Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is a 1999 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas in his first directorial effort since the original Star Wars, released in 1977.
Theatrical release poster by Drew Struzan
Star Wars creator George Lucas (pictured in 2011) decided to return to the series in the 1990s following advancements in computer-generated imagery.
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.
Remains of Mos Espa in the Tunisian desert, near Nafta
Natalie Portman
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Natalie Hershlag, known professionally as Natalie Portman, is an actress, film producer and director with dual Israeli and American citizenship. She has had a prolific screen career from her teenage y
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
…series, the first film of the prequel trilogy and the first chronological chapter of the "Skywalker Saga." The film stars Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ahmed Best, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Pernilla August, and Frank Oz. It is set 32 years before the original trilogy…
Portman in 2026
Portman's Padmé Amidala costume from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Portman at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, where she served as a jury member
Portman at the 83rd Academy Awards in 2011, where she won the Academy Award for Best Actress