Liam Neeson Reveals Why He Isn't Looking To Return To STAR WARS Or Join Matt Reeves' THE BATMAN Franchise

Liam Neeson Reveals Why He Isn't Looking To Return To STAR WARS Or Join Matt Reeves' THE BATMAN Franchise

Following his cameo in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Liam Neeson has explained why he isn't vying to return to the Star Wars franchise and dismisses the notion of playing a villain in Matt Reeves' The Batman II...

By JoshWilding - Feb 06, 2023 07:02 PM EST
Filed Under: Star Wars
Source: SFFGazette.com

Liam Neeson is a Hollywood legend, but as well as starring in some legit classics, the actor has lent his talents to major franchises like Star Wars and Batman

A return to Gotham City is off the table, though, as Neeson definitely isn't interested in starring in Matt Reeves' The Batman. Asked (via SFFGazette.com) if he'd play another villain after previously bringing Ra's al Ghul to life in Batman Begins, the actor responded: "No, I’ve already done that in Batman Begins with Christian Bale."

"I was Ra’s Al Ghul. He wasn’t really a bad guy," Neeson continued. "He was trying to reorganize the world as it needs to be organized."

Despite these comments, we'd love to see him star in another comic book movie, and there are plenty of characters he could show up as both in the DCU and MCU. Whether the genre is one the Irishman is keen to return to is unclear, but if the role is right, he'd no doubt consider it. 

As for Star Wars, he obviously played Qui-Gon Jinn in 1999's The Phantom Menace. Despite only sticking around for one prequel movie (the hero died at Darth Maul's hands), Neeson has become an incredibly beloved part of the sci-fi franchise.

He's also returned as the character in animated TV shows such as The Clone Wars and even made a cameo appearance in last year's Obi-Wan Kenobi as a Force Ghost. During this Q&A, however, Neeson made it clear he's not looking to make another return after a fan asked if he could "pop up in a spin-off prequel."

"No. Star Wars, no," the Irish actor confirmed. "As much as I admire them...there's just so many of them now. So I’ve lost track, unfortunately."

Considering that he outright denied being in Obi-Wan Kenobi, we're not going to fully close the door on Neeson reprising the role of Qui-Gon somewhere down the line!

You can check out the full Q&A in the player below.

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Nightwing1015
Nightwing1015 - 2/6/2023, 7:02 PM
Don't believe he won't be back for Obi Season 2.
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 2/6/2023, 7:07 PM
If not him, then Bryan Cranston for Galactus in F4.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 2/6/2023, 7:17 PM
I like how he's still 17 years and a half later still in-character regarding his views on Ra's al Ghul's character.

I wonder if he'd be up to be Professor X.

Off-topic: is the Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania red carpet not happening tonight? The film comes out next week so I wondered. If not, it'll have to take place next Monday.
Taonrey
Taonrey - 2/6/2023, 7:53 PM
@NinnesMBC - ehhh wouldn't be my first pic for X
Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 2/6/2023, 7:19 PM
"I was Ra’s Al Ghul. He wasn’t really a bad guy."
-So, a person who wants to destroy Gotham and kill most of it's citizens isn't really a bad guy?
Ok, Hollywood actor logic.
VictorAlonzo
VictorAlonzo - 2/6/2023, 7:25 PM
@Feralwookiee - 😆 🎯
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 2/6/2023, 7:36 PM
@Feralwookiee - I was thinking the same thing lol. He goes from city to city destroying it and killing its citizens. But it's all in the name of "organization" so it's okay.

I always liked Neeson, so I'll just assume he's in character and convinced himself he's in the right.
Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 2/6/2023, 7:41 PM
@CorndogBurglar - Well, if he said "Ras is doing the right thing IN HIS OWN MIND to restore balance" would be fine; but to simply say "he's not a bad guy" is ridiculous imo.
VictorAlonzo
VictorAlonzo - 2/6/2023, 7:27 PM
I thunk it'd be awesome if he revises the role of Ra's. No context to other films needed.

I also think he'd make a good Mr. Freeze.
VictorAlonzo
VictorAlonzo - 2/6/2023, 7:28 PM
*think (damn edit lack)
JayLemle
JayLemle - 2/6/2023, 7:41 PM
Liam is a great actor. Except, for his last few actions films. It feels like I'm watching the same movie over-and-over again.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 2/6/2023, 7:47 PM
We are more likely to see Ras Al Ghul in the DCU Universe than Reeves movies.
Taonrey
Taonrey - 2/6/2023, 7:54 PM
@regularmovieguy - why?
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 2/7/2023, 4:42 AM
@Taonrey - Because Damien is in the Brave and the Bold and he's Ra's Al Ghul's grandson and was raised and trained by him and Talia.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 2/7/2023, 5:07 AM
@regularmovieguy - honestly, I don't need to. Rather see Batman take on the Court of Owls. The DCU can have the League of Assassins as secret/clandastine organization
Taonrey
Taonrey - 2/7/2023, 7:17 AM
@ObserverIO - damn forgot that movie was happening
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 2/6/2023, 7:55 PM
OT.:

MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 2/6/2023, 7:58 PM
@DrReedRichards - man, no red carpet thread feels wrong
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 2/6/2023, 7:59 PM
@MyCoolYoung -

It's been a while since I've felt legit excited for a Red Carpet, tbh. Last one I watched with excitement was Eternals, even DS:MoM had me looking up only certain actors' snippets the next day.
dracula
dracula - 2/6/2023, 8:04 PM
he and maul were the most memorable parts of episode 1
DocSpock
DocSpock - 2/6/2023, 8:11 PM


He will be returning in Taken parts 4-11 over the next couple of years.

motleyklopp
motleyklopp - 2/6/2023, 8:54 PM
@DocSpock - Truly genuinely hope so ;-)
itzayaboy
itzayaboy - 2/6/2023, 8:16 PM
Translation: If Lucasfilm wants him back as a Force Ghost Qui Gon they have to open up the checkbook.
TyrantBossMedia
TyrantBossMedia - 2/6/2023, 9:29 PM
The inept writers of Obi Wan missed a golden opportunity to have Neeson lend his voice and eventually his image to Kenobi throughout the series.

He should have been a spiritual mentor to Kenobi throughout the series at least in voice.

They should have used Qui Gon pleading with Kenobi to help save some Jedi around the galaxy from Vader, the Inquisitors and their Jedi purge. He should have been the only reason Kenobi would leave his duties to protect Luke.

LeonNova
LeonNova - 2/6/2023, 10:01 PM
I'd rather see someone else take over the role of Ra's at this point. I personally would like to see Rami Malek play as Ra's. I know he's kinda young, but we are talking about a guy who bathes in a pit that keeps him eternally young, plus they could always age him up with make-up and stuff. As far as Liam playing Qui-Gon, I don't see how him losing track of all the different Star Wars projects has to do with him returning to the role. I'll be happy to see him if he did return in some capacity, but I won't lose any sleep if he doesn't.
MaxPaint
MaxPaint - 2/6/2023, 10:25 PM
"As much as I admire them...there's just so many of them now. So I’ve lost track, unfortunately." Yes Star Wars is a complete shit show, full of unforgettable shows trying to fill gaps that no one asked. Irrelevant, redundant, overdone.
Repian
Repian - 2/6/2023, 10:29 PM
I can imagine Liam Neeson as Connor Macleod in a reboot starring Duncan where Connor is Duncan's mentor.
AC1
AC1 - 2/7/2023, 12:48 AM
Wouldn't make any sense for him to be in The Batman sequels, but after reprising Qui-Gon Jinn in Kenobi (and especially with it being in the very last scene) I definitely think he could come back again, especially if that show gets another season and it focuses at least partially on Obi-Wan completing his Force Ghost training.
IcePyke
IcePyke - 2/7/2023, 4:54 AM
"I was Ra’s Al Ghul. He wasn’t really a bad guy."


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