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Liam Neeson Reveals When He Plans to Retire

Screengrab via YouTube

Liam Neeson Reveals When He Plans to Retire

By Movieguide® Contributor

The days of Liam Neeson as an action movie star may soon be coming to a close as the actor revealed that he is thinking about retiring from the genre.

“I’m 72 — it has to stop at some stage,” Neeson told PEOPLE. “You can’t fool audiences. I don’t want Mark to be fighting my fight scenes for me.”

Throughout his action movie career, the actor has performed many of his own stunts, including his fighting scenes, though he has relinquished more intricate scenes to his longtime collaborator Mark Vanslow.

Though Neeson is best known for his role in the TAKEN series, he was a latecomer to the action genre. He spent decades in the industry playing gentler roles such as Jesus in PILGRIM’S PROGRESS and Oskar Schindler in SCHINDLER’S LIST. His background in non-action roles is what allows him to shine so bright in the genre.

READ MORE: Liam Neeson REVEALS HOW PERSONAL TRAGEDIES SHAPED CAREER: ‘REDEMPTION’

“When he’s immersed in the character he is, you see the hurt, you see the pain,” said director Hans Petter Moland who worked with Neeson on COLD PURSUIT. “He becomes that man.”

“When I play these violent roles, I’m trying to bring some quality of redemption or justice,” Neeson told AARP in a previous interview, explaining why all of his characters have a feeling of humanity to them.

While Neeson may be eyeing his retirement from the action genre, fans still have a couple of movies to enjoy before that happens. His upcoming movie ABSOLUTION sees the star back in action and hits theaters on Nov. 1. He also recently wrapped filming on a reboot of the police comedy THE NAKED GUN. Neeson is also committed to a yet-to-be-filmed movie THE MONGOOSE, which will be action heavy.

Even after he retires from action, Neeson will likely continue to act. He has already found new life in his career once, maybe this next stage will bring on a third act.

READ MORE: Liam Neeson SHARES HOW CLASSIC STORIES LIKE BEN-HUR AND PILGRIM’S PROGRESS INFLUENCED HIS CAREER