray and released on February 26, 2019.[10]

Video games

Qui-Gon has also appeared in several Star Wars video games:

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. A bird version of Qui-Gon, called "Quail-Gon," is playable in Angry Birds Star Wars II. A Lego Minifigure variant of the character appeared and is playable in Lego Star Wars: The Video Game, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars and Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
.

Legends works

With the 2012 acquisition of Lucasfilm by The Walt Disney Company, most of the licensed Star Wars novels and comics produced since the originating 1977 film Star Wars were rebranded as Star Wars Legends and declared non-canon to the franchise in April 2014.[11][12][13]

Television

Clone Wars (2003–2005)

In Star Wars: Clone Wars, Qui-Gon makes a cameo appearance in "Chapter 21". During Yoda's Force dream, Qui-Gon tells Anakin to enter the mysterious cave on Dagobah where the boy will see a vision of his future. Later when Obi-Wan reprimands Anakin for being late for his secret Knighthood ceremony, Anakin replies "as far as your wisdom goes, you're no Qui-Gon Jinn!". Ashamed, Anakin apologises and his master admits that he misses Qui-Gon.[14]

Novels

Qui-Gon's life years prior to The Phantom Menace is mainly detailed in the Jedi Apprentice book series. In The Rising Force (set 12 years before The Phantom Menace), Yoda encourages Qui-Gon to take a new Padawan learner, following the failure of his previous apprentice Xanatos, who turned to the dark side of the Force years before. Qui-Gon observes a small lightsaber tournament among a group of the Temple's older students, which includes 12-year-old Obi-Wan. He takes notice of Obi-Wan's skills, but also of the boy's uncontrolled anger and refuses to train him. Shortly following the tournament, the Jedi Knight leaves for a mission to the planet Bandomeer. On the transport ship, Qui-Gon is reunited with Obi-Wan, who is also being sent to Bandomeer to begin life as an agricultural labourer. During the voyage, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan help defend a group of Arcona from the criminal organization Offworld Corporation. After putting an end to the tense situation, the two arrive on Bandomeer, where Qui-Gon receives a letter signed by his former apprentice Xanatos.[15]

In

The Day of Reckoning, when they chase Xanatos back to his homeworld Telos, the fallen Jedi refuses to surrender and commits suicide. Qui-Gon is thus able to bring closure to a painful chapter of his life.[17][18]

In

pirates infiltrate their ship and their leader turns out to be rogue Jedi Lorian Nod, a former friend of Dooku's. The two battle and Dooku lets his anger get the best of him, but Qui-Gon prevents his master from violating the Jedi Code by committing cold-blooded murder. Years after their first encounter, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan encounter Nod and once again the fallen Jedi is incarcerated for his crimes.[19]

In

Secrets of the Jedi (set seven years before The Phantom Menace), Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are paired with Jedi Master Adi Gallia and her Padawan Siri Tachi. The mission, which results in Qui-Gon and Adi being separated from Obi-Wan and Siri, leads to the discovery of romantic feelings between the two Jedi Padawans. Qui-Gon detects these emotions and warns Obi-Wan of his own example with Tahl, a female Jedi whose murder nearly pushed Qui-Gon over the edge to the dark side.[20]

In

terrorist organization called the Nebula Front, who are secretly following Darth Sidious' orders. At the Trade Federation conference on Eriadu, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan successfully defend Chancellor Valorum, but do not prevent the deaths of the rest of the Trade Federation Directorate, allowing the Neimoidians to take control of the Federation.[21]

In the 2010 reference book The Jedi Path, Obi-Wan states that some have called Qui-Gon a gray Jedi.[22]

Comics

Aside from the graphic novelization of The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon appears in the "Stark Hyperspace War" plotline in Star Wars: Republic. In this story arc, which takes place during the same year Qui-Gon takes Obi-Wan as his apprentice, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan fight in the titular conflict along with other Jedi such as Plo Koon and Quinlan Vos, and Qui-Gon ends up saving Nute Gunray, the future Trade Federation viceroy.[23]

Reception

Despite the mixed reviews that the prequel trilogy received from critics, Liam Neeson's performance and character received positive reviews. Colin Kennedy from

Empire Online stated in his review of the film, "Liam Neeson has manfully carried the action on his shoulders throughout (the subsequent prequels desperately miss him) and his final words – “Obi-Wan, promise... Promise me you will train the boy” – provide the movie with its only real weight."[24] Owen Gleiberman from Entertainment Weekly said in his review of The Phantom Menace, "If there’s an actor who holds The Phantom Menace together, it’s Liam Neeson. Tersely commanding, he gives the film its only hints of emotional dynamism."[25]

In 2017, Rolling Stone placed Qui-Gon at the number 25 spot on their 50 Best Star Wars Characters of All Time list.[26]

Behind the scenes

Qui-Gon’s Jedi robes from Episode I

As revealed in The Art of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, director

Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson because he considered Neeson to have great skills and presence, describing him as a "master actor, who the other actors will look up to, who has got the qualities of strength that the character demands."[27] Initially, Lucas had planned for Qui-Gon to have long white hair, but that idea was scrapped and Qui-Gon is depicted as having long brown hair in the film.[citation needed
]

Lucas says the character is "very independent, always testing the rules," and refuses "to go along with the program." Neeson describes him as "wise and quite philosophical, yet very skilled in martial arts. He has incredible confidence, as well as a magical quality that enables him to see into the future. He's not really a rebel, but he has his own code."[28]

During the early development of Revenge of the Sith, Lucas wrote a scene featuring a ghostly Qui-Gon speaking with Yoda about Anakin. Liam Neeson indicated that he was set to reprise his role,[29] but the scene was deleted before being filmed, although it is retained in the film's novelization.[30]

The character's name is derived from the Chinese word qigong (气功 or 氣功), a system of coordinated body movement, breathing, and meditation used for health, spirituality, and martial arts training that allows access to higher realms of awareness, and balance of life energy, similar to Tai chi. This is paired with the Arabic word jinn, meaning "genie" or "tutelary spirit." The name translates almost literally as "Guardian Spirit of the Living Force."[31] "Jinn" could also refer to the Chinese word for power, jin (勁), and the martial arts concept of fa jin, which is the explosive release of internal strength or power.[32]

Relationships

Mentorship tree

Jedi Order
master-apprentice relationship
Yoda
Count
Dooku
Mace
Windu
Qui-Gon
Jinn
Depa
Billaba
Younglings
Obi-Wan
Kenobi
Kanan
Jarrus
Anakin
Skywalker
Luke
Skywalker
Ezra
Bridger
Ahsoka
Tano
Leia
Organa
Sabine WrenBen Solo
[n 1]
Rey
[n 1]
Din Grogu
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Ben Solo and Rey are a Force dyad.

References

  1. ^ Carter, Justin (May 28, 2022). "Ahsoka, Qui-Gon & Count Dooku Return in New Anthology Series, Tales of the Jedi". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  2. ^ Gray, Claudia. Master & Apprentice. USA: Random House Publishing Group.
  3. .
  4. ^ "Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films: Awards for 2000". IMDb. 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  5. ^ Windham, Ryder (2015). Ultimate Star Wars: Characters, Creatures, Locations, Technology, Vehicles. USA: DK. p. 22.
  6. 20th Century Fox
    . 2001.
  7. ^ "25 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Cameos You Might Have Missed". Vanity Fair. December 20, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  8. ^ Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 3, episodes 15 & 17
  9. ^ Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 6, episode 11
  10. ^ Liptak, Andrew (20 July 2018). "The next Star Wars novels will flesh out the prequel era". The Verge. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  11. ^ McMilian, Graeme (April 25, 2014). "Lucasfilm Unveils New Plans for Star Wars Expanded Universe". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  12. StarWars.com
    . April 25, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  13. ^ "Disney and Random House announce relaunch of Star Wars Adult Fiction line". StarWars.com. April 25, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  14. ^ Star Wars: Clone Wars episodes 20-21
  15. ^ Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice – The Rising Force
  16. ^ Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice – The Dark Rival
  17. ^ Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice – The Captive Temple
  18. ^ Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice – The Day of Reckoning
  19. ^ Star Wars: Legacy of the Force
  20. ^ Star Wars: Secrets of the Jedi
  21. ^ Star Wars: Cloak of Deception
  22. OCLC 752590192
    .
  23. ^ Star Wars: Republic - The Stark Hyperspace War
  24. ^ Kennedy, Colin. "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Review". Empire Online. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  25. ^ Gleiberman, Owen. "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  26. ^ "50 Best 'Star Wars' Characters of All Time, 25. Qui-Gon Jinn". Rolling Stone. 4 May 2020.
  27. ^ "Star Wars Episode I Production Notes: The Actors and Characters - Part I". StarWars.com. 1999-05-01. Archived from the original on 2004-10-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20041023023458/http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp4.html. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
  28. OCLC 41376907
    .
  29. ^ Keck, William (2005-01-10). "USATODAY.com - Movie-star night in Palm Springs". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2016-12-21.
  30. ^ Christian Blauvelt (2011-01-20). "Liam Neeson to voice Qui-Gon Jinn in 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' — EXCLUSIVE VIDEO –". Ew.com. Retrieved 2016-12-21.
  31. . Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  32. ^ Voigt, John (5 Jan 2016). "Qi as Entertainment: The Force in Star Wars". Qi Encyclopedia. Qi Journal. Retrieved 23 October 2016.

Bibliography

External links