George Lucas Cut a Bombshell ‘Star Wars’ Twist From ‘Phantom Menace’: Liam Neeson Was Going to Play the Real Obi-Wan Kenobi Who Died

Love it or hate it, “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace” is at least widely beloved for its casting of Ewan McGregor as young Obi-Wan Kenobi. A recent interview with “Star Wars” concept and storyboard artist Iain McCaig (via StarWars.com) to mark “The Phantom Menace’s” 25th anniversary reveals that George Lucas was originally planning a bombshell twist for the movie. McGregor’s Obi-Wan and Liam Neeson’s Qui-Gon were originally swapped, meaning Neeson was playing the real Obi-Wan and thus the real Obi-Wan died.

“For a time, the older Jedi was named Obi-Wan and the younger Jedi was named Qui-Gon,” McCaig said. “It was very poignant that at the end, as Obi-Wan dies and Qui-Gon defeats Darth Maul and stays with his Master as he passes away, he not only takes on his Master’s quest, but he takes on his name. Qui-Gon becomes Obi-Wan.”

Related Stories

VIP+

Ubisoft Has Little Choice in Potential Tencent Acquisition

'The Summer Book' Review: Glenn Close Takes a Healing, Very Hygge Holiday

“That’s why when you see Alec Guinness in ‘A New Hope,’ he puts his hood down and goes, ‘Obi-Wan? Now that’s a name I’ve not heard…'” McCaig added. “Because he’s not Obi-Wan, he’s Qui-Gon. And right at the end, George changed it.”

McGregor was always playing the younger version of Alec Guinness, who originated the role of Obi-Wan in 1977’s “Star Wars: A New Hope,” but the character’s origins were originally going to get a huge shake-up in “The Phantom Menace.” Having the character actually be Qui-Gon adopting the name of his late Jedi mentor would’ve been one of the biggest “Star Wars” reveals in the franchise’s history. Lucas changed course before filming started.

McGregor reprised the role of Obi-Wan in two “Star Wars” sequels: 2002’s “Attack of the Clones” and 2005’s “Revenge of the Sith.” He’d go on to lead the Disney+ series “Obi-Wan Kenobi” two decades later, and he’s been open in interviews when asked about his interest in making a second season, despite the show being originally conceived as a limited series.

“I really hope we do another,” McGregor told British GQ before the finale aired in 2022. “If I could do one of these every now and again — I’d just be happy about it.”

“Obi-Wan Kenobi” is streaming on Disney+. Head over to Star Wars’ website to read McCaig’s interview in its entirety.