Initially, filmmaker George Lucas envisioned a surprisingJedi turn to conclude "The Phantom Menace".
A fresh interview commemorating the 25th anniversary of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace upends all our preconceptions about the movie and the franchise. Initially, George Lucas intended to reverse the roles of the Jedi Master and his apprentice in the film. The prospective apprentice was intended to adopt his Master's name at the film's conclusion.
In the movie, Liam Neeson portrays Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, while Ewan McGregor essays his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Following Qui-Gon's demise at the hands of Darth Maul, Obi-Wan vows to mentor young Anakin Skywalker, paving the way for the events in the entire trilogy. However, concept and storyboard artist Iain McCaig revealed an alternate idea. According to this, Neeson would have portrayed Obi-Wan, McGregor would have played Qui-Gon, and after Obi-Wan's death, Qui-Gon would have adopted his Master's name as a tribute.
“Things often undergo transformation,” McCaig shared in an extended chat with the official Star Wars website. “For a while, the older Jedi was referred to as Obi-Wan, and the younger one was called Qui-Gon. It was moving when, upon Obi-Wan's demise and Qui-Gon's triumph over Darth Maul, he both inherited his Master's mission and surname. Qui-Gon then became Obi-Wan. That's why in A New Hope, Alec Guinness lowers his hood and quips, ‘Obi-Wan? Now that's a name I haven't heard...’ because he, in fact, isn't Obi-Wan, but Qui-Gon. It was only at the final hour that George made the switch."
Pondering over this alternate scenario, one can't help but speculate on how the film might have unfolded. If Alec Guinness had indeed portrayed Qui-Gon, the initial encounter in A New Hope might have made more sense. However, the emotional exchange between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader on the Death Star may have been less impactful, as Vader would have originally known Obi-Wan as Qui-Gon. And even if Obi-Wan had always borne that name during their training period, the change seems superfluous, only serving to confuse matters further.
Swapping the characters does, however, lend an intriguing spin to The Phantom Menace. The thought of dying Obi-Wan would have left audiences stunned. But in hindsight, altering the characters seems like an astute choice.
McCaig's interview features a wealth of fascinating tidbits, such as his thoughts on the design of Darth Maul. So, take the time to explore those insights. And don't hesitate to share your thoughts. Was George Lucas' decision wise?
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In the world of potential movie adaptations, swapping the roles of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon in 'Star Wars' could have led to an unexpected twist in 'A New Hope'. The futuristic technology in filmmaking might have allowed for seamless character swaps, making this alternate scenario a fascinating thought experiment. Io9, a renowned source for science fiction and fantasy news, often covers such intriguing topics and explores the impact of such changes in popular movies and series.
