It’s hard to definitively rank Star Wars characters. Jedi, Sith Lords, rebels, stormtroopers, generic aliens — they’re all just great. The original trilogy of films first captured worldwide audiences in the late 1970s, and, since then, countless new characters have joined the roster since. Some iconic alumni have stuck around and returned to appear in the newer franchise installments, like Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series, as well as the legendary likes of Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill in the sequel trilogy. Unfortunately, one crucial character was snuffed out by the end of his first film: Liam Neeson's Qui-Gon Jinn.
Soft-spoken, tactful, and a fatherly figure towards those around him, Neeson’s Jedi made his first and only appearance in The Phantom Menace. While embarking on a political journey for the Jedi Council, Qui-Gon and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, found themselves stranded on the desert planet of Tatooine. There, fate brought him to Anakin Skywalker, a young boy who would permanently alter the balance of the Force. Sadly, Qui-Gon probably won’t be appearing in any of the highly anticipated Star Wars TV shows this year, though Neeson is up for it, but he nonetheless gave us more than enough substance to enjoy as it is. Let’s take a look at Liam Neeson’s best moments as Qui-Gon Jinn, ranked.
5 “Stay In That Cockpit!”
Thanks to his innately paternal personality, Qui-Gon acknowledges that caring for Anakin means the stakes are through the roof. As he and Obi-Wan take off to protect Padmé from droids and ultimately put an end to Darth Maul's reign of terror, he takes a moment to warn Anakin of the impending danger. Qui-Gon gently but firmly orders him to find a safe place to hide, and he refuses to let the boy risk his safety by attempting to fly a ship. As he marches off into battle, he gives Anakin one last command: "Stay in that cockpit!" It feels like a fatherly chide, and it gives us a better idea of how much Qui-Gon cares about keeping Anakin safe.
4 Loading the Dice
Qui-Gon once said, "Nothing happens by accident." Referring to his meeting with the young Force user, he knew early on that he couldn't leave Tatooine without Anakin. Since Watto refused to cooperate with the foreign Jedi under any circumstances, the only way to void Anakin's slave contract was through a bet. Qui-Gon needed a part for his hyperdrive anyway, so he made a risky offer: if Anakin won an impending pod race, Watto would forfeit the part and let his young slave go. On the other hand, losing meant Watto would get both Anakin and Qui-Gon's podracer.
It was an unexpected twist, and viewers were no doubt holding their breath as Qui-Gon and Watto made their bet. Qui-Gon initially wagered for Anakin and Shmi Skywalker's contracts, but the sleazy slaver refused. Instead, he rolled dice to determine who would be up for grabs in the race. Unbeknownst to Watto, the Jedi Master shifted the dice roll with the Force to ensure he could play for Anakin's freedom. It was a simple trick, but a satisfying one after the slaver's consistently shady behavior.
3 Dinner With The Skywalkers
One of Qui-Gon's most admirable qualities is his fatherly personality. He's Obi-Wan's mentor throughout the film, and he's careful to answer his questions and provide him as much guidance as possible. Meeting Anakin further brought out his fatherly side, and some of his best moments in the movie come from his conversations with the young boy. One that stands out is when the Jedi (and Jar-Jar) have dinner with Shmi and Anakin Skywalker — he recounts the stories of the Jedi, the Force, and responsibility, much to Anakin's amazement, and he does so in a way that isn't condescending or cold. He also strives to be a good example by reminding Anakin to listen to his mother and encouraging him to be open-minded. Aside from Watto, Anakin never had a consistent male figure in his life, and Qui-Gon is quick to step up for him. It's both heartwarming and heartbreaking when you consider that if Qui-Gon lived, he could potentially have led Anakin down a different path as an adult.
2 Holding Off Darth Maul
The first time we see Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan take on this imposing Sith Lord, the battle is remarkably swift. Maul shows up on a speeder bike as everyone loads up into a ship, and Qui-Gon insists that his companions take off without him. Meanwhile, he's single-handedly taking on Darth Maul in the heat of the blazing Tatooine sun. The combat itself is a thrill to watch, and Qui-Gon manages to disengage by Force, jumping all the way into the open ship as it flies past him. The encounter is sharp and exciting, and the abrupt escape left us anticipating the next bit of awesome lightsaber choreography!
1 Showdown With A Sith Lord
Darth Maul was the unsung secondary antagonist of the film, and it's a shame we didn't get to see more of him. Working in the shadows under Darth Sidious, Maul was sent to kill Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan on several occasions in the movie. The intense chase and intrigue of their previous fights all led up to the Duel of Fates, the last showdown between the dynamic Jedi duo and the terrifying Sith Lord. This time, far more was on the line — the pair were fighting to keep Padmé and Anakin alive, and the duel took place in a more restricted space. Nevertheless, Qui-Gon and his Padawan fought valiantly against this unrelenting force of nature.
What makes this scene so pivotal for Qui-Gon's character is his death. We were in shock as Darth Maul impaled him, and his body remained lifeless on-screen while his Padawan challenged Maul alone. His passing was the wake-up call Obi-Wan needed to defeat the Sith, undertake the responsibility of training Anakin, and finally rank up to a Jedi Knight.