Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor Were So Childish on Star Wars Set They Drove George Lucas Crazy
Liam Neeson revealed that he and his co-star got a little carried away during the filming of Episode I - The Phantom Menace, and George Lucas had to intervene.
Although the Star Wars franchise is perceived by some as being made for children, it also holds a special place in the hearts of countless adult fans.
Since the saga began in 1977, at least a couple of generations have grown up watching movies and TV shows set in a galaxy far, far away, and a lucky few have even gotten a chance to be a part of it in the new installments of the franchise over the years.
It seems that the magic of Star Wars can bring out an inner child in even such stern looking acting veterans as Liam Neeson, who recently shared a curious detail about his time making Episode I - The Phantom Menace in an interview with Conan O'Brien.
When asked if he and his co-star Ewan McGregor, who portrayed Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi respectively, had fun on the set, the actor revealed that when they were shooting their first scenes with lightsabers, they couldn't help but make goofy noises.
Neeson said that when they were given the prop lightsaber hilts with tubes instead of blades, they both immediately began making the weapons' distinctive buzzing sounds with their mouths during the scene.
It apparently even began to annoy the movie's director, George Lucas, who had to intervene and say, "Boys, we can add that in later."
The actor also addressed the confusion that often comes when you have to act out a scene with a CGI character, as when they were filming a scene where Qui-Gon talks to Watto, a Toydarian junk dealer, Neeson had to talk to a literal tennis ball.
Liam didn't even know what Watto looked like, and he was amazed to see a ball turn into a flying alien creature in the finished version of the film.
Now, fans are asking for a special cut of The Phantom Menace to be released, with all the lightsaber sounds done by the actors themselves.
While both Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen, who portrayed Anakin Skywalker, have admitted to doing the same thing, it's hilarious to know that even a serious actor like Liam Neeson couldn't resist making silly noises.
Sources: Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, Reddit