EPISODE I: 'WESA GOIN' HOME!'

A battle to liberate Naboo from its Trade Federation captors looms, but that doesn't mean Jar Jar Binks can't enjoy the notion of returning home, watched by an amused Anakin Skywalker and Artoo on Coruscant, in a great behind the scenes moment from Episode One.

CLASSIC IMAGE: ANAKIN'S JOURNEY BEGINS!

Looking beyond the emotional goodbye of his mother at Mos Espa, young Anakin Skywalker begins his journey to destiny as a Jedi, rushing across the desert alongside Qui-Gon Jinn to their awaiting, nearby Naboo Royal starship. But danger will soon strike...

A classic image of Jake Lloyd as young Anakin Skywalker that was a popular publicity image for EPISODE I. 

EPISODE I: IMPORTANT INTRODUCTIONS...

Having both rushed to the aid of the exhausted Qui-Gon Jinn, who has just survived a near-fatal lightsaber duel with a mysterious Sith assassin, young Anakin Skywalker and Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi soon get to introduce themselves to each other in this subtly momentous moment from EPISODE I.

Disney storybook art by Brian Rood.

CLASSIC IMAGE: IN THE THICK OF IT!

Obi-Wan Kenobi heads the valiant surprise attack on the captured Theed hangar on Naboo, whilst young Anakin Skywalker rushes for blaster fire cover, in another great action shot from EPISODE I recently released in the excellent Paul Duncan written The Star Wars Archives book devoted to the Prequel Trilogy, available from Taschen Books.

Out now from Taschen Books.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THEIR PATHS AHEAD!

The Battle of Naboo has seen a great victory for the races of that planet previously attacked by the Trade Federation, and ushered-in a meteoric rise to power for that friendly and benign Senator Palpatine, now elected to the highest office in the Galactic Republic as the newly inaugurated Supreme Chancellor. With the further discovery of the latent gifted Jedi powers of young Anakin Skywalker, it seems that peace and justice will surely and swiftly prevail in the galaxy...

CLASSIC IMAGE: UNDER WATCHFUL EYES!

An almost Planet of the Apes-esque moment from EPISODE I, as Anakin Skywalker, within the grass plains of Naboo, coordinates with a Gungan lookout scout firmly atop an ancient embedded statue, in this terrific visual image from EPISODE I that would mix a model, CGI and live action plate filming with Jake Lloyd to notable effect.

An important look back at EPISODE I from a key former Lucasfilm employee:
https://www.upworthy.com/lucasfilm-insider-phantom-menace-reconsidered

BEHIND THE SCENES: A BOY'S FASCINATION...

Ever fascinated with the worlds of film-making and Star Wars, young Jake Lloyd clearly had a blast working on EPISODE I, seen here in the desert of Tunisia with a background street prop worker droid during filming of the Mos Espa scenes during mid-1997.

In recent years, Jake has been through some tough personal life/health struggles, for which we at Star Wars Aficionado send our best wishes and support to him and his family for better times ahead...

http://www.jedinews.co.uk/film-music-tv/articles/jake-lloyd-update-and-statement-from-family/

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: A TIME FOR CELEBRATION!

The heroes of EPISODE I assemble for the closing ceremony sequence on Naboo.

Celebrating the return of their freedom, the streets of Naboo are filled with joyous people and children in song, as the Gungans begin a new alliance with the humans, a unification cemented via a special peace ceremony and the giving to them by Queen Amidala of a unique energy globe - the Bola Crystal.

With the election of a new Supreme Chancellor promising to bring goodness back to the Republic Senate, as well as a new and powerful young Jedi into the ranks of that esteemed order, the future looks bright for our heroes as EPISODE I ends on a memorable high...

Keeping Natalie Portman's costume clean and accident free for Natalie Portman between takes.

A stunning shot of Natalie Portman as Amidala.

With her once adviser and now galactic ruler, Chancellor Palpatine.

The cast between filming.

Jake Lloyd has fun on the Leavesden backlot.

The new-look Anakin Skywalker is revealed, as his training is about to commence.

The full Jedi Council are present for the scene, shot on the Leavesden Studios backlot.

Amongst the many extras in the scene would be a variety of people linked to the Star Wars production/merchandising divisions worldwide, or family members linked to key cast. Enhancing the scene further, ILM would also provide digital crowds in post production.

The Naboo guard line up.

With the Bola Crystal, awaiting the Gungan party.

Boss Nass arrives at the Palace plaza.

"Peace!"

Jar Jar is ready to celebrate. Note the background extra to his right: Les Conrad, who originally appeared as a Blockade Runner Rebel Trooper in the original Star Wars. 

The end to EPISODE I.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: THE NEW PEACEMAKERS!

Naboo has been freed from the slimy grip of the Trade Federation, and joy has come for the planet and its people with the news that the noble, dutiful Senator Palpatine has been elected to the highest office in the galaxy- the Republic's Chancellor. Surely this will be a time of new peace and prosperity for all as the happy Palpatine arrives to congratulate Jedi hero Obi-Wan Kenobi and the intriguing powers of young Anakin Skywalker, whose career the statesman will watch 'with great interest'!

A terrific scene with subtly grim foreboding, and one added onto the film late in the day during additional reshoots during early 1999. Care had to be taken to keep Jake Lloyd out of close-up shots because he had gotten older-looking a year and a half on from the original period of filming.

Due to the late scheduling of the reshoots, so close to the film's release, many of the actresses playing the Handmaidens were not available to return, so other members of the production team (including Nick Gillard, who fitted one of the available costumes) and Jake Lloyd's mum, Lisa, took the back ground roles. Another extra filled in for Sio Bibble when actor Oliver Ford Davis was not available - a fact all too clear on screen!

The re-shoot handmaidens, including middle left to right: Lisa Lloyd, LUCASFILM's Lynne Hale, and Nick Gillard! 

Additionally shot in that extra principal photography was the departure of the captured Trade Federation villains, awaiting trial on Coruscant. This replaced an earlier scene filmed but cut, set in the Throne Room with Amidala.

Filming the Trade Federation leaders being taken away.

Rounding off the VIP cameos at the Chancellor's arrival were three key men from the making of the Star Wars films, including Sound Designer/Editor Ben Burtt, Producer Rick McCallum and co-Film Editor Paul Martin Smith.

Ben Burtt in character for blue screen filming insertion 

Burtt, McCallum and Smith line up for the shot filming.

From Pablo Hidalgo/Twitter.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: ANAKIN THE STAR PILOT!

No longer on Naboo, into space where he's always wanted to go, Anakin's starfighter has taken the boy, with Artoo in tow, into the heart of battle above the planet, of which he's soon hip-deep in attacking enemy ships. Time to get off auto pilot and show what he can really do as an instinctive pilot!

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: DROIDEKA TAKE OUT!

With Padme's forces pinned down in a corner of the hangar, Anakin's efforts to help his friend and break the siege pay off as he unleashes his fighter's weaponry on the Droidekas moments before the craft's auto pilot system takes him skywards. A great image showing a practical effect detonate on set during filming.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: A CAPABLE DROID!

Before their journey to Naboo commences, Artoo displays his capabilities to Anakin and Jar Jar in a deleted scene moment from EPISODE I, linked to the droid's having fallen over the ledge of the high in the skies Coruscant landing platform, yet flying back to his colleagues. Though deleted with this film, the idea of Artoo flying would be resurrected successfully for EPISODE II, during a key action sequence.

Off camera, Jake Lloyd is curious about the droid's internal mechanisms.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: "HE WILL NOT BE TRAINED"

The words neither Anakin or his potential teacher in Qui-Gon ever expected to hear from a seemingly future-hesitant Jedi Council. Qui-Gon remains defiant in training the boy whatever the consequences, despite the shocked reaction from current Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. Young Anakin's fate will be decided at a later point by the council- for now he will travel with the Jedi duo back to Naboo as they protect the Queen, despite the grave dangers ahead with the potential Sith assassin at large...

"When we rehearsed it (the Jedi Temple scenes), I couldn't look at Ewan, and Ewan couldn't look at me, because we knew we'd just start laughing. But there's something about Yoda. And there was kind of a reverence about all that on set. I went down underneath to see how it was all done. It was quite extraordinary. We didn't make any fun of Yoda."

Liam Neeson - Heat Magazine - 1999

With thanks to Ian Trussler for selected imagery.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY- ANAKIN IS TESTED

Qui-Gon Jinn strongly believes that young Anakin Skywalker is "The Chosen One" of ancient Jedi prophecy. Now tested by the venerable Master Yoda and his colleagues on the council, will the nervous boy get the chance to fulfill his destiny in that sacred order protecting the galaxy?

Coruscant sunset image art by ILM.

"I was just totally taken by the whole visual (landscape) of that world (the windows of the Jedi Temple out into the Coruscant skies), You just sit there and watch it and you go, 'Wow, this is a cool place. I wish I could see that or could walk around this city."

Samuel L. Jackson - Starburst magazine - 1999

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: A GIFT FOR PADME

The decision to leave his mother on Tatooine has suddenly, emotionally weighed heavy on young Anakin, feeling early isolation en route to Coruscant. Luckily, his affection for Padme has grown, even finding time to carve a supposedly good fortune Japor Snippet for his new friend.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: A STATE OF JEDI!

Luke Skywalker thinks of them as the root of all problems for the galaxy by the time of The Last Jedi, but back in the days of the Old Republic and the start of the Prequel saga, the Jedi Knights did their best to maintain peace and order, including the prominent figures of Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan learner, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and whose esteemed ranks soon gained the addition of the mysterious 'vergance' in young Anakin Skywalker. A great posed publicity of the main male cast, and trusty R2-D2, from EPISODE I.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: WHEN PADAWANS MEET!

In the hold of the departing Naboo cruiser, Anakin Skywalker locks greetings with a new friend, and another Jedi in Obi-Wan Kenobi, after both rush to aid the winded Qui-Gon Jinn after his brief but physical battle with the mysterious dark assassin.

A small dialogue exchange was filmed but cut.

Anakin (to Qui-Gon): Are you alright?
Qui-Gon: I think so... that was a surprise I won't soon forget.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: SNEAK ATTACK!

Darth Maul leaps into action in this specially posed image taken during location fight staging rehearsals.

"Anakin, DROP!"

Almost at the ready-to-depart Naboo Cruiser, Qui-Gon and Anakin are soon attacked by a mysterious speeder bike pilot, leaping into battle and ferociously displaying his lightsaber skills against the Jedi, whilst his young Padawan-to-be races to get help.

Though Liam Neeson played Qui-Gon for most of the first conflict between Jinn and Maul on location in Tunisia, certain aspects and fight moves linked to his character necessitated the help of stand-in duellist/stuntman Rob Inch, who'd continue his association with the franchise as the Stunt coordinator to Episodes VII, VIII and Rogue One.

Qui-Gon prepares to counter the attacker's flying leap lightsaber moves.

Several moves from the action sequence never made the final cut, as seen in the two images below.

Qui-Gon makes a low level attack in a deleted moment from the duel.