Liam Neeson Talks In The Land Of Saints And Sinners, Filming In Ireland & Potential Star Wars Retur

Liam Neeson reunites with The Marksman director Robert Lorenz for the new introspective action-thriller, In the Land of Saints and Sinners. Set in the 1970s and shot on location in Ireland’s County Donegal, the movie follows Finbar Murphy (Neeson), a retired hitman trying to reconcile his murderous past with the prospect of a peaceful retirement.

However, when the violence of the era, known as The Troubles, spills into his quiet town, he decides his only course of action is to draw his guns one last time.

Alongside Neeson, In the Land of Saints and Sinners boasts a cast consisting entirely of Irish actors, including a dangerously villainous turn by Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin star Kerry Condon as an IRA terrorist and Game of Thrones alum Jack Gleeson as a young, brash hitman who sees Neeson’s character as a mentor, much to Finbar’s chagrin.

Much like The Marksman before it, the movie is more than an action-thriller, delivering an effective and melancholic character drama made all the more beautiful thanks to its Irish setting and filming locations.

Liam Neeson has carved out his own subgenre of modern action movies after the success of Taken, becoming an iconic and profitable figure in the field.

In honor of the movie’s release, Screen Rant interviewed Liam Neeson to discuss In the Land of Saints and Sinners. The Oscar nominee shared his joy of getting to film just a few hours away from his hometown and working with fellow Irish actors Clm Meaney, Ciarán Hinds and Condon, among others. Neeson also reflected on how Robert De Niro helped him land his first big American job with an episode of the beloved NBC crime drama, Miami Vice.

In The Land Of Saints & Sinners‘ Irish Roots Were Special For Neeson

Screen Rant: First of all, I know I’m a few days late, but if I’m going to say it to anyone in the world, I’d like to wish you a happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Liam Neeson: Oh, thank you!

This movie, which I just watched today, wows. I’ve never been to Ireland, but it’s so beautiful, I really want to visit someday.

Liam Neeson: Yeah, you should go!

The way this movie describes the conflict, The Troubles, in the ’70s, it’s this beautiful land that gets marred by violence. I love the scene with the character who plays the violin and talks about how he fled his home country because of violence, but that he still loves his home. You can feel that theme of patriotism in this movie.

Liam Neeson: Just, the land beneath your feet, do you know what I mean? You feel identifiable with it too, you know? Every nation in the world has it. God knows, the conflicts over centuries and centuries, and it still will go on. “This is my land.” “No it’s not, it’s my land. We were here first!” Endless, isn’t it? Every country in the world.

Can you talk a little bit about shooting in Ireland, and where this shooting location relates to where you grew up?

Liam Neeson: It was shot in County Donegal, which is in the northwest of the island. It’s in the Irish Republic. Where I was brought up, where I’m from, is the North of Ireland, which would be known as The Six Counties. There being 32 counties in total, in all of Ireland. But the six counties are still, politically, part of Britain. Northern Ireland, that’s where I’m from, and I was reared, about 30 miles outside of Belfast. But, as the crow flies, from where we shot to my hometown, it’s maybe a three-hour drive, maybe less.

Do you go back often?

Liam Neeson: I go back, yeah. I have sisters and relatives there. I haven’t been back now since we finished the film, but still. It’s not “home,” but it’s where I’m from.

It was amazing to see you and Colm Meaney and Ciarán Hinds all in the same movie.

Liam Neeson: Ciarán and I have been friends for over 50 years. Colm and I go back 40 years. It was a joy to be with them, to share the screen with them. And the new talent, too, Kerry Condon and Jack Gleeson, they were all wonderful.

Neeson Owes One Of His First Big American Roles To Fellow Iconic Star Robert De Niro

And I think it’s a homecoming in more ways than one, because I noticed Bonnie Timmermann is a producer on the movie. Now, maybe I’m over-exaggerating, but she kind of got you started in the United States on my favorite TV show of all time, Miami Vice.

Liam Neeson: Yes, she sure did! I was visiting a couple of buddies in New York. I had never been to New York before. In fact, I’m name dropping now, but it was Robert De Niro. Robert said, “While you’re here, I’d like you to meet a couple of casting people.” I said, “I’m not here for that. I’m just here to walk up and down the streets and see steam coming out of the streets, and yellow cabs and stuff!” Anyway, I did meet Bonnie.

We got on very well! I wasn’t up for any part, it was just a general meeting. But before I left to go back to London, which is where I was living, Robert called down to where I was, and he said, “Listen, you need to call Bonnie Timmermann straight away!” So I called her, and Bonnie said she had developed this TV show, Miami Vice, which I was kind of aware of, since it had started to kick off in Britain. And they were doing the pilot for Season 3, I believe…

“When Irish Eyes Are Crying.”

Liam Neeson: “When Irish Eyes Are Crying,” yes! The Pogues did the soundtrack! But Bonnie said, very sweetly over the phone, “Liam, if you don’t get this part, I’m quitting the business!” Okay, that’s a bit of pressure, there! Anyway, it worked out. It was terrific to be in Miami, dressed in Armani clothes, and to be a suave terrorist, you know?

Neeson Thinks His Star Wars Tenure Is Over (But Will Always Admire His Time)

Okay, I have to be honest, as soon as I saw your face on the Zoom call, a small part of me felt like I should address you as Master Jedi. Have we seen the last of Qui-Gon Jinn?

Liam Neeson: Do you mean to play Qui-Gon Jinn again?

Ewan got his own show, and you’ve done animation in the new Disney era of Star Wars. Would you like to come back?

Liam Neeson: Uh, it would depend. I don’t know. I’m just… I mean, I admire Star Wars immensely! I remember seeing Episode IV, which I think was the first one, in a little packed cinema in Belfast. Hearing sirens and cars going up and down the street, and yet, we were all transported in this little cinema, watching this extraordinary story of Star Wars. Episode IV? Did anybody see the first three? No. This is the first one. Then why have they called it IV? Because they’re f—-ng clever, that’s why!

Anyway, would I do it again? Look, I enjoyed very much being with Ewan and George Lucas on The Phantom Menace. We shot that 26 years ago! Would I do it again? I don’t think so. Too f—-ng old, ya know? I can’t see the situation, I really can’t, you know?

Fair enough! It was great to see you pop up in Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Liam Neeson: Yeah, I enjoyed that!

If that’s the last, we appreciate every moment we get with you! Have you ever considered, even if you’re not going to return to the role, at least selling your own brand of Qui-Gon Jinn gin? Or is that the oldest joke in the book?

Liam Neeson: (Laughs) I’ve never been asked that before.

I ask the tough questions.

Liam Neeson: There’s so many actors and actresses now, jumping on that liquor bandwagon. I don’t drink anymore, so no, I don’t think so. But it’s a good gimmick, I have to admit!

About In The Land of Saints and Sinners

Ireland, the 1970s. Eager to leave his dark past behind, Finbar Murphy (Liam Neeson) leads a quiet life in the remote coastal town of Glencolmcille, far from the political violence that grips the rest of the country.

But when a menacing crew of terrorists arrive, led by a ruthless woman named Doirean (Kerry Condon), Finbar is drawn into an increasingly vicious game of cat and mouse, forcing him to choose between exposing his secret identity or defending his friends and neighbors.