Star Wars: Episode IāThe Phantom Menace
Quick Summary
Star Wars: Episode IāThe Phantom Menace is a 1999 film that chronicles the early life of Anakin Skywalker, who eventually becomes the villainous Darth Vader. The story begins with Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi discovering young Anakin, a slave with extraordinary abilities, on the desert planet Tatooine. They believe he may be the prophesied "Chosen One" destined to bring balance to the Force.123
The film depicts Anakin's liberation and his training by Obi-Wan Kenobi after Qui-Gon Jinn's death at the hands of a Sith lord. It also introduces PadmƩ Amidala, a queen who falls in love with Anakin, and sets the stage for the political turmoil that leads to the rise of the Galactic Empire. The movie is the first in the prequel trilogy, which explores the transformation of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
Samuel L. Jacksonā¦ (1997), The Negotiator (1998), and Star Wars: Episode IāThe Phantom Menace (1999), as Mace Windu. He reprised that role in Star Wars: Episode IIāAttack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode IIIāRevenge of the Sith (2005). In addition, he provided the voice of that character in Star Wars: Episodeā¦
Read Moreā¦ (1997), The Negotiator (1998), and Star Wars: Episode IāThe Phantom Menace (1999), as Mace Windu. He reprised that role in Star Wars: Episode IIāAttack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode IIIāRevenge of the Sith (2005). In addition, he provided the voice of that character in Star Wars: Episodeā¦
Read More
Keira KnightleyStar Wars: Episode IāThe Phantom Menace and Bend It Like Beckhamā¦was cast as SabĆ© in Star Wars: Episode IāThe Phantom Menace (1999). Her character is a handmaiden of Queen Amidala (played by Natalie Portman), and she serves as the monarchās decoy. The film was a blockbuster, and much was made about Knightleyās uncanny resemblance to Portman. Knightley continued to actā¦
Read Moreā¦was cast as SabĆ© in Star Wars: Episode IāThe Phantom Menace (1999). Her character is a handmaiden of Queen Amidala (played by Natalie Portman), and she serves as the monarchās decoy. The film was a blockbuster, and much was made about Knightleyās uncanny resemblance to Portman. Knightley continued to actā¦
Read More
Ewan McGregorā¦the second Star Wars trilogy: Star Wars: Episode IāThe Phantom Menace (1999), Star Wars: Episode IIāAttack of the Clones (2002), and Star Wars: Episode IIIāRevenge of the Sith (2005). McGregor has also worked with Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle on several notable films, including the actorās breakthrough movie,
Read Moreā¦the second Star Wars trilogy: Star Wars: Episode IāThe Phantom Menace (1999), Star Wars: Episode IIāAttack of the Clones (2002), and Star Wars: Episode IIIāRevenge of the Sith (2005). McGregor has also worked with Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle on several notable films, including the actorās breakthrough movie,
Read More
Liam NeesonThe 1990sā¦as a Jedi master in Star Wars: Episode 1āThe Phantom Menace, the first installment in the popular seriesā prequel trilogy.
Read Moreā¦as a Jedi master in Star Wars: Episode 1āThe Phantom Menace, the first installment in the popular seriesā prequel trilogy.
Read More
Natalie PortmanBeautiful Girls, Closer, and Star Wars moviesā¦in the Star Wars prequel Star Wars: Episode IāThe Phantom Menace (1999). Portman reprised the role in the filmās two sequels (2002, 2005). The trilogy, though spurned by critics and excoriated by many aficionados of the earlier films, was nonetheless highly lucrative and established Portman as a recognizable face.
Read Moreā¦in the Star Wars prequel Star Wars: Episode IāThe Phantom Menace (1999). Portman reprised the role in the filmās two sequels (2002, 2005). The trilogy, though spurned by critics and excoriated by many aficionados of the earlier films, was nonetheless highly lucrative and established Portman as a recognizable face.
Read More