EPISODE I: JOHN AND JAR JAR!

Amidst the 100 degrees-plus heat of their Tunisian location filming, John Knoll uses the reference head of unique comedy Gungan Jar Jar Binks for the camera/lighting rehearsal of an upcoming Episode I scene linked to the Homestead, and our heroes readying of Anakin's repaired podracer.

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 ART: JAR JAR OF THE DESERT!

Departing their sleek ship, the Naboo Royal party and their intense Jedi protectorate have newly arrived on the outskirts of Mos Espa on Tatooine, and now the Gungan goofball Jar Jar Binks must get used to the twin suns heat and the hostile desert realms. Lovely production painting art, rarely seen, by Doug Chiang, for EPISODE I.

THE CLONE WARS: A GUNGAN TRAITOR?

Our heroes return to Naboo where they must unravel a conspiracy that sees the Gungan civilisation imperiled by a traitor in league with General Grievous, of which Jar Jar Binks and Captain Tarpals must show more courage and resilience than ever before, in this interesting episode from Season Four: Shadow Warrior.

EPISODE I: 'WOBBED AND CWUNCHED'!

Having explored the seedy locale of Tatooine's Mos Espa spaceport and encountered its denizens, lovable coward Jar Jar Binks is unwilling to take another foray into the busy landscape, but he will soon have no choice as the rest of Qui-Gon Jinn's small group continue their search for a new hyperdrive.

BEHIND THE SCENES: JAR JAR'S IN CHARGE!

She doesn't like the idea of hiding from an assassin on the eve of a critical political vote. Nonetheless, Senator Amidala cannot resist an executive order from the Supreme Chancellor. Can Jar Jar Binks cut is as a political replacement? Well, we all know the answer to that one, in this scene filmed at FOX Studios, Australia in 2000 for EPISODE II, with Natalie Portman and Ahmed Best.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TROUBLING CURIOSITY!

In Watto's junkyard at Mos Espa, Jar Jar Binks' inspection of a unique work droid soon gets him into trouble- I know, what's new about that! - along with a blink-and-you-miss-it kick to his lower regions, in this comedy moment from EPISODE I.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: TO MOURN A JEDI...

A tribute to the fallen...

The victory of liberating Naboo has come at a terrible price, as important mourners from across the galaxy join the Queen and her people in honouring the passing of Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn, his body burnt to ash but his soul transferred to the Force.

Above set showing the mourners at Qui-Gon's funeral.

Sio Bibble (Oliver Ford Davis), a Handmaiden, Ric Olie (Ralph Brown) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) are also among the background attendees.

"There's no doubt the mysterious warrior was a Sith..."

Having promised Qui-Gon to train the boy, Obi-Wan takes the upset Anakin Skywalker under his wing. A filmed but deleted line from Obi-Wan to Anakin: "He is one with the Force, Anakin... You must let go." 

Meanwhile, the Jedi Council ponder the continuing mystery of the returned Sith.

"Always two there are. A master and an apprentice..."

A turning point for the galaxy lies ahead...

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: WHEN JAR JAR WENT TO WAR!

No time to rest, Jar Jar!

It's "ouch time' for the Gungans as their battle against the Trade Federation is cut short with the destruction of their shield and the arrival of the rolling Droidekas, forcing them back into the hills and ultimately to surrender, but not before 'Bombad General' Jar Jar Binks' clumsiness soon sends him back into the war zone to cause unintentional enemy casualties! A deliberately whacky comedy sequence for the film created by George Lucas in homage to the incredible comic talents and stunt works of the Classic Hollywood B/W movie great, Buster Keaton.

Going downhill in an avalanche of Booma energy balls.

Hang on Jar Jar!

Captain Tarpals (far left) to the rescue?

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: THE WAR MACHINES!

Stage two of the Trade Federation attack on the Gungans begins as thousands of Battle Droids are released from cocoon belts to stride forward and break through the enemy shields. Conflict is soon joined between Gungan and machine, as George Lucas showcases the heroism of the primitive over faceless, cold-hearted technology, an idea also shown with Return of the Jedi with the Ewoks and the Empire, and before that with his fascination with the Vietnam War, in his original vision for Apocalypse Now.

"There's nothing like four thousand Gungans fighting four thousand Battle Droids. It's neat."

Dennis Muren - 2001

The Gungan army stands ready...

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: OUT FROM THE SWAMPS!

With the Naboo human's own plans prepared - the Queen and her forces will take their Throne Room back and capture the Trade Federation viceroy whilst pilots begin a disruptive space attack, the Gungans begin their own diversionary battle, luring the enemy forces out en masse to the plains, their many brave warriors and shield generator strapped beasts of burden leaving the swamps, as captured in this great production art by Doug Chiang.

Two unused animatics of 'Bombad General' Jar Jar leading the forces out from the swamp.

"With EPISODE I, it was the first time I was able to use computerized animatics to previsualize the entire film before I started shooting."

George Lucas - 1999

Atmospheric shot also importantly used in the first teaser trailer for EPISODE I.

The massed Gungan forces in a spectacular CGI shot.

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: TENSE OBSERVERS!

Watching Anakin's final lap at the Boonta Eve event is worrying enough, but to see the challenge of Sebulba adds to the tension for Shmi Skywalker and her new friends at the arena, watching from a viewscreen and at one of the highest points of the Arena area.

Filming the scenes on ground level in Tunisia. Note the other race viewers barely seen in the finished movie.

Meanwhile, Kitster and Wald show a range of emotions from scared to confident throughout the race.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: POD RACE PREPARATIONS!

It's all hands on deck as Anakin and his new friends ready his secretly built pod racer for the Boonta Eve event. As we also meet Anakin's close friend Kitster (played by Dhruv Chanchani) for the first time, the rest of Anakin's disinterested young friends (including Warwick Davis's Rodian named Wald) show little faith in his abilities to get the Pod off the ground or win the race.

Whilst Artoo proves a great help, and Qui-Gon provides a working power source for the pod, luckless Jar Jar keeps getting himself confused and in trouble on the technical side of things!

Watch out, Jar Jar!

Ahmed Best gets a break between shots.

"One hundred and fifty four degrees! (Working in location temperature) In a plastic rubber-latex-foam, long-johns-on-acid suit. I was attached to what they call a cool suit, but it was intense cold, and then it was intense heat, so I kept my costume on and stayed hot-it was easier for me to do that mentally. People were passing out left and right."

Ahmed Best - Premiere magazine - May 1999

Filming sequences on location with the full pod prop built in the UK.

Anakin gets ready for the pod testing.

The sequence proved to be a very busy period of filming in Tunisia, with quite a large cast of young and veteran actors at hand near the prop pod racing vehicle. The exterior of Anakin and Shmi's slave dwelling, where Shmi and Qui-Gon confer on the unique Anakin, was a set built on location within the Sahara Desert.

Lucas confers with the cast during a break in filming.

"It was unbearably hot. You had to watch yourself and drink a lot of Gatorade. But George (Lucas) never changed his costume at all. From England to Tunisia he wore the same jeans and checked shirt and baseball cap. So, I thought, I'm not going to complain if he's dressed in jeans."

Liam Neeson - Premiere magazine - May 1999

The prop Threepio puppet and Artoo shell stand next to each other.

'Help, I think I'm melting!'

Kenny Baker braves the heat to put the life and soul of Artoo back on screen.

With Qui-Gon's quiet musings here of a vergence in the Force, possibly linked to the prophecy of balance, a prior deleted dialogue sequence between Shmi and Qui-Gon Jinn (when he and his party were first introduced by Anakin) would hint early about the boy's abilities:

Shmi: I'm sorry if I was abrupt. I'll never get used to Anakin's surprises.

Qui-Gon: He's a very special boy.

SHMI loosks at him as if he's discovered a secret.

Shmi: Yes, I know.

In an early script, Qui-Gon would warn her about Anakin's uncertain future as a Jedi: "But it's too late for him now, he's too old." A line referencing a similar thought made by Master Yoda towards Luke Skywalker on Dagobah, in The Empire Strikes Back.

Qui-Gon discovers the mysterious truth about Anakin's conception.

"Pernilla (August) and I had a few giggles once we had to say it. When it came to my close-up, I wanted to do a double-take - "A virgin?"

Liam Neeson - Star Wars Insider magazine - 1999

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: GUNGAN MOUTH, JEDI REFLEXES!

Thanks to some extra Jedi food rations provided by Qui-Gon Jinn (via a belt pod, in a deleted moment from when he meets Shmi Skywalker for the first time), our heroes sit down to discuss their current situation and future steps, of which Anakin crafts a bold idea to help the group win money for the hyperdrive generator- by taking part in his own unique pod racing vehicle at the next day's immense Boonta Eve event. In the meantime, Jar Jar, oblivious to the conversation, is once more interested in his favourite subject; food, and showcasing his unique way of getting it!

"It was really bizarre. It was like George (Lucas) was playing this big joke on all of us. The dinner scene that we did with Jar Jar we'd do with Ahmed in there and then with Ahmed out. So, we'd sit there and Liam, who is this great, distinguished actor, would be catching an imaginary tongue, and it was so bizarre to see. "

Natalie Portman - Starburst magazine interview - 1999

Ahmed Best filming the scene.

It is in this dinner chat that Anakin's observations of Qui-Gon Jinn being a Jedi Knight are confirmed, as is the boy's continuing unique abilities linked to the Force.

Jar Jar isn't used to handling utensils, as seen in this unused filmed moment.

Lucas and cast work with Jake Lloyd, who is worried about how to say 'Coruscant'.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: WHEN SEBULBA 'MET' JAR JAR!

He just can't help falling into trouble. Now Jar Jar Binks looks set to be 'pun-ished' again by the angry alien speed racer speed racer Sebulba, whose quality time has been disrupted by the Gungan. Thankfully, human help is on the way.

The reference model heads of Jar Jar and Sebulba meet on location.

Liam Neeson and Ahmed Best enjoy some playtime imaginings between filming.

Saving Jar Jar from a beating by Sebulba, Anakin Skywalker would have a filmed but deleted dialogue moment with Padme:

Getting ready to film the deleted moment between Anakin and Padme, with Artoo also present.

Anakin (to Jar Jar): Fear attracts the fearful. He was trying to overcome his fear by squashing you. Be less afraid.

Padme (to Anakin): And that works for you?

Anakin: To a point. (He smiles)

The 'fear attracts the fearful' line would also be used in the later conceived 'Tone Poem' character commercial for the US TV publicity of EPISODE I, only this time represented by Darth Maul.

Filming the market scene on location.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: NOT FREE FOOD?

When it comes to satisfying his ever-hungry belly, Jar Jar Binks had the pick of the smaller creatures to eat in his life at the Naboo swamps. On the desert world of Tatooine, however, he soon finds that there's no such thing as a free lunch when sneakily hoping for an amphibious sample from one of the Mos Espa dealers!

Filming the market scene on location in Tunisia - Summer 1997.

Lucas confers with a thirsty Ahmed Best.