The two Jedi heroes who'd excitingly kick off the Prequel Trilogy of 1999, and help cement a new legacy for worldwide fans and audiences of all ages alongside the existing Original Trilogy, pose for a great image with the iconic Artoo Detoo, taken within one of the Trade Federation vessel corridors at the UK's Leavesden Studios.
Thursday, 7 May 2026
EPISODE I: FRIENDS, WARRIORS AND HEROES!
The two Jedi heroes who'd excitingly kick off the Prequel Trilogy of 1999, and help cement a new legacy for worldwide fans and audiences of all ages alongside the existing Original Trilogy, pose for a great image with the iconic Artoo Detoo, taken within one of the Trade Federation vessel corridors at the UK's Leavesden Studios.
Tuesday, 5 December 2023
EPISODE I: WHAT HAPPENS ON TATOOINE...
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| All cover arts by Timothy Bradstreet. |
The Phantom Menace's critics may often have complained that the film didn't have much plot for our main heroes to be involved in, but the drama taking place on Tatooine with our stranded heroes looking for a hyperdrive generator, and the introduction of Anakin, would open the doors to exciting side story potential that would be adeptly explored in comics via a special one-shoot, four-issue set of Dark Horse Comics.
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| A fifth mini-story also appeared exclusively for Wizard magazine. |
Saturday, 2 December 2023
CLASSIC IMAGE: THE FLIGHT FROM NABOO BEGINS...
Now liberated from droid guards by her new Jedi protectors in Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, the young Queen Amidala, flanked by her trusted handmaidens, must make a brave decision that will see her removed from her world, her people, her society, as a phantom menace makes its powerplay via the Trade Federation's unforeseen invasion of Naboo. From this worsening scenario playing out, Qui-Gon's instincts also reveal that she will be killed if she stays.
A great scene from Episode I, and an important moment for the series key female heroine/s.
A brief look back at the film from actor/writer/director Sofia Coppola, who played the handmaiden Sache, who can be seen in the above image second to the far right.
Sofia Coppola Looks Back at Forgotten Star Wars Cameo, Relationship With George Lucas
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| Sofia Coppola as Sache (seated right) as a security officer (Carmine Coppola) checks communications. A scene shot on location at Caserta Palace, Italy. |
For more on the invasion of Naboo linked to Queen Amidala and her enigmatic Handmaidens, check out last year's popular hardback release from E. K. Johnston, Queen's Peril.
Get it here: Star Wars: Queen's Peril: Amazon.co.uk: Johnston, E K: 9781368057141: Books
Saturday, 4 November 2023
CLASSIC ART: SYMBIOTIC JEDI!
The unique bond between Master and Apprentice Jedi in the Force has never been better exemplified nor more conflicted on screen than the one between the charismatic veteran Qui-Gon Jinn and his dutiful student in the raw, Obi-Wan Kenobi, during the exciting and tragic events of EPISODE I.
Liam Neeson says Star Wars magic is being diluted by its spin-offs | EW.com
Liam Neeson is back as Qui-Gon Jinn in new Star Wars show Tales of the Jedi | GamesRadar
Friday, 4 August 2023
EPISODE I: THE JEDI SLAYER!
That ominous dark servant of Darth Sidious, now fully out of hiding with the Battle of Naboo, has certainly proved himself as a murderous assassin during his striking battle against the experienced and powerful senior Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn.
Friday, 13 January 2023
EPISODE I: DUELLING AN 'EXTINCT' FOE!
Saturday, 29 October 2022
NOW AIRING WORLDWIDE: 'TALES OF THE JEDI'
The deservedly ever-popular The Clone Wars animated series makes a welcome return via a distinctive new way of storytelling - Dave Filoni's innovative Tales of the Jedi series, now airing exclusively on Disney+. And well worth watching it is too, filling in the character/story gaps before, during, and after the Prequels, and most notably for an excellent Count Dooku arc.
All-in-all, it's a fitting end to a great year celebrating both the Prequels and the Twentieth Anniversary of Attack of the Clones.
A lovely batch of recently released episodic promotional images.
Sunday, 9 October 2022
BEFORE 'THE CLONE WARS', THERE WAS 'TALES OF THE JEDI'...
Origins of light and dark, journeys of good and evil will be tantalizingly revealed, as the all-new animated series Tales of the Jedi debuts its six-episode shorts from October 26th, 2022, only on Disney+. We've always been curious and wanting to onscreen discover the triggers that made the young Count Dooku eventually choose to abandon the Jedi Order whom so respected him by the time of EPISODE II, and how his intriguing Padawan relationship with a very young Qui-Gon Jinn sustained itself through difficult times. Equally, for the worldwide legions of fans of Ahsoka Tano, her origins from birth to youngling will surely prove equally captivating.
Friday, 22 July 2022
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.
Thursday, 30 June 2022
'OBI-WAN KENOBI' - NEWS UPDATE (6)
Friday, 11 February 2022
CLASSIC IMAGE: DANCE OF THE SABERS!
Poisonous gas may work its deadly effects on normal human beings, but Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are beyond that, as they launch into attack mode against the Trade Federation's surprised Battle Droids during this action-packed scene from EPISODE I.
Saturday, 8 January 2022
CLASSIC ART: EPISODE I - THE STORY SO FAR...
Great scene-setting work from UK artist Steve McGary for the Sunday People magazine supplement of April 18th, 1999, who, recognising potentially strong sales, devoted a whole issue to EPISODE I, previewing an eagerly-awaited film and its story/characters that wouldn't be released in the territory until July of that year.
Sunday, 15 November 2020
CLASSIC IMAGE: BATTLE-READY JEDI!
With a mysterious warrior suddenly emerged and on the attack with his group's near-departure from Tatooine, a defiant Qui-Gon Jin stands ready, in this great image from Episode One.
Thursday, 28 November 2019
THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: ICONS FOR A NEXT GENERATION...
We finish our exhaustive and unrivalled 20th Anniversary coverage of EPISODE I with another great art showcase, this time Hugh Fleming's splendid piece that adorned the complete version of Dark Horse Comics 1999 adaptation of the film. The art is a fitting end in showcasing the story's iconic characters in colourful fashion...
Saturday, 19 October 2019
THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: GOODBYE MY FRIEND...
Critically wounded from Darth Maul's double lightsaber blade, the dying Qui-Gon Jinn departs the world of reality and 'the living Force' showing dignity and tender compassion for his loyal friend and Padawan in Obi-Wan Kenobi. A genuinely sad moment from EPISODE I, as Obi-Wan makes a promise to train Anakin Skywalker with Qui-Gon's passing....
Wednesday, 16 October 2019
THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: DEATH OF A JEDI!
Darth Maul delivers a savage, unexpected move that delivers the final death blow to a surprised Qui-Gon Jinn, all of this watched by a powerless to help Obi-Wan Kenobi, cut off from the action by the energy shield gates.
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| The killing stroke. |
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| A shocked scream of pain from Obi-Wan Kenobi, as first seen in the film's second trailer. |
"A very small portion of the generator room was built in England, and from that we created a huge room measuring six hundred feet across, as well as a huge pit- all through CG. The electrical beams were also computer generated. We blended the virtual set with the set built on the soundstage."
Scott Squires - The Making of EPISODE I book - 1999
"When we shot the scene, we didn't know yet how big the beams would end up being, or what colour they would be. Eventually we came up with a purplish colour, which was reflected on the actors and on all the practical parts on the set."
David Tattersall - The Making of EPISODE I book - 1999
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| Darth Maul stands ready for his next opponent. |
Tuesday, 15 October 2019
THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: QUI-GON'S LAST STAND!
Cut off from Qui-Gon Jinn by a series of energy gate screens, Obi-Wan can only watch as his Jedi Master and friend fights on with skill, precision and inner strength against Darth Maul. But even Qui-Gon's experience and agility in fighting can be defeated by the raw power and savagery of the Dark Side...
"We developed the look of the energy doors, going from some of the concept art. We then use the Sabre (digital scanning technology) to design the energy doors and work out how they should open and close, the noise pattern, how much they should glow and the kind of energy that should emanate from them."
Pablo Helman - The Making of EPISODE I book - 1999
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| A series of frames from the early part of Qui-Gon's solo duel with Darth Maul. |
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| Suddenly, Darth Maul starts to gain the upper hand... |
Monday, 14 October 2019
THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: THE PERILS OF THE ENERGY CHAMBER
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| Duel in the labyrinth! |
The battle continues between Jedi and Sith, of which Darth Maul plays dirty, effectively separating Obi-Wan from Qui-Gon, though the latter fights on with noble strength and resolution...
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| Darth Maul is ready to strike! |
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| A deleted moment from the duel. |
| Filming Mau's kicking Obi-Wan |
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| Rehearsing an unused punch by Maul to Obi-Wan. |
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| Maul kicks out at Obi-Wan, as seen in the film. |
| "They said, 'Do you wanna be in Star Wars?' I said, 'Too fu+king right!'" |
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| Nick Gillard confers with Ray Park between scene filming. |
Deleted action scene: STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: EPISODE I AT FIFTEEN: DELETED DUELLING!
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| Andreas Petrides performs Obi-Wan's fall outdoors at Leavesden Studios. |
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| Falling into a special airbag. |
Behind the scenes:
The Fall | Star Wars: The Phantom Menace | StarWars.com
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| Qui-Gon delivers a powerful blow to Maul in retaliation. |
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| Now it's Ray Park's turn to outdoor fall, taking a hit from Qui-Gon in the finished film. |
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| Filming Obi-Wan's close-up, separated from Qui-Gon at a lower level. |
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| Qui-Gon determinedly fights on against the retreating Sith Lord. |
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| Obi-Wan leaps to catch-up with the distant fighting. |
















































