THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: SUPREMACY ON CUE!

As additional material/re-shoots for EPISODE I continues at Leavesden Studios in early 1999, Ian McDiarmid returns to film a new near-finale scene of the newly elected Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's arrival on Naboo, added to hint at the future father-figure 'friendship' he will have with young Anakin by the time of EPISODE II.

On the ship's ramp following Palpatine and his blue armoured senate guards are the Jedi Council members. Samuel L. Jackson was not available for the new scene, as part of the Order's arrival on Naboo, so instead an unknown extra filled in for him all too noticeably! Yoda was played by a proud Warwick Davis, in a special mask and costume, for a walking shot that never made the final cut, of which no behind the scenes stills have so far been released of this moment.

"We will watch your career with great interest!"

EPISODE IX: YOU GOTTA HAVE FRIENDS...

They'll face the First Order and the Empire with bravery and friendship one last time, as Joonas Suotamo's Chewbacca gets ready to film a big action scene with his droid buddy BB-8, on location in Jordan for the upcoming EPISODE IX.

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....

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: TO SLAY A SITH!

Though suddenly aware of the building power of the Force in Obi-Wan, Darth Maul is nonetheless unable to act on the lightning moves made by the young Jedi, now leaping out of the pit to deliver a lightning fast killer blow, courtesy of Qui-Gon's retrieved lightsaber- poetic justice. The Sith falls down the pit, cut in half and supposedly dead...

Great art from the EPISODE I comic adaptation of 1999 by Rodolfo Damaggio and Al Wiliamson.

Darth Maul cut in half, as seen in EPISODE I.

"I wanted something that revealed a little more understanding of what an apprentice is, obviously because that is where it's all going. At one point, when Obi-Wan kills Darth Maul, he just fell in the pit.I looked at it and thought this isn't going to work because, if people liked him enough, they're going to want him back and they're going to assume somehow that he gets out of it. So I had to cut him in half to say that this guy's gone, he's history, He isn't coming back. I'll come up with another apprentice. The whole issue of having apprentices, poor Darth Sidious trying to replenish his apprentice supply, is one of the main plot points."

George Lucas - Empire magazine - 1999

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: OVER THE EDGE!

In another sudden attack move, Darth Maul once more gains the advantage, Force propelling Obi-Wan over the edge and down into a nearby energy well pit. The young Jedi holds on for dear life powerless, his lightsaber now gone.

Soon enough, Maul uses his own weapon to swing energy debris shards down on his opponent in order to break his grip.

Filming the scenes- more sparks would be added to the shot digitally by ILM.

Hold on, Obi-Wan!

Enjoying a break from the perils with Nick Gillard.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: INSIDE OUT DESTRUCTION!

The final blow is wrought to the Trade Federation's now collapsed invasion of Naboo, as their Droid Control Ship is finally destroyed by Anakin's lucky starfighter escapade, witnessed by a surprised Bravo Squadron. Soon enough all the Battle Droids on the planet are down for the count, especially those that have captured the brave Gungans!

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: ANAKIN BLASTS OUT!

With power to his starfighter quickly restored, Anakin escapes the Trade Federation Droid Control Ship, but not without first letting out two proton torpedoes that do heavy damage to the main reactor and soon sets off a chain reaction, as seen in two pivotal ILM storyboards shown here.

This would be a scene from Lucas deliberately echoing, or rhyming with, Luke Skywalker's later destruction of the Death Star space station with his proton torpedoes in EPISODE IV.

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: OBI-WAN'S 'TRIALS' BEGIN...

The energy gates open as lightsaber battle begins anew!

The energy gate opens and a ready Obi-Wan speeds in to attack Darth Maul in a superb sequence showcasing the skills of Ewan McGregor and Ray Park in their roles...

Here's a selection of images from that ultra-fast paced lightsaber duel, including a few moves not seen in the final movie, showing the lightsaber blades both untouched (see the physical battering visual evidence they take) and cell animated.

"We got that lightsaber fight so fast, so f++king quick, that in the end they had to overcrank the camera to slow it down so you could see what was going on. There's something incredible about getting a fight to such a fluid pace that you cannot be thinking about what's next - it's beautiful."

Ewan McGregor - Arena magazine - 2005

"My lightsaber flew out of my hands. No one tells you the sabers have about 10 "D" batteries in them. They burn your hands... I tossed the saber in the air and it ended up hitting a technician in the head."

Ewan McGregor - Twist magazine - 1999

"I was used to handling weapons in my martial arts, but it was still hard work because we were rehearsing all day every day for two months before shooting. Even holding the lightsaber and getting into the posture made a big difference."

Ray Park - Cinescape magazine - 1999

"We got through about 300 lightsabers. Eventually, Ewan had to have a thicker one than anybody else."

Nick Gillard - 1999

"(Flashes a big smile.) Let's just say he (McGregor) tried (to beat me in the fights), but that's all he could do was try. (The lightsaber duel) took about three weeks to shoot, from the point where we came through the door right up until the ends. We'd screw up sometimes, almost hit each other. We'd just laugh about it, and make lightsaber noises. We'd stand here, about to fight, and Liam and Ewan would each go, "Dzzh!' (Laughs.) And I'd cock my head and say, 'Oh yeah, Dzzh-dzzh!" I don't think George needed to add on any sound effects, because we did them all. (Smiles.) I still do them now."

Ray Park - Wizard magazine - 1999

THE 'PHANTOM' AT TWENTY: RETAKING HER THRONE!

Captured by Droidekas, Queen Amidala and her party are taken to the Neimoidians. Things look grim but, thanks to Sabe's clever decoy work, our heroine seizes her opportunity to retrieve the hidden weapons in the Throne Room, as she and Captain Panaka finally surprise/capture the enemy overlords. Now the tables are turned, and it's time to discuss a new treaty: surrender!

Sabe's decoy force arrives.

Panaka seizes the attack initiative!

Natalie Portman has fun with Lucas and John Knoll between filming scenes.

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.

The killing stroke.

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

Darth Maul stands ready for his next opponent.