Ahead of the re-release of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in theatres for its 25th anniversary, Lucasfilm has released a featurette revealing new on-set footage and exclusive soundbites to celebrate the legacy and impact of Episode 1 in filmmaking and pop culture.
The Phantom Menace follows the origins of Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) as he joins the adventures of Jedis Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), who are also protecting the Queen Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman). First released in 1999, the movie was met with a lukewarm reception, burdened by massive hype after the original trilogy’s success 16 years ago.
Despite this, the legacy of Episode 1 on various fronts is undeniable. The Phantom Menace is a turning point in using computer-generated effects in movies. “I get to do a lot of things I couldn’t do before, create things that weren’t possible before,” says Star Wars creator George Lucas in the featurette.
The short video also includes behind-the-scenes shots of the actors training for rigorous lightsaber battles. “We wanted the form of fighting in the prime of the Jedi to be a much more energetic and faster version of what we’ve been doing,” adds Lucas.
Adding tension to the duels is the accompaniment by legendary musical scorer John Williams, whose Duel of the Fates remains one of the most notable themes in movie history. “The great swordfight at the end of the film... I thought the introduction of a chorus might be just the thing.”
Above all, Episode 1 marked the beginning of the expansion of the Star Wars universe, attracting new audiences into the lore and sustaining the saga for decades to come. “The generation that first saw Episode 1, that's their Star Wars,” says McGregor in the featurette. “They love it. All these years later, you can see it, you can feel it.”
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is returning to cinemas on May 3. All Star Wars movies and TV series are also streaming on Disney+.