Qui-Gon Jinn

Qui-Gon Jinn
Star Wars character
Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn
Portrayed by	Liam Neeson (Episode I, The Phantom Menace) Fred Tatasciore (Clone Wars microseries) James Warwick (Video games)
Fictional profile
Species	Human
Gender	Male
Position	Jedi Master
Homeworld	Unknown
Affiliation	Jedi Order Galactic Republic

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Qui-Gon Jinn is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, and a main protagonist of the 1999 film Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, portrayed by Liam Neeson. He also appears in the Star Wars Expanded Universe of comic books, video games, and novels. In Star Wars fiction, Qui-Gon is best known as the mentor of the Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, as well as the one who discovers Anakin Skywalker (who later becomes Darth Vader).

Qui-Gon's voice, provided by Neeson, is heard in one scene from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones that was uncredited. Director George Lucas approached Neeson about reprising the role for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, but he was injured in a motorcycle accident prior to shooting; thus, his character is only mentioned.

Depiction

Qui-Gon is introduced in The Phantom Menace as a wise and powerful Jedi Master and the teacher of the 25-year-old Obi-Wan Kenobi. Unlike other, more conservative Jedi, he values living in the moment as the best way to embrace the Force. While other Jedi respect him, they are frequently puzzled by his unorthodox beliefs, and ultimately deny him a seat on the Jedi Council.^[1] Obi-Wan remarks that Qui-Gon has been in conflict with the Council several times in the past.

Attack of the Clones reveals that he was trained in the ways of the Jedi by Count Dooku.^[2] In Revenge of the Sith, Master Yoda reveals to Obi-Wan that Qui-Gon's spirit has learned the secret of becoming one with the Force, which he teaches to both Yoda and Obi-Wan.^[3] In Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, both Obi-Wan ,Yoda and a redeemed Anakin are shown to have fully mastered this ability after their deaths.

The Phantom Menace

In The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are sent to the planet Naboo to resolve a political crisis. The corrupt Trade Federation, in protest to recent taxation laws, had blockaded the planet with a fleet of battleships. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are sent as ambassadors of Chancellor Finis Valorum to reach a peaceful settlement.

Shortly after their arrival, the Federation's Neimoidian viceroy Nute Gunray has their starship destroyed and attempts to gas them on orders from the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, who is using the Federation as pawns in a larger scheme to take over the Galactic Republic. The two Jedi survive the gas and easily defeat the battle droids assigned to reinforce the chamber entrance. Qui-Gon tries to cut through the bridge's blast doors with his lightsaber, but the arrival of Federation droidekas force him and his apprentice to escape and they stow away on troop transports invading Naboo.

On Naboo, Qui-Gon saves the life of a Gungan named Jar Jar Binks, earning his eternal debt in the process. Jar Jar agrees to take the two Jedi to the Gungan underwater city of Otoh Gunga, where its ruler Boss Nass gives them transport to the Naboo capital city of Theed and allows Jar Jar to go with the offworlders as a guide. Once in Theed, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan rescue Naboo's ruler, Queen Padmé Amidala, and escape on the royal starship. As they dash through the Federation's blockade, however, the ship is hit by laser fire and the hyperdrive is badly damaged. The party is forced to land on the desert planet Tatooine to make repairs.

On Tatooine, Qui-Gon searches for parts in the settlement of Mos Espa, where he encounters a nine-year-old slave named Anakin Skywalker. The Jedi Master comes to believe that the boy, who is exceptionally strong in the Force, may be the "Chosen One" of Jedi legend destined to bring balance to the Force. Qui-Gon helps liberate Anakin from slavery when he wagers with the boy's Toydarian owner, Watto, on his victory in the Boonta Eve Classic podrace. However, the Sith Lord Darth Maul intercepts them as they approach the Queen's repaired starship. Qui-Gon orders Anakin to get onboard while he engages Maul in a lightsaber duel. Using the Force, Qui-Gon manages to leap onto the ship's extended landing ramp as it takes off, leaving the Sith Lord behind.

On Coruscant, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan return to the Jedi Temple and appear before the Council to give an update on the status of their mission. There, Qui-Gon expresses his belief that Anakin is the "Chosen One," and the Council reluctantly agree to test the boy for Jedi potential. They find that the boy is indeed very strong with the Force, having the greatest midi-chlorian count ever recorded, but say he is too old to begin the training. Yoda senses that the boy's future is "clouded" by the fear he exhibits. Qui-Gon protests the Council's decision, stating that he would take Anakin as his Padawan in light of the fact that Obi-Wan is ready to face the trials. The argument is put on hold as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are then ordered by the Council to return with Queen Amidala to Naboo and liberate the planet from the Trade Federation's control. On the way, Obi-Wan protests Qui-Gon's decision to push for the boy's training. Qui-Gon tells Anakin that while he is not allowed to train him, he wants Anakin to stay close to him and pay attention.

During the Battle of Naboo, the two Jedi once again encounter and fight Darth Maul in another lightsaber duel inside the Theed Palace's power generator complex. After Obi-Wan is briefly isolated from the duel via a row of impenetrable laser walls, Maul mortally wounds Qui-Gon, but Obi-Wan, in turn, kills the Sith Lord with Qui-Gon's own lightsaber. With his dying words, Qui-Gon requests Obi-Wan to train Anakin, to which his apprentice agrees upon being promoted to the rank of Jedi Knight for his victory over a Sith Lord. Following this, the Jedi Master's body is cremated in a traditional Jedi funeral.^[4]

Expanded Universe

Jedi Apprentice

Qui-Gon's life prior to Episode I 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 the 12-year-old Obi-Wan Kenobi. 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 Master 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.^[5] In The Dark Rival, it is revealed that the whole ordeal has been organized by Xanatos, now the leader of Offworld. Qui-Gon sends Obi-Wan off to his Agri-Corps duties, while he plans to meet with Xanatos to find an agreement between Offworld and Bandomeer. However, Xanatos plans to sabotage their meeting and kill Qui-Gon. The Jedi Master duels with his former apprentice, and he and Obi-Wan end Offworld's business on Bandomeer. Xanatos escapes, however. During the encounter with Xanatos, Qui-Gon discovers Obi-Wan's true potential and accepts the boy as his new Padawan. As a gift for Obi-Wan's 13th birthday, Qui-Gon gives his apprentice a special rock he found from the River of Light on his homeworld.^[6] In The Captive Temple, Xanatos attacks the Jedi Temple and nearly assassinates Yoda, but Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan thwart his plans, and 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.^[7][8]

Other novels

In Legacy of the Jedi, set during both Qui-Gon's Padawan and Master years, Qui-Gon and his master Count Dooku are sent to accompany Senator Blix Annon on a diplomatic assignment. However, space pirates infiltrate their ship, and their leader turns out to be a rogue Jedi named Lorian Nod, who was a close 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, along with Obi-Wan, again encounters Nod, and once again the fallen Jedi is incarcerated for his crimes.^[9]

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 him over the edge to the dark side.^[10]

In Cloak of Deception, set a year before The Phantom Menace, both Jedi fight against a terrorist organization called the Nebula Front, who are secretly following the orders of Darth Sidious. At the Trade Federation conference on Eriadu, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan successfully defend Chancellor Finis Valorum, but do not prevent the deaths of the rest of the Trade Federation Directorate, allowing the Neimoidians to take control of the Federation.^[11]

Clone Wars (2003)

In the canonical animated microseries Star Wars: Clone Wars, Qui-Gon's face is briefly seen during Anakin's duel with the Dark Jedi Asajj Ventress on Yavin IV. Later, Qui-Gon, voiced by Fred Tatasciore, makes a full cameo appearance in a dream sequence, in which he tells a circa Episode I Anakin to enter a mysterious cave, where the boy will see a vision of his future.^[12]

The Clone Wars (2008)

In the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Qui-Gon is mentioned a few times, first by Obi-Wan, describing a mission they had gone on while he was still Qui-Gon's apprentice, and again by Padmé, referring to Qui-Gon's death during a speech about the damage war does to life and society. Later during a three-part episode, Qui-Gon appears as a Force ghost twice; first to Obi-Wan and later to Anakin when they, along with Anakin's Padawan Ahsoka Tano, are trapped on the mysterious planet Mortis. Liam Neeson reprised his role for these appearances in the series.

In comic books

Aside from the graphic novelization of The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon appears infrequently in Star Wars-related comic books. His most extensive appearance thus far is 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.^[13]

In video games

Qui-Gon has also appeared in several Star Wars video games. These games include Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Jedi Power Battles, Star Wars: Obi-Wan, and the Lego Star Wars games. He also appears as a character skin (via purchased download content) in The Force Unleashed. He has been voiced by James Warwick in most games.

Behind the scenes

As revealed in The Art of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, director George Lucas conceived the character of Qui-Gon Jinn during pre-production of the film. This is shown by concept art where Obi-Wan Kenobi is shown alone in the Trade Federation flagship and while meeting Jar Jar Binks. Even when Qui-Gon was conceived, Lucas toyed with making him the younger Jedi, as shown in concept art depicting Obi-Wan as an old man. Lucas originally envisioned an American actor for the role of Qui-Gon, but ultimately cast Liam Neeson, who is Northern Irish, 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."^[14] Initially, Lucas had planned for Qui-Gon to have long white hair, but that idea was scrapped and in the film Qui-Gon is depicted as having long brown hair. For various fight scenes of the film, including the lightsaber duels, British actor Andrew Lawden served as Neeson's body double.

References

1. ^ Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, 1999 ("If you would just follow the Code, you would be on the council")
2. ^ Count Dooku, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, 2002 ("You forget, that he was once my apprentice just as you were once his")
3. ^ Yoda, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, 2005 (“An old friend had learned the path to immortality.”)
4. ^ Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (DVD). 20th Century Fox. 2001. 
5. ^ Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice – The Rising Force
6. ^ Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice – The Dark Rival
7. ^ Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice – The Captive Temple
8. ^ Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice – The Day of Reckoning
9. ^ Star Wars: Legacy of the Force
10. ^ Star Wars: Secrets of the Jedi
11. ^ Star Wars: Cloak of Deception
12. ^ Star Wars: Clone Wars episodes 20-21
13. ^ Star Wars: Republic - The Stark Hyperspace War
14. ^ "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. http://web.archive.org/web/20041023023458/http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp4.html. Retrieved 2009-04-05.

• Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Novelization, 1st edition paperback, 1999. Terry Brooks, George Lucas, ISBN 0-345-43411-0
• Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Novelization - Novelization, 1st edition hardcover, 2005. Matthew Woodring Stover, George Lucas, ISBN 0-7126-8427-1
• Star Wars Episode I Who's Who: A Pocket Guide to Characters of the Phantom Menace, hardcover, 1999. Ryder Windham, ISBN 0-7624-0519-8
• The New Essential Guide to Characters, 1st edition, 2002. Daniel Wallace, Michael Sutfin, ISBN 0-345-44900-2
• Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: The Visual Dictionary, hardcover, 1999. David West Reynolds, ISBN 0-7894-4701-0
• Star Wars Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook, 1st edition, 2000. Bill Slavicsek, Andy Collins, ISBN 0-7869-1793-8

External links

• Qui-Gon Jinn in the Star Wars Databank
• Qui-Gon Jinn on Wookieepedia: a Star Wars Wiki