Getty Images
20 'Phantom Menace' facts
While Star Wars movies have become a regular event since the franchise was purchased by Disney, the arrival of 'The Phantom Menace' 20 years ago was heralded by fans young and old as a generational event.
Check out our slideshow to learn 20 fun facts about the first prequel film, its cast and crew as it celebrates its 20th anniversary today.
Associated Press
1. Ron Howard was approached to direct the film
Howard once revealed in a podcast that George Lucas had approached him, Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis about directing the first prequel.
2. It was the first film Lucas directed in over 20 years
Before 'The Phantom Menace,' George Lucas had not directed a film since the original 'Star Wars'
3. The trailers were major events
Fans flocked to buy tickets to 'Meet Joe Black,' 'The Waterboy' and 'The Siege' which were the first three movies to have the trailer attached. In many cases, viewers left shortly after the trailer ran leading some theaters to also playing the trailer after the film.
Getty Images
4. Lucas has made billions off merchandise
Many toy stores set up sections specifically to promote Star Wars merchandise, something common now but rarely seen at the time.
Associated Press
5. Natalie Portman missed the NYC premiere
IMDB reports that Portman had to go home to study for her high school finals.
Getty Images
6. A case of mistaken identities
IMDB also notes that Keira Knightly, who played handmaiden Sabe, and Portman looked so much alike in costume that even their mothers had trouble telling them apart.
Getty Images
7. Another famous cameo
Future director Sofia Coppola also made a brief appearance as the handmaide Sache.
Getty Images
8. Portman's voice was altered
Producers digitally lowered Natalie Portman's voice in scenes as Queen Amidala.
9. A different Darth
Actor Benicio del Toro was originally slated to play Darth Maul, but backed out once he found out most of his dialogue was cut.
10. Seen, but not heard
While Ray Park eventually played Darth Maul, his lines were dubbed.
11. Could have been Qui-Gon
Before settling on Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn, Lucas considered Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks, Kurt Russell, and Denzel Washington.
Associated Press
12. Almost Mace?
It's been rumored that rapper Tupac Shakur auditioned for the role of Mace Windu prior to his death.
Associated Press
13. All in the family
Actor Ewan McGregor is a nephew of Denis Lawson (Wedge Antilles in the original series)
Associated Press
14. A career-ender
Actor Jake Lloyd only appeared in one other film after the release of 'The Phantom Menace'
Associated Press
15. A quartet of alumni
Only 4 actors from the original trilogy reprised their roles in the prequel: Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Ian McDiarmid, and Frank Oz.
Associated Press
16. No makeup needed
Only in his 30s when he appeared in 'Return of the Jedi,' actor Ian McDiarmid was just the right age to play Chancellor Palpatine.
17. A major haul
The film cost approximately $115 million to make and has brought in an adjusted box office gross of over $1 billion.
Associated Press
18. No major award
Unlike the original trilogy, 'The Phantom Menace' took home no Oscar statues.
Getty Images
19. E.T. phoned home
A group of aliens appear in one of the Galactic Senate scenes as a fun easter egg. The alien species was later named Asogians.
Getty Images
20. Wait till the end
Those fans who waited around till the end of the credits were rewarded with the sound of Darth Vader's breathing
Associated Press
More movie and television fun facts
- 25 actors you didn't know were on 'Game of Thrones'
- Oscars hosts since 1989
- In Memoriam: Celebrities we lost in 2018
- 20 fun facts about 'Love Actually'
- Relive your childhood with these 120 Hanna-Barbera cartoons
- 25 actors you didn't know appeared in 'Boy Meets World'
- 88 celebrities who were born in Canada
- Fun facts about 'The Big Lebowski' and 20 other movies turning 20 in 2018
- Fun facts about 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' for its 20th anniversary
- Celebrate 'Dirty Dancing' turning 30 with these fun facts
- 20 fun facts about 'Scream' for its 20th anniversary
- 'Romeo + Juliet' turns 20: Where are they now
- Remembering Alan Rickman: His most memorable roles
- 10 movies that turned 10 in 2016
Associated Press
Celebrity fun facts
- Emilia Clarke
- Sophie Turner
- Jason Momoa
- Danielle Fishel and the 'Boy Meets World' cast
- Chris Hemsworth
- Amanda Seyfried
- Kat Dennings
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Alyson Hannigan
- Tiffani Amber Thiessen
- Miley Cyrus
- Emma Stone
- Seth MacFarlane
- Mark Hamill
- Jennifer Lawrence & Mila Kunis
- David Hasselhoff
- Lindsay Lohan
- Natalie Portman
- George Clooney
- Sarah Michelle Gellar
- Emma Watson
- Alec Baldwin
- Jenna Fischer
- Kate Mara
- Jennifer Aniston
- Alan Alda
- Betty White
- Dave Matthews
- Danica McKellar
- Taylor Swift
- Britney Spears
- Bill Nye
- Scarlett Johansson
- Rachel McAdams
- Demi Moore
- Julia Roberts
Want to see more celebrity birthdays as well as additional fun facts posts? Follow me on Facebook for the latest by clicking the "like" button below.
Ad Choices