Editing Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace

{{Short description|1999 film by George Lucas}}
{{redirect|Star Wars 1|the first ''Star Wars'' film|Star Wars (film){{!}}''Star Wars'' (film)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Star Wars: Episode I –<br/>The Phantom Menace
| image          = Star Wars Phantom Menace poster.jpg
| alt            = Illustration depicting various characters of the film, surrounded by a frame which reads at the top "Every saga has a beginning." In the background, there is a red face with yellow and red eyes, covered in black tattoos. Below the eyes are a bearded man with long hair, a young woman with white face paint and an intricate headdress, a reflective spaceship, a short and cylindrical robot besides a humanoid one, a boy wearing beige clothes, a young man wearing a brown robe holding a laser sword, and an alien creature with long ears. At the bottom of the image is the title "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace" and the credits.
| caption        = Theatrical release poster by [[Drew Struzan]]
| director       = [[George Lucas]]
| producer       = [[Rick McCallum]]
| writer     = George Lucas
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Liam Neeson]]
* [[Ewan McGregor]]
* [[Natalie Portman]]
* [[Jake Lloyd]]
* [[Ian McDiarmid]]
* [[Anthony Daniels]]
* [[Kenny Baker (English actor)|Kenny Baker]]
* [[Pernilla August]]
* [[Frank Oz]]
<!--PER BILLING BLOCK-->
}}
| music          = [[John Williams]]
| cinematography = [[David Tattersall]]
| editing        = {{Plainlist|
* Paul Martin Smith
* [[Ben Burtt]]
}}
| studio         = [[Lucasfilm Ltd.]]
| distributor    = [[20th Century Fox]]
| released       = {{Film date|1999|5|16|[[Los Angeles]]|1999|5|19|United States}}<!--No re-releases in the infobox!-->
| runtime        = 134 minutes<ref>{{cite web |title=Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace |url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/star-wars-episode-i-phantom-menace-film |publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |access-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612220959/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/star-wars-episode-i-phantom-menace-film |archive-date=June 12, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $115 million<ref name="Mojo">{{cite Box Office Mojo |title=Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace |id=0120915 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402002416/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0120915/ |archive-date=April 2, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| gross          = $1.047 billion<ref name="Mojo"/><ref name=NUM>{{Cite web |title=Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace – Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Star-Wars-Ep-I-The-Phantom-Menace#tab=box-office |website=The Numbers |access-date=May 12, 2024 |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506031349/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Star-Wars-Ep-I-The-Phantom-Menace#tab=box-office |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

'''''Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace''''' (also known simply as '''''Star Wars: The Phantom Menace'''''), is a 1999 American [[Epic film|epic]] [[space opera]] film written and directed by [[George Lucas]] in his first directorial effort since the original ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'',{{EpIV}} released in 1977. The film stars [[Liam Neeson]], [[Ewan McGregor]], [[Natalie Portman]], [[Jake Lloyd]], [[Ahmed Best]], [[Ian McDiarmid]], [[Anthony Daniels]], [[Kenny Baker (English actor)|Kenny Baker]], [[Pernilla August]], and [[Frank Oz]]. It is the fourth film in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' film series, the first film of the [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|prequel trilogy]] and the first chronological chapter of the "[[Skywalker Saga]]". Set 32 years before the [[Star Wars original trilogy|original trilogy]] (13 years before the formation of the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]]), during the era of the [[Galactic Republic]], the plot follows [[Jedi]] Master [[Qui-Gon Jinn]] and his apprentice [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]] as they try to protect [[Padmé Amidala]] of [[Naboo]] to resolve an interplanetary trade dispute. Joined by [[Anakin Skywalker]]—a young slave with strong abilities in [[the Force]]—they simultaneously contend with the mysterious return of the [[Sith]]. The film was produced by [[Lucasfilm]] and distributed by [[20th Century Fox]].{{efn|Known as 20th Century Studios for 2024 theatrical re-release<ref>{{Cite web |last=Travis |first=Ben |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/star-wars-phantom-menace-25th-anniversary-cinema-release-confirmed-exclusive/ |title=Star Wars: The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Cinema Release Confirmed For May The 4th Weekend – Exclusive |website=[[Empire Online|Empire]] |date=February 10, 2024 |access-date=February 12, 2024 |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211223955/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/star-wars-phantom-menace-25th-anniversary-cinema-release-confirmed-exclusive/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

Following the release of ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' (1983), talks of a follow-up were proposed, but Lucas was unmotivated to return to the franchise. During the hiatus, the backstories he created for the characters, particularly Anakin's, sparked interest in him to develop a prequel trilogy during the 1990s. After he determined that [[computer-generated imagery]] (CGI) had advanced to the level he wanted for the prequel trilogy's [[visual effect]]s, Lucas began writing ''The Phantom Menace'' in 1993, and production began in 1994. Filming started in June 1997—at locations at [[Leavesden Film Studios]], at the [[Royal Palace of Caserta]] in Italy and the Tunisian desert—and ended in September.

''The Phantom Menace'' was released in theaters on May 19, 1999, almost 16 years after the premiere of ''Return of the Jedi''. The film's premiere was extensively covered by media and was widely anticipated because of the large cultural following the ''Star Wars'' saga had cultivated. Upon its release, ''The Phantom Menace'' received mixed reviews from critics. While the visual effects were praised, criticism was largely focused on its exposition and characters—particularly [[Jar Jar Binks]]. The film was a box-office success and broke numerous records. It grossed $924 million worldwide during its initial theatrical run, becoming the [[1999 in film|highest-grossing film of 1999]], the [[List of highest-grossing films|second-highest-grossing film of all-time]], and the third-highest [[List of highest-grossing films in the United States and Canada|in North America]] (behind ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' and ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]''), as well as the highest-grossing ''Star Wars'' film at the time (not factoring in inflation). The film has been re-released several times, including a 2012 [[3D film|3D]] reissue which brought its overall worldwide gross to over $1 billion. ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones|Attack of the Clones]]'' (2002) and ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith|Revenge of the Sith]]'' (2005) followed ''The Phantom Menace'', rounding out the ''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy.

== Plot ==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for featured film articles should be 400-700 words. As of March 22, 2025, the word count is at 669 words. -->
The Trade Federation has disrupted order in the [[Galactic Republic]] by [[Blockade|blockading]] the planet [[Naboo]] in secret preparation for a full-scale invasion. The Republic's leader, Supreme Chancellor [[Finis Valorum]], dispatches [[Jedi|Jedi Master]] [[Qui-Gon Jinn]] and his apprentice, [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]], to negotiate with Trade Federation Viceroy [[Nute Gunray]]. [[Palpatine|Darth Sidious]], a [[Sith|Sith Lord]] and the Trade Federation's secret benefactor, orders the Viceroy to kill the Jedi and begin their invasion with an army of [[battle droid]]s. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan escape and flee to Naboo. Amid the invasion, Qui-Gon rescues a bumbling [[Gungan]] outcast, [[Jar Jar Binks]]. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan fail to persuade the Gungan leader [[Boss Nass]] to aid the planet's surface dwellers but manage to obtain {{nowrap|Jar Jar's}} guidance and underwater transport to Theed, the capital city of Naboo. After rescuing [[Padmé Amidala|Queen Padmé Amidala]], the group makes their escape from Naboo aboard her Royal Starship, intending to reach the Republic capital planet of [[Coruscant]].

The ship is damaged passing through the Federation blockade, and the group lands for repairs on the outlying desert planet of [[Tatooine]], situated beyond the Republic's jurisdiction. Qui-Gon, Jar Jar, [[astromech droid]] [[R2-D2]], and Padmé—disguised as one of her handmaidens—visit the settlement of Mos Espa to purchase a new part for the hyperdrive. They encounter a junk dealer, [[Watto]], and his nine-year-old slave [[Anakin Skywalker]], a gifted pilot and engineer who has built a [[protocol droid]], [[C-3PO]].
Qui-Gon senses a strong presence of [[the Force]] within Anakin and is convinced that he is the prophesied "[[Chosen One (Star Wars)|Chosen One]]," who is destined to restore balance to the Force. With Watto refusing to accept payment in Republic currency, Qui-Gon wagers both the required hyperdrive part and Anakin's freedom on a [[podrace]]. Anakin wins the race and joins the group to be trained as a Jedi, leaving behind his mother, [[Shmi Skywalker|Shmi]]. En route to their starship, Qui-Gon is attacked by [[Darth Maul]], Sidious's apprentice, who was sent to capture Amidala. After a brief [[lightsaber]] duel, Qui-Gon escapes onboard the starship with the others.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan escort Padmé to Coruscant so she can plead her people's case to Valorum and the [[Galactic Senate]]. Qui-Gon asks the [[Jedi Council]] for permission to train Anakin as a Jedi, but the Council refuses, concerned that Anakin is vulnerable to the dark side of the Force due to his age. Undaunted, Qui-Gon vows to train Anakin anyway. Naboo's Senator [[Palpatine]] persuades Amidala to call for a [[vote of no confidence]] in Valorum to elect a more capable leader and to resolve the crisis. Though she successfully pushes for the vote, Amidala grows frustrated with the corruption in the Senate and decides to return to Naboo. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are ordered by the Jedi Council to accompany the queen and investigate the return of the Sith, whom they had believed to be extinct for more than a millennium.

On Naboo, Padmé reveals herself as the queen before the Gungans and persuades them to join in an alliance against the Trade Federation. Jar Jar is promoted to general and joins his tribe in a battle against the droid army, while Padmé leads the search for Gunray in Theed. During a battle in a hangar, Anakin flees to a starfighter and accidentally triggers its [[autopilot]], traveling to the battle against the Federation droid control ship and inadvertently causing its destruction from within, which deactivates the droid army. Meanwhile, Darth Maul infiltrates the Theed Palace and engages Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan in a lightsaber duel. Maul mortally wounds Qui-Gon before being bisected by Obi-Wan and falling down a shaft. Before Qui-Gon dies, he asks Obi-Wan to train Anakin.

The Republic arrests Gunray, and Palpatine is elected as Chancellor. Grand Master [[Yoda]] promotes Obi-Wan to the rank of Jedi Knight and reluctantly accepts Anakin as Obi-Wan's apprentice. That evening, the heroes of the Battle of Naboo attend Qui-Gon's funeral. The following day, a celebration of their victory on Naboo and the reconciliation of the Gungans and Naboo is held, where Queen Amidala rewards Boss Nass with a peace-making trophy.

== Cast ==
{{Main|List of Star Wars characters|List of Star Wars cast members}}
{{multiple image
| total_width       = 420
| direction         = horizontal
| align             = right
| footer            = Left to right: [[Liam Neeson]] (pictured in 2012), [[Ewan McGregor]] (2012) and [[Natalie Portman]] (2015)
| image1            = Liam Neeson Deauville 2012 3.jpg
| alt1              = A photograph of Liam Neeson
| image2            = Ewan McGregor Cannes 2012.jpg
| alt2              = A photograph of Ewan McGregor
| image3            = Natalie Portman Cannes 2015 5 (cropped).jpg
| alt3              = A photograph of Natalie Portman
}}
* [[Liam Neeson]] as [[Qui-Gon Jinn]], a [[Jedi Master]] who discovers Anakin Skywalker and under the belief that he is destined to bring balance to the force as the prophesied "Chosen One", insists that the boy be trained as a Jedi, despite the Jedi Council's refusal to do so. Lucas originally wanted to cast an American actor in the role but cast Neeson (who is [[Irish people|Irish]]) because he considered that Neeson had great skills and presence. Lucas said Neeson was a "master actor, who the other actors will look up to, who has got the qualities of strength that the character demands."<ref name="ProductionNotes">{{cite web |date=May 1, 1999 |title=Star Wars Episode I'' Production Notes: The Actors and Characters&nbsp;– Part I |url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp4.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041023023458/http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp4.html |archive-date=October 23, 2004 |access-date=April 5, 2009 |publisher=StarWars.com}}</ref>
* [[Ewan McGregor]] as [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]], Qui-Gon's twenty-five-year-old Jedi Padawan, who holds his master in high regard but questions his motives at times, especially when it seems he is breaking the rules of the Jedi. McGregor was cast from a shortlist of fifty actors, all of whom had to be compared to pictures of young [[Alec Guinness]], who portrayed the elderly Obi-Wan, to make a believable younger version.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|p=44-45}} McGregor had a vocal coach to help his voice sound closer to Guinness's. He also studied several of Guinness's performances, from his early work and the original ''Star Wars'' films.<ref name="ProductionNotes"/>
* [[Natalie Portman]] as [[Padmé Amidala]], the fourteen-year-old Queen of [[Naboo]], who hopes to protect her planet from the Trade Federation's blockade invasion. Throughout most of the film, she uses her birth name Padmé Naberrie and poses as one of the queen's handmaidens for protection. Over 200 actresses auditioned for the role.<ref>{{harvnb|Bowen|2005|p=3}}</ref> The production notes stated that "The role required a young woman who could be believable as the ruler of that planet, but at the same time be vulnerable and open". He stated, "I was looking for someone who was young, strong, along the lines of [[Princess Leia|Leia]] [and] Natalie embodied all those traits and more".<ref name="ProductionNotes"/> Portman was unfamiliar with ''Star Wars'' before being cast,<ref name="ProductionNotes"/> but was enthusiastic about being cast as a character she expected to become a role model. Portman said, "It was wonderful playing a young queen with so much power. I think it will be good for young women to see a strong woman of action who is also smart and a leader."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/portman/profile.html |title=Return of the galaxy's new beauty |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=April 5, 2009 |year=2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423045820/http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/shows/portman/profile.html|archive-date=April 23, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Jake Lloyd]] as [[Darth Vader|Anakin "Ani" Skywalker]], a nine-year-old slave boy and a skilled pilot who dreams of becoming a Jedi. Hundreds of actors were tested across the UK, Ireland, Canada and the United States<ref name="ProductionNotes"/> before the producers settled on Lloyd, who Lucas considered met his requirements of "a good actor, enthusiastic and very energetic". Producer [[Rick McCallum]] said that Lloyd was "smart, mischievous, and loves anything mechanical—just like Anakin."<ref name="NotesII"/>
* [[Ian McDiarmid]] as [[Palpatine|Palpatine / Darth Sidious]], a middle-aged senator of Naboo and a secret Sith Lord who orchestrates the invasion of his home planet to get elected Supreme Chancellor. He is the Trade Federation's mysterious benefactor, and the titular "Phantom Menace". McDiarmid was surprised when Lucas approached him sixteen years after ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' to reprise the role of Palpatine, having assumed that a younger actor would play the role in the prequel films.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-iii/bts/profile/beacon134.html |title=''Homing Beacon'' #134: Palpatine Speaks |date=April 14, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050418000540/http://www.starwars.com/episode-iii/bts/profile/beacon134.html |archive-date=April 18, 2005 |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=April 5, 2009}}</ref>
* [[Ahmed Best]] as [[Jar Jar Binks]], a clumsy [[List of Star Wars races (F-J)#Gungan|Gungan]] exiled from his home and taken in by Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Best was hired after casting director Robin Gurland saw him on a [[Stomp (theatrical show)|Stomp]] performance in [[San Francisco]].<ref name="NotesII"/> Best was originally intended to provide motion capture data, but his offer to voice the character was accepted. On the set, to provide references for the actors, Best was clothed in a suit made of foam and latex and a headpiece. Best's filmed performance was later replaced with the computer-generated character.<ref name="behind"/> Best frequently improvised movements to make Jar Jar look as clumsy and comedic as possible.<ref name="NotesII"/>
* [[Anthony Daniels]] as [[C-3PO]], a protocol droid built by Anakin. He lacks a metal covering in this film; R2-D2 humorously refers to it as being "naked". Industrial Light & Magic's Michael Lynch, dressed in a color closely matching the background—in a manner similar to the Japanese puppet theater [[Bunraku]]— manipulated a skeletal C-3PO figure attached to his front while Daniels read his lines off-camera. The puppeteer was erased from the film during post-production.<ref name="NotesII"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19991102/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102150746/http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19991102/index.html |title=The Man (Literally) Behind C-3PO |date=November 2, 1999 |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=April 24, 2009 |archive-date=November 2, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Kenny Baker (English actor)|Kenny Baker]] as [[R2-D2]], an astromech droid from Naboo that saves Queen Amidala's ship when other astro droids fail. Before the film's production started, fans campaigned on the Internet to retain Baker as R2-D2; Lucas replied that the actor would reprise the role.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=30-31}} Baker is used for scenes where R2-D2 bends forwards and backwards and wobbles from side-to-side. Robots and a digital model were used in other shots.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=71}}
* [[Pernilla August]] as [[Shmi Skywalker]], Anakin's mother, who is concerned for her son's future and allows him to leave with the Jedi. August, a veteran of Swedish cinema, was chosen after auditioning with Liam Neeson. She was afraid of being rejected because of her accent.<ref name="behind">{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1999/05/21/behind-scenes-phantom-menace-0/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070619120647/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C273480%2C00.html |archive-date=June 19, 2007 |title=Behind the scenes of ''The Phantom Menace'' |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |last=Daly |first=Steven |access-date=April 5, 2009 |date=May 19, 1999 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Frank Oz]] as [[Yoda]], the centuries-old Jedi Grandmaster and head of the Jedi Council who is apprehensive about allowing Anakin to be trained. Yoda was mostly portrayed as a puppet designed by [[Nick Dudman]] based on [[Stuart Freeborn]]'s original design. Oz controlled the puppet's mouth, and other parts were controlled by puppeteers using remote controls.<ref name="behind"/> Lucas fitted Yoda's filming around Oz's schedule as he finished and promoted ''[[In & Out (film)|In & Out]]''.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|p=96}} A computer-generated Yoda is featured in two distant shots. [[Warwick Davis]] (who played the part of the Ewok Wicket W. Warrick in ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' in 1983) portrays him in the scene where Obi-Wan becomes a Jedi Knight.<ref>{{cite video |title=Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace [[audio commentary]] |location=The Phantom Menace DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox Home Entertainment |year=2001}}</ref> Lucas said he originally wanted to use a full-time digital Yoda, but the attempts did not work well enough at the time. Beginning with the 2011 [[Blu-ray]] release of ''The Phantom Menace'', which was also used for the 3D reissue, a CG Yoda replaced the puppet entirely.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/02/03/george-lucas-star-wars-digital-yoda-phantom-menace/ |title=George Lucas talks about adding a digital Yoda to 'The Phantom Menace' – exclusive video |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=February 3, 2012 |access-date=January 20, 2013 |author=Ross, Dalton|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607135246/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/02/03/george-lucas-star-wars-digital-yoda-phantom-menace/|archive-date=June 7, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Oliver Ford Davies]] as [[Sio Bibble]], the governor of Naboo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/obe-oxford-university-hbo-rsc-orange-tree-theatre-b1129578.html|title=Game Of Thrones actor Oliver Ford Davies 'honoured' to be made OBE|work=[[Evening Standard|The Standard]]|author=Harding, Laura|date=29 December 2023|accessdate=March 4, 2024|archive-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124070358/https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/obe-oxford-university-hbo-rsc-orange-tree-theatre-b1129578.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Hugh Quarshie]] as Captain [[Quarsh Panaka]], Queen Amidala's chief of security at the Theed Palace.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/holby-city-actor-youve-completely-21628183|title=The Holby City actor you've completely forgotten was in a Star Wars film|author=Rockson, Gabrielle|date=21 September 2021|publisher=[[MyLondon]]|accessdate=May 4, 2023|archive-date=May 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510122421/https://www.mylondon.news/news/celebs/holby-city-actor-youve-completely-21628183|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Samuel L. Jackson]] as [[Mace Windu]], a Jedi Master and high-ranking member of the Jedi Council who opposes training Anakin.
* [[Ray Park]] / [[Peter Serafinowicz]] (voice<ref name="behind"/>) as [[Darth Maul]], Darth Sidious's [[Zabrak (Star Wars)|Zabrak]] Sith apprentice, who wields a double-bladed [[lightsaber]].
* [[Terence Stamp]] as [[Finis Valorum]], the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic who commissions Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon to negotiate with the Trade Federation viceroy. Lucas described the character as a "good man but he's beleaguered—a bit like [[Bill Clinton|[Bill] Clinton]]".<ref>{{cite journal |title=Terence Stamp: Stamp of Approval |journal=[[Star Wars Insider]] |issue=41 |date=December 1997 – January 1998 |last=Chernoff |first=Scott}}</ref>
* [[Keira Knightley]] as [[Sabé]], one of Queen Amidala's handmaidens who serves as her decoy throughout the majority of the film.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Boyle |first1=Michael |title=Keira Knightley Was Never Told About Her Real Role In ''Star Wars: The Phantom Menace'' |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1536624/star-wars-keira-knightley-sabe-casting-george-lucas-secret/ |website=/Film |access-date=March 23, 2024 |date=March 11, 2024 |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323181635/https://www.slashfilm.com/1536624/star-wars-keira-knightley-sabe-casting-george-lucas-secret/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Silas Carson]] as:<ref>{{cite journal|title=Silas Carson: Hero with a Thousand Faces|last=Chernoff|first=Scott |url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/bts/profile/f20020530/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605032514/https://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/bts/profile/f20020530/index.html|date=May 2002|archive-date=June 5, 2008|journal=Star Wars Insider |issue=55}}</ref>
** [[Nute Gunray]], the viceroy of the Trade Federation who leads Naboo's invasion and tries to force Queen Amidala to sign a treaty to legitimize their occupation of the planet.
** [[Ki-Adi-Mundi]], a wise and powerful Jedi Master who sits on the council.
** [[Lott Dod]], a Trade Federation Senator.
** An ill-fated pilot. This was the role for which Carson originally auditioned.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Multiple Personality |journal=Star Wars Insider |issue=83 |date=July 2005|last=Rector|first=Brett}}</ref>
* Jerome St. John Blake as:<ref name=haako>{{cite web|url=http://starwars.com/databank/character/runehaako/?id=bts|title=Behind the Scenes: Rune Haako|publisher=Starwars.com|accessdate=March 24, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050402060427/http://starwars.com/databank/character/runehaako/?id=bts|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** [[Rune Haako]], Gunray's chief lieutenant and Settlement Officer in the Trade Federation.
*** James Taylor as the voice of Rune Haako.<ref name=haako/>
** [[Oppo Rancisis]], a Jedi Master and member of the council.
** [[Orn Free Taa]], a Twi-lek senator.
** [[Mas Amedda]], a Chagrian politician and Vice Chair of the galactic senate.

Additionally, [[Brian Blessed]] voiced [[Boss Nass]], the leader of the Gungan tribe who allies with the Naboo surface dwellers; [[Andy Secombe]] voiced [[Watto]], a junk dealer on Tatooine who owns Anakin and his mother as slaves; and [[Lewis MacLeod (actor)|Lewis MacLeod]] voiced [[List of Star Wars characters#Sebulba|Sebulba]], an aggressive, scheming podracer who is Anakin's main rival at the Boonta Eve podrace. [[Greg Proops]] and [[Scott Capurro]] voiced Fode and Beed, respectively, the two-headed announcer of the Boonta Eve Race. [[Alan Ruscoe]] appears as Jedi Master [[Plo Koon]] and [[Neimoidian]] Daultay Dofine, commander of the Trade Federation's droid control ships. [[Ralph Brown]] plays [[Ric Olie]], commander of the Naboo Royal Space Fighter Corps and chief pilot aboard Queen Amidala's starship, while [[Matthew Wood (sound editor)|Matthew Wood]] appears as the Twi'lek [[Bib Fortuna]] alongside a CGI [[Jabba the Hutt]], who is voiced by Scott Schumann. [[Dominic West]] plays the role of Jerus Jannick a Naboo Palace Guard, [[Celia Imrie]] appears as a fighter pilot, and [[Sofia Coppola]] appears as Saché, one of Amidala's handmaidens. Christian Simpson appears as Lieutenant Gavyn Sykes.<ref>{{cite news |last=Simpson |first=Christian |date=June 4, 2014 |title=From Fandom to ''Phantom'': When ''Star Wars'' Dreams Become Reality |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/from-fandom-to-phantom-when-star-wars-dreams-become-reality |location=Star Wars.com |access-date=July 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513071453/http://www.starwars.com/news/from-fandom-to-phantom-when-star-wars-dreams-become-reality |archive-date=May 13, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Lindsay Duncan]] voices TC-14, a protocol droid on the Federation ship.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://arts.independent.co.uk/film/features/article321917.ece |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |location=London |title=Lindsay Duncan: When in Rome |first=Kevin |last=Jackson |date=23 October 2005 |access-date=7 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123110928/http://arts.independent.co.uk/film/features/article321917.ece |archive-date=23 November 2007 }}</ref> [[Sally Hawkins]] made her screen debut as an uncredited villager.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ramin |last=Setoodeh |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/awards/sally-hawkins-on-her-secret-star-wars-role-and-blue-jasmine-1200963156/ |title=Sally Hawkins on her secret 'Star Wars' role and "Blue Jasmine" |work=Variety |date=16 December 2013 |access-date=4 April 2016 |archive-date=3 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503095300/http://variety.com/2013/film/awards/sally-hawkins-on-her-secret-star-wars-role-and-blue-jasmine-1200963156/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Production ==

=== Development ===
While writing the [[Star Wars (film)|original ''Star Wars'' film]],{{EpIV}} [[George Lucas]] decided the story was too vast to be covered in one film. He introduced a wider story arc that could be told in sequels if it became successful.<ref>George Lucas intro to ''[[Splinter of the Mind's Eye]]'' 1994 reissue</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Rinzler|2007|p=107}}</ref> He negotiated a contract that allowed him to make two sequels, and over time created an elaborate [[backstory]] to aid his writing process.<ref>{{harvnb|Kaminski|2007|p=134}}</ref> While writing the second film ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'', Lucas considered directions in which to take the story. In the original trilogy, Darth Vader was revealed to have been Anakin Skywalker, a once-powerful Jedi Knight, and a traitor to the Jedi Order.<ref>{{harvnb|Kaminski|2007|pp=164–165}}</ref> With this backstory in place, Lucas decided that the movies would work best as a trilogy.<ref>{{harvnb|Bouzereau|1997|p=123}}</ref> In the trilogy's final episode, ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'', Vader is redeemed through an act of sacrifice for Luke.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,953916,00.html |title=I've Got to Get My life Back Again |author1=Clarke, Gerald |author2=Worrell, Denise |date=May 23, 1983 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=April 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222004356/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,953916,00.html|archive-date=December 22, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:George Walton Lucas.jpg|thumb|upright|left|alt=George Lucas sporting white hair and a short beard looking at the camera|''Star Wars'' creator [[George Lucas]] (pictured in 2011) decided to return to the series in the 1990s following advancements in [[computer-generated imagery]].]]
Throughout the 1980s, Lucas said he had no desire to return to ''Star Wars'' and had canceled his [[Star Wars sequel trilogy|sequel trilogy]] by the time of ''Return of the Jedi''. However, because Lucas had developed most of the backstory, the idea of prequels continued to fascinate him.<ref>{{harvnb|Kaminski|2007|p=227}}</ref> In the early 1990s, ''Star Wars'' saw a resurgence in popularity in the wake of [[Dark Horse Comics|Dark Horse]]'s [[List of Star Wars comic books|comic line]] and [[Timothy Zahn]]'s [[Thrawn trilogy|trilogy of novels]]. Lucas saw that there was still a large audience for his idea of a prequel trilogy, and with the development of special effects generated with [[computer-generated imagery]] (CGI), Lucas considered returning to his saga and directing the film.<ref>{{harvnb|Kaminski|2007|pp=294–295}}</ref> In October 1993, it was announced in ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' and other sources that he would be making the prequels.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deseret.com/1993/10/3/19068970/lucas-says-star-wars-prequel-is-on-its-way |title=Lucas Says Star Wars Prequel Is On Its Way |last=Hicks |first=Chris |date=October 2, 1993 |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=[[Deseret News]] |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220005834/https://www.deseret.com/1993/10/3/19068970/lucas-says-star-wars-prequel-is-on-its-way |url-status=live }}</ref> Lucas began outlining the story; Anakin Skywalker rather than Obi-Wan Kenobi would be the protagonist, and the series would be a tragedy examining Darth Vader's origins. A relic of the original outline was that Anakin would, like his son, grow up on Tatooine.<ref>{{harvnb|Kaminski|2008|p=318}}</ref> Lucas also began to change the prequels' timeline relative to the original series; instead of filling in the tangential history, they would form the beginning of a long story that started with Anakin's childhood and ended with his death. This was the final step toward turning the franchise into a saga.<ref>{{harvnb|Kaminski|2007|pp=299–300}}</ref>

Lucas began writing the ''Star Wars'' prequel trilogy on November 1, 1994. The screenplay of ''Star Wars'' was adapted from Lucas's 15-page outline that was written in 1976, which he designed to help him keep track of the characters' backstories and events that occurred before the [[Star Wars original trilogy|original trilogy]].<ref name="Idea">"Special Featurette", ''All I Need Is An Idea'' (2001), DVD</ref> Anakin was first written as a twelve-year-old, but Lucas reduced his age to nine because he felt that the lower age would better fit the plot point of Anakin being affected by his mother's separation from him. Eventually, Anakin's younger age led Lucas to rewrite his participation in the movie's major scenes.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|p=7}} The film's working title was ''The Beginning'', with the title not being changed to ''The Phantom Menace'' until shortly before the film's completion.<ref name="Idea"/> Lucas later revealed that the ''Phantom Menace'' title was a reference to Palpatine hiding his true identity as an evil Sith Lord behind the facade of a well-intentioned public servant.<ref>{{harvnb|Bowen|2005|p=93}}</ref>

The larger budget and possibilities opened up by the use of digital effects made Lucas "think about a much grander, more epic scale—which is what I wanted ''Star Wars'' to be".<ref name=vision>{{cite journal |title=Return of the Jedi |pages=15–32 |author=Shay, Don |journal=[[Cinefex]] |issue=78 |date=July 1999}}</ref> The story ended with five simultaneous, ongoing plots, one leading to another. The central plot is Palpatine's intent to become Chancellor, which leads to the Trade Federation's attack on Naboo, the Jedi being sent there, Anakin being met along the way, and the rise of the Sith Lords. As with the original trilogy, Lucas intended ''The Phantom Menace'' to illustrate several themes throughout the narrative. Duality is a frequent theme; Amidala is a queen who passes as a handmaiden, Palpatine plays on both sides of the war, among others. "Balance" is frequently suggested; Anakin is supposedly "the one" chosen to bring balance to the Force—Lucas said, "Anakin needed to have a mother, Obi-Wan needed a Master, Darth Sidious needed an apprentice" as without interaction and dialogue, "you wouldn't have drama".{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=8–9}}

In November 2015, [[Ron Howard]] confirmed that he, [[Robert Zemeckis]] and [[Steven Spielberg]] were approached by Lucas to direct ''The Phantom Menace''. All three approached directors told Lucas that he should direct the film, as they each found the project "too daunting."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/star-wars-episode-1-ron-howard-steven-spielberg-robert-zemeckis/ |title=Star Wars Episode 1 Was Offered to Ron Howard |date=November 25, 2015 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|access-date=December 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129003634/http://collider.com/star-wars-episode-1-ron-howard-steven-spielberg-robert-zemeckis/|archive-date=November 29, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Pre-production and design ===
Before Lucas had started writing, his producing partner [[Rick McCallum]] was preparing for the film. McCallum stated that his experience with ''[[The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles]]'' led to many of his decisions on ''The Phantom Menace'', such as long-term deals with actors and soundstages, the employment of recent graduates with no film experience, and the creation of sets and landscapes with digital technology. In April 1994, McCallum started searching for artists in art, architecture and design schools, and in mid-year he began location scouting with production designer Gavin Bocquet. [[Industrial Light & Magic]] (ILM) art director [[Doug Chiang]] impressed McCallum the most and was hired as the design director.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=10–12}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Christopher |first=James |date=April 12, 2000 |title=Greetings, Earthlings; Arts |work=The Times |page=16}}</ref> Art development on the film began in January 1995.<ref>{{cite book |last=Vaz |first=Mark Cotta |title=The Art of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones |date=2002 |publisher=Ballantine Publ. Group |location=New York |isbn=978-0-345-43125-7 |edition=1st |page=[https://archive.org/details/artofstarwarsepi0000vazm/page/2 2] |url=https://archive.org/details/artofstarwarsepi0000vazm/page/2 }}</ref>

Within three to four months of Lucas beginning the writing process, Chiang and his design team started a two-year process of reviewing thousands of designs for the film.<ref name="Thousands">''Thousands of Things'' DVD Special Featurette, [2001]</ref> Chiang stated that Lucas intended ''Episode I'' to be stylistically different from the other ''Star Wars'' films; it would be "richer and more like a period piece, since it was the history leading up to ''A New Hope''." The story takes place on three planets, some with varied environments such as the human and Gungan cities of Naboo and three buildings in Coruscant. With the exception of the Gungan city, which had an [[Art Nouveau]]-inspired visual, these locations would be given distinctive looks with some basis in the real world. The concept drawings of [[Ralph McQuarrie]] for the original trilogy served as the basis for Mos Espa—which was also inspired by old Tunisian hotels and buildings and had touches such as a marketplace to differentiate it from ''A New Hope''{{'}}s Mos Eisley—and Coruscant, in particular a metropolis design that became the basis for the Senate.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=12–17}} Bocquet would later develop the work of Chiang's team and design the interiors, translating the concepts into construction blueprints with environments and architectural styles that had some basis in reality "to give the audience something to key into."{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=54–55}} Some elements were directly inspired by the original trilogy; Lucas described the battle droids as predecessors to the [[Stormtrooper (Star Wars)|stormtroopers]]. Chiang uses that orientation to base the droids on the Imperial soldiers, only in the same style of stylized and elongated features seen in tribal African art.<ref name=vision/>

[[Terryl Whitlatch]], who had a background on zoology and anatomy, was in charge of creature design. Many of the aliens are hybrids, combining features of real animals. At times, entire food chains were developed, even though only a small percentage of them would appear in the film. Whitlatch also designed detailed skeletons for the major characters and facial muscles on Jar Jar Binks as a reference for ILM's animators. Each creature would reflect its environment; those on Naboo were more beautiful because the planet is "lush and more animal-friendly", Tatooine has rough-looking creatures "with weather-beaten leathery skin to protect them from the harsh desert elements", and Coruscant has bipedal, human-looking aliens.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=16–22}}

The film made extensive use of the new technique of digital pre-visualization, using computers to essentially create 3-D animated storyboards. This was done for dozens of scenes in the film but was first and primarily used in the pod race sequence. Animatic supervisor David Dozoretz, also an ILM alum, worked on this sequence for nearly three years, and at one point had a 25-minute version of the race, although the film only included a 9-minute version.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=39-40}}<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010404233628/http://www.apple.com/hotnews/articles/2001/01/pov/index.html|archivedate=April 4, 2001|url=http://www.apple.com/hotnews/articles/2001/01/pov/index.html|publisher=Apple.com|title=Seeing Ahead: previsualizing special effects.|author=Jorgl, Stephanie|date=January 2001}}</ref>

[[File:Duel of the Fates.jpg|right|thumb|Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi dueling Darth Maul. Lucas wanted the lightsaber battles to be fast and more intense than those of the original trilogy, depicting the Jedi in their prime. This scene was highly praised by critics and audiences.|alt=Three men fight with laser swords in a hangar.]]
[[Stunt]] coordinator [[Nick Gillard]] was recruited to create a new Jedi fighting style for the prequel trilogy. Gillard likened the lightsaber battles to a chess game "with every move being a [[check (chess)|check]]". Because of their short-range weapons, Gillard thought that the Jedi would have had to develop a fighting style that merged every sword fighting style, such as [[kendo]] and other [[kenjutsu]] styles, with other swinging techniques, such as tennis swings and tree-chopping. While training Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor, Gillard wrote a sequence that lasted around 60 seconds and intended to be around five or six sequences per fight.<ref name="Prime">''Prime of the Jedi'' DVD Special Featurette, [2001]</ref> Lucas later referred to the Jedi as "negotiators" rather than high-casualty soldiers. The preference of hand-to-hand combat was intended to give a spiritual and intellectual role to the Jedi.<ref name="Prime"/> Because Gillard thought that the stunt jumps with the actors and stuntmen dangling from wires did not look realistic, [[air ram]]s were used to propel them into the air instead.<ref name=mak>{{harvnb|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=102–3}}</ref>

Lucas decided to make elaborate costumes, because the film's society was more sophisticated than the one depicted in the original trilogy. Designer [[Trisha Biggar]] and her team created over 1,000 costumes that were inspired by various cultures.<ref>''Costumes'' DVD Special Featurette, [2001]</ref> Biggar worked closely with concept designer Iain McCaig to create a color palette for the inhabitants of each world: Tatooine followed ''A New Hope'' with sun-bleached sand colors, Coruscant had grays, browns and blacks, and Naboo had green and gold for humans while Gungans wore "a leathery look, like their skin". The Jedi costumes followed the tradition from the original film;{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|p=23}} Obi-Wan's costume was inspired by the costume that was worn by Guinness. Lucas said he and Biggar would look at the conceptual art to "translat[e] all of these designs into cloth and fabric and materials that would actually work and not look silly". Biggar also consulted Gillard to ensure that the costumes would accommodate action scenes, and consulted the creature department to find which fabrics "wouldn't wear too heavily" on the alien skins. A huge wardrobe department was set up at [[Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden|Leavesden Film Studios]] to create over 250 costumes for the main actors and 5,000 for the background ones.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=60–64}}

[[List of Star Wars characters#Nute Gunray|Nute Gunray]]'s [[Thai language|Thai]] accent was chosen after Lucas and McCallum listened to various languages to decide how the Neimoidians would speak.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 30, 2002 |title=Silas Carson: Hero with a Thousand Faces |url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/bts/profile/f20020530/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305140705/https://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/bts/profile/f20020530/indexp4.html |archive-date=March 5, 2008 |access-date=April 5, 2009 |publisher=StarWars.com}}</ref> The character design of [[Watto]] was an amalgam of rejected ideas; his expressions were based on video footage of Secombe's voice acting, photographs of animation supervisor [[Rob Coleman]] imitating the character, and modeler Steve Alpin saying Watto's lines to a mirror.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112000442/http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990617/index.html |url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990617/index.html |archive-date=November 12, 2007 |title=Watto's Character Development&nbsp;– From Concept to CG |date=June 17, 1999 |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=April 5, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Lucas described [[List of Star Wars characters#Sebulba|Sebulba]]'s design as "a spider crossed with an [[orangutan]] crossed with a [[sloth]]",<ref name="time"/> with a [[camel]]-like face, and clothing inspired by medieval armor.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524235020/http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/sebulba/index.html |archive-date=May 24, 2011 |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/character/sebulba/index.html |title=Sebulba at the Star Wars Databank |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=April 24, 2009}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
After [[Samuel L. Jackson]] expressed interest in appearing in a ''Star Wars'' film, he was approached by casting director Robin Gurland to play [[Mace Windu]].<ref name="NotesII"/> Rapper [[Tupac Shakur]] was also considered for the role of Mace Windu.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/08/tupac-shakur-jedi-master-role-star-wars |title=Could Tupac Shakur have been a Jedi Master? |work=[[The Guardian]] |last=Michaels |first=Sean |date=January 8, 2014 |access-date=June 23, 2021 |archive-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611132537/https://amp.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/08/tupac-shakur-jedi-master-role-star-wars |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Ray Park]], a [[martial arts]] champion with experience in gymnastics and sword fighting, was originally a member of the stunt crew.<ref name="NotesII">{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp5.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041023023636/http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp5.html |archive-date=October 23, 2004 |date=May 1, 1999 |title=''Star Wars Episode I'' Production Notes: The Actors and Characters&nbsp;– Part II |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=April 5, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Stunt coordinator [[Nick Gillard]] filmed Park to demonstrate his conception of the lightsaber battles. Lucas and McCallum were so impressed with the test tape that they gave Park the role of Maul. His voice was considered "too squeaky" and was [[Dubbing (filmmaking)|dubbed]] over in post-production by [[Peter Serafinowicz]].<ref name="behind"/> [[Keira Knightley]]'s parents tried to convince her not to audition, but she still sought a role since she was a ''Star Wars'' fan.<ref name="knightley"/> The casting was influenced by Knightley's remarkable similarity to Natalie Portman, with Knightley admitting their mothers could not tell them apart.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/10589840/Keira-Knightley-my-most-exciting-role-was-on-The-Bill.html |title=Keira Knightley: 'my most exciting role was on The Bill' |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |first=Lowenna |last=Waters |date=January 23, 2014 |access-date=June 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224080633/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/10589840/Keira-Knightley-my-most-exciting-role-was-on-The-Bill.html|archive-date=February 24, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Knightley was reported to have "cried every single day" due to finding the wardrobe uncomfortable.<ref name="knightley">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=20040702&id=N5EjAAAAIBAJ&pg=1535,497976&hl=pt-BR |title='King Arthur' Star No Damsel In Distress |author=Perlman, Cindy |work=[[Reading Eagle]] |agency=The New York Times Syndicate |date=July 2, 2004 |access-date=June 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911055237/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=20040702&id=N5EjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iaMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1535,497976&hl=pt-BR|archive-date=September 11, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Over 3,000 actors auditioned for the role of Anakin Skywalker including [[Haley Joel Osment]], [[Cameron Finley]], [[Justin Berfield]] and [[Michael Angarano]] before [[Jake Lloyd]] was selected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GZSnB7yGylc|title=Finding Anakin – auditions for Star Wars Episode I|website=[[YouTube]] |date=December 10, 2011 |access-date=June 25, 2021|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301102000/https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GZSnB7yGylc|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Vinette Robinson]] auditioned for the role of Padmé Amidala.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2018 |title=Sherlock star was nearly Star Wars' Queen Amidala |website=[[Digital Spy]] |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a859453/sherlock-star-auditioned-star-wars-prequels-queen-amidala/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716194951/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a859453/sherlock-star-auditioned-star-wars-prequels-queen-amidala/ |archive-date=July 16, 2021 |access-date=July 16, 2021}}</ref> [[Benicio del Toro]] was originally cast as Darth Maul but later left the project when the character's lines were cut.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://time.com/4936666/star-wars-actors-almost-cast-leonardo-dicaprio/ |title=20 Actors You Never Knew Were Almost Cast in Star Wars |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=December 18, 2017 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726070207/https://time.com/4936666/star-wars-actors-almost-cast-leonardo-dicaprio/ |last=McCluskey |first=Megan |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Michael Jackson]] expressed interest in playing Jar Jar Binks, but he wanted to do it in prosthetic makeup while Lucas wanted to do it in CGI.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url = https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/michael-jackson-wanted-to-play-jar-jar-binks-in-star-wars-56736/|title = Michael Jackson Wanted to Play Jar Jar Binks in 'Star Wars'| magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date = July 24, 2015|access-date = June 25, 2021|archive-date = June 25, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210625052525/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/michael-jackson-wanted-to-play-jar-jar-binks-in-star-wars-56736/amp/|url-status = live}}</ref> [[Joseph Fiennes]] auditioned for the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi and nearly landed the part until Lucas's young daughter rejected him upon meeting him during the second level of auditioning.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/joseph-fiennes-obi-wan-kenobi-star-wars-ewan-mcgregor-george-lucas-exclusive/ |title=Joseph Fiennes Nearly Played Obi-Wan Kenobi – and Tells Us How He Lost the Role (Exclusive) |last=Velocci |first=Carli |work=[[TheWrap]] |date=May 24, 2017 |access-date=June 23, 2021 |archive-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611134803/https://www.thewrap.com/joseph-fiennes-obi-wan-kenobi-star-wars-ewan-mcgregor-george-lucas-exclusive/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to McCaig, in the first draft of the script Neeson's character was originally named Obi-Wan Kenobi and McGregor's character was named Qui-Gon Jinn, but the roles were changed late in filming.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/iain-mccaig-the-phantom-menace |title=Phantom at 25 {{!}} Iain McCaig Talks Darth Maul, Queen Amidala, and working with George Lucas |website=starwars.com |last=Seastrom |first=Lucas |date=October 29, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2025}}</ref>

[[Silas Carson]] was cast as Nute Gunray because another actor was uncomfortable with the costumes used by the Trade Federation characters, which were hot, exerted a lot of pressure on the bearer, and took about 15 minutes to apply. [[Hugh Quarshie]] considered the part of Panaka as "a good career move" and a production that would be fun to make.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forcecast.net/story/home/Microcast_In_The_Cantina_With_Hugh_Quarshie_127493.asp |last=Swank |first=Jason |title=Microcast: In The Cantina With Hugh Quarshie |publisher=[[TheForce.Net]] |date=November 6, 2009 |access-date=September 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322093656/http://www.forcecast.net/story/home/Microcast_In_The_Cantina_With_Hugh_Quarshie_127493.asp|archive-date=March 22, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Brian Blessed]] originally auditioned for the role of [[Sio Bibble]], the Governor of Naboo,<ref>{{harvnb|Bowen|2005|p=5}}</ref> for which he was considered "too loud".<ref name="blessed">{{cite web |url=https://aintitcool.com/node/2595?q=node/2577 |title=Brian Blessed Talks On British Radio About STAR WARS EPISODE ONE. SPOILERS |date=December 3, 1998 |publisher=Ain't It Cool News |access-date=April 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409050828/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/2595?q=node%2F2577|archive-date=April 9, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Casting director Robin Gurland approached him to play Nass because it was a "bigger than life" character with "a kind of bravado".{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|p=51}} Blessed described Nass as a "reluctant hero".<ref name="blessed"/> [[Sofia Coppola]], daughter of Lucas' long-time friend and creative partner [[Francis Ford Coppola]], considers Lucas as "like an uncle to me". As she prepared the script for her directorial debut ''[[The Virgin Suicides (film)|The Virgin Suicides]]'', Coppola heard Lucas would be making a new ''Star Wars'' film and asked him if she could accompany him during filming. Lucas offered Coppola a role in the royal entourage, which she accepted because it "seemed like a good vantage point to watch without getting in the way".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/features/sofia-coppola-on-sofia-coppola/p8 |title=Sofia Coppola: Film By Film |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |author=De Smelyen, Phil |date=July 4, 2013 |access-date=May 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325035242/http://www.empireonline.com/features/sofia-coppola-on-sofia-coppola/p8|archive-date=March 25, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
{{See also|List of Star Wars filming locations}}
[[File:Star Wars Episode One Village - 05.jpg|thumb|left|Remains of Mos Espa in the Tunisian desert, near [[Nafta, Tunisia|Nafta]]|alt=Rocky buildings and an antenna-like structure in a desert.]]
Filming began on June 26, 1997, and ended on September 30 of that year, primarily taking place at [[Leavesden Film Studios]] in England. Leavesden was leased for a two and a half year period so the production company could leave the sets intact and return after [[principal photography]] had been completed.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|p=53}} The forest scenes on Naboo were filmed at [[Cassiobury Park]] in [[Watford]], Hertfordshire.<ref name=starwars>{{cite web |title=The Park on TV |url=http://cassioburypark.info/the-park-on-tv/ |publisher=Cassiobury Park website |access-date=March 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402094206/http://cassioburypark.info/the-park-on-tv/|archive-date=April 2, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=starwarslocations>{{cite web |title=Star Wars trek: Whippendell Woods – November 2001 | work=Star Wars Locations | date=October 26, 2007 |url=http://www.starwarslocations.com/article.php?story=20071008041303639 |access-date=March 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713092959/http://www.starwarslocations.com/article.php?story=20071008041303639|archive-date=July 13, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Pick-up (filmmaking)|Pick-ups]] were shot between August 1998 and February 1999 after Lucas screened a rough cut of the film for friends and colleagues in May 1998.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=137–138}} Most of the action and stunts were filmed by [[Roger Christian (filmmaker)|Roger Christian]]'s [[second unit]], which worked alongside the main unit instead of afterwards because of the high number of shots to be completed daily.<ref name=mak/>

The Tunisian desert was again used for the Tatooine scenes;<ref name="Episode1"/> Mos Espa was built outside the city of [[Tozeur]]. On the night following the third day of shooting in Tozeur, an unexpected sandstorm destroyed many of the sets and props. The production was quickly rescheduled to allow for repairs and was able to leave Tunisia on the date originally planned.<ref name="War">''It's Like War Now'' DVD Special Featurette, [2001]</ref> The Italian [[Caserta Palace]] was used as the interior of the Theed City Naboo Palace;<ref name="Episode1">''"The Beginning" Making Episode I'' ''Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace'' DVD documentary, [2001]</ref> it was used as a location for four days after it had been closed to visitors. Scenes with explosions were filmed on replica sets in Leavesden.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=57}}

[[File:Campania Caserta3 tango7174.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.85|The [[Palace of Caserta]], in Italy, was the location for the Naboo Royal Palace.]]
A binder with the film's storyboards served as a reference for live-action filming, shots that would be filmed in front of a [[chroma key]] blue screen, and shots that would be composed using CGI. The sets were often built with the parts that would be required on screen; often they were built only up to the heights of the actors. Chroma key was extensively used for digital set extensions, backgrounds, or scenes that required cinematographer [[David Tattersall]] to seek powerful lamps to light the sets and visual effects supervisor [[John Knoll]] to develop software that would remove the blue reflection from shiny floors. Knoll, who remained on set through most of the production, worked closely with Tattersall to ensure that the shots were suitable to add effects later. The cameras were fitted with [[Automatic identification and data capture|data capture]] models to provide technical data for the CGI artists.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=77–79; 84–85}}

''The Phantom Menace'' was the final ''[[Star Wars]]'' film to be shot on [[35 mm movie film|35mm film]] until ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens|The Force Awakens]]'' (2015). Some scenes, mostly of elements filmed by the special effects team, were shot on high definition digital video tapes to test the performance of digital recordings, which Lucas and McCallum considered the next logical step because of the amount of digitizing—an expensive process compared to recording directly on digital media—for the compositing of computer-generated effects. A couple of digitally shot scenes made it into the movie, one of them being of Qui-Gon taking a blood sample of Anakin Skywalker.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/features/attack-zeros-ones-early-years-digital-cinema-told-david-lynch-miranda-july-michael-mann-more |title=Attack of the zeros and ones: the early years of digital cinema, as told by David Lynch, Miranda July, Michael Mann and more |date=November 25, 2022 |access-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-date=September 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919133439/https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/features/attack-zeros-ones-early-years-digital-cinema-told-david-lynch-miranda-july-michael-mann-more |url-status=live }}</ref> All future films would be shot using [[Sony]] [[CineAlta]] high-definition video cameras.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=79–80; 120}}<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7HCzmWfb47sC&pg=PA71 |author=Metz, Cade |title=Hollywood Reboots |journal=[[PC Magazine]] |date=May 23, 2006 |pages=70–71|access-date=February 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504061920/http://books.google.com/books?id=7HCzmWfb47sC&pg=PA71|archive-date=May 4, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Greg Proops]] and [[Scott Capurro]] were filmed wearing makeup and blue bodysuits so their heads could be joined in a computer-generated body. The visual effects crew did not like the original results and crafted Fode and Beed as an entirely computer generated alien.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/character/fodeandbeed/index.html |title=Fode and Beed at the Star Wars Databank |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=April 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303065015/http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/fodeandbeed/index.html <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=March 3, 2009}}</ref>

Because of the amount of visual effects produced, editing took two years; Paul Martin Smith started the process in England and focused on dialogue-heavy scenes. [[Ben Burtt]]—who was also the film's [[Sound editor (filmmaking)|sound editor]]—was responsible for action sequences under Lucas's supervision. [[Non-linear editing system]]s played a large part in translating Lucas's vision; he constantly tweaked, revised and reworked shots and scenes. The final sound mix was added in March 1999, and the following month, the film was completed after the delivery of the remaining visual effects shots.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=135–137; 149}}

=== Effects ===
{{quote box|right|quote="Writing the script was much more enjoyable this time around because I wasn't constrained by anything. You can't write one of these movies without knowing how you're going to accomplish it. With CG at my disposal, I knew I could do whatever I wanted".|&nbsp;—George Lucas{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|p=105}}| width = 27%}}
The film saw a breakthrough in computer generated effects. About 1,950 of the shots in ''The Phantom Menace'' have visual effects. The scene in which toxic gas is released on the Jedi is the only sequence with no digital alteration.<ref name="time"/> The work was so extensive that three visual effects supervisors divided the workload among themselves—John Knoll supervised the on-set production and the podrace and space battle sequences, [[Dennis Muren]] supervised the underwater sequence and the ground battle, and [[Scott Squires]], alongside teams assigned for [[miniature effect]]s and character animation, worked on the lightsaber effects.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=106}}

Until the film's production, many special effects in the film industry were achieved using miniature models, [[matte (filmmaking)|matte]] paintings and on-set visual effects—although other films had made extensive use of CGI. Knoll previewed 3,500 [[storyboard]]s for the film; Lucas accompanied him to explain factors of the shots that would be practical and those that would be created through visual effects. Knoll later said that on hearing the explanations of the storyboards, he did not know how to accomplish what he had seen. The result was a mixture of original techniques and the newest digital techniques to make it difficult for the viewer to guess which technique was being used. Knoll and his visual effects team wrote new computer software, including [[Cloth modeling|cloth simulators]] to allow a realistic depiction of the digital characters' clothing, to create certain shots. Another goal was to create computer-generated characters that could act seamlessly with live-action actors. While filming scenes with CGI characters, Lucas would [[blocking (stage)|block]] the characters using their corresponding voice actors on-set. The voice actors were then removed and the live-action actors would perform the same scene alone. A CGI character would later be added into the shot to complete the conversation.<ref name="VE">''Visual Effects'' DVD Special Featurette, [2001]</ref> Lucas also used CGI to correct the physical presence of actors in certain scenes.<ref name="time"/> Practical models were used when their visuals helped with miniature sceneries for backgrounds, set extensions and model vehicles that would be [[3D scanner|scanned]] to create the digital models or filmed to represent spaceships and podraces.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=115–124}}

Lucas, who had previously confronted problems with the props used to depict R2-D2, allowed ILM and the production's British special effects department to create their own versions of the robot. Nine R2-D2 models were created; one was for actor Kenny Baker to be dropped into, seven were built by ILM and featured two wheelchair motors capable of moving {{Convert|440|lb|kg}}, enabling it to run and be mostly used in stage sets, and the British studio produced a pneumatic R2-D2 that could shift from two to three legs and was mostly used in Tunisia because its motor drive system allowed it to drive over sand.<ref name="R2">''Bad Droid Karma'' DVD Special Featurette, [2001]</ref>

Lucas originally planned to create many of the aliens with computer graphics, but those that would be more cost-effectively realized with masks and [[animatronic]]s were created by Nick Dudman's creature effects team. These included the Neimoidians, background characters in Mos Espa, the Jedi Council, and the Galactic Senate. Dudman's team was told where the creatures would be required six months before principal photography begun, and they rushed the production. The Neimoidian suits, which were originally intended as digital characters, were delivered one day before they would be required on set. Dudman traveled to Skywalker Ranch to see the original creatures that could be reused, and read the script for a breakdown of scenes with practical creatures, leaving only the more outlandish designs to be created using CGI.{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=65–66}}

To research for the podrace vehicles, the visual effects crew visited a jet aircraft junkyard outside [[Phoenix, Arizona]] and scavenged four [[Boeing 747]] engines.<ref name=time>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,990819-3,00.html |title=Ready, Set, Glow |magazine=Time |date=April 26, 1999 |author1=Corliss, Richard |author2=Booth, Cathy |access-date=April 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625185337/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,990819-3,00.html|archive-date=June 25, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Life-sized replicas of the engines were built and sent to Tunisia to provide reference in the film. Except for Jake Lloyd inside a hydraulically controlled cockpit and a few practical podracer models, the entire podracing scene—which the effects crew designed to be as "out of this world" as possible—is computer-generated.<ref name="Episode1"/>{{sfn|Bouzereau|Duncan|1999|pp=119–120}}

=== Themes ===
{{See also|Star Wars sources and analogues}}
Like previous ''Star Wars'' films, ''The Phantom Menace'' makes several references to historical events and films that George Lucas watched in his youth. The ''Star Wars'' films typically mix several concepts from different mythologies together, drawing heavily from the [[hero's journey]], an archetypical template developed by [[comparative mythologist]] [[Joseph Campbell]].<ref name="myth">{{cite news |date=April 26, 1999 |title=Of Myth And Men |work=[[Time Magazine|Time]] |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,990820,00.html |access-date=April 20, 2009 |first=Bill |last=Moyers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430002812/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,990820,00.html|archive-date=April 30, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film also notably borrows from ''[[Ben-Hur (1959 film)|Ben-Hur]]'' (1959), including the podrace sequence, which mirrors the [[chariot race]] scene; additionally, the end celebration scene closely resembles a Roman parade in ''Ben-Hur''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Young |first=Bryan |title=The Cinema Behind Star Wars: Ben Hur |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-cinema-behind-star-wars-ben-hur |website=StarWars.com |access-date=September 20, 2019 |date=May 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920223626/https://www.starwars.com/news/the-cinema-behind-star-wars-ben-hur |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Maul Devil.png|thumb|upright=1.4|The face of Darth Maul drew upon depictions of the devil.]]
There are many references to [[Christianity]] in the film, such as the appearance of Darth Maul, whose design draws heavily from traditional depictions of the [[Devil in Christianity|devil]], complete with red skin and horns.<ref name="myth"/> The ''Star Wars'' film cycle features a similar Christian narrative involving Anakin Skywalker; he is the "Chosen One"—the individual prophesied to bring balance to the Force—who was conceived of a [[Miraculous birth|virgin birth]]. However, unlike [[Jesus]], Anakin will eventually fall from grace and seemingly fail to fulfill his destiny (until the prophecy comes true in ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'').<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hodge|first=Joel|date=April 21, 2015|title=How 'Star Wars' answers our biggest religious questions|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/04/21/how-star-wars-answers-our-biggest-religious-questions/|access-date=2020-06-18|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|archive-date=June 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619022644/https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/04/21/how-star-wars-answers-our-biggest-religious-questions/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Japanese film]]s such as [[Akira Kurosawa]]'s ''[[The Hidden Fortress]]'' (1958) influenced the original ''Star Wars'' film; scholars say that ''The Phantom Menace'' was likewise influenced by Korean and Japanese culture. Film historians Geoff King and Tanya Krzywinska write, "The costume and make-up designs&nbsp;...&nbsp;favour a mixture of the gothic and the oriental over anything very futuristic. The gothic is most strongly apparent in Darth Maul's demonic horns and the red and black make-up mask that borrows from the facial designs found in depictions of Japanese demons." King and Krzywinska say that "Qui-Gon's pony tail and Obi-Wan's position of apprentice further encourage a reading in terms of the Samurai tradition". They also say "Amidala, in keeping with her status and character, has a number of highly formal outfits&nbsp;...&nbsp;to go with hair sculpted into a curve that frames make-up of a Japanese cast".<ref>{{Cite book |last1=King |first1=Geoff |first2=Tanya |last2=Krzywinska |title=Science Fiction Cinema: From Outerspace to Cyberspace |year=2000 |publisher=Wallflower Press |location=London |page=[https://archive.org/details/sciencefictionci00king/page/109 109] |isbn=1-903364-03-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/sciencefictionci00king/page/109 }}</ref>

The Jedi practice [[Zen]]-like meditation and [[martial arts]], as did the ancient Japanese [[Samurai]] warriors. The name "Qui-Gon" adapts the term [[qigong]], which refers to a Chinese discipline involving meditation and cultivation of the flow of the vital energy called "''[[qi]]''" for healing, health, and combat. The words ''qi'' ([[Chinese language|Chinese]]), ''gi'' ([[Korean language|Korean]]), ''ki'' ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]), and the Indian term "[[Prana]]" all refer to the energy that is thought to flow through all living things, from the source of all ''qi'' (or power), which is "The Way" or "The [[Tao]]" in Chinese philosophy. In [[Taoist]] philosophy, from The Way, [[yin and yang]]—the opposing but complementary aspects of reality or nature—are born. Unlike Chinese philosophy, in which yin and yang are not moral qualities, the ancient Persian philosophy of [[Zurvanism]] taught that the dualism of dark and light forces are locked in an eternal battle while being two sides (or evolutes) of the same "Force", the force of time itself (Zurvan)—the prime mover. These elements derive primarily from [[Eastern religions|Eastern]] and Iranian religions and myths.<ref name="myth"/>

As with other ''Star Wars'' films, themes about family and hope are featured prominently. In the ''[[Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian]]'' episode "Legacy", [[Dave Filoni]] explains that the use of "[[Duel of the Fates]]" during the lightsaber duel between Darth Maul against Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi represents the fight for the fate of Anakin Skywalker. According to Filoni, Qui-Gon Jinn acts like a father figure towards Anakin because he feels he needs one after taking him from his mother, having realized that the Jedi shouldn't be opposed to love and care. In the end, Qui-Gon dies, and thus Anakin loses his father figure; Obi-Wan Kenobi ultimately becomes his master to honor Jinn's dying wish despite his initial contempt for him, and while he comes to eventually see him like a brother as shown in ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones|Attack of the Clones]]'' and ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith|Revenge of the Sith]]'', he doesn't act like a father, which coupled with the Jedi's indifference, seals Anakin's fate.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pearson|first=Ben|date=May 11, 2020|title=Why the Lightsaber Duel in 'The Phantom Menace' is the Most Important Moment in the Prequel Trilogy, According to Dave Filoni|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/dave-filoni-duel-of-the-fates-speech/|access-date=2021-02-05|website=[[/Film]]|archive-date=May 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511230611/https://www.slashfilm.com/dave-filoni-duel-of-the-fates-speech/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Music ==
{{Main|Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (soundtrack)}}
As with previous ''Star Wars'' films, ''Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace''{{'}}s [[film score|score]] was composed and conducted by [[John Williams]]. He started composing the score in October 1998 and began recording the music with the London Voices and [[London Symphony Orchestra]] at [[Abbey Road Studios]] on February 10, 1999. Williams decided to use electronic instruments such as [[synthesizer]]s to enhance the sound and choral pieces to "capture the magical, mystical force that a regular orchestra might not have been able to provide", and create an atmosphere that was "more mysterious and mystical and less military" than those of the original trilogy.<ref name=williams>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991013020724/http://starwars.talkcity.com/starwars/trans/5-6-99.htmpl |url=http://starwars.talkcity.com/starwars/trans/5-6-99.htmpl |title=Chat with John Williams |publisher=TalkCity |archive-date=October 13, 1999 |date=May 6, 1999 |access-date=July 12, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> One of the most notable tracks is "[[Duel of the Fates]]", which uses the chorus to give a religious, temple-like feel to the epic lightsaber duel. The track was made into a music video.<ref name="Music">''Movie Music'' DVD Special Featurette, [2001]</ref> While composing Anakin's theme, Williams tried to reflect the innocence of his childhood and to foreshadow his transformation into Darth Vader by using slight suggestions of "[[The Imperial March]]" in the melody.<ref name=williams/>

The film's soundtrack was released by [[Sony Classical Records]] on May 4, 1999. The album made its broadcast premiere on C101.5 FM Mohawk College Radio's soundtrack program, Cinematic Sound, hosted by Erik Woods on May 1, 1999.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 August 2021 |title=The History of Cinematic Sound Radio |url=https://www.cinematicsound.net/about-cinematic-sound-radio/ |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=Cinematic Sound Radio Podcast |publisher=Erik Woods}}</ref>  This album featured the score, which Williams restructured as a listening experience; it is not presented in film order and omits many notable cues from the film because of the space restriction of the compact disc.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/w102733|title=Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] [The Ultimate Edition]|first=Joseph|last=Stevenson|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=July 12, 2009|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111153333/https://www.allmusic.com/album/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-the-ultimate-edition--mw0000104631|url-status=live}}</ref> A two-disc "Ultimate Edition" was released on November 14, 2000. The set features the entire score as it is heard in the film, including all of the edits and loops that were made for the sound mix.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010413221536/http://www.ultimateeditionsoundtrack.com/index2.htm |url=http://www.ultimateeditionsoundtrack.com/index2.htm |title=The Ultimate Edition – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace |publisher=[[Sony Classical]] |archive-date=April 13, 2001 |access-date=July 12, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Marketing ==
=== Promotion ===
Lucasfilm spent {{USD|20 million}} on the film's advertising campaign and made promotional licensing deals with [[Hasbro]], [[Lego]], [[Tricon Global Restaurants]] and [[PepsiCo]].<ref>{{cite news |title=The Media Business: Advertising—The Hype Is With Us; The Lucas Empire Is Invading; Resistance Is Futile|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/14/business/media-business-advertising-hype-with-us-lucas-empire-invading-resistance-futile.html?pagewanted=2|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 14, 1999|access-date=July 12, 2009|first=Stuart|last=Elliott|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802235425/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/14/business/media-business-advertising-hype-with-us-lucas-empire-invading-resistance-futile.html?pagewanted=2|archive-date=August 2, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Lucasfilm also helped the ''Star Wars'' fan club to organize an event called [[Star Wars Celebration|''Star Wars'' Celebration]], which was held in [[Denver]], Colorado, between April 30 and May 2, 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/community/event/celebration/f19990430/ |title=Star Wars Celebration 1999 |date=April 30, 1999 |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=July 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060103042824/http://www.starwars.com/community/event/celebration/f19990430/ |archive-date=January 3, 2006}}</ref>

The first [[teaser trailer]] was released on selected screens accompanying ''[[Meet Joe Black]]'' on November 17, 1998,<ref>{{cite web|last=Hayden|first=Erik|title='Star Wars' Flashback: What Happened When 'The Phantom Menace' Teaser Debuted|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-flashback-what-happened-752061/#!|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=November 17, 2023|date=November 24, 2014|archive-date=November 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117153802/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-flashback-what-happened-752061/#!|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|This was remastered in 4K to mark the film's 25th anniversary in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ben Travis |title=Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Iconic Trailer Remastered In 4K For 25th Anniversary |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/star-wars-phantom-menace-iconic-trailer-remastered-4k/ |website=empireonline.com |access-date=21 May 2024 |date=20 May 2024}}</ref>}} and media reported that people were paying full admission at theaters to see the trailer. Other films that played this trailer included ''[[The Waterboy]]'', ''[[The Siege (film)|The Siege]]'' and ''[[A Bug's Life]]''.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 23, 1998 |title=Now Playing: Two New Minutes of 'Star Wars' |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/23/movies/now-playing-two-new-minutes-of-star-wars.html |access-date=February 18, 2009 |first=Bernard |last=Weinraub|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111081344/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/23/movies/now-playing-two-new-minutes-of-star-wars.html|archive-date=November 11, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> To keep fans from leaving before the movie was over, some theaters played the teaser an additional time after the film finished.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Andy |title=Flashback: 'Star Wars: Phantom Menace' Trailer Causes Hysteria in 1998 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/videos/flashback-star-wars-phantom-menace-trailer-causes-hysteria-in-1998-20151016 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=December 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808072743/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/videos/flashback-star-wars-phantom-menace-trailer-causes-hysteria-in-1998-20151016|archive-date=August 8, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The second trailer debuted on March 12, 1999, in front of ''[[Wing Commander (film)|Wing Commander]]''{{'}}s theatrical screenings.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-star-wars-tr/156790028/ |title='Star Wars' Trailer To 'Wing' It |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008232821/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition-star-wars-tr/156790028/ |date=March 4, 1999 |access-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |page=12 |publisher=[[Newsday (Nassau Edition)]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> Again, many fans paid full theater admission to watch the new trailer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lubbockonline.com/stories/031399/ent_031399018.shtml |title=New 'Star Wars' trailer makes debut in theaters |date=March 13, 1999 |work=[[Lubbock Avalanche-Journal]]|access-date=May 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118173338/http://lubbockonline.com/stories/031399/ent_031399018.shtml|archive-date=January 18, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> A bootlegged version of the preview was leaked to the Internet the same day.<ref name=bootleg/> The next morning, the trailer was released on the film's official website and shortly afterwards the servers became overloaded.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 19, 1998 |title=Net Force Clogged |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |url=https://www.empireonline.com/News/story.asp?nid=11091 |access-date=February 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807104549/http://www.empireonline.com/News/story.asp?nid=11091|archive-date=August 7, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> This trailer had over 1 million downloads within its first 24 hours of release, setting a record for the most downloaded trailer at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/cte621.htm/|title=The 'Star Wars' force is with Apple|date=March 12, 1999|access-date=May 24, 2024|archive-date=May 25, 2000|publisher=[[USA Today]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000525121107/https://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/cte621.htm/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/star-wars-the-phantom-menace-trailer-was-a-game-changer/|title='The Phantom Menace' Trailer Was a Game-changer, And Not Just For Star Wars|access-date=July 30, 2022|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111153411/https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/star-wars-the-phantom-menace-trailer-was-a-game-changer/|url-status=live}}</ref> It would hold this record for a year until it was surpassed by ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' in April 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2000/04/12/rings-fans-fuel-download-record/|title='RINGS' FANS FUEL DOWNLOAD RECORD|date=April 12, 2000 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/lord-rings-movies-records-box-office-awards/ |title=Every Record Lord Of The Rings Broke (& Which Ones The Movies Still Hold) |publisher=[[Screen Rant]] |date=6 March 2020 |access-date=July 30, 2022 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111153334/https://screenrant.com/lord-rings-movies-records-box-office-awards/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The theatrical trailer caused even more media attention because it was premiered in theaters and screened at the ShoWest Convention in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]],<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1999/03/26/star-wars-and-others-open-showest/ |title=A Sho of Force |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623112631/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C274944%2C00.html |archive-date=June 23, 2011 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=March 26, 1999 |access-date=February 27, 2009 |first=Jeff |last=Jensen |url-status=live}}</ref> and was aired on ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'' and ''[[Access Hollywood]]''.<ref name=bootleg>{{cite web |date=March 10, 1999 |title="Star Wars" trailer: The bootleggers strike back |work=[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]] |url=http://archive.salon.com/21st/log/1998/11/16log.html |access-date=February 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215005600/http://archive.salon.com/21st/log/1998/11/16log.html <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref>

The teaser [[Film poster|poster]], featuring Anakin with his shadow forming Darth Vader's silhouette, was released on November 10, 1998. After Lucas opted for a drawn theatrical poster, [[Drew Struzan]], the artist responsible for the Special Edition posters, was commissioned to illustrate, and the poster was unveiled on March 11, 1999. Lucasfilm dictated that, contractually, Struzan's illustration was the only art the foreign distributors could use, and other than the text, it could not be modified in any way.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-i/release/promo/f20000310/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603233625/http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/release/promo/f20000310/index.html |archive-date=June 3, 2011 |title=Star Wars: Episode I&nbsp;– The Making of the Poster |publisher=StarWars.com |date=March 10, 1999 |access-date=July 12, 2009}}</ref> The film also reused the ''[[Godzilla (1998 film)|Godzilla]]'' slogan on teaser posters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmstories.co.uk/features/when-star-wars-the-phantom-menace-took-a-pot-shot-at-godzilla/|title=When Star Wars: The Phantom Menace took a pot shot at Godzilla|work=Film Stories |date=May 7, 2020|access-date=March 27, 2022|archive-date=April 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415054319/https://www.filmstories.co.uk/features/when-star-wars-the-phantom-menace-took-a-pot-shot-at-godzilla/|url-status=live |last1=Brew |first1=Simon }}</ref>

=== Adaptations ===
[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (novel)|A novelization]] was written by [[Terry Brooks]], who met with Lucas before writing the book and received his approval and guidance. It includes some scenes that are not in the film and foreshadows pending developments in the following two installments of the series.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life |last=Brooks |first=Terry |isbn=0-345-46551-2 |publisher=[[Del Rey Books]] |date=February 3, 2004}}</ref> Additionally, a [[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic]] junior novelization was written by [[Patricia C. Wrede]].<ref>{{Cite book |isbn=0-590-01089-1 |title=Star Wars, Episode I&nbsp;– The Phantom (Junior Novelization) |publisher=[[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic Paperbacks]] |author=Patricia C. Wrede |date=May 3, 1999}}</ref> A four-issue [[comic book]] adaptation was written by [[Henry Gilroy]] and published by [[Dark Horse Comics]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/eu/lit/comics/f19990501/index.html |title=The Phantom Menace Online Comic |date=May 1, 1999 |access-date=July 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609141106/http://www.starwars.com/eu/lit/comics/f19990501/index.html |archive-date=June 9, 2009}}</ref> The film was again adapted as part of the all-ages ''Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy – A Graphic Novel'', released by [[Disney-Lucasfilm Press]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.nerdist.com/new-star-wars-all-ages-books-to-add-to-your-reading-list/ |title=New STAR WARS All-Ages Books to Add to Your Reading List |publisher=[[Nerdist]] |date=December 10, 2016 |access-date=January 25, 2022 |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125162409/https://archive.nerdist.com/new-star-wars-all-ages-books-to-add-to-your-reading-list/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

A [[LucasArts]] [[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (video game)|video game adaptation]] was released for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] and [[PC game|PC]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/articles/1999/05/15/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace-3 |title=Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=May 18, 1999 |access-date=July 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108173601/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/05/15/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace-3|archive-date=November 8, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The podracing tie-in ''[[Star Wars Episode I: Racer]]'' was released for [[Nintendo 64]], PC and other platforms. A [[Star Wars Episode I (pinball)|pinball machine]] was created by [[WMS Industries]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pinball.com/games/starwars/gameindex.html |title=Star wars Pinball 2000 |publisher=Williams Electronics Games |access-date=July 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822230914/http://www.pinball.com/games/starwars/gameindex.html |archive-date=August 22, 2007}}</ref>

== Release ==
=== Theatrical ===
The release of the first new ''Star Wars'' film in 16 years was accompanied by a considerable amount of attention.<ref>{{harvnb|Bowen|2005|p=76}}</ref> According to ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', so many workers announced plans to view the premiere that many companies closed on the opening day.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 20, 1999 |title=May 19th: A "Cultural Holiday?" |work=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STAR+WARS-a083608985 |access-date=February 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019142846/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STAR+WARS-a083608985|archive-date=October 19, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Queue areas formed outside cinema theaters over a month before ticket sales began.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 4, 1999 |title=An Online Chat with Rick McCallum |publisher=StarWars.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040924141301/http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/news19990304.html |url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/news19990304.html |archive-date=September 24, 2004 |access-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref> More theater lines appeared when it was announced that cinemas were not allowed to sell tickets in advance until two weeks into the release. This was because of a fear that family theater-goers would be either unable to receive tickets or would be forced to pay higher prices for them. Instead, tickets were to be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 30, 1999 |title=Arts And Entertainment Reports From The Times, News Services And The Nation's Press |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-30-ca-22312-story.html |first=Shauna |last=Snow|access-date=February 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425170528/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/mar/30/entertainment/ca-22312|archive-date=April 25, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> However, after meetings with the [[National Association of Theatre Owners]], Lucasfilm agreed to allow advance ticket sales on May 12, 1999, provided there was a limit of 12 tickets per customer.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 24, 1999 |title=Advance Sale Planned; 'Phantom Menace' Tickets to be Available Week Before May 19 Opening |work=Los Angeles Daily News |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ADVANCE+SALE+PLANNED%3B+%60PHANTOM+MENACE%27+TICKETS+TO+BE+AVAILABLE+WEEK...-a083609540 |access-date=February 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409062920/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ADVANCE+SALE+PLANNED%3B+%60PHANTOM+MENACE%27+TICKETS+TO+BE+AVAILABLE+WEEK...-a083609540|archive-date=April 9, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, some advance tickets were sold by [[ticket resale|scalpers]] at prices as high as {{USD|100}} apiece, which a distribution chief called "horrible" and said was exactly what they wanted to avoid.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 19, 1999 |title=Fans rave over Star Wars |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/346810.stm |access-date=February 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410010842/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/346810.stm|archive-date=April 10, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Daily Variety'' reported that theater owners received strict instructions from Lucasfilm that the film could only play in the cinema's largest auditorium for the first 8–12 weeks, no honor passes were allowed for the first eight weeks, and they were obliged to send their payments to distributor 20th Century Fox within seven days.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Hindes, Andrew |author2=Petrikin, Chris |date=April 6, 1999 |title=New 'Star' born with firm terms |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/1999/film/news/new-star-born-with-firm-terms-1117492967/ |access-date=February 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417062953/http://variety.com/1999/film/news/new-star-born-with-firm-terms-1117492967/|archive-date=April 17, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite worries about the film being finished on time, two weeks before its theatrical release, Lucasfilm moved the release date from May 21 to 19, 1999. At the ShoWest Convention, Lucas said the change was intended to give the fans a "head start" by allowing them to view it during the week and allowing families to view it during weekends. Eleven charity premieres were staged across the United States on May 16, 1999; receipts from the [[Los Angeles]] event, where corporate packages were available for between {{USD|5,000}} and {{USD|25,000}}; proceeds were donated to the [[Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation]].<ref>{{cite news |date=March 25, 1999 |title=Stars Align for 'Phantom' Galaxy |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-18-cl-38233-story.html |access-date=February 18, 2009 |first=Kathleen |last=Craughwell|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425155912/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/may/18/news/cl-38233|archive-date=April 25, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Other charity premieres included the [[Dallas]] premiere for the [[Children's Medical Center (Dallas)|Children's Medical Center]], the Aubrey Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research at the [[Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center|Sloan-Kettering Hospital]] in New York, the [[Big Brothers Big Sisters of America|Big Brother/Sister Association]] of the [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] premiere, and the [[Children's National Medical Center]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] A statement said that tickets were sold at {{USD|500}} apiece and that certain sections of the theaters were set aside for disadvantaged children.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 4, 1999 |title=Stars in Force for 'Phantom Menace' |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |url=https://people.com/celebrity/stars-in-force-for-phantom-menace/ |access-date=February 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502032915/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,615910,00.html|archive-date=May 2, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film had its UK premiere at the [[Royal Film Performance]], an event held in aid of the [[The Film and Television Charity|Film & TV Charity]], on the 14th July, 1999 at the [[Odeon Luxe Leicester Square|ODEON Leicester Square]]. This event was attended by [[Charles III]] and helped to raise £225,000 for the charity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC News {{!}} ENTERTAINMENT {{!}} Fans flock to Star Wars |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/394409.stm |access-date=2022-06-09 |website=news.bbc.co.uk |archive-date=January 5, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030105013245/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/394409.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film opened at 12:01 am on Wednesday, May 19, 1999, in 2,010 theaters in the United States and Canada. An additional 960 theaters screened the film later in the day. About 120 theaters showed the film continuously on opening day, including the [[Ziegfeld Theatre (1969)|Ziegfeld Theatre]] in New York City and the [[Mann's Chinese Theatre|Chinese Theatre]] in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=May 19, 1999|last=Hindes|first=Andrew|title=New 'Star Wars' movie opens}}</ref> Foreshadowing his future conversion to [[digital cinematography]], Lucas said the film would be released on four digital projectors (two in New York and two in Los Angeles) on June 18, 1999.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 11, 1999 |title=Star of trailer wars |author=Petrikin, Chris |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/1999/film/news/star-of-trailer-wars-1117492243/ |access-date=February 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305060346/http://variety.com/1999/film/news/star-of-trailer-wars-1117492243/|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Few film studios released films during the same week: [[DreamWorks Pictures|DreamWorks]] and [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] released ''[[The Love Letter (1999 film)|The Love Letter]]'' on May 21 and ''[[Notting Hill (film)|Notting Hill]]'' on May 28, respectively.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-17-ca-37999-story.html |title=Challenging the Force With a 'Love Letter' |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 17, 1999 |access-date=February 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425171649/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/may/17/entertainment/ca-37999|archive-date=April 25, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Love Letter'' was a commercial failure but ''Notting Hill'' fared better and followed ''The Phantom Menace'' closely in second place.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/1999/film/news/jedi-masters-200-mil-mark-1117502634/ |title=Jedi masters $200 mil mark |access-date=February 18, 2009 |date=June 1, 1999 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |first=Andrew |last=Hindes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417052734/http://variety.com/1999/film/news/jedi-masters-200-mil-mark-1117502634/|archive-date=April 17, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Employment consultant firm [[Challenger, Gray & Christmas]] estimated that 2.2 million full-time employees missed work to attend the film, resulting in a {{USD|293 million}} loss of productivity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://journalrecord.com/1999/05/star-wars-alters-workplace-culture/|title=Star Wars alters workplace culture|work=[[The Journal Record]]|date=May 11, 1999|accessdate=May 4, 2023|archive-date=March 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324230526/https://journalrecord.com/1999/05/star-wars-alters-workplace-culture/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Home media ===
[[File:Yoda DVD BD.png|thumb|Comparison between the puppet of Yoda, present in the original 1999 theatrical and 2001 DVD releases, and the computer-generated model, present in the 2011 Blu-ray Disc and 3D releases.]]
The film was released on [[VHS]] on April 3, 2000, in the United Kingdom. It was released in North America a day later and in Japan and Brazil on April 8 in what was claimed as the tightest worldwide release for a home video.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=January 10, 2000|page=126|last=Graser|first=Marc|title='Menace' to hit home globally in April rollout|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/fox-hits-home-with-menace-1117760506/|access-date=May 24, 2024}}</ref> There were two versions of the film, which were a standard [[pan and scan]] version and a [[widescreen]] Collector's Edition version. In its first two days of availability in the United States, the regular version sold 4.5 million copies and the limited edition sold 500,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA621273.html |title=Star Wars fans snap up two VHS versions despite no DVD. |work=Video Business |date=April 7, 2000 |access-date=February 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019121557/http://www1.videobusiness.com/article/CA621273.html |archive-date=October 19, 2006 |author=Wilson, Wendy}}</ref> 

A year later on June 19, 2001, it was announced that ''The Phantom Menace'' would become the first ''Star Wars'' film to be officially released on [[DVD-Video|DVD]], in a slightly extended cut from the theatrical releases.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 19, 2001 |title=Star Wars set for DVD release |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1397628.stm |access-date=March 12, 2022 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111153334/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1397628.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> This [[THX]] certified two-disc DVD release debuted on October 16 of the same year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdjournal.com/reviews/s/starwars_phantommenace.shtml |title=Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace |last=DuPont |first=Alexandra |website=The DVD Journal |year=2001 |access-date=December 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204120741/http://www.dvdjournal.com/reviews/s/starwars_phantommenace.shtml|archive-date=December 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The first disc contains the film and the second disc contains special features. On the first disc, there are three randomized selected menus themed to the planets [[Naboo]], [[Tatooine]] and [[Coruscant]].<ref name="DVDReview">{{cite web |last=ManaByte |date=September 11, 2001 |title=Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace DVD Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/11/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116093558/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/11/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=[[IGN]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref> There is an [[Easter egg (media)|Easter egg]] located in the options menu. When the THX Optimizer is highlighted, the viewer can press 1-1-3-8. By doing this, some bloopers and DVD credits will be shown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.thedigitalbits.com/reviews2/starwarsepisode1.html|title=DVD Review – Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace|access-date=March 7, 2022|archive-date=September 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905045821/http://archive.thedigitalbits.com/reviews2/starwarsepisode1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The special features include seven deleted scenes completed specifically for the DVD, a commentary track featuring Lucas and producer Rick McCallum, and several documentaries—including a full-length documentary entitled ''The Beginning: Making Episode I''.<ref name="DVDReview"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prillaman.net/starwarsdvdnews.html|title=Star Wars on DVD – News and Past Events – Prillaman.net|access-date=March 7, 2022|archive-date=May 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520181334/http://www.prillaman.net/starwarsdvdnews.html|url-status=live}}</ref> There are also DVD-ROM features, including trailers for ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones|Attack of the Clones]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Davidson|first=Paul|title=Three Star Wars Trailers on the Way?|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/19/three-star-wars-trailers-on-the-way|publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=June 28, 2022|date=October 19, 2001|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111153335/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/19/three-star-wars-trailers-on-the-way|url-status=live}}</ref> 

Upon its DVD premiere on October 16, 2001, ''The Phantom Menace'' competed with other major DVD titles that were released that month, including ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs]]'' and [[The Godfather (film series)|''The Godfather'' trilogy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/19/movies/home-video-more-godfather-than-ever.html |title=HOME VIDEO; More 'Godfather' Than Ever|website=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 19, 2001 |last1=Nichols |first1=Peter M. }}</ref> It became the fastest-selling DVD title of all time in the [[United States]] with 2.2 million copies being sold in its first week after release.<ref name="$45MillionSales">{{cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/phantom-overtakes-mummy-top-selling-dvd|title=Phantom Overtakes Mummy As Top Selling DVD|access-date=June 19, 2023|archive-date=June 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619173034/https://www.awn.com/news/phantom-overtakes-mummy-top-selling-dvd|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1617965.stm |publisher=BBC News |title=Star Wars breaks DVD records |date=October 24, 2001 |access-date=February 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410023410/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1617965.stm|archive-date=April 10, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> This surpassed the previous record briefly held by ''[[The Mummy Returns]]'' two weeks prior, which sold 2 million copies within its first week.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/2001/10/29/19613810/menace-sales-set-dvd-record|title='Menace' sales set DVD record|date=October 29, 2001|access-date=March 6, 2022|archive-date=May 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527200522/https://www.deseret.com/2001/10/29/19613810/menace-sales-set-dvd-record|url-status=live}}</ref> Less than a month later, ''The Phantom Menace''{{'}}s record for being the fastest-selling DVD was taken by ''[[Shrek]]'' when it sold 2.5 million copies in its first three days.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hettrick |first=Scott |date=November 5, 2001 |title='Shrek' shreds vid bow record |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2001/digital/features/shrek-shreds-vid-bow-record-1117855359/ |access-date=February 19, 2022 |archive-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306235809/https://variety.com/2001/digital/features/shrek-shreds-vid-bow-record-1117855359/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Phantom Menace'' was one of the only four films to sell over 2 million DVD copies during their first weeks of release at the time, with the others being ''The Mummy Returns'', ''Shrek'' and ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 film)|How the Grinch Stole Christmas]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-nov-27-fi-8638-story.html|title='Grinch' Video, DVD Sales at $145 Million|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 27, 2001|access-date=June 19, 2023|archive-date=August 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806161411/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-nov-27-fi-8638-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film would overall earn $45 million from its first week DVD sales, more than the theatrical releases of ''[[From Hell (film)|From Hell]]'', ''[[Riding in Cars with Boys]]'', ''[[Training Day]]'' and other post-[[September 11 attacks|9/11]] films.<ref name="$45MillionSales"/>

At the 5th Annual DVD awards, ''The Phantom Menace'' won four categories: Viewers' Choice Award, Best Menu Design, Best Authoring and Best Audio Presentation, with the latter award being tied with ''[[Pearl Harbor (film)|Pearl Harbor]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/phantom-menace-dominates-dvd-awards-in-los-angeles/4010250.article|title=Phantom Menace dominates DVD awards in Los Angeles|access-date=November 4, 2023|archive-date=August 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811101548/https://www.screendaily.com/phantom-menace-dominates-dvd-awards-in-los-angeles/4010250.article|url-status=live}}</ref>

A fullscreen version of the DVD was released in 2002 to coincide with the home video release of ''Attack of the Clones''. A two-pack DVD release in that format would premiere at the same time.<ref>{{cite web |last= |date=August 2, 2002 |title=Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/08/01/star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828193752/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/08/01/star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones-2 |archive-date=August 28, 2024 |access-date=August 28, 2024 |website=IGN |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The DVD version was re-released in a prequel trilogy box set on November 4, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/movies/saga/20080826news.html |title=Star Wars Saga Repacked in Trilogy Sets on DVD |access-date=November 8, 2008 |publisher=StarWars.com |date=August 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026032957/http://www.starwars.com/movies/saga/20080826news.html <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=October 26, 2008}}</ref> A [[LaserDisc]] version of ''The Phantom Menace'' was released in [[Japan]] on April 7, 2000, a year and a half before it was available on DVD in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thedigitalbits.com/site_archive/reviews/laserdisc/phantommenace.html |title=Laserdisc Review&nbsp;– Star Wars: Episode I&nbsp;– The Phantom Menace (Japanese Import) |publisher=The Digital Bits |date=April 13, 2000 |access-date=February 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202021428/http://www.thedigitalbits.com/site_archive/reviews/laserdisc/phantommenace.html|archive-date=December 2, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''Star Wars'' films were released by [[20th Century Fox Home Entertainment]] on [[Blu-ray]] Disc on September 16, 2011;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/motion-captured/posts/fox-makes-it-official-at-ces-star-wars-on-blu-ray-in-september |title=Fox makes it official at CES: 'Star Wars' on Blu-ray in September |author=McWeeny, Drew |work=HitFix |date=January 6, 2011 |access-date=January 7, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108021843/http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/motion-captured/posts/fox-makes-it-official-at-ces-star-wars-on-blu-ray-in-september| archive-date=January 8, 2011| url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Phantom Menace'' was restored to improve the picture quality and remove the magnification present on the previous DVD release, restoring approximately 8% of the picture to the frame.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://starwars.com/news/saga_bluray_restoration.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924131658/http://www.starwars.com/news/saga_bluray_restoration.html |archive-date=September 24, 2011 |title=The Best on Blu-ray: Restoring the Star Wars Saga for the HD Generation |publisher=StarWars.com |date=August 23, 2011 |access-date=August 23, 2011}}</ref> In the Blu-ray release of ''The Phantom Menace'', the Yoda puppet was replaced with a CGI model, making it consistent with the other films of the [[prequel trilogy]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/02/03/george-lucas-star-wars-digital-yoda-phantom-menace |title=George Lucas talks about adding a digital Yoda to 'The Phantom Menace' |first=Ross |last=Dalton |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=February 2, 2012 |access-date=February 2, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913025518/http://www.ew.com/article/2012/02/03/george-lucas-star-wars-digital-yoda-phantom-menace| archive-date=September 13, 2015| url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 7, 2015, [[Walt Disney Studios (division)|Walt Disney Studios]], 20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm jointly announced the [[Digital distribution|digital releases]] of the six released ''Star Wars'' films. ''The Phantom Menace'' was released through the [[iTunes Store]], [[Amazon Video]], [[Vudu]], [[Google Play]] and [[Movies Anywhere|Disney Movies Anywhere]] on April 10, 2015.<ref name="digital download">{{cite news |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |title='Star Wars' Movie Franchise Headed to Digital HD |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-movie-franchise-headed-786673 |access-date=April 7, 2015 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=April 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410030917/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-movie-franchise-headed-786673|archive-date=April 10, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] reissued ''The Phantom Menace'' on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download on September 22, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/08/09/star-wars-saga-bluray-rereleases-artwork-covers/#10|title=Newest Star Wars Saga Blu-rays Get Matching Artwork|last=Bonomolo|first=Cameron|date=August 8, 2019|website=[[ComicBook.com]]|access-date=September 26, 2019|archive-date=September 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926042851/https://comicbook.com/starwars/2019/08/09/star-wars-saga-bluray-rereleases-artwork-covers/#10|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, all six films were available for [[4K resolution|4K]] [[High-dynamic-range television|HDR]] and [[Dolby Atmos]] streaming on [[Disney+]] upon the service's launch on November 12, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/star-wars-franchise-coming-to-disney-within-first-year-after-launch-1202594388|title=Entire 'Star Wars' Franchise Will Be On Disney+ Within Its First Year|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=April 11, 2019|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414084638/https://deadline.com/2019/04/star-wars-franchise-coming-to-disney-within-first-year-after-launch-1202594388/|archive-date=April 14, 2019|access-date=April 23, 2019}}</ref> This version of the film was released by Disney on [[4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]] box set on March 31, 2020.<ref name="SkywalkerSagaBoxSet">{{Cite web|last=Lussier|first=Germain|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/lets-dive-into-star-wars-the-skywalker-sagas-27-disc-b-1842496774|date=March 27, 2020|title=Let's Dive Into Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga's 27-Disc Box Set|website=[[io9]]|access-date=March 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313074612/https://io9.gizmodo.com/lets-dive-into-star-wars-the-skywalker-sagas-27-disc-b-1842496774|archive-date=March 13, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Theatrical re-releases ===
On September 28, 2010, it was announced that all six films in the series would be stereo-converted to [[3-D film|3D]]. These would be re-released in episode order, beginning with ''The Phantom Menace'', which was released to cinemas on February 10, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/lucasfilm-fox-set-release-date-163858 |title='Star Wars: Episode I' 3D Gets Theatrical Release Date From Lucasfilm, Fox |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=March 3, 2011 |access-date=March 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305215128/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lucasfilm-fox-set-release-date-163858 |archive-date=March 5, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> Prime Focus Limited did the conversion under the supervision of ILM.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/prime-focus-handle-2d-3d-172388 |title=Prime Focus to Handle 2D-to-3D Conversion of 'Star Wars: Episode I' |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=March 29, 2011 |access-date=September 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502055408/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/prime-focus-handle-2d-3d-172388|archive-date=May 2, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the 3D re-releases of Episodes ''II–VI'' were postponed or canceled after Lucasfilm was bought by [[The Walt Disney Company]], who decided to focus on the development of ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-episodes-ii-and-iii-3d-shelved-to-focus-on-jj-abrams-vii-8471123.html |title=Star Wars Episodes II and III 3D shelved to focus on JJ Abrams' VII |last=Battersby |first=Matilda |work=The Independent |date=January 28, 2013 |access-date=January 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828184253/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-episodes-ii-and-iii-3d-shelved-to-focus-on-jj-abrams-vii-8471123.html |archive-date=August 28, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Lucas stated the 3D re-release was "just a conversion" of the film's 2011 [[Blu-ray]] release and no additional changes were made.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/george-lucas-star-wars-interview-288523 |title=5 Questions With George Lucas: Controversial 'Star Wars' Changes, SOPA and 'Indiana Jones 5' |last=Block |first=Alex |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=February 9, 2012 |access-date=March 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218124308/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/george-lucas-star-wars-interview-288523|archive-date=February 18, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Only a change to Anakin's magnetic wand during the podrace scene—its tip was sharpened to more accurately fit the original 2D photography to the new 3D image—was confirmed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/entertainment/a/12792427/may-3-d-be-with-you/ |title=May 3-D be with you |author=Harvey, Shannon |work=The West Australian |date=February 12, 2012 |access-date=May 4, 2014|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414014240/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/entertainment/a/12792427/may-3-d-be-with-you/ |archive-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref>

[[General Mills]] and [[Brisk (beverage)|Brisk]] were promotional partners in North America for the 3D re-release but promotion was limited.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/166262/general-mills-ties-into-3d-star-wars-release.html?edition=42558 |title=General Mills Ties Into 3D 'Star Wars' Release |first=Karlene |last=Lukovitz |date=January 23, 2012 |work=Marketing Daily |access-date=March 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918031512/http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/166262/general-mills-ties-into-3d-star-wars-release.html?edition=42558|archive-date=September 18, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://starwars.com/news/brisk_star_wars_promotion.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113001252/http://www.starwars.com/news/brisk_star_wars_promotion.html |archive-date=January 13, 2012 |title=Yoda and Maul Get 'Briskified' |date=January 9, 2012 |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=March 28, 2014}}</ref> The film was extensively promoted in Japan; promotional products were sold by [[7-Eleven]], [[Domino's Pizza]], Pepsi and Gari-Gari Kun.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://starwarsblog.starwars.com/index.php/2012/04/05/7-eleven-r2-darth-maul-utensils-and-lightsaber-popsicle-sticks/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408023119/http://starwarsblog.starwars.com/index.php/2012/04/05/7-eleven-r2-darth-maul-utensils-and-lightsaber-popsicle-sticks |archive-date=April 8, 2012 |title=7-Eleven R2, Darth Maul Utensils, and Lightsaber Popsicle Sticks |publisher=Star Wars Blog |first=Pete |last=Vilmur |date=April 5, 2012 |access-date=March 28, 2014}}</ref> [[Kellogg's]] promoted the film internationally,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://exame.abril.com.br/marketing/galerias/embalagens/kelloggs-lanca-embalagens-do-filme-star-wars |title=Kellogg's lança embalagens do filme Star Wars |first=Letícia |last=Alasse |date=January 12, 2012 |language=pt |work=[[Exame (magazine)|Exame]] |access-date=March 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031055117/http://exame.abril.com.br/marketing/galerias/embalagens/kelloggs-lanca-embalagens-do-filme-star-wars|archive-date=October 31, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theodmgroup.com/2012/04/23/promotional-product-spain-star-wars-spoon-by-kelloggs/ |title=Promotional Product Spain – Star Wars Spoon by Kellogg's |date=April 23, 2012 |author=Carminho, Thibaut |publisher=ODM Group |access-date=March 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620114721/http://www.theodmgroup.com/2012/04/23/promotional-product-spain-star-wars-spoon-by-kelloggs/|archive-date=June 20, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and French restaurant [[Quick (restaurant)|Quick]] launched three ''Star Wars''-themed burgers. Lucasfilm also partnered with [[Variety, the Children's Charity]] to raise funds for children through the sale of a special edition badge.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/global-children-s-charity-variety-287589 |title=Global Children's Charity Variety Partners With LucasFilm To Create Gold Heart Badge |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=February 7, 2012 |first=Stuart |last=Kemp |access-date=May 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530052748/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/global-children-s-charity-variety-287589|archive-date=May 30, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 10, 2024, it was announced that ''The Phantom Menace'' would be re-released by [[20th Century Studios]] on May 3, 2024, for the film's 25th anniversary. The film's re-release announcement was accompanied by a new poster by artist Matt Ferguson.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1514520/star-wars-the-phantom-menace-25th-anniversary-rerelease-theaters-poster/ |title=''Star Wars: The Phantom Menace'' Is Returning To Theaters For Its 25th Anniversary |last=Meenan |first=David |website=SlashFilm |date=February 10, 2024 |access-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210215134/https://www.slashfilm.com/1514520/star-wars-the-phantom-menace-25th-anniversary-rerelease-theaters-poster/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A preview for the upcoming TV series ''[[The Acolyte (TV series)|The Acolyte]]'' was shown after these screenings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=March 22, 2024 |title='Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' Getting Theatrical Re-Release For 25th Anniversary With First Look At 'The Acolyte' |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/star-wars-the-phantom-menace-25th-anniversary-re-release-1235865898/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322170353/https://deadline.com/2024/03/star-wars-the-phantom-menace-25th-anniversary-re-release-1235865898/ |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
Following an advance screening on Saturday, May 8, 1999, several newspapers broke an agreement with Fox and published reviews of the film on Sunday, May 9. In a front-page review, the ''[[Los Angeles Daily News]]'' gave it 3½ stars calling it "pretty good" overall and "outstanding in many parts". The ''[[New York Daily News]]'' was less positive, giving it 2½ stars. ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' also made its review by [[Todd McCarthy]] available on the Sunday<ref>{{cite news|publisher=[[Reuters]]|title=Variety pans "Phantom Menace" as papers jump gun|last=Hillis|first=Scott|date=May 9, 1999|via=Yahoo! News}}</ref> with McCarthy calling it "the most widely anticipated and heavily hyped film of modern times" but said that the film "can scarcely help being a letdown on some levels, but it's too bad that it disappoints on so many" and that "it is neither captivating nor transporting, for it lacks any emotional pull, as well as the sense of wonder and awe that marks the best works of sci-fi/fantasy".<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=May 10, 1999|last=McCarthy|first=Todd|title=Film Review: 'Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace'|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace-1117499730/|access-date=January 28, 2022|archive-date=January 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128225126/https://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace-1117499730/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads, "Burdened by exposition and populated with stock characters, ''The Phantom Menace'' gets the ''Star Wars'' prequels off to a bumpy—albeit visually dazzling—start."<ref>{{cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace |type=m |access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515010020/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace/|archive-date=May 15, 2019|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> As of February 2025, the film is the second lowest-rated live-action film of the ''Star Wars'' series just ahead of ''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker|The Rise of Skywalker]]''.<ref name="RT">{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=star_wars_the_rise_of_skywalker |title=Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker|type=m|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218234151/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_the_rise_of_skywalker/|archive-date=December 18, 2019|access-date=April 18, 2022}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 51 out of 100, based on 36 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=star-wars-episode-i---the-phantom-menace |type=m |access-date=February 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230035104/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/star-wars-episode-i---the-phantom-menace|archive-date=December 30, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web |last=Carbone |first=Gina |date=December 21, 2019 |title=Yep, Rise Of Skywalker's CinemaScore Matches My Theater's Reaction To Star Wars Movie |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2487295/yep-rise-of-skywalkers-cinemascore-matches-my-theaters-reaction-to-star-wars-movie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126040651/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2487295/yep-rise-of-skywalkers-cinemascore-matches-my-theaters-reaction-to-star-wars-movie |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=December 25, 2020 |work=[[CinemaBlend]]}}</ref>

Many aspects of the script and characters were criticized, especially that of Jar Jar Binks, who was regarded by many members of the older fan community as [[toyetic]]—a merchandising opportunity rather than a serious character.<ref name="edition.cnn.com"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=Steve |date=June 8, 1999 |title=I was a Jar Jar jackass |url=http://www.salon.com/1999/06/08/jarjar/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808053156/http://www.salon.com/1999/06/08/jarjar/ |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=December 25, 2006 |work=Salon}}</ref> Ahmed Best had later said that he contemplated suicide after receiving backlash for his portrayal.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.etonline.com/star-wars-actor-ahmed-best-reveals-he-contemplated-suicide-after-jar-jar-binks-backlash-105461 | title='Star Wars' Actor Ahmed Best Reveals He Contemplated Suicide After Jar Jar Binks Backlash | date= July 3, 2018 | access-date=October 12, 2023 | archive-date=October 14, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014081437/https://www.etonline.com/star-wars-actor-ahmed-best-reveals-he-contemplated-suicide-after-jar-jar-binks-backlash-105461 | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Kenneth Turan]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' described Binks as "a major miscue, a comic-relief character who's frankly not funny".<ref>{{cite web |last=Turan |first=Kenneth |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-18-ca-38249-story.html |title=The Prequel Has Landed |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 18, 1999 |access-date=October 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925151608/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/may/18/entertainment/ca-38249|archive-date=September 25, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Drew Grant of ''Salon'' wrote, "Perhaps the absolute creative freedom director George Lucas enjoyed while dreaming up the flick's 'comic' relief—with no studio execs and not many an independently minded actor involved—is a path to the dark side."<ref name="salon.com">{{cite web |last=Grant |first=Drew |url=http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/1999/06/08/jarjar/index.html |title=I was a Jar Jar jackass – Star Wars |work=Salon |access-date=October 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627233353/http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/1999/06/08/jarjar/index.html |archive-date=June 27, 2009}}</ref>

Conversely, [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave it three-and-a-half stars out of four and called it "an astonishing achievement in imaginative filmmaking" and said, "Lucas tells a good story." Ebert also wrote that, "If some of the characters are less than compelling, perhaps that's inevitable" because it is the opening film in the new trilogy. He concluded his review by saying that rather than ''[[Star Trek]]'' films, filmmakers could "[g]ive me transparent underwater cities and vast hollow senatorial spheres any day".<ref>{{cite news |author=Ebert, Roger |title=Star Wars&nbsp;– Episode I: The Phantom Menace |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=May 17, 1999 |url=https://rogerebert.com/reviews/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace-1999 |access-date=June 29, 2006 |author-link=Roger Ebert|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415023933/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace-1999|archive-date=April 15, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the film a "B" grade and complimented Liam Neeson's performance and the action scenes.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1999/05/21/star-wars-episode-i-phantom-menace |title=Movie Review: Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace (1999)|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Gleiberman|first=Owen|date=May 21, 1999|access-date=March 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210105643/http://www.ew.com/article/1999/05/21/star-wars-episode-i-phantom-menace|archive-date=February 10, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In an ''Entertainment Weekly'' review for the DVD release, Marc Bernardin gave the film a "C−", calling it "haplessly plotted, horribly written, and juvenile".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/10/16/star-wars-episode-i-phantom-menace |author=Bernardin, Marc |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |title=Movie Review: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (DVD) |date=October 16, 2001|access-date=June 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628020044/http://www.ew.com/article/2001/10/16/star-wars-episode-i-phantom-menace|archive-date=June 28, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> ReelViews' [[James Berardinelli]] wrote, "Looking at the big picture, in spite of all its flaws, ''The Phantom Menace'' is still among the best 'bang for a buck' fun that can be had in a movie theater," and said the film was a "distinct improvement" over ''Return of the Jedi''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/s/sw99.html |title=Star Wars (Episode 1): The Phantom Menace (United States, 1999) |author=Berardinelli, James |publisher=ReelViews |access-date=June 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805101355/http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/s/sw99.html|archive-date=August 5, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2024, Brian Lowry of [[CNN]] praised the film for its "duel of fates" between Darth Maul, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan, the Emperor's long game of how the Sith were to outmaneuver the Jedi, and the digital effects.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lowry |first=Brian |date=2024-05-03 |title=As 'The Phantom Menace' turns 25, six (non-Jar Jar) things the 'Star Wars' prequel got right |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/03/entertainment/star-wars-phantom-menace-turns-25/index.html |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503183213/https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/03/entertainment/star-wars-phantom-menace-turns-25/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Andrew Johnston (critic)|Andrew Johnston]] of ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out New York]]'' wrote, "Let's face it: no film could ever match the expectations some have for ''Episode I – The Phantom Menace''. Which isn't to say it's a disappointment: on the contrary, it's awesomely entertaining, provided you accept it on its own terms&nbsp;...&nbsp;Like the original film, it's a Boy's Own adventure yarn with a corny but irresistible spiritual subtext. The effects and production design are stunning, but they always serve the story, not the other way around."<ref>Time Out New York, May 12–19, 1999, p. 13</ref> Susan Wloszczyna of ''[[USA Today]]'' said that the film does "plenty right" and praised the characters Darth Maul and Watto.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2005-05-17-menace-review_x.htm |title=Hyped up 'Menace' runs on overdrive |first=Susan |last=Wloszczyna |work=USA Today |access-date=February 28, 2009 |date=May 17, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102095539/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2005-05-17-menace-review_x.htm|archive-date=November 2, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> David Cornelius of efilmcritic.com said that the film's better moments "don't merely balance out the weaker ones—they topple them".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace/ |title=Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=October 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515010020/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_i_the_phantom_menace/ |archive-date=May 15, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Colin Kennedy of [[Empire (magazine)|''Empire'']] magazine said that despite problems with pacing and writing, "there is still much pleasure to be had watching our full-blown Jedi guides in action". He praised the visuals and Liam Neeson's performance and said that the duel between Darth Maul and the Jedi is "the saga's very best lightsaber battle".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?DVDID=7324 |title=Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace |last=Kennedy |first=Colin |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |access-date=September 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423165634/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?DVDID=7324|archive-date=April 23, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Empire'' magazine ranked ''The Phantom Menace'' on its list of "500 Greatest Movies of All Time",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.empireonline.com/500/10.asp |title=Empire's 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |access-date=October 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116171206/http://www.empireonline.com/500/10.asp|archive-date=November 16, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> while ''Entertainment Weekly'' and [[Comcast]] included the film on their lists of the worst movie sequels.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/12/22/worst-movie-sequels-ever/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229014445/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C1169126_15%2C00.html |archive-date=December 29, 2007 |title=The worst movie sequels ever – Countdown! |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 13, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://my.xfinity.com/slideshow/entertainment-worstsequels/56/ |title=Worst Sequels of All Time |publisher=[[Comcast]] |access-date=July 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160825000953/http://my.xfinity.com/slideshow/entertainment-worstsequels/56/ |archive-date=August 25, 2016 }}</ref> James Berardinelli wrote, "''The Phantom Menace'' was probably the most overhyped motion picture of the last decade (if not longer), and its reputation suffered as a result of its inability to satisfy unreasonable expectations."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reelviews.net/movies/s/sw2002.html |title=Review: Star Wars (Episode II): Attack of the Clones |publisher=ReelViews |access-date=February 18, 2009 |author=James Berardinelli |author-link=James Berardinelli|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516101809/http://www.reelviews.net/movies/s/sw2002.html|archive-date=May 16, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> William Arnold of the ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'' agreed that the film's massive hype caused many of the negative reactions, saying, "it built expectations that can't possibly be matched and scuttled [the] element of storytelling surprise". He also said that the film was "well made and entertaining" and was much better than similar box office fare released around that year, such as ''[[The Mummy (1999 film)|The Mummy]]'' and ''[[The Matrix]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1999-04-29/lifestyle/9904280583_1_star-wars-movie-summer |title=Phantom: A Menace To Other Summer Films? |date=April 29, 1999 |author=Arnold, William |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|access-date=May 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118174244/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1999-04-29/lifestyle/9904280583_1_star-wars-movie-summer|archive-date=January 18, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ewan McGregor said in 2002 that he was "slightly disappointed" that the film was "kind of flat" and believed the next film in the franchise would have "much more humor and...color."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/04/09/ewan-mcgregor-disses-star-wars-episode-i/ |title=Ewan McGregor disses "Star Wars: Episode I" |date=April 9, 2002 |last=Susman |first=Gary |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=June 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106235144/https://ew.com/article/2002/04/09/ewan-mcgregor-disses-star-wars-episode-i/ |archive-date=November 6, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

The introduction of [[midi-chlorians]]—microscopic organisms that mediate use of the Force—has been regarded as controversial.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/12/star-wars-prequels-midi-chlorians-defense.html|title=The Case for Star Wars' Midi-Chlorians|last=Riesman|first=Abraham|date=2017-12-12|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|language=en-us|access-date=2020-04-27|archive-date=March 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304031651/https://www.vulture.com/2017/12/star-wars-prequels-midi-chlorians-defense.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Some viewed it as a concept that negates the Force's spiritual quality. Film historian Daniel Dinello says, "Anathema to ''Star Wars'' fanatics who thought they reduced the Force to a kind of viral infection, midi-chlorians provide a biological interface, the link between physical bodies and spiritual energy."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dinello |first=Daniel |title=Technophobia!: Science Fiction Visions of Posthuman Technology |publisher=[[University of Texas Press]] |year=2005 |isbn=0-292-70986-2 |location=Austin |page=211}}</ref> Religion expert [[John D. Caputo]] writes, "In the 'Gospel according to Lucas', a world is conjured up in which the intractable oppositions that have tormented religious thinkers for centuries are reconciled&nbsp;...&nbsp;The gifts that the Jedi masters enjoy have a perfectly plausible scientific basis, even if its ways are mysterious: their bodily cells have a heavier than usual concentration of 'midi-chlorians'."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Caputo |first=John D. |title=On Religion |year=2001 |publisher=Routledge |location=London |page=87 |isbn=0-415-23332-1 }}</ref>

There has been some controversy over whether several alien characters reflect [[ethnic stereotype|racial stereotypes]]. For example, the oafish, slow-witted Jar Jar Binks has long droopy ears reminiscent of dreadlocks and spoke with what many perceived as a Caribbean [[patois]] reminiscent of [[Jamaican Creole]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Cadorette|first=Guylaine|date=May 17, 2002|title=Jar Jar Less Conspicuous in 'Clones'|url=http://www.hollywood.com/general/jar-jar-less-conspicuous-in-clones-57201914/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613050240/http://www.hollywood.com/general/jar-jar-less-conspicuous-in-clones-57201914/|archive-date=June 13, 2015|access-date=July 25, 2006|website=Hollywood.com}}</ref> Andrew Howe rejects most such connections, arguing that only Jar Jar's accent links him to the Caribbean and no other factor.<ref>{{cite book |last=Howe |first=Andrew |editor-last1=Bode |editor-first1=Douglas |editor-last2=Deyneka| editor-first2=Leah |date=2012 |title=Sex, Politics, and Religion in Star Wars: An Anthology |publisher=Scarecrow Press |pages=18–19 |chapter=Star Wars in Black and White: Race and Racism in a Galaxy Not So Far Away}}</ref> However, Nicholas Wanberg argues that linguistic analysis of Jar Jar's accent shows no common features with Caribbean English save those it also shares with American English,<ref>{{cite book| last=Wanberg |first=Nicholas |editor-last=Farstad |editor-first=Britt Johanne |date=2023 |title=Populating the Future: Families and Reproduction in Speculative Fiction |publisher=Gävle University Press |pages=257 |chapter='Machines Making Machines? How Peverse.' Racism, (White) Sexual Anxiety, the Droids of Star Wars and the Prequel Trilogy}}</ref> although he concedes that Jar Jar is constructed with tropes typical of ethnically stereotyped characters.<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Wanberg |first=Nicholas |title=The Human Race Vs. the Minorities: Racism, anti-racism, and intelligent non-humans in the world architecture of speculative fiction |publisher=PunaMusta Oy – Yliopistopaino |degree=PhD |date=2023 |url=https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-03-2949-5 |pages=32–33 |access-date=March 5, 2024 |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510122431/https://trepo.tuni.fi/handle/10024/149265 |url-status=live }}</ref> Similarly, Drew Grant describes the character as "[s]ervile and cowardly&nbsp;...&nbsp;a black minstrel-ish stereotype on par with [[Stepin Fetchit]]."<ref name="salon.com"/> [[Georgetown University]] professor of [[African-American studies]] [[Michael Eric Dyson]] says that the entire Gungan species seems suggestive of a primitive African tribe, with Boss Nass portrayed as "a fat, bumbling ... caricature of a stereotypical African tribal chieftain."<ref name="edition.cnn.com">{{cite news|last=Okwu|first=Michael|date=June 9, 1999|title=Jar Jar jars viewers, spawns criticism|work=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9906/09/jar.jar/index.html|url-status=dead|access-date=May 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111150744/http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9906/09/jar.jar/index.html|archive-date=November 11, 2013}}</ref> The greedy and corrupt Neimoidians of the Trade Federation have been noted as resembling East Asian stereotypes,<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Pianka |first=John Paul |date=May 2013 |title=The Power of the Force: Race, Gender, and Colonialism in the ''Star Wars'' Universe |type=MA thesis |publisher=Wesleyan University |doi=10.14418/wes01.2.40 |url=https://digitalcollections.wesleyan.edu/object/ir-2533 |access-date=March 14, 2023 |page=14 |doi-access=free |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314150146/https://digitalcollections.wesleyan.edu/object/ir-2533 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the unprincipled trader Watto has been interpreted as a [[Jewish stereotype]] reminiscent of [[Charles Dickens]]' character [[Fagin]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Brooker|first=Will|date=April 2001|title=Readings of Racism: Interpretation, stereotyping and The Phantom Menace|url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/713657758|journal=Continuum|language=en|volume=15|issue=1|pages=15–32|doi=10.1080/713657758|issn=1030-4312|s2cid=143763901|access-date=October 27, 2021|archive-date=November 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128233540/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/713657758|url-status=live}}</ref> Lucas has denied all of these implications,<ref name="edition.cnn.com"/> instead criticizing the American media for using opinions from the Internet as a reliable source for news stories. Lucas added that it reflects more the racism of the commenters than it does the movie;<ref>{{cite news |title=Star Wars: Lucas Strikes Back |publisher=BBC News |date=July 14, 1999 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/394542.stm |access-date=May 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929002301/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/394542.stm|archive-date=September 29, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> however, animator Rob Coleman said ahead of the film's release that Watto's mannerisms were inspired by footage of [[Alec Guinness]] as Fagin in ''[[Oliver Twist (1948 film)|Oliver Twist]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=G Force: George Lucas fires up the next generation of Star Warriors |issue=5 |date=May 1999 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |volume=7 |url=http://archive.wired.com/wired/archive/7.05/lucas_pr.html |first=Steve |last=Silberman |access-date=July 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410184952/http://archive.wired.com/wired/archive/7.05/lucas_pr.html|archive-date=April 10, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Box office ===
Even though it received mixed reviews, ''The Phantom Menace'' was a financial success, breaking many [[box office]] records in its debut, and beating out ''[[The Mummy (1999 film)|The Mummy]]'' by taking number 1. The film broke ''[[The Lost World: Jurassic Park]]''{{'}}s records for the largest single-day gross for taking more than $28 million in the opening day and fastest to gross $100 million in five days. Additionally, it grossed $64.8 million in its opening weekend, the second highest ever at the time, behind ''The Lost World: Jurassic Park''.<ref name="TopplesBoxOffice"/> It also became the quickest film to reach the $200 million and $300 million marks, surpassing ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]'' (1996) and ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' (1997), respectively.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108106592/phantom-menace-tops-200-million-mark/ |title='Phantom Menace' tops $200 million mark in record time
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822190405/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108106592/phantom-menace-tops-200-million-mark/ |date=June 1, 1999 |access-date=August 22, 2022 |archive-date=August 22, 2022 |page=20 |publisher=[[The Post-Crescent]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98512306/phantom-menace-pulls-another-fast-one/ |title='Phantom Menace' pulls another fast one |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328165058/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98512306/phantom-menace-pulls-another-fast-one/ |date=June 20, 1999 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |page=33 |publisher=[[Quad-City Times]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''The Phantom Menace'' held both records before ''[[Spider-Man (2002 film)|Spider-Man]]'' took them in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-13-et-boxoffice13-story.html|title='Spider-Man' Already Showing Amazing Legs|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=May 13, 2002|access-date=March 12, 2022|archive-date=March 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312190313/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-13-et-boxoffice13-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hollywood Analysis: Box-office boom |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/05/28/Hollywood-Analysis-Box-office-boom/8581022558400/ |access-date=12 March 2022 |work=[[United Press International]] |date=28 May 2002 |archive-date=March 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312194252/https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/05/28/Hollywood-Analysis-Box-office-boom/8581022558400/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It would go on to earn $105.7 million, making it the highest five-day Wednesday opening weekend of all time.<ref name="TopplesBoxOffice">{{cite magazine |last=Wolk |first=Josh |date=May 24, 1999 |title=Flip the Record : 'The Phantom Menace' topples two of three box office records |url=https://ew.com/article/1999/05/24/phantom-menace-topples-two-three-box-office-records |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919052643/http://www.ew.com/article/1999/05/24/phantom-menace-topples-two-three-box-office-records |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |access-date=March 12, 2009}}</ref> The film had the biggest opening weekend for any [[20th Century Fox]] film for two years until 2001 when it was taken by ''[[Planet of the Apes (2001 film)|Planet of the Apes]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Linder|first=Brian|title=Weekend Box Office: Audiences Go Ape!|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/07/31/weekend-box-office-audiences-go-ape|publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=February 11, 2022|date=July 31, 2001|archive-date=February 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211142912/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/07/31/weekend-box-office-audiences-go-ape|url-status=live}}</ref> Its opening day record was handed to ''[[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)|Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone]]'' that same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2001/11/18/potter-of-gold-a-31m-opening/|title=POTTER OF GOLD: A $31M OPENING|date=November 18, 2001|access-date=March 6, 2022|archive-date=March 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306234028/https://nypost.com/2001/11/18/potter-of-gold-a-31m-opening/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two years later in 2003, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'' surpassed ''The Phantom Menace'' for having the largest Wednesday gross, as well as the highest five-day Wednesday opening weekend.<ref>{{cite news |title='Return of the King' tops box office |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2003/12/22/Return-of-the-King-tops-box-office/4371072069200/ |access-date=6 March 2022 |work=[[United Press International]] |date=22 December 2003 |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227212707/https://www.upi.com/Archives/2003/12/22/Return-of-the-King-tops-box-office/4371072069200/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During its second weekend, ''The Phantom Menace'' made $51.3 million, making it the [[List of highest-grossing second weekends for films|highest-grossing second weekend]] at the time, surpassing ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]''. The film would hold this record until it was surpassed a year later by ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 film)|How the Grinch Stole Christmas]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2020/11/24/jim-carrey-ron-howard-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-movies-box-office-20-years/?sh=2715054f2e09|title=20 Years Ago, Hollywood's Top Comic Broke Box Office Records As Christmas's Biggest Movie Star|website=[[Forbes]]|access-date=July 5, 2022|archive-date=April 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412015456/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2020/11/24/jim-carrey-ron-howard-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-movies-box-office-20-years/?sh=2715054f2e09|url-status=live}}</ref> In total, the film stayed at the top of the box office for three weeks until it was overtaken by ''[[Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me]]'' during its fourth weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/c994f9b0c65e892d9bce99f66bc0c974|title=Austin Powers Scores at Box Office|website=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=November 5, 2022|archive-date=November 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105221505/https://apnews.com/article/c994f9b0c65e892d9bce99f66bc0c974|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Phantom Menace'' was 1999's most successful film, staying in the Top 10 until August 5 (11 weeks total), earning $431.1 million in the United States and Canada.<ref name="Numbers"/> [[Box Office Mojo]] estimates that the film sold over 84.8 million tickets in the US in its initial theatrical run.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=May 31, 2016 |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm |title=Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201314/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film set an opening record in Japan, grossing $12.2 million in its first two days from 403 screens.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=July 13, 1999|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/news/japan-menace-d-1117503939/#!|access-date=January 16, 2021|last=Groves|first=Don|title=Japan, 'Menace'd|archive-date=January 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121041833/https://variety.com/1999/film/news/japan-menace-d-1117503939/#!|url-status=live}}</ref> In the UK, the film also set an opening record with £9.5 million in its opening weekend (including previews), surpassing ''[[Men in Black (1997 film)|Men in Black]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/uk-film-council-box-office-report-2001.xls|access-date=January 16, 2021|website=[[British Film Institute]]|title=UK weekend box office reports: 2001|format=xls|archive-date=January 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121041911/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/uk-film-council-box-office-report-2001.xls|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=July 26, 1999|page=8|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/news/b-o-bakes-shakes-1117744161/|title=B.O. bakes, shakes|last=Groves|first=Don|access-date=January 16, 2021|archive-date=November 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128233443/https://variety.com/1999/film/news/b-o-bakes-shakes-1117744161/|url-status=live}}</ref> It would go on to hold this record for a few months until it was taken by ''[[Toy Story 2]]'' in early 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/toy-story-2-propels-uk-to-all-time-high/401384.article|title=Toy Story 2 propels UK to all-time high|access-date=March 27, 2022|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326204407/https://www.screendaily.com/toy-story-2-propels-uk-to-all-time-high/401384.article|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Phantom Menace'' also grossed a record $11 million in its opening weekend in Germany.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|page=9|date=October 15, 2001|title='Pie' flies high in Germany}}</ref> Outside the United States and Canada, the film grossed over $10 million in Australia ($25.9 million), Brazil ($10.4 million), France and Algeria ($43 million), Germany ($53.9 million), Italy ($12.9 million), Japan ($109.9 million), Mexico ($12 million), Spain ($25 million), and the United Kingdom and Ireland ($81.9 million).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=starwars.htm |title=International Box Office Results |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=April 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407002245/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=starwars.htm|archive-date=April 7, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> Its overseas total was $493.2 million, taking its worldwide total to $924.3 million.<ref name="Numbers">{{cite web |title=Star Wars: The Phantom Menace |work=The Numbers |date=December 1, 2001 |url=https://the-numbers.com/movie/Star-Wars-Ep-I-The-Phantom-Menace#tab=summary |access-date=July 25, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231164713/http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Star-Wars-Ep-I-The-Phantom-Menace#tab=summary|archive-date=December 31, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> At that time, the film was the [[List of highest-grossing films in the United States and Canada|third-highest-grossing film in North America]] behind ''Titanic'' and ''Star Wars'' (1977),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltimedomestic.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010330072958/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltimedomestic.html|title=All Time Box Office: Top Grossing Pictures - Domestic|publisher=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=March 30, 2001|accessdate=March 24, 2024}}</ref> and the [[List of highest-grossing films|second-highest-grossing film worldwide]] behind ''Titanic'' without adjusting for inflation of ticket prices.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lucas-riches-no-phantom/|title=Lucas' Riches No Phantom|publisher=[[CBS News]]|date=March 3, 2000|accessdate=March 24, 2024|archive-date=March 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324230525/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lucas-riches-no-phantom/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After its 3D re-release in 2012, the worldwide box office gross exceeded $1 billion,<ref name=billion/>  making it the first ''Star Wars'' film and the 11th film in history—excluding inflation—to do so.<ref name=billion>{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-episode-i-phantom-menace-box-office-294680 |title='Star Wars: Phantom Menace' Crosses $1 Billion Mark at Box Office |date=February 23, 2012 |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=March 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022054023/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-episode-i-phantom-menace-box-office-294680|archive-date=October 22, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=starwars3dgross/> Although in the intervening years, the film had lost some of its rankings in the lists of highest-grossing films, the 3D re-release returned it to the worldwide all-time Top 10 for several months.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/ |title=All Time Worldwide Box Office Grosses |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=March 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102025933/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/|archive-date=January 2, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> In North America, its revenues overtook those of the original ''Star Wars'' as the saga's highest-grossing film when not adjusting for inflation of ticket prices, and is the tenth-highest-grossing film in North America {{as of|2017|8|lc=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic.htm |title=All Time Domestic Box Office Grosses |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=August 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205064427/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic.htm|archive-date=December 5, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> In North America, its ranking on the Adjusted for Ticket Price Inflation list climbed to 16th place—one place behind ''Return of the Jedi''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm |title=All Time Domestic Grosses – Adjusted for Ticket Price Inflation |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=April 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504000735/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm|archive-date=May 4, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> The 3D {{nowrap|re-release}}, which premiered in February 2012, earned $43 million—$22.5 million of which was in North America—worldwide.<ref name="3D opening weekend">{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3369&p=.htm |title=Weekend Report (cont.): 'Phantom Menace' Moves Up to Fifth All-Time |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |author=Subers, Ray |date=February 12, 2012 |access-date=March 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203045835/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3369&p=.htm|archive-date=February 3, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The 3D re-release earned US${{formatnum:{{#expr:1027044677-924317558}}}} worldwide—including $43.5 million in North America—and has increased the film's overall box office takings to $474.5 million domestically, and $552.5 million in other territories.<ref name=starwars3dgross>{{cite web |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars3d.htm |title=Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (In 3D) |access-date=March 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326203842/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=starwars3d.htm|archive-date=March 26, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The 25th anniversary re-release debuted in second place at the U.S. and Canadian box office behind ''[[The Fall Guy (2024 film)|The Fall Guy]]'' with $8.8 million and grossed an additional $6.4 million internationally, bringing its weekend total to $14.5 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rubin|first=Rebecca|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/box-office-the-fall-guy-opening-weekend-ryan-gosling-summer-movies-1235992369/|title=Box Office: 'The Fall Guy' Kicks Off Summer Movie Season With Disappointing $28 Million Debut|publisher=Variety|date=May 5, 2024|accessdate=May 5, 2024|archive-date=May 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505152242/https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/box-office-the-fall-guy-opening-weekend-ryan-gosling-summer-movies-1235992369/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Accolades ===
''The Phantom Menace'' received three nominations at the [[72nd Academy Awards]]: [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Sound Effects Editing]], [[Academy Award for Best Visual Effects|Best Visual Effects]] and [[Academy Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]] ([[Gary Rydstrom]], [[Tom Johnson (sound engineer)|Tom Johnson]], [[Shawn Murphy (sound engineer)|Shawn Murphy]] and [[John Midgley]]); all three awards went to ''[[The Matrix]]''.<ref name="Oscars2000">{{cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/72nd-winners.html |title=The 72nd Academy Awards (2000) Nominees and Winners |access-date=November 19, 2011 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224032622/http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/72nd-winners.html |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/entertainment/2000/oscars_2000/691746.stm |title=Oscar winners in full |date=March 27, 2000 |publisher=BBC |access-date=March 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329024535/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/entertainment/2000/oscars_2000/691746.stm|archive-date=March 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The film won [[Saturn Awards]] for [[Saturn Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costumes]] and [[Saturn Award for Best Special Effects|Best Special Effects]],<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227180141/http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html |archive-date=December 27, 2007 |url=http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html |title=Past Saturn Awards |publisher=[[Saturn Awards]] |access-date=March 12, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[MTV Movie Award]] for Best Action Scene,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/onair/ma01/pastwinners/2000.jhtml?PageName=pastwinners&Year=2000 |title=MTV Movie Awards Past Winners: 2000 |publisher=MTV |access-date=March 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425134550/http://www.mtv.com/onair/ma01/pastwinners/2000.jhtml?PageName=pastwinners&Year=2000|archive-date=April 25, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a [[Young Artist Award]] for Jake Lloyd's performance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms21.htm |title=21st Annual Young Artist Awards: 1998–1999 |publisher=Young Artist Foundation |access-date=March 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719182252/http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms21.htm |archive-date=July 19, 2012}}</ref> It was also nominated for—among others—the [[BAFTAs]] for [[BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects|Visual Effects]] and [[BAFTA Award for Best Sound|Sound]],<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://www.bafta.org/awards/film/nominations/?year=1999 |title=Film Nominations 1999 |publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |access-date=July 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505010618/http://www.bafta.org/awards/film/nominations/?year=1999 <!--Added by H3llBot--> |archive-date=May 5, 2009}}</ref> and the [[Grammy Award]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media|Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gsamusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/WILLIAMS_JOHN.pdf |title=John Williams |publisher=The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, Inc |date=February 5, 2009|access-date=February 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106235317/http://www.gsamusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/WILLIAMS_JOHN.pdf|archive-date=November 6, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the film did receive seven [[Golden Raspberry Awards|Golden Raspberry Award]] (Razzie) nominations for [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture|Worst Picture]], [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director|Worst Director]], [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay|Worst Screenplay]], [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor|Worst Supporting Actor]] (Jake Lloyd as Anakin), [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress|Worst Supporting Actress]] ([[Sofia Coppola]] as Saché), [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Combo|Worst Screen Couple]] (Jake Lloyd and Natalie Portman), and Jar Jar Binks actor [[Ahmed Best]] won the Worst Supporting Actor category.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.razzies.com/forum/1999-razzie-nominees-and-winners_topic5534.html |title=1999 RAZZIE Nominees & "Winners" |publisher=Golden Raspberry Foundation |access-date=March 12, 2009|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206081327/http://www.razzies.com/forum/1999-razzie-nominees-and-winners_topic5534.html |archive-date=December 6, 2012}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
{{See also|Cultural impact of Star Wars}}

A month after the film's release, [["Weird Al" Yankovic]] released the parody song and music video "[[The Saga Begins]]", in which he interprets the film's plot from Obi-Wan's point of view to the tune of [[Don McLean]]'s "[[American Pie (song)|American Pie]]";<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629044333/https://www.starwars.com/community/news/rocks/news20061027.html|url=https://www.starwars.com/community/news/rocks/news20061027.html|archivedate=June 29, 2011|url-status=dead|title="Weird Al" -- Nerdy Something|publisher=StarWars.com|date=October 27, 2006|accessdate=March 24, 2024|author=Burton, Bonnie}}</ref> this was included as a bonus feature on a 2011 ''Star Wars'' Blu-ray.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2011/05/star-wars-blu-ray-2/|author=Wallace, Lewis|magazine=Wired|date=May 4, 2011|title=Lucasfilm Details Star Wars Blu-ray Extras|accessdate=May 4, 2023|archive-date=December 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203005112/https://www.wired.com/2011/05/star-wars-blu-ray-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> June 1999 also had ''[[South Park]]'' parodying Jar Jar Binks in the episode "[[Jakovasaurs]]", which had the townspeople of South Park getting annoyed at extraterrestrials who spoke and behaved similarly to Jar Jar to reflect the hatred of writers [[Matt Stone]] and [[Trey Parker]] for the character.<ref name=minicommentary>{{cite video | people=Trey Parker, Matt Stone|date=2003|title=South Park: The Complete Third Season|type=DVD audio commentary |medium=|publisher=Comedy Central}}</ref>

The film is known for starting the [[Lego Star Wars]] toyline, which has become one of [[Lego]]'s most successful licensed brands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/lego-star-wars-minifigures-guinness-world-record.html|publisher=Space.com|title=Lego Breaks Guinness World Record for Largest Display of 'Star Wars' Minifigures|author=Howell, Elizabeth|date=April 13, 2019|access-date=March 24, 2024|archive-date=October 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003133533/https://www.space.com/lego-star-wars-minifigures-guinness-world-record.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Darth Maul's lightsaber-fighting style served as the inspiration for the 2003 [[viral video]] ''[[Star Wars Kid]]''.<ref name="meme">[http://2010.newsweek.com/top-10/internet-memes/the-star-wars-kid.html Internet Memes, #5: The Star Wars Kid] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720113942/http://2010.newsweek.com/top-10/internet-memes/the-star-wars-kid.html |date=July 20, 2011 }}, [[NewsWeek]], Jessica Bennett</ref> Maul, who appears to die in ''The Phantom Menace'', was resurrected for the animated series ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'', and he also appears in ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'' and in ''[[Solo: A Star Wars Story]]''. In 2012, [[IGN]] named Maul the 16th-greatest ''Star Wars'' character.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/star-wars-characters/16.html |title=Darth Maul- #16 |publisher=[[IGN]] |access-date=September 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529123632/http://www.ign.com/star-wars-characters/16.html |archive-date=May 29, 2012}}</ref> A similar weapon to his dual-bladed lightsaber appears in ''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Yehl|first=Joshua|date=August 28, 2019|title=Dark Rey's New Lightsaber Explained from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/08/28/dark-reys-double-bladed-red-lightsaber-explained-from-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker|access-date=2020-06-18|website=[[IGN]]|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605155558/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/08/28/dark-reys-double-bladed-red-lightsaber-explained-from-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Sequels ===
A sequel, ''[[Attack of the Clones]]'', was released in 2002.<ref>{{cite book |last=Booker |first=Keith M. |title=Historical Dictionary of American Cinema |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y04MQEgHbZsC&pg=PA228 |publisher=[[Scarecrow Press]] |date=March 17, 2011 |page=228 |isbn=978-0-8108-7459-6 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131212056/https://books.google.com/books?id=Y04MQEgHbZsC&pg=PA228 |url-status=live }}</ref> The story continues a decade later with Anakin grown to adulthood, played by [[Hayden Christensen]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Bainbridge |first=William Sims |author-link=William Sims Bainbridge |title=EGods: Faith Versus Fantasy in Computer Gaming |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5uQdDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA87 |chapter=Souls |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5uQdDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA83 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |date=April 4, 2013 |page=87 |isbn=978-0-19-993581-9 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126192137/https://books.google.com/books?id=5uQdDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA87 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Blundell |first=Graeme |author-link=Graeme Blundell |title=The Naked Truth: A life in parts |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E0L_HbGr-g4C&pg=PT151 |publisher=[[Hachette UK]] |date=February 1, 2011 |page=151 |isbn=978-0-7336-2690-6 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131212057/https://books.google.com/books?id=E0L_HbGr-g4C&pg=PT151 |url-status=live }}</ref> A second sequel, ''[[Revenge of the Sith]]'', was released in 2005 and culminates with Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader.<ref>{{cite book |last=Tomasso |first=Vincent Edward |title="Cast in Later Grecian Mould", Quintus of Smyrna's Reception of Homer in the Posthomerica |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WnLzWQMpd9sC&pg=PA5 |editor-first=Richard |editor-last=Martin |editor2-first=Grant Richard |editor2-last=Parker |editor3-first=Susan A. |editor3-last=Stephens |publisher=[[Stanford University]] |year=2010 |page=5 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131212058/https://books.google.com/books?id=WnLzWQMpd9sC&pg=PA5 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Critical reassessment ===
Since the release of ''The Phantom Menace'', many people who have worked on the ''Star Wars'' films and viewers have defended the prequel trilogy.<ref name="starwars.com">{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Dan |title="All Films Are Personal": An Oral History of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace-oral-history |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=StarWars.com |language=en |archive-date=December 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216130908/https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace-oral-history |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Ewan McGregor]] said that his opinion of the prequels improved as he met fans who grew up with them and "realized how important our films have been to them", stating that critics "just wanted to feel like they were seven or eight again, and they didn't get that," and defending how George Lucas attempted to do something different rather than just "make another three ''Star Wars'' films that felt like the original ones".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fraser |first=Kevin |date=2022-05-11 |title=Ewan McGregor & Hayden Christensen defend the Star Wars prequels |url=https://www.joblo.com/ewan-mcgregor-hayden-christensen-defend-star-wars-prequels/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=JoBlo |language=en-US |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106053758/https://www.joblo.com/ewan-mcgregor-hayden-christensen-defend-star-wars-prequels/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Jack |date=2022-07-14 |title=How Ewan McGregor learned to love the Star Wars prequels |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/ewan-mcrgegor-star-wars-prequels-reappraisal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106053758/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/ewan-mcrgegor-star-wars-prequels-reappraisal |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=British GQ |language=en-GB}}</ref> Such a point of view was reflected by Richard Newby of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', on the 20th anniversary of ''The Phantom Menace'', who acknowledged that "the film didn't live up to the lofty expectations that many fans of the original trilogy held for 16 years", but that the fan backlash never changed his own appreciation of the film, that he first saw as a child and even as Newby started to notice the film's flaws as he grew up, "they expanded the ''Star Wars'' universe in a way that kept me interested."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newby |first=Richard |date=2019-05-19 |title=Why 'The Phantom Menace' Need Not Divide 'Star Wars' Fans |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/why-star-wars-phantom-menace-should-no-longer-divide-fans-1212032/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106053757/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/why-star-wars-phantom-menace-should-no-longer-divide-fans-1212032/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Hayden Christensen]], who plays Anakin Skywalker in ''Attack of the Clones'' and ''Revenge of the Sith'', reflected that by going back to the character as a child in ''The Phantom Menace'', "George Lucas subverted our expectations and understanding of this character" and made it a good starting point for Anakin's character development throughout the trilogy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vary |first=Adam B. |date=2023-06-08 |title=Diego Luna and Hayden Christensen Fan Out: 'Star Wars' Secrets, Lightsaber Bruises and the Franchise Bringing 'Freedom' and 'Financial Stability' |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/features/diego-luna-hayden-christiansen-star-wars-changed-lives-interview-1235632082/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106053758/https://variety.com/2023/tv/features/diego-luna-hayden-christiansen-star-wars-changed-lives-interview-1235632082/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Maca |date=2023-06-08 |title=Hayden Christensen Reflects on Anakin Skywalker Falling into the Dark Side in Star Wars |url=https://movieweb.com/hayden-christensen-anakin-dark-side-star-wars/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=MovieWeb |language=en |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913043858/https://movieweb.com/hayden-christensen-anakin-dark-side-star-wars/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Diego Luna and Hayden Christensen Actors on Actors | date=June 8, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQA8YxOq2a8 |access-date=2024-01-05 |language=en |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106053757/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQA8YxOq2a8 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 2018 ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' [[Natalie's Rap 2.0|comedy rap video]], Natalie Portman dresses up as Queen Amidala and threatens an interviewer who tries to mock the prequels.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jasper |first=Marykate |title=Natalie Portman Raps Defense of "Star Wars" Prequels |url=https://www.themarysue.com/natalie-portman-star-wars-prequels-snl-rap/ |website=The Mary Sue |access-date=September 1, 2019 |date=February 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902043025/https://www.themarysue.com/natalie-portman-star-wars-prequels-snl-rap/ |archive-date=September 2, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 
Many members of the prequel production team have defended the character of Jar Jar Binks and its portrayer Ahmed Best. In an interview with [[Andy Cohen]], Liam Neeson said that he was proud of his involvement with the film, and expressed how he was distressed at the backlash at Best, "one of the funniest and most talented guys [he's] ever worked with."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Ryan |date=2020-09-14 |title=Liam Neeson Praises Jar Jar Binks Actor While Defending The Phantom Menace |url=https://movieweb.com/jar-jar-binks-ahmed-best-liam-neeson-praise/ |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=MovieWeb |language=en |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109081838/https://movieweb.com/jar-jar-binks-ahmed-best-liam-neeson-praise/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Ryan |date=2020-09-14 |title=Liam Neeson Explains Why He's "Proud" of 'The Phantom Menace' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/liam-neeson-says-hes-proud-of-the-phantom-menace-4059922/ |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118071636/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/liam-neeson-says-hes-proud-of-the-phantom-menace-4059922/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Visual effects supervisor [[John Knoll]] reflected that "George took a lot of the criticism pretty harshly", down to reducing Jar Jar's role in the following two movies, and that he was happy to see Best received with a standing ovation at the 2019 edition of [[Star Wars Celebration|''Star Wars'' Celebration]].<ref name="starwars.com"/> Animation director [[Rob Coleman]] said that twenty years later he still has younger people coming up to him and telling him that Jar Jar is their favorite character,<ref name="starwars.com"/> and digital model designer Jean Bolte, who cited Jar Jar Binks as one of her favorite characters to work with alongside Sebulba and Yoda, added that "seeing and hearing the fans so interested in which one was our contribution…. It really completely changed my point of view about being privileged to have had anything to do with these films."<ref name="starwars.com"/><ref>{{Cite web |first=Sean |last=Keane |title=Star Wars: The Phantom Menace cast and crew reunited ahead of 20th anniversary |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/star-wars-the-phantom-menace-cast-reunite-for-20th-anniversary/ |date=2019-05-19 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=[[CNET]] |language=en |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106053758/https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/star-wars-the-phantom-menace-cast-reunite-for-20th-anniversary/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="youtube.com">{{Citation |title=Star Wars: Phantom Menace 20th Anniversary Celebration Live Panel | date=April 15, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhBGb8J9vsI |access-date=2023-10-20 |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124093045/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhBGb8J9vsI |url-status=live }}</ref> Best himself said he was moved by the newfound appreciation given the previous backlash, adding that it was possible because for the ones who saw the movie as children, "the prequels, that's theirs, and they defend the prequels. So I see the same thing. I see the resurgence of ''The Phantom Menace''."<ref name="starwars.com"/><ref name="youtube.com"/>

==See also==
* [[List of underwater science fiction works]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Works cited ==
* {{cite book |title=The Annotated Screenplays |last=Bouzereau |first=Laurent |year=1997 |isbn=0-345-40981-7 |publisher=Del Rey }}
* {{cite book |title=The Making of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace |last1=Bouzereau |first1=Laurent |first2=Jody |last2=Duncan |year=1999 |publisher=Ballantine |isbn=0-345-43111-1 }}
* {{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W1oyiL-Je6MC |title=Anticipation: The Real Life Story of Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace |first=Jonathan L. |last=Bowen |publisher=iUniverse |year=2005 |isbn=0-595-34732-0 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131212059/https://books.google.com/books?id=W1oyiL-Je6MC |url-status=live }}
* {{cite web |title=The Secret History of Star Wars |last=Kaminski |first=Michael |year=2007 |url=http://secrethistoryofstarwars.com/book.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706194512/http://secrethistoryofstarwars.com/book.html |archive-date=July 6, 2007 }}
* {{cite book |title=The Secret History of Star Wars |last=Kaminski |first=Michael | author-mask = 2 |year=2008 |orig-year=2007 |publisher=Legacy Books Press |isbn=978-0-9784652-3-0 }}
* {{cite book |title=The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film (Star Wars) |last=Rinzler |first=J.W. |year=2007 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=978-0-345-49476-4 }}
* {{cite book | last1=Grimes | first1=Caleb | last2=Winship | first2=George | year=2006 | chapter=Episode I: The Phantom Menace| title=Star Wars Jesus: A spiritual commentary on the reality of the Force | publisher=WinePress Publishing | pages= | isbn=1579218849 }}
* Michael J. Hanson, Michael J. & Kay, Max S. (2000). ''Star Wars: The New Myth''. Xlibris, {{ISBN|978-1401039899}}
* McDonald, Paul F. (2013). ''The Star Wars Heresies: Interpreting The Themes, Symbols and Philosophies of Episodes I-III''. McFarland, {{ISBN|978-0786471812}}
* Bortolin, Matthew (2005). ''The Dharma of Star Wars''. Wisdom Publications, {{ISBN|978-1614292869}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Spoken Wikipedia|En-Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace.ogg|date=March 16, 2007}}
* {{Official website|https://www.starwars.com/films/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace}} at StarWars.com
* {{Official website|https://www.lucasfilm.com/productions/episode-1/}} at Lucasfilm.com
* ''{{Wookieepedia|Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace}}''
* {{IMDb title|120915}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
* ''[https://www.coronacomingattractions.com/movie/star-wars-episode-i-phantom-menace Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace]'' at [[Corona's Coming Attractions]]

{{Star Wars prequel trilogy}}
{{Star Wars|state=collapsed}}
{{George Lucas}}
{{Lucasfilm}}
{{Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor}}
{{Yearly highest-grossing US films}}

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{{Authority control}}

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