George Lucas told Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor to stop making lightsaber noises while filming

If you've ever played a game of lightsabers with your friends (or by yourself) then you'll know that it's very important to make the noises the weapon would make.

It's virtually pointless wielding the futuristic blade if you're not yelling out 'brrrrrrr...schhhhhh...crrrrrrr' as they whack against each other.

Well, it turns out Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor used to do that while filming Star Wars: Episode 1 - A Phantom Menace.

Neeson, who played Qui-Gon Jinn, and McGregor, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi, had some epic lightsaber battles in the film and they would add in their own sound effects during filming.

Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox

But director George Lucas apparently got annoyed with the Jedis because their noises were ruining the scene.

Neeson told the Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend podcast: "The first time we actually had to use the lightsaber to start a little fight… We both automatically [made the noises].

“George said, ‘Let’s cut there. Boys, we can add that in later.'”

Could you imagine trying to not make the noises when you're one of the very few actors in history who get to use lightsabers on the big screen?

So, the pair had to keep their lips shut during the rest of the filming of battle scenes to ensure they weren't messing up any good takes.

During the podcast, Neeson also revealed his view on where the franchise is heading.

Since his incredible performance in A Phantom Menace in 1999, there have been five films added to the main storyline of the Jedis against the Empire.

Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox

There's also been three anthology movies (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars) as well as a number of successful TV shows.

We also have several upcoming films, including a new trilogy.

So, it's safe to say that the Star Wars cinematic universe has grown massively since Neeson wielded his lightsaber and it doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon.

Unfortunately for him, he's not sure if that's a good thing.

“I mean it is a cult," Neeson said in news that would shock some Star Wars fans.

"There’s so many movies and spin-offs now I think it’s diluting the whole thing. That’s my personal thing.

"Occasionally there’s kids after a ‘Star Wars’ autograph and I don’t want to give autographs at the airport. Oh but it’s not the kid, it’s the grandfather, there he is - or the dad. They become 11 year olds.”

Topics: Ewan McGregor, Film and TV, Star Wars, Celebrity

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Senior Journalist at LADbible. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign. He is in charge of the LADbible Australia editorial content and social presence.

@stewartperrie