star wars episode phantom menace star wars episode phantom menace american epic space opera film written directed produced distributed 20th century fox installment star wars prequel trilogy stars film set thirty years original film follows apprentice protect hopes securing peaceful end large scale trade dispute joined young slave unusually strong natural powers force simultaneously contend mysterious return lucas began production film determined film special effects advanced level wanted fourth film saga filming started june locations including desert visual effects included extensive use computer generated imagery cgi characters settings completely film lucas directorial effort year hiatus following star wars released theaters sixteen years premiere previous star wars film return film premiere extensively covered media greatly anticipated large cultural following star wars saga cultivated despite mixed reviews critics tended praise visuals action sequences musical score performances criticize writing characterization majority acting particularly grossed million worldwide initial theatrical run making second highest grossing film worldwide time highest grossing film highest grossing star wars film release star wars force awakens currently seventeenth highest grossing film north_america inflation reissue earned additional million box office brought film overall worldwide billion released february film followed sequels star wars episode attack clones star wars episode iii revenge cast gon master mentor discovers insists boy trained despite protests lucas originally wanted cast american actor role cast considered great skills presence lucas said master actor actors look got qualities strength character demands young apprentice holds high regard questions motives times cast actors compared pictures young portrayed elderly believable younger version vocal coach help voice sound closer studied performances early work star wars movies year old queen hopes protect planet blockade actors auditioned role production notes stated role required young woman believable ruler planet time vulnerable open chosen especially performances professional beautiful girls impressed lucas stated looking young strong lines embodied traits unfamiliar star wars cast enthusiastic cast character expected role model said wonderful playing young queen power think good young women strong woman action smart leader year old slave boy skilled pilot dreams hundreds actors tested producers settled considered met requirements good actor enthusiastic energetic producer said lloyd smart loves mechanical like senator senator eventually elected chancellor republic surprised lucas approached years return reprise role assumed younger actor play prequel films august mother concerned son future allows leave august veteran swedish cinema chosen auditioning afraid rejected accent voices centuries old leader allowing trained portrayed puppet designed based original design controlled puppet mouth parts controlled remote controls lucas fitted filming schedule finished promoted computer generated featured distant shots portrays scene lucas said originally wanted use time digital attempts work blu ray release reissue similar instead davies governor captain queen chief security palace clumsy exiled home taken best hired saw performance san_francisco best originally intended provide motion capture data offer voice character accepted set provide references actors best clothed suit foam latex best filmed performance later replaced computer generated character best frequently improvised movements look clumsy comedic possible voices protocol built lacks metal covering film refers naked dressed color closely matching background manner similar japanese puppet theater manipulated skeletal figure attached daniels read lines camera erased film post production saves ship fail film production started fans campaigned internet retain baker lucas replied actor remain baker scenes bends forwards backwards robots digital model shots supreme chancellor current chancellor commissions negotiate lucas described character good man bit like bill clinton additionally appears high ranking member opposes training portrays warrior apprentice uses double bladed provides voice plays serves majority film portrays trade federation leads invasion tries force queen sign treaty occupation portrays minor characters senator ill fated pilot role originally auditioned voice respectively leader tribe allies dealer owns mother slaves aggressive rival addition voice headed announcer west plays guard appears appears queen starship pilot appears lieutenant production development writing original star wars lucas realized story vast scope covered film original film written introduce wider story arc told sequels chance successful star wars evolved film series episode saga second trilogy lucas eventually negotiated contract allowed sequels time created elaborate backstory aid writing process writing empire strikes lucas considered directions story original trilogy revealed powerful traitor backstory place lucas decided movies work best trilogy final act trilogy final episode return ultimately act sacrifice luke years release star wars lucas admitted burned announced break working saga 80s remarked desire return star wars unofficially canceled sequel trilogy time return lucas developed backstory idea continued early 1990s star wars saw resurgence popularity wake comic line trilogy novels lucas saw large audience idea prequel trilogy development special effects generated computer generated imagery cgi lucas considered returning saga directing film announced variety sources making lucas began outlining story main protagonist series tragedy examining origins lucas began change timeline relative original series filling history backstory existing parallel originals beginning long story started childhood ended death final step turning franchise saga began writing new star wars trilogy november screenplay star wars adapted lucas page outline written designed help track characters events occurred original trilogy written year old lucas reduced age felt lower age better fit plot point affected mother separation eventually younger age led lucas rewrite participation movie major scenes film working title beginning lucas later revealed true title phantom menace reference hiding true identity evil lord facade public servant larger budget possibilities opened use digital effects lucas think epic scale wanted star wars story ended simultaneous ongoing plots leading central plot intent chancellor leads attack sent met way rise original trilogy lucas intended phantom menace illustrate themes narrative frequent theme queen passes plays sides war balance frequently suggested supposedly chosen bring balance force lucas said needed mother needed master needed apprentice interaction dialogue wouldn drama november confirmed steven_spielberg approached lucas direct film pre production design lucas started writing producing partner preparing film stated experience young indiana jones chronicles led decisions phantom menace long term deals actors employment recent graduates film experience creation sets landscapes digital technology april started searching artists art architecture design schools mid year began location scouting production designer art director impressed hired design director months lucas beginning writing process design team started year process reviewing thousands designs film stated lucas intended episode different star wars films richer like period piece history leading new hope planets story takes place varied environments human cities buildings exception city art inspired visual locations given distinctive looks basis real world concept drawings original trilogy served basis inspired old hotels buildings touches market place differentiate new hope particular metropolis design basis senate later develop work team design interiors translating concepts construction environments architectural styles basis reality audience key elements directly inspired original trilogy lucas described battle predecessors uses orientation base imperial soldiers style stylized elongated features seen tribal african art background anatomy charge creature design aliens hybrids combining features real animals times entire food chains developed small percentage appear film designed detailed skeletons major characters facial muscles reference animators creature reflect environment beautiful planet lush animal friendly rough looking creatures weather beaten skin protect harsh desert elements human looking aliens stunt coordinator recruited create new fighting style prequel trilogy likened battles chess game check short range weapons thought develop fighting style merged style styles swinging techniques tennis swings tree training wrote sequence lasted seconds intended sequences fight lucas later referred high casualty soldiers preference hand hand combat intended spiritual intellectual role thought stunt jumps actors wires look realistic air propel air instead lucas decided elaborate costumes film society sophisticated depicted original trilogy designer team created costumes inspired cultures worked closely concept designer create color palette inhabitants world followed new hope sun sand colors blacks green gold humans wore look like skin costumes followed tradition original film costume inspired costume worn lucas said look conceptual art designs cloth fabric materials actually work look silly consulted ensure costumes accommodate action scenes consulted creature department find wouldn wear heavily alien skins huge wardrobe department set create costumes main actors background ones thai accent chosen lucas listened languages decide speak character design rejected ideas expressions based video footage voice acting photographs animation supervisor imitating character saying lines mirror lucas described design spider crossed crossed like face clothing inspired medieval armor casting expressed interest appearing star wars film approached casting director play martial arts champion experience sword fighting originally member stunt crew stunt coordinator filmed park demonstrate conception battles lucas impressed test tape gave park role voice considered dubbed post production parents tried convince audition teenage actress sought role given star wars fan casting influenced remarkable similarity actress admitting mothers tell apart reported cried single day finding wardrobe uncomfortable cast actor uncomfortable costumes trade federation characters hot exerted lot pressure bearer took minutes apply considered good career production fun originally auditioned role governor considered loud casting director approached play bigger life character kind blessed described reluctant hero fun role play daughter lucas long time friend creative partner considers lucas like uncle prepared script directorial debut virgin heard lucas new star wars film asked accompany filming lucas offered role royal entourage accepted like good point watch getting way filming filming began june ended september year primarily taking place england leased half years production company leave sets intact return principal photography completed forest scenes filmed pick ups shot august february lucas screened rough cut film friends colleagues action stunts filmed second unit worked alongside main unit instead high number shots completed daily desert scenes built outside city night following day shooting unexpected destroyed sets props production quickly rescheduled allow repairs able leave tunisia date originally planned italian interior location days closed visitors scenes explosions filmed replica sets film served reference live action filming shots filmed key blue screen shots composed cgi sets built parts required screen built heights actors key extensively digital set extensions backgrounds scenes required cinematographer seek powerful lamps light sets visual effects supervisor develop software remove blue reflection shiny floors remained set production worked closely ensure shots suitable add effects later cameras fitted data capture models provide technical data cgi artists final star wars film shot film episode vii star wars force awakens scenes elements filmed special effects team shot high definition digital video tapes test performance digital recordings lucas considered logical step expensive process compared recording directly digital media computer generated effects future films shot sony high definition video cameras filmed wearing makeup blue heads joined computer generated body visual effects crew like original results crafted entirely computer generated alien editing took years started process england focused dialogue heavy scenes film sound editor responsible action sequences lucas supervision non linear editing systems played large translating lucas vision constantly revised reworked shots scenes final sound mix added march following month film completed delivery remaining visual effects shots effects film saw breakthrough computer generated effects shots phantom menace visual effects scene toxic gas released sequence digital alteration work extensive visual effects divided workload supervised set production space battle sequences supervised underwater sequence ground battle alongside teams assigned miniature effects character animation worked effects film production special effects film industry achieved miniature models paintings set visual effects films extensive use cgi previewed film lucas accompanied explain factors shots practical created visual effects later said hearing explanations know accomplish seen result mixture original techniques newest digital techniques difficult viewer guess technique visual effects team wrote new computer software including cloth allow realistic depiction digital characters clothing create certain shots goal create computer generated characters act seamlessly live action actors filming scenes cgi characters lucas block characters corresponding voice actors set voice actors removed live action actors perform scene cgi character later added shot complete conversation lucas cgi correct physical presence actors certain scenes practical models visuals helped miniature backgrounds set extensions model vehicles create digital models filmed represent lucas previously confronted problems props depict allowed production british special effects department create versions robot models created actor dropped seven built featured wheelchair motors capable moving pounds enabling run stage sets british studio produced shift legs tunisia motor drive system allowed drive sand lucas originally planned create aliens computer graphics cost effectively realized masks created creature effects team included background characters team told creatures required months principal photography begun rushed production suits originally intended digital characters delivered day required set traveled original creatures reused read script breakdown scenes practical creatures leaving designs created cgi research vehicles visual effects crew visited jet aircraft outside phoenix arizona boeing engines life sized engines built sent tunisia provide reference film inside controlled cockpit practical models entire scene effects crew designed world possible computer generated music previous star wars films star wars episode phantom menace score composed conducted started composing score october began recording music abbey road studios february williams decided use electronic instruments synthesizers enhance sound choral pieces capture magical mystical force regular orchestra able provide create atmosphere mysterious mystical military original trilogy notable tracks duel uses chorus religious temple like feel epic duel track music video composing theme williams tried reflect innocence childhood transformation slight suggestions imperial march melody film soundtrack released album featured score williams listening experience presented film order notable cues film space restriction compact disc disc ultimate edition released november set features entire score heard film including edits loops sound mix themes like previous star wars films makes references historical events films watched youth star wars films typically mix concepts different practice like meditation martial arts ancient japanese warriors gon term refers chinese discipline involving meditation cultivation flow vital energy called healing health combat words chinese korean japanese indian term refer energy thought flow living things source power way chinese philosophy philosophy way yang opposing aspects reality nature born unlike chinese philosophy yang moral qualities ancient persian philosophy taught dark light forces locked eternal battle sides force force time prime elements derive primarily eastern iranian religions myths references christian beliefs film appearance design draws heavily traditional depictions christian devil complete red skin horns facial inspired indigenous peoples brazil star wars film cycle features similar christian narrative involving chosen individual bring balance force conceived virgin birth tempted join fall grace seemingly prevents fulfilling destiny chosen inspiration story virgin birth parallels concept developed work hero heavily influenced lucas writing original star wars trilogy outline japanese films influenced original star wars film scholars likewise influenced korean japanese culture film historians write costume designs favour mixture gothic oriental sic futuristic gothic strongly apparent demonic horns red black mask facial designs found depictions japanese demons king gon pony tail position apprentice encourage reading terms tradition keeping status character number highly formal outfits hair sculpted curve frames japanese cast release release new star wars film years accompanied considerable attention film studios released films week release universal_studios released love letter hill respectively love letter commercial failure fared better followed closely second place employment consultant firm estimated million time employees missed work attend film resulting million loss productivity according wall_street_journal workers announced plans view premiere companies closed opening day queue areas formed outside cinema theaters month ticket sales began theater lines appeared announced cinemas allowed sell tickets advance weeks release fear family theater unable receive tickets forced pay higher prices instead tickets sold come served basis meetings agreed allow advance ticket sales provided limit tickets customer result advance tickets sold prices high apiece distribution chief called horrible said exactly wanted avoid reported theater owners received strict instructions film play cinema largest auditorium weeks honor passes allowed weeks obliged send payments distributor 20th century fox seven days despite worries film finished time weeks theatrical release release date lucas said change intended fans head start allowing view week allowing families view weekends future conversion digital cinematography lucas said film released digital june charity staged united_states receipts los_angeles event corporate packages available proceeds donated elizabeth aids foundation charity included dallas premiere hospital new_york premiere children washington statement said tickets sold apiece certain sections theaters set aside children marketing spent million film advertising campaign promotional licensing deals helped star wars fan club organize event called star wars celebration held denver colorado april teaser trailer released selected screens accompanying meet joe black november media reported people paying admission theaters trailer fans leaving movie theaters played teaser additional time film finished second trailer released march film wing commander fans paid theater admission watch new trailer version preview leaked internet day morning trailer released film official website shortly theatrical trailer caused media attention premiered theaters screened las_vegas aired entertainment tonight access hollywood teaser poster featuring shadow forming silhouette released november lucas opted drawn theatrical poster artist responsible special edition posters commissioned illustrate poster unveiled march dictated illustration art foreign distributors use text modified way tie adaptations video game playstation machine williams comic book adaptation junior novelization released film official novelization written met lucas writing book receiving approval guidance included information pending developments following installments series promotional partners north_america release promotion limited film extensively promoted japan promotional products sold pizza promoted film internationally french restaurant quick launched star wars themed partnered variety children charity raise funds children sale special edition badge home media film released worldwide vhs april versions released north_america april standard pan scan version collector edition version days availability regular version sold million copies limited edition sold star wars film officially released dvd october special features included seven deleted scenes completed specifically dvd commentary track featuring lucas producer documentaries including length documentary entitled beginning making episode phantom menace fastest selling dvd million copies sold week release dvd version released prequel trilogy box set november laserdisc version released japan months available dvd star wars films released 20th century blu ray disc september restored improve picture quality remove present previous dvd release restoring approximately percent picture frame blu ray release puppet replaced cgi model making consistent films prequel trilogy april 20th jointly announced digital releases released star wars films released itunes_store google play april release september announced films series stereo converted released episode order beginning released cinemas february prime focus limited conversion close supervision releases star wars episode attack clones star wars episode iii revenge postponed bought decided focus development star wars force awakens lucas stated release conversion film blu ray release additional changes change magnetic scene tip accurately fit original photography new image confirmed novelization reception critical reception review aggregator website rotten_tomatoes reports rotten approval rating average score based reviews site critical consensus reads exposition populated stock characters gets star wars albeit visually dazzling start metacritic film score based critics indicating mixed average reviews sites lowest rated film star wars film series excluding animated feature clone wars aspects scripting criticized especially character regarded members older fan community merchandising opportunity character los_angeles_times described major comic relief character frankly funny drew grant wrote absolute creative freedom director enjoyed dreaming flick comic relief studio independently minded actor involved path dark red letter media produced highly critical minute video review narrated fictional went great detail perceived flaws film went viral received million views criticisms assertion film lacked basic structure having protagonist conversely roger_ebert chicago_sun-times gave half stars called astonishing achievement imaginative filmmaking said lucas tells good story wrote characters compelling inevitable opening film new trilogy concluded review saying star trek films filmmakers transparent underwater cities vast hollow spheres day entertainment_weekly gave film complimented performance action scenes entertainment_weekly review dvd release gave film calling plotted written juvenile wrote looking big picture spite flaws best bang fun movie theater isn fresh original star wars thematic narrative complexity empire strikes distinct improvement return fact return didn burning desire return galaxy far far away lucas revived interest genuine regret realize segment series long years away new york wrote let face film match expectations episode phantom menace isn disappointment contrary entertaining provided accept terms like original film boy adventure irresistible spiritual effects production design stunning serve story way usa_today said film plenty right praised characters said film better moments don merely balance weaker ones empire magazine said despite problems pacing writing pleasure watching blown guides action praised visuals performance said duel saga best battle empire magazine ranked list greatest movies time entertainment_weekly included film lists worst movie sequels wrote phantom menace probably motion picture decade longer reputation suffered result inability satisfy expectations agreed film massive hype caused negative reactions saying built expectations possibly matched scuttled element storytelling surprise said film entertaining better similar box office fare released year matrix introduction microscopic organisms use force film controversial fans viewed concept force spiritual quality film portrays force mysterious entity communicate living beings film historian says star wars thought reduced force kind viral infection provide biological interface link physical bodies spiritual energy religion expert writes gospel according lucas world religious centuries reconciled gifts masters enjoy perfectly plausible scientific basis ways mysterious cells heavier usual concentration film release controversy alien characters reflect racial stereotypes example slow long ears reminiscent spoke perceived caribbean reminiscent corrupt trade federation spoke east asian accents trader interpreted jewish stereotype reminiscent character lucas denied implications instead criticizing american media opinions internet reliable source news stories lucas added reflected racism movie animator said viewed footage oliver twist inspire animators creation critic described black stereotype par professor african american studies said entire people oddly suggestive primitive african tribe said leader tribe fat voice caricature stereotypical african tribal box office performance despite mixed critical reception financial success breaking box office records debut broke lost world records largest single day gross taking million opening day fastest gross million days quickest film reach million million marks surpassing independence day respectively successful film earning north_america territories taking worldwide estimates film sold million tickets initial theatrical run time film highest grossing film north_america star wars second highest grossing film worldwide adjusting inflation ticket prices adjusted ticket price inflation ranked 19th highest grossing film domestically making fourth star wars film inflation adjusted outside north_america film grossed million australia million brazil million france algeria million germany million italy million japan million mexico million spain million united_kingdom ireland million release worldwide box office gross exceeded billion intervening years film lost rankings lists highest grossing films release returned worldwide time months north_america revenues overtook original star wars saga highest grossing film adjusting inflation ticket prices currently fifth highest grossing film north_america north_america ranking list climbed 16th place place return release premiered february earned million million north_america worldwide june release earned worldwide including million north_america increased film overall box office million domestically million territories film earnings exceeded billion worldwide february making star wars film 11th film history excluding inflation accolades phantom menace nominated academy awards best sound editing best visual effects best sound mixing went matrix film won saturn awards best costumes best special effects best action scene young artist award performance nominated sound grammy award best score soundtrack visual media film received seven golden nominations worst director worst supporting actor worst screen couple actor won worst supporting actor category
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