A novel interviewcelebrating the 25th anniversaryofStar Wars Episode I : The Phantom Menaceflipseverything we know about the picture , and dealership , on its top dog . Though it ultimately did n’t come to fruition , George Lucas earlier conceivedthat the roles of Jedi Master and prentice would be alter around in the picture show , with the apprentice drive on his Master ’s name in the end .
In the film itself , Qui - Gon Jinn ( Liam Neeson ) is a Jedi headmaster and Obi - Wan Kenobi ( Ewan McGregor ) is his apprentice . When Darth Maul kills Qui - Gon , Qui - Gon makes Obi - Wan hope to civilize young Anakin Skywalker , which he does , setting up everything else we make out in the trilogy . However , during growing , construct and storyboard artist Iain McCaig revealed Lucas had another estimate . Neeson would play Obi - Wan , McGregor would be Qui - Gon , and when Obi - Wan died , Qui - Gon would take his name as a tribute .
“ It ’s interesting how things acquire , ” McCaig said in an extended interview withthe officialStar Warswebsite . “ For a time , theolderJedi was named Obi - Wan and theyoungerJedi was named Qui - Gon . It was very touching that at the oddment , as Obi - Wan die out and Qui - Gon defeats Darth Maul and stay with his Master as he hap away , he not only take on his Master ’s pursuit , but he fill on his name . Qui - Gon becomes Obi - Wan . That ’s why when you see Alec Guinness inA New Hope , he puts his hood down and goes , ‘ Obi - Wan ? Now that ’s a name I ’ve not heard … . ’ Because he ’s not Obi - Wan , he ’s Qui - Gon . And aright at the end , George change it . ”
“Anakin Skywalker, meet my apprentice, Qui-Gon Jinn.” “You’re a Jedi too? Pleased to meet you.“Image: Lucasfilm
It ’s voiceless to even imagine the flick playing out like that after 25 years , but permit ’s think about it a bit . If Alec Guinness was to begin with Qui - Gon , it might make that early moment inA New Hopeplay a minute good . “ Oh , right , that was n’t my substantial name , ” etc . But the late moment between Obi - Wan and Darth Vader on the Death Star would ’ve made less good sense . Vader / Anakin would ’ve originally roll in the hay Obi - Wan as Qui - Gon — and even if he was named Obi - Wan the whole time they trained together , the alteration adds nothing . It just muddles matter up .
riffle the characters does , however , make for a more interesting interlingual rendition ofThe Phantom Menacethough . Imagine learn the movie and seeing “ Obi - Wan ” die . Everyone would ’ve been shocked . But , ultimately , making the change sure as shooting feels like the right move .
There are a ton of other cool stories in the McGaig audience , such as how he come up with a design for Darth Maul , so head over andcheck that out . But also , allow us jazz what you think about this . Did Lucas make the correct option ?
Want more io9 news ? turn back out when to expect the latestMarvel , Star Wars , andStar Trekreleases , what ’s next for theDC Universe on plastic film and boob tube , and everything you need to know about the future ofDoctor Who .
George LucasStar Warsthe phantom menace
Daily Newsletter
Get the better technical school , science , and acculturation news in your inbox daily .
News from the futurity , delivered to your nowadays .
You May Also Like
