Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace is the first part of a much larger saga, which will ultimately include six episodes. The saga follows the story of Anakin Skywalker, who eventually becomes a Jedi Knight and a great hero.
However, Anakin falls prey to the dark side. He is transformed into the villain Darth Vader, the Emperor’s unfeeling enforcer. In this guise, he commits unspeakable evils and attempts to convert his own son, Luke Skywalker, to the dark side as well. Ultimately, however, the entire Star Wars saga culminates with Vader’s redemption.
When forced to choose between his son’s life and his loyalty to the corrupt and vile Emperor, Vader turns on his master. In this moment, he saves both his son and himself.
Written and directed by George Lucas, The Phantom Menace (1999) relates one of Anakin Skywalker’s earliest adventures. Starring Jake Lloyd as the nine-year old Anakin, the film reveals how the boy met Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), and Queen Amidala of Naboo (Natalie Portman). By the film’s finale, Anakin has saved Naboo from the Trade Federation. He is then accepted as Obi-Wan’s Padawan Learner, the first step in his long journey.
Episode II : Untitled
George Lucas began writing the screenplay for the as-yet untitled Episode II in June of 1998. He will also direct the film, which should begin principal photography in late spring or early summer of 2000.
Filming will take place at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney, and on location in Tunisia, among other undetermined sites.
During filming, the Episode II crew will use a digital camera, marking the first time that a feature film has been completely filmed onto digital media. The advance will allow the filmmakers to transfer footage, edit the film, and integrate computer generated effects with much greater ease.
Although details of Episode II’s storyline have yet to be released, Lucas has indicated that the film will be a romance, most likely between Anakin and Queen Amidala, set against the backdrop of a large and dramatic conflict.
Design work for the many characters, sites, and vehicles for Episode II began in May, 1999.
Star Wars: Episode II should be released in American theatres in May, 2002. In Dutch theatres Episode II should be released in September 2002.
Episode III : Untitled
Once again to be written by George Lucas, Star Wars: Episode III promises to be the darkest instalment of the new trilogy.
Lucas will direct Episode III, which is scheduled to begin filming in Sydney, Australia in June, 2003. The film’s current, tentative release date is May of 2005 (The Netherlands: September of 2005).
Like Episode II, episode III will be shot entirely on digital media. Industrial Light & Magic will yet again provide special effects.
The first Star Wars film released, Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope opened in theatres on May 25, 1977. Written and directed by George Lucas, the film starred Mark Hamill as young Luke Skywalker, a farmboy from Tatooine who becomes embroiled in a galactic struggle between the evil empire and a fledgling Rebellion. Luke, who has very little knowledge of his past, is idealistic and dreams of escaping Tatooine. A New Hope marked the beginning of the Star Wars phenomenon. It also heralded a new age for visual effects and the birth of Industrial Light & Magic. Soon after the film’s initial release, Lucas revealed that Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope was only one chapter in a much larger Skywalker saga.
Episode V : The Empire Strikes Back
In 1980, Lucasfilm released The Empire Strikes Back, the sequel to 1977’s widely successful Star Wars: A New Hope. Set three years after the events featured in A New Hope, Empire finds the Rebel heroes hiding from Darth Vader (David Prowse) and the Empire on the frozen world of Hoth, Luke glimpses a vision of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Sir Alec Guinness), who urges him to travel to the Dagobah system in search of Jedi Master Yoda.
Episode VI : Return of the Jedi
After Episode III’s release in 2005, the Star Wars saga will be complete, and Episode VI will mark the epic storyline’s finale. Released in 1983, Return of the Jedi picks up one year after Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) learns that the evil Sith Lord Darth Vader (David Prowse) is his father (as depicted in The Empire Strikes Back). While Vader hunts for Luke, still intent on converting his son to the dark side, Skywalker, Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and their allies plot to rescue Han Solo (Harrison Ford), who was captured by Jabba the Hutt in Empire. Upon accomplishing this mission, Luke returns to Dagobah to complete his Jedi training. There, he is by Yoda’s side as the Jedi Master becomes one with the Force. But before Yoda (Frank Oz) vanishes, Skywalker is told that he must face Vader one last time. In a subsequent conversation with the ghostly image of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Sir Alec Guinness), Luke also learns that Princess Leia is his twin sister. Luke leaves Dagobah conflicted; he is resigned to another confrontation with Vader, but he believes that there is still a shred of the good, heroic Anakin Skywalker in his father.
A long time ago in a galaxy
far, far away…
Turmoil has engulfed the Galactic Republic. Taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems is in dispute.
Hoping to resolve the matter with a blockade of deadly battleships, the greedy Trade federation has stopped all shipping to the small planet of Naboo.
While the congress of the Republic endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the Supreme Chancellor has secretly dispatched two Jedi Knights, the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy, to settle the conflict…
This is how Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace begins. The most hyped movie ever finally reached theatres on May 19, 1999. Around 2,2 million Americans played truant from school and work to see Episode I on it’s opening day, losing $293 millions in wages. Thousands of people were queuing up weeks in advance to be sure that they’d have a ticket on May 19, and even more people got the shock of their lives when director George Lucas said: “For those who are queuing up in advance, the waiting in line is probably more fun than the movie when they finally see it”.
The film’s story is quite easy. The Trade Federation has stopped all shipping to the small and peaceful planet of Naboo, so the Supreme Chancellor has sent the Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice (Padawan) Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) to settle the conflict. But then everything goes wrong. When the evil Sith Master Darth Sidious hears that the two are Jedi Knights he orders his battle droids to “wipe them out”. The droids fail and the two Jedi can escape to the swamps of Naboo. There they meet the banished Gungan Jar Jar Binks, who helps them to get transport to the Palace of Naboo where the Jedi meet Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman). Qui-Gon Jinn advises the Queen to leave the suffering planet and try to get help at Coruscant. The Queen insists this is the best idea and the whole group flies together through the deadly blockade. They all survive, but the ship is damaged so they have to stop at the deserted planet Tatooine, in order to find parts to repair the ship. On Tatooine Qui-Gon meets the slave Anakin Skywalker who helps him by winning the needed parts in a thrilling Pod-Race. In return, Qui-Gon helps Anakin to free him from his life of slavery and takes him with him in order to train him as a Jedi. But then Darth Maul (Ray Park) arrives to kill the Jedi. Qui-Gon survives and the whole group escapes to Coruscant where Queen Amidala tries to get help for her people and where Qui-Gon Jinn tries to convince the Jedi Council, with Yoda (Frank Oz) and Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) that Anakin Skywalker is the one who’ll bring balance to the Force. Will they succeed?
The Main Characters
Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson)
The dedicated Jedi Master who trained Obi-Wan Kenobi and discovered young Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine. Considered something of a rebel by his peers, Qui-Gon was nevertheless strongly connected to the living Force. He had great compassion and empathy for other living things, and he was considered by all the noble and wise. Despite his age, he was still an accomplished warrior and wielded his lightsaber with grace and skill. Sadly his prowess was no match for the faster Darth Maul, who killed Qui-Gon on Naboo.
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor)
Qui-Gon Jinn’s Padawan learner, who later became a Jedi Knight after the death of his master. The headstrong young Obi-Wan is heavily influenced by the teachings of many leading Jedi, including Yoda. Quick and agile, Obi-Wan proves a bold warrior. He is also extremely resourceful and trustworthy, although he lacks his Master’s deep empathy for other living creatures. After Qui-Gon was killed by Darth Maul, Obi-Wan heroically confronted the Sith warrior, eventually using his ingenuity and control over the Force to defeat his enemy. Kenobi then swore an oath to take Anakin Skywalker as his own Padawan.
Queen Amidala/Padmé Naberrie (Natalie Portman)
The regal ruler of Naboo. Although only fourteen, the democratically elected Queen Amidala displays great courage, maturity, and wisdom. While in her royal garb, Amidala wears a wide variety of gowns and dons intricate face paint. When danger threatens, she disguises herself as a royal handmaiden named Padmé Naberrie. During Naboo’s clash with the Trade federation, Amidala forged an alliance with the Gungans and led the successful attempt to capture the Neimodian Viceroy Nute Gunray.
Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd)
Darth Maul (Ray Park)
The relentless Sith warrior who employed the powers of the dark side to serve Darth Sidious. A terrifying visage of evil, Darth Maul’s face was a mask of bizarre tattoos. Sharp horns formed a crown around his bald head, and his ferocious eyes revealed a spirit twisted by rage. Trained in secret by Sidious, Maul wielded a double-bladed lightsaber with animal grace. After savagely murdering Qui-Gon Jinn, Maul clashed with Obi-Wan Kenobi, who eventually destroyed the vile Sith Lord.
Vehicles
Anakin’s Podracer
An extremely innovative Podracer, and the fastest vehicle at the Boonta Eve Classic. Anakin built his Podracer around a pair of sleek Randon Ulzer 620C engines. Using reclaimed parts from Watto’s Junkyard, he then modified the vehicle considerably. The Podracer’s air scoops, attached to the front of each engine, increase the vehicle’s manoeuvrability, while multiple air brakes allow Anakin to make sudden stops and corner effectively. An innovative fuel atomiser and distribution system further increase the Podracer’s performance.
Naboo N-1 Starfighter
The fast, agile starfighter used by the Naboo Space Fighter Corps. Armed with twin laser cannons and a full complement of proton torpedoes, the N-1 is a competent starfighter. However, the vehicle is reserved for routine patrols and escorting the Queen’s starship to other worlds. Designed by Naboo engineers, the N-1 incorporates many Nubian components, including a monarc C-4 hyperdrive. The starfighter also utilises a standard astromech droid to assist with navigation and in-flight repairs.
Directing
George Lucas directed The Phantom Menace, his first directing effort since Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977 (Irvin Kershner took the helm on The Empire Strikes Back and Richard Marquand on Return of the Jedi). Once the cast and crew completed principal photography for The Phantom Menace, Lucas turned from directing actors to ‘directing’ animators employed to bring the numerous Computer generated creatures and vehicles to life.
All four existing Star Wars movies were scored by John Williams, who was introduced to Lucas by their mutual friend, Steven Spielberg. The first film’s score was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Because the film was populated by strange creatures and took place in a ‘galaxy far, far away,’ Lucas believed that the score should be somewhat familiar to the audience. Therefor, rather than use electronic music, he insisted on a romantic symphony score. The same approach was used for The Phantom Menace, which was scored at Abbey Road Studios in England in early February of 1999. Again, Williams conducted the London Symphony Orchestra to create a stunning score written to complement the film’s astounding visuals and emotional story.
By making this essay I have learned a lot about the way the four Star Wars films were produced. There was a lot of information in film magazines, on the internet and I was very fortunate that there even were encyclopaedias about Star Wars. On the encyclopaedia CD-ROMs there was an amazing amount of information about everything that has to do with Star Wars. The problem was that the essay couldn’t be longer than eight pages, or else I could have written a whole book!
The best things I learned about were the technical problems the crew-members had to face while shooting the film. I learned a lot about directing in general, using a blue screen and adding computer generated images onto the film.
Thanks to the many articles, interviews, and small films on the encyclopaedia CD-ROM George Lucas himself taught me how to direct a movie and a lot of other crew members told about their job and explained how they tackled the problems.
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