Qui-Gon Jinn
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Star Wars character | |
| Qui-Gon Jinn | |
|---|---|
 Qui-Gon Jinn in his last lightsaber duel. |
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| Position | Jedi Master |
| Homeworld | Unknown |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 1.93 meters (6 ft 4 in) |
| Affiliation | Jedi Order, Galactic Republic |
| Portrayed by | Liam Neeson |
Qui-Gon Jinn is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, portrayed by Liam Neeson in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. He also appears frequently in the Star Wars Expanded Universe of comic books, video games and novels.
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[edit] Character overview
| “ | Qui Gon Jinn was perhaps the greatest Jedi alive, a commanding presence at Council, a strong and brave warrior who refused to be intimidated by even the most daunting challenge and a good and kind man. | ” |
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— Obi Wan Kenobi, The Phantom Menace novelization
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Qui-Gon Jinn was introduced in Episode I as a wise and powerful Jedi, the mentor of the young Obi-Wan Kenobi. He was something of a renegade among the Jedi Order; unlike other, more conservative Jedi Masters, he valued living in the moment as the most effective and rewarding way to embrace the Force. While other Jedi respected him, they were frequently puzzled by his unorthodoxy, and ultimately denied him a seat on the Jedi Council.
Qui-Gon inherited his independent spirit from his equally rebellious master, Count Dooku. Unlike his master, who left the Jedi Order and ultimately joined the Sith, Qui-Gon stayed true to the Jedi up until his death.
[edit] Appearances
In the Jedi Apprentice series, it is revealed that Qui-Gon's first Padawan was a man named Xanatos, who eventually fell to the dark side and left the Jedi order after Qui-Gon killed his corrupt father. Years later, Qui-Gon met 12-year old Obi-Wan Kenobi, but thought he had too much anger and ambition and refuses to accept him as his next Padawan. Obi-Wan was then sent to the agricultural corps. of Bandormeer where, coincidentally, the Council soon sent Qui-Gon on a mission. In a series of events, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan saved the planet from its corrupt rulers. Later, Qui-Gon came face to face with his former Padawan Xanatos, who had become head of the Offworld mining corporation. After preventing Xanatos from destroying the planet, Qui-Gon finally accepted Obi-Wan as his Padawan. On a later mission to rescue Qui-Gon's close friend Tahl on the planet Melida/Daan, Obi-Wan let his youtful ambition get the better of him and renounced his Jedi status to join a group of young rebels. Eventually, Obi-Wan realized he made a terrible mistake and returned to the Jedi Temple, though Qui-Gon was reluctant to take him back as his Padawan. At the Temple, they stopped Xanatos from destroying the Temple and chased him back to his home planet, Telos. Eventually, Xanatos was defeated, but refused to surrender to Qui-Gon and committed suicide. Qui-Gon closed a painful chapter in his life, but also accepted Obi-Wan as Padawan once again. Their bond grew stronger than before and they became a favorite team among the Jedi. A few years later however, Tahl died on a mission to New Apsolon and Qui-Gon, who had secretly loved her, flew into a rage. He became determined to avenge Tahl's death and came very close to the dark side, but with Obi-Wan's help he returned to his senses.
In The Phantom Menace, (12 years after Qui-Gon took Obi-Wan as his Padawan) Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are sent to the planet Naboo to mediate a dispute between the Galactic Republic and the corrupt Trade Federation. Federation leader Nute Gunray, acting under orders from the mysterious Sith Lord Darth Sidious, sends battle droids to kill the two Jedi. They defeat the droids and land on Naboo. With the help of Jar Jar Binks, a bumbling Gungan, they arrive at the Naboo capital city, Theed and rescue the planet's ruler, Queen Padme Amidala. As they escape the planet on the Queen's personal starship, they are attacked by Federation blockade, and are forced to crash-land on the desert planet Tatooine.
There, Qui-Gon encounters Anakin Skywalker, a 9-year-old slave with great power in the Force. Qui-Gon becomes convinced the boy is the "Chosen One" of Jedi prophecy destined to destroy the Sith. He wins Anakin's freedom, and brings him with him to the Jedi Council to insist that he be trained as a Jedi. As they make their escape from Tatooine, Qui-Gon is attacked by the Sith Lord, Darth Maul. He fights the Sith Lord in a lightsaber duel and manages to hold him off until the ship takes off and he escapes with Anakin. After presenting Anakin to the Council on Coruscant, they deny his request seeing in Anakin a great deal of fear and anger. They then assign Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to protect the Queen again on her return to Naboo and allow Anakin to remain with them.
Soon afterward, the Battle of Naboo breaks out between the Gungans and the Trade Federation droids. During the battle, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan encounter Darth Maul again, and fight a 2-on-1 lightsaber duel, with Maul wielding a double-bladed lightsaber. Their duel brings them from the palace main hanger, to the Theed power station and to a disposal pit. There, Obi-Wan is separted by holo-shields and Qui-Gon is forced to fight the Sith Lord alone. Maul then succeeds in weakening the older Jedi and mortally wounds Qui-Gon. After Obi-Wan kills Maul, a dying Qui-Gon implores him to train Anakin as a Jedi.
Qui-Gon does not appear in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones or Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, but he is often referred to. He was included in two scenes from Episode II and Episode III that were eventually deleted: in a scene from Episode II, his spirit watches with horror as Anakin slaughters a tribe of Tusken Raiders; while in a scene in Episode III he communicates with Yoda from beyond the grave and promises to teach the ancient Jedi Master how to achieve immortality through the Force. The latter scene was included in the novelization of Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover.
He also makes a brief appearance in Star Wars: Clone Wars, the animated micro-series that aired on Cartoon Network from 2003 to 2005. It also aired on Teletoon for a short period of time.
[edit] Personality and appearance
As portrayed by Neeson, Qui-Gon is wise, generous and headstrong, with a penetrating gaze and craggy features. He also has a great understanding and a compassionate nature. He emphasizes communication with "the living Force", which means to understand that the Force was always evolving and reacting to other beings.
His views on the politics and policies of the Republic in general, and the Jedi Order in particular, often put him at odds with the Jedi Council. He was passed over at least twice for an invitation to join the Jedi Council.
[edit] Trivia
- George Lucas planned to have Qui-Gon appear as a Force ghost in Revenge of the Sith, similar to how Obi-Wan appeared in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The idea was shelved, however, because Neeson had recently broken his leg. However, the writers covered for this by having Yoda tell Obi-Wan that he would eventually make contact with his former master.
- As a nod to Neeson, one of the younglings in Attack of the Clones is named Liam.
[edit] References
- 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
