THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT!

The action, danger and lightsaber battles within the Theed hangar are well captured by Australian artist Matthew Hatton in this accomplished and exciting art that originally appeared in Star Wars Insider magazine back in 1999.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: STORMING THE HANGAR!

In the enormous hangar bay at Theed, our Jedi heroes protect Queen Amidala's force and provide vital lightsaber blast-deflecting skills as the battle to retake Naboo begins, in the memorable and action-packed finale to EPISODE I. Note the non-retouched lightsabers in this still, which was likely taken during rehearsal at Leaveden Studios in 1997.

Visitors watching the exciting filming would include directing friends Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard, plus George Lucas's enthused young son, Jett.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: AN UNEXPECTED BATTLE ZONE!

From their supposedly safe domain in the Royal Palace, the villainous leaders of the Trade Federation in Rune Haako and Nute Gunray, along with the recently arrived Darth Maul, watch the communication screen with surprise as Queen Amidala herself leads a commando style attack on Theed City.

Early work sculpting the face of Rune Haako.

Nute Gunray unmasked! Note the headgear protection during filming breaks.

"While on set I used my own voice, which I adapted to sound like an old man (as Ki-Adi Mundi). George said we could use that, rather than record over it. At that point everyone realized that I was quite versatile (as a voice actor) and asked me later, much later when they were doing the post-production work on The Phantom Menace, if I would do the voice work for Nute Gunray as well.

The application of the prosthetic faces for both characters (Nute Gunray and Ki-Adi Mundi) is quite different. For Nute Gunray it was kind of like wearing a helmet, because it went over my whole head. Throughout the three films (the crew) was able to adapt and change the technology for the mask as the ability to do so improved. They would simply fit it over my head, pull the skin over the mask, and then wire up all the mechanics for the face to move on. It was a simple application that took about 15 to 20 minutes. It wasn't very comfortable to wear as I was actually inside something."

Silas Carson - Star Wars Insider magazine - 2006

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: DROID CONTINUITY!

Image by Keith Hamshere.

Always the most important element in bringing the iconic Artoo Detoo to life in the saga, Kenny Baker made a welcome return to EPISODE I, operating it once again and also being on hand to watch and give potential advice linked to the important three-legged electro-mechanical remote controlled versions newly built for the film, as seen here on set in 1997, watching the practice of a unit. Behind Baker are stand-ins Ray Griffith (left) and Gavin Hale, for Jake Lloyd and Liam Neeson.

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: BLASTING AWAY!

Aware of the Gungan Army gathered in the Naboo plains beyond Theed, the Trade Federation war machines are swiftly dispatched to meet and destroy them, though their tanks energy weapons are ineffective at penetrating the Gungans powerful umbrella defensive screen.

And they have other types of weaponry at their disposal...

ILM model veteran Steve Gawley with one of the tanks, and in conversation with Dennis Muren.

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: SHADOW OF DEATH!

The Galactic Senate and Naboo firmly under his invisible manipulations, the 'Phantom Menace' that is Darth Sidious, aware that the Queen has foolishly returned home to align herself with the Jedi and other parties, issues an order to Darth Maul and his Trade Federation lackeys at Theed:

"Wipe them out. All of them."

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: FORGING ALLIANCES!

Returned to Naboo, the Queen and her party attempt to pave an alliance with Boss Nass and the Gungans, now forced away from their underwater cities, to fight the Trade Federation. Soon on her knees, begging for help, an impressed Nass agrees to the brave Amidala's wishes and cheers of this new army alliance abound.

A lovely and very colourful production painting by Doug Chiang- note that young Anakin is already in his Jedi Padawan outfit, which doesn't happen onscreen until the finale victory ceremony.

Lucas shows the Chiang painting to Ewan McGregor during filming of the scene. As ever, McGregor teases Lucas about Kenobi's ever-serious eyebrow frown!

The live-action sequence was filmed in parkland not far from Pinewood/Leavesden - Whippendell Woods, and enhanced with matte paintings and model work by ILM in post production.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: RETURN TO DANGER!

Anakin is reunited with Padme in the Royal Cruiser as it touches down in the Naboo swamps, but this is no peaceful homecoming. Instead, it's a fight by Queen Amidala and her small band of resisters to reclaim their captured world, of which Padme is worried by the young boy's being amongst the group at this time of great danger

Though scripted and filmed (on August 10th 1998), no photo image has yet been released of this ultimately deleted scene set in the ship's main departure hold, though at least we have it in visual form in Dark Horse Comic film adaptation from 1999. Art by Rodollo Damaggio, inks by Al Williamson.

May 1998 storyboard for the later filmed scene.