'I just like the big screen': Liam Neeson on why he'd only return to Star Wars for a film

Neeson's Stand Against the Spinoffs

Liam Neeson has been asked time and again if he would reprise his iconic role of Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn in a "Star Wars" spinoff. His answer remains a firm no. As he explained on the Feb. 16 episode of "Watch What Happens Live!" with Paul Rudd, his reluctance stems from a belief that the multitude of spinoffs is damaging the franchise. "There's so many spinoffs of 'Star Wars.' It's diluting it to me, and it's taken away the mystery and the magic in a weird way," Neeson said, as reported by Variety.

Though he made a brief cameo in the Disney+ series "Obi-Wan Kenobi," Neeson's tenure in the "Star Wars" universe seems to have ended with that role. He insists that the inundation of spinoffs has taken away from the magical allure that once defined the series.

Big Screen Snobbery – Neeson's Condition for Return

Neeson did concede that there's one condition under which he might return to the galaxy far, far away: It must be on the big screen, not television. "Oh, I think so, yeah, yeah, yeah, I think so... if it was a film. Yeah, I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to TV, I must admit. I just like the big screen, you know?" Neeson told ComicBook.com.

He fondly reflected on his experience shooting "The Phantom Menace" 24 years ago in London, admitting, "I just cannot believe where the time has gone. It was a terrific experience." But it seems that for Neeson, the thrill of the cinematic experience is paramount, and the small screen just won't cut it.

Liam Neeson's candid reflections on the current state of the "Star Wars" franchise offer a unique perspective from a veteran actor who has seen the rise and expansion of this beloved universe. While fans may hope for a return of Qui-Gon Jinn, it appears that Neeson's commitment to the magic of cinema has drawn a clear line in the sand.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)