Cartoon Network’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars has quite the casting news: actor Liam Neeson reprises his role as Qui-Gon Jinn. The late Jedi Master will appear to Obi-Wan Kenobi in visions, in a three-part story arc.

“These characters resonate…even after all these years. Growing up, my heroes were cowboys; they were strong and mysterious, and it seemed like they always rode off into the sunset. For kids today, Star Wars has that same kind of magic. I really wanted to be a part of that.”

— Liam Neeson

Let’s face it: Neeson was one of the only good things about The Phantom Menace — so putting him in the superior Clone Wars works perfectly.

You can view Entertainment Weekly’s exclusive video HERE.

The first episode with Qui-Gon will air January 28, 2011.