Qui-Gon Jinn

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Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn.

Qui-Gon Jinn (92 BBY - 32 BBY) was a Jedi Master and Master of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the fictional Star Wars universe. Qui-Gon is played by Liam Neeson in The Phantom Menace. He doesn't appear in other films, unless one counts his voice in Attack of the Clones.

He is a major character in The Phantom Menace, where he and his apprentice Obi-Wan are sent to Naboo to broker a resolution in a dispute between that planet and the Trade Federation. After rescuing Queen Amidala and escaping to Tatooine, they meet Anakin Skywalker, at the time a young slave boy with an extraordinary talent for pod racing that Qui-Gon discovers is due to his alignment with the Force.

Qui-Gon is known as a rebel amongst the Jedi order (at the end of the Phantom Menace Yoda tells Obi-Wan Kenobi "Qui-Gon's defiance I sense in you") probably due to influence from his former master, Count Dooku. It is suggested in the Phantom Menace by Obi-Wan that Qui-Gon could be a member of the Jedi Council if he was to heed the advice of the Council.

Lucas uses Qui-Gon's revered wisdom to introduce many important concepts to the Star Wars Universe in the Phantom Menace including Midi-chlorians, the Prophecy and the Living Force.

The Living Force

One powerful force power is the ability to sense the future. Darth Sidious seems to be the most accurate with this ability, but Yoda is also able to use it. Qui-Gon encourages Obi-Wan to concentrate on the moment (the Living Force) rather than contemplating the future. In the Star Wars storyline, there is an everpresent conflict between present and future (the Republic Senate is delayed in procedure to prevent future backlash at the expense of any present situation leading to the escalation of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine).

Glimpse of Defiance

Qui-Gon's character illustrates that within the Jedi order there is defiance, impatience and rebellion. This will help lead the audience to Anakin's betrayal of the light in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

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Qui-Gon battles Darth Maul.

After Skywalker uses his talents to win a pod race, and thus his freedom and the parts necessary to continue to Coruscant, after political maneouverings there the party returns to Naboo to battle the Trade Federation and the mysterious Darth Maul. Qui-Gon is fatally injured in a duel with Darth Maul, and as he dies he makes Obi-Wan promise to train Anakin in the ways of the Jedi.

Influence

Although by the time of the Clone Wars he has been dead for over a decade, Qui-Gon is not forgotten, particularly by those who were close to him. In particular, Count Dooku uses Obi-Wan's memories of Qui-Gon in an attempt to gain the young jedi's assisstance to "destroy the Sith" and his spirit now one with the Force tries unsuccessfully to communicate with Anakin when the latter in anger due to his mother's death goes on a rampage intent on killing the Tusken Raiders responsible for his loss.