Star Wars, Episode One: The Phantom Menace

Genre: Science Fiction/Action

Studio: 20th Century Fox.
Production Company: Lucasfilm Ltd.

Project Phase: Greenlighted (post-production phase).

Who's In It: Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi); Liam Neeson (Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn); Natalie Portman (Queen Padme/Naberrie Amidala); Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker); Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks); Kenny Baker (Artoo-Detoo); Anthony Daniels (Voice of See-Threepio); Samuel L. Jackson (Jedi Master Mace Windu); Pernilla August (Shmi Skywalker); Frank Oz (Jedi Master Yoda); Ian McDiarmid (Senator Palpatine); Adrian Dunbar (Senator Bail Organa); Terence Stamp (Supreme Chancillor Valorum); Oliver Ford Davies (Sio Bibble); Ray Park (Darth Maul); Warwick Davis (Unnamed Rodian, possibly named Wald?); Hugh Quarshie (Captain Panaka); Madison Lloyd (Princess Ellie); Brian Blessed (Boss Nass); Ralph Brown (Ric Olie); Silas Carson; Dhruv Chanchani (Kitster?); Celia Imrie; Andy Secombe; Sofia Coppola (Sache); Cin (Unknown Jedi Master); Khan Bonfils (Unknown Jedi Master); Alan Ruscoe (Unknown Jedi Master); Lewis MacLeod (Sebulba); Michelle Taylor; Michaela Cottrell (Jedi Master Even Piell); John Fensom; Friday Wilson (Eirtae) Liz Wilson; Christina Disilva (Rabe); Jerome Blake (Rune Hako); Nishan Hindes (Twilek Twin 1); Nifan Hindes (Twilek Twin 2).
Who's Making It: George Lucas (Director, Screenwriter, Executive Producer); Rick McCallum (Producer); David Tattersall (Director of Photography); Paul Martin Smith (Editor); Roger Christian (Second Unit Director); Doug Chiang (Director of Concept Design); Gavin Bocquet (Production Designer); David Brown (Production Supervisor); Trisha Biggar (Costume Designer); Robin Gurland (Casting Director); Nick Dudman (Creature Effects Supervisor); Industrial Light & Magic (Special Visual Effects); John Williams (Musical Score).

Premise: A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away the Galactic Republic is upon the precipice of war. The aggressive Trade Federation sparks a conflict that threatens to consume the galaxy. Hoping to quell the conflict, two Jedi Knights are sent to the distant desert planet of Tatooine. There they find an eight-year-old named Anakin Skywalker who is a prodigy with machines and the mysterious power known as The Force. Joined by an Gungan outcast named Jar Jar, the four adventurers soon become the galaxy's sole hope of stopping the advances of the Federation menace and rescuing a youthful Queen from a dark fate. Little do they know that their true enemy remains concealed in the shadows for now; an unrevealed enemy who's ultimate goal is to topple the Republic and rule the galaxy...

Release Date: May 21, 1999 (North America).

What's Confirmed:

Developments:

November 20, 1998... The first trailer is officially released in theaters. November 17, 1998... The first trailer is sneak previewed.

September 25, 1998... The film's official website publically releases the subtitle for Episode One: The Phantom Menace. August 7, 1998... Lucasfilm announces via the film's official web page the film's final release date (for North America): May 21, 1999.

April 3, 1998... Twentieth Century Fox announces it has obtained distrbution rights for the picture.

September 27, 1997... Phase one of principal photography wraps at Leavesden. Additional crew reshoots are tentatively scheduled for next year.

September 4, 1997... The official Star Wars One website posts up a half-dozen pictures of interior sets from the film.

July 31, 1997... Issue #34 of the Star Wars Insider prints a full list of actors appearing in the prequel.

July 25, 1997... Samuel L. Jackson tells David Letterman on his talk show that he'll be seen somewhere in the prequels.

June 30, 1997... Ewan McGregor is officially announced to play Kenobi.

June 26, 1997... Pre-production filming begins this day.

June 9, 1997... The first official casting announcement is made. Natalie Portman and Jake Lloyd are confirmed for roles in the first picture.

December, 1996... Star Wars Insider Jon Bradley Snyder reported that, according to the film's producer Rick McCallum, writer Frank Darabont is no longer involved with the pre-production of the prequels.

September 26, 1996... George Lucas formally announces his intention to direct and produce the first chapter film.

Rumors: You can write a book about what has been rumored, supposed, conjectured, hoped for, begged and outright lied about these movies.

In 1977, after the huge initial success of the first Star Wars movie, the public wanted to know more about this fantastic universe. Lucas reported to the media that the film everyone knew as Star Wars was the first part of a trilogy of films, which in turn were the middle part of a larger tapestry, possibly called The Journal of the Whills [yes, there has been much speculation about what this Journal may be, but Lucas loves to drop a funky-sounding name that suggests a history and background, but then keep quiet. It's one of the reasons why Star Wars was such a success]. The first trilogy took place before the events of Chapter Four, with the third trilogy arc taking place after the events of Chapter Six. And nothing else was much said about what else were in these two mysterious trilogies, save one item: the two droids (Artoo-Detoo and See-Threepio) were in all nine shows. The last chapter of the tapestry, the ninth film, was planned to be released in the year 1999. A side note: there was to be twelve films in the overall tapestry, or so reported the press originally, but whether this was a mistake or Lucas later changed his mind is not known.

After the release of Return of the Jedi in 1983, Lucas said that the next trilogy would focus upon the first three chapters, but he never alluded as to when they would commence work on them. Marvel Comics continued a comic book series chronicling the events after the third film until fan interest waned and the series was canceled in 1987. A fan script (written by John L. Flynn, titled "Fall of the Republic" generated much confusion among the convention circuit. Some thought it was the script for the new film, but yet nothing had been officially mentioned in the media. In any matter, it had no inside information as to the plot, possible characters or storyline for the new movie, and should be considered as 'fan fiction'.

However, one of the stronger rumors that has survived the past 8 or so years centers upon ideas that might appear in the new films. Of these, the IG assassin droids (one was briefly seen in the bounty hunter scene in The Empire Strikes Back), more than one but less than a dozen, are to be shown. As well, soldiers outfitted in the Mandalore battle armor Boba Fett wears are supposed to play a role. However, it should be noted that there is no confirmation of these rumors - but it would be cool. Lord Mandalore, creator of the Mandalore battle armor, was recently made part of genuine Star Wars canon recently in the Dark Horse Comics series "The Sith War" - meaning, there may be truth to some of these rumors.

Lucas finally announced the development of the new film in late 1993 to Leonard Maltin on Entertainment Tonight. He would make all three films back-to-back, with the new generation of state-of-the-art special effects (i.e. computer generated). Of the characters to appear, Lucas has said that Anakin Skywalker, Ben Kenobi and Anakin's wife (name to be known at a later date) will be featured. It's set anywhere from forty to twenty years before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope, and will show the rise to power of the Emperor, Anakin's fall into the Dark Side, and lots of character interplay with dark emotions. Lucas has said the new trilogy will focus more on a "fall from grace" and galactic upheaval and loss of freedom for the galaxy - darker story material than the preceding trilogy.

As fan and media attention builds towards the release of the new trilogy, Lucasfilm continues to try and keep the development of the new trilogy top secret - in some cases, it's comparable to the efforts of the two superpowers trying to learn military secrets from each other during the Cold War. We here feel strongly that Lucas and his production company have every right to keep the material hush-hush, in the interests to keep it fresh and new when it's released in 1998, but everyone loves gossip. Here's what we have learned from our sources:

What does it mean? Lucasfilm is undoubtedly working on ship designs to see how their CGI can be bettered with conventional film footage. There'll be years of 'tweaks' to get the look right, and the rumors seem to indicate that it is happening right now.

Final thought: one of the fellows here at Corona has come up with a interesting thought that relates to the current rumor that the character of Ben Kenobi from Episode Four isn't really the man he claims to be. The theory comes from the discussion Ben had with Luke in his hovel on Tatooine, when Luke asks Ben if he fought in the 'Clone Wars'. We know the Empire committed a genocide war against the Jedi Knights, and it happened round-about the time of this 'Clone Wars'. Knowing how Lucas liked to use anagramatic names for the droids in the movies (Artoo-Detoo was also known as R2-D2; See-Threepio = C-3PO), could it be possible that Obi-Wan Kenobi is also a mass-produced product, such as a clone, and his anagram label is OB-1 Kenobi???

September, 1995... Unconfirmed reports circulate that Lucas may be favoring the new DreamWorks SKG studio for releasing the next trilogy. Because of his close ties with Steven Spielberg (who is one of the founders of the studio), Lucas may be able to negotiate a better percentage of the net profits in commercial release, as well as having tighter control over the related licensing areas (soundtrack, video and television rights, etc.)

December, 1995... Lucasfilm producer Rick McCallum confirms that creature and ship designs are being greenlighted presently. A younger, walking Yoda will make his appearance, as well as a possible "earlier" version/make of C-3PO. As well, they are casting for parts in the movies, including two young roles (see Scoop Feedback section below).

Scoop Feedback:

Archived SW1 pages:

November 22, 1998... If you've waited until now to call that 1-800 number to receive your free Star Wars poster, sorry. We're now told that the LucasArts is all out of their supply of classic SW posters. It turns out the offer was originally presented in the Star Wars: Behind the Magic CD-ROM. [Thanks to 'Wayne Wuggyboobeaufuf', 'The Menace Phanton', JJB, Tony J Case, Super Genius, Rob, Phil Okazaki, Matt King and 'The Weaver'.]

As we reported in our last update to our SW1 page, a theater employee told us that Lucasfilm was demanding the theater show visual proof that their first wave of Phantom Menace promotional materials had been destroyed. According to the theater employee, if the manager did not accomodate Lucasfilm's request they were not guaranteed they would receive the second wave of TPM posters and trailers.

Seeking to learn if the rumor was true or not we asked the theater managers and employee who read CA if this scooper's claims were legitimate. It seems that Lucasfilm does want the promo material destroyed but no one else has heard squat about supplying photographic proof...although one individual claims a 'representative' would be destroying their theater's posters. Here are some of the letters we received:

"I work for a theatre in California and when we received the one-sheet the delivery person stayed and watched us hang it up in a high visible place where guests to the theatre can't reach it. It's right in the front lobby up at least 15-16 feet. He also made us sign a paper that said we wouldn't keep it or give it away and said that someone should be back in January to destroy it. The person who brought the posters said we had to destroy them also but they're already all gone, taken by employees. One of the employees told the person who brought the one-sheet that the posters were stolen and he said we should've filed a police report. Also, with the trailers, we got four copies, two in scope format and two in flat format with a memo that described the movie a little and said that we need to send the copies of the trailer back or we wouldn't be given the next version of the trailer. Not allowed to give them away, keep them, destroy them, I'll copy the memo and send that soon. We got the trailer on Wednesday morning and even though we didn't put it pn a movie, we ran the trailer a bunch of times for employees before movie patrons came into the theatres. The memo for the trailers said we'd get more copies soon." [Anonymous.]

"I work at a movie theater where we had to sign an agreement to take the utmost care of all promotional items, and we have been instructed that ever piece of promo material would have to be tracked and turned over January 14th, otherwise we will not be getting the second wave of posters, trailers,and banners that Lucasarts plans to release." [Josh.]

"I work at movie theater and I can tell you there is no truth to the rumor that you have to destroy promotional materials to receive a print of the movie. I saw the actual letter that came with the banner and poster, and all it basically said was display this until Jan 14, 1999, and at that time it must be destroyed. The only other thing mentioned was that Fox would not replace stolen materials under any circumstances." [Kevin.]

"I work at a Theater myself, and I have yet to hear of Lucasfilm wanting proof of the destruction of the posters. Now, they do want the trailers back in order for the theater to receive future trailers for the film, but there was nothing stated about the posters. We got in 3 posters and they've already been spoken for by the management. *sigh* Hope this helps." [Scott.]

But the most informative email we received was from this hardworking theater employee. Thanks to their efforts I think it's safe to say we're all going to click to the next page a little more informed about the complex world of movie promotional materials.

"I'm a projectionist/asst. manager at an Ohio theater. We received a letter, in addition to 2 flat and 2 scope TPM trailers, that states (in a subtly threatening way) that 'they know how many trailers we have' and we're required to send them back or run the risk of not receiving any future materials, as well as TPM itself.

"As for this rumor of destroying print materials, this is absolutely insane. The levels that Fox is going to secure their print materials is **not** on the level of an Orwellian future. I hate to say this, but Lucas cannot enforce such a policy. PHOTOGRAPHING the destruction of print materials? Come on. They've been shipped out, with everyone fully aware that these posters will be scattered through the hands of theater employees, disseminated through the country, etc., etc. It's something that every studio is well aware of and, in the case of STAR WARS: EP1, there is no difference.

"Trailers are generally 'encouraged' to be sent back, with incentive programs on the part of studios, most notably Paramount and Polygram -- but never has a studio directly threatened a movie theater chain and/or theater itself. TPM will shipped out regardless of whether the trailers or posters are sent back in -- you might not receive any future materials (which would suck), but TPM **will** be shipped out to all theaters deemed suitable to play it." [We appreciate the help from our friend 'Austin Powerless'.]

And we've received additional proof that Episode One's pod race is indeed "concisous homage" to the chariot race in Ben Hur. The reason to create the Tatoonine pod race in this way follows Lucas desire to make the first film feel "epic", and it had been planned out as long as a year-and-a-half ago. [Thanks to pod mechanic 'Xyling' for his second attempt.]

Another new scooper knocked on our door this weekend and told us that the trailer we've all seen wasn't in fact the first trailer. According to our scooper, the trailer in general release now was "a greatly abbreviated version of a 4 minute 36 second trailer with special effects made expressly for the trailer." [Droid servicing courtesy of 'Jonathan Murtzer II'.]

Which film will the trailer not be running in front of? "Hey there, this is Phil from the projectionist's booth again. A little tidbit that you may or may not know is that most people won't see the Star Wars trailer on Enemy of the State. When we went to put the trailers on, we were told not to. It seems that Buena Vista (who owns Touchstone I believe) sent a memo that stated that they did NOT want the prequel trailer on Enemy. On top of that, they are doing trailer audits looking for A Thin Red Line so there was no way to sneak it on there. I have no idea why they decided this. Maybe you can find that out." [Thanks to Phil.]

Finally, would the 'Royal Footsoldier' contact us again? We can't answer your questions if you don't supply us your email address, right?

November 23, 1998... It just ain't true you keep tellin' us, or if it is, it's only happenin' at Phil's theater. A kajillion of you have seen your SW:TPM trailers running in front of Touchstone's Enemy of the State, so our last scooper's claim that Touchstone is preventing theater owners from running said trailer in front of their film isn't true. [OK -- here we go: 'OutlawJedi', 'In Da Movies', 'HanSolo657', 'Ferris Bueller', 'Tom Servo', 'RandomUD', 'bobaren', Miguel, Matt, 'Poe', 'Blatherbits', 'The Weaver', 'Gordo', 'BigKen', 'Mali', 'lynxx', 'wookie nookie', 'Octone', Aaron Gaudio, 'Grasshopper', 'UnclePedro' and one anonymous person all made Mr. Bruckheimer, Mr. Scott and the nice people at Touchstone very happy this past weekend.]

Now, whether or not there was any truth to the rumor Phil the Scooper made that Disney/Touchstone would issue such a request to theater managers, we're as much in the dark as you, although our gut feeling is that they can't request managers to not run a certain film's trailer in front of their films if such a decision is truly up to the manager's discretion. However Phil's rumor made another scooper write in with their take on the matter...

"Disney is an extremely touchy company when it comes to promotions, etc. They have an aggressive marketing machine (am I really telling you anything new?) that would, if they had their way, eliminate any and every form of competition. As far back as I can remember, Disney has always sent our theater detailed exhibition instructions. I remember either TOM & HUCK or OLIVER & COMPANY having a 15-minute Mickey Mouse cartoon, which **HAD** to be placed with the film, in addition to five other trailers, which would checked for over the weekend. That amounts to roughly a half-hour of Disney-related promotions before the actual feature which, in my opinion, covers for a lack of depth in the material itself. Disney has a distinct way of spreading themselves out -- the Touchstone/EPISODE 1 situation being no different. You'll see an explosion of TARZAN stuff very shortly, I'm sure -- and I'll be receiving extensive notes on where to put them." ['Austin Powerless'.]

But again, 'Austin' makes reference that the House of Mouse said Disney cartoons must be attached to Disney films. Even though Disney may lay their own trailers on heavy with their films that doesn't mean Michael Eisner is going to try and strong arm Lucas and Fox. So we're on the side of the fence that Phil's case was unique.

November 29, 1998... For the last month, Sir Steve's Guide has been unveiling the look of Kenner's future Star Wars One action figures. Wave One will consist of figures for Anakin Skywalker, Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Maul, Queen Amidala, Padme, Jar Jar Binks and the Battle Droid. The site has received multiple detailed photographs of each action figure in the initial first wave, as well as pictures of what appears to be the second wave of figures (characters such as Watto, Darth Sideous and Sebulba are in that next wave.) The images seem to be the real deal.

Hasbro, the creator of the toys, isn't pleased. They've sent emails and letters to Steve's site and any other who are showing images of the figures. We haven't been contacted by Hasbro representatives yet, but readers will know that our site predominatly tracks information about the film itself and not related products. In any case the pictures have launched Hasbro to ask that all web sites remove the images immediately so the surprise can be ensured for others until the movie's release.

The toys themselves include a feature called the 'Electric CommTech Reader'. This allows the action figures to 'speak' several lines of dialogue when placed in their display stands. The dialogue and the images that appear on the packaging reveal the facial details of Darth Maul, and confirm certain rumored lines of dialogue that Obi-Wan and Anakin speak. SWIPE FOR SPOILERS: Anakin does indeed say the word "Wizards", which is supposed to be the Star Wars version of "Cool"; and Obi-Wan Kenobi speaks the line "I've got a bad feeling about this," said to be the first piece of dialogue he utters in the film.

The Force.net also has a section on the Sir Steve's finds on their web site, although they've formatted the page so as to hide spoilers until the reader decides if they wish them revealed.

The most recent update to the Star Wars Official Web Site includes comments from creator George Lucas on the overwhelming fan reaction to the trailer. Lucas also deep-sixes the rumor started on Ain't It Cool that the Special Editions would be re-released in time to build up to the release of the trailer. Kinda cool that Harry and Glen's rumor got a direct response from George himself.

And, by the way, we're still hearing reports that the next trailer, arriving in January, will be four minutes, thirty seconds in length. And yes, there is someone out there who's got a rough copy of the film in their possession. We've heard numerous reports that the copy lacks many FX and background sounds but that it's real. We're also told that numerous bounty hunters are after the individual, including several IG droids. [Anonymous and anonymous.]

December 3, 1998... "People on the bootleg newsgroups are starting to advertise that they have workprints of Phantom Menace. Don't belive this for a minute! Tell your people don't be suckered in by thesse guys or you'll end up losing 25 to 50 bucks." So says our deep cover operative known as 'Wong Fei Hung', Star Wars scout to the stars. "No one who has Ep1 is dumb enough to admit it."

We're hearing conflicting reports from people that there are copies, while others tell us those bootleg copies are nothing more than urban legend. People in the Hollywood scene have heard reports from a 'friend of a friend' who supposedly has one of these workprints of the film, but as of yet we haven't had anyone drop a name of the owner(s) or where they saw this video. But will you log on to eBay one day and see one for sale? As our man so eloquently puts it, "If you advertised that you had Ep1 for sale on the net the next day you'd be damn luck if George Lucas didn't show up at your house with a blow torch, a hacksaw and a sloppy grin." George has might. ['Wong Fei Hung' would like to see the discarded designs for a octagon-shaped Star Destroyer.]

December 7, 1998... There's talk. Speculation. Gossip. Lies. And maybe somewhere in-between all of the emails, perhaps a kernel of truth to it.

"Aside from all the crap going around, I have it from a reliable (and official, mind you) Lucasfilm source that a rough cut of Ep. 1 was leaked 12 days ago. They even know excactly when the machine was in use. The thing is, the cut is from the film about 2 months ago -- meaning it is a lot more 'rough' than you'd think.

"Lucas has simply posted a note about if it gets out, everyone currently working in the vicinity of the editing rooms are fired. I hate to say it, but... 'FEAR will keep the local systems in line.'

"Now, I don't know if it's that bozo who posted it on the newsgroup -- but for sure, the #1 place you're bound NOT to find it is near bootleggers, or the head of bootleg scams. It may, however, show up at private screening houses...

"This is what Lucas is looking into, but if he can't do it quietly, (I hear,) he's not doing it at all. He won't let people know that there's a copy out there. That's all there is to it." ['CMiR'.]

December 8, 1998... Years ago we reported that the development name for Episode One may have been 'Red Tails'. Now we're told that there's another name code on the film that prints of the trailer are on. "I had been going through the trailer reels for Star Wars, Episode 1, when I noticed that the name of the movie is BOX LUNCH on the film itself. The fake title name was supposedly RED TAIL or something, but BOX LUNCH seems to be the real fake title." Could it be this is the code phrase Lucasfilm employees used when discussing the trailer during its run and duplication process? Heck, we haven't a clue, so we asked AMC Dave what kinda drugs he was on.

"Well, ya see, there's a certain section on the trailer reel where it's written in either pen or something else the title of the movie and the production or distributing company. I was really bored one day in projection, and looked at one of the tails of the film itself, which is being put away on top of a desk, so we keep track of the number of trailers. Anyway, I looked at the tail of this reel, and saw the title BOX LUNCH. I then looked at other trailers, and saw how the title was of the actual movie, not some made-up thing. That was how I determined the secret title."

Ah ha! So there really is something going on! So it may be that LFL used this as the trailer's 'secret' name while they were in production...or else you'll be just as surprised as everyone else next year when you see Star Wars, Episode One: Box Lunch in your theater. [If you want to see what 'AMC Dave' is doing above and behind you in the projectionist's booth, stop by THE MOVIE SHACK.]

Our readers in England will be bitterly dissapointed to learn that they'll have to wait more than six weeks to see Lunch Box...er, Episode One's trailer than North Americans. Fox has scheduled a December 18, 1998 release date for the film's trailer. [Courtesy of ZENtertainment.]

December 10, 1998... Someone won't be getting the next TPM trailer when it ships next month. We just got scooped about a never-been-played-before 35mm Episode 1 film trailer that sold for $405 dollars last week on eBay. The auction web page chronicles the bidding history on the reel, still sealed in the film can with Lucasfilm tape! As our scooper says, "Must be stolen, but someone has a REAL nice collectors item!" [Scooped by 'Cactus'.]

Memos are beingr received at theaters where the trailer is running. According to the memo, the full trailer for The Phantom Menace will be shipping out January 24th, after all current teaser posters and trailers have been sent back. ['Campbell' wants a Naboo Starfighter for Christmas.]

December 15, 1998... We're told by a theater manager that the memos they've been sent say the second trailer will arrive January 14th, which conflicts with the report Variety ran yesterday. Variety said the second Phantom Menace trailer begins playing January 24th.

The thing that puzzles us about the Variety story is that January 24th is a Sunday, which is kind of an odd day to premiere the trailer. Without official confirmation from Lucasfilm yet, we're placing our bet with the theater managers who've heard it'll be January 14th. Of course, remember any date is very subject to changes.

Here, let's share the wealth. Here's what one theater manager had to say about the now-growing speculation concerning the second trailer's release date:

"1) The SECOND preview arrives in theaters January 14th, not 24th. This is the 2nd of three previews. Again, they will not be attached to anything in particular, just 'appropriate' films.

"2) Only the PREVIEWS, not posters or banners, are to be sent back to Lucasfilm. Nor are they to be 'photographed' while they're being destroyed or anything like that. Where did this crazy, stupid rumor got started?

"Any theater manager could give you this information in a one-minute phone call. I'm a long-time manager for Regal Cinemas, and we've received several memos on the subject, and they're all quite clear: posters and banners are merely to be 'destroyed' (i.e. taken home and treasured) while previews will be promptly sent back to Lucasfilm.

"Stop the conspiracies before they start!" [Thanks to Peter for the input.]

Actually, we've heard different stories from various theater employees and managers across North America. While two said the promotional material had to be destroyed, the rest said only the trailer has to be sent back. It could simply be a case of crossed signals, or someone misinterpreting an instruction given to them.

You should be stopping by the Official Star Wars site if you live outside of North America. Lucasfilm (LFL for short) is holding special previews of the trailer for U.K. residents on December 16th only. Audiences in Germany can check out the trailer in selected cinemas today, tomorrow and Thursday only. Click here to see a list of places in these two countries as well as estimated dates of the trailer's release for the rest of the world.

LFL is warning fans that if you see anyone hawking an 'authentic' crew jacket from Episode One, don't buy it. They're fakes.

January 3, 1999... Swedish radio station Bandit 105.5 and movie theater chain SE reported that The Phantom Menace would be released August 20 of this year. That is indeed correct. We confirmed that by visiting the the Official Site's International release date pages. If you live in a country outside of North America and want to see the release dates for the first trailer and The Phantom Menace in your neck of the woods, this is the place to find out. [Our Swedish friend Johan helped us out.]

January 5, 1999... You know it was bound to happen sometime. The opening 'crawl' of Episode One has finally been released to the public by way of the Internet and television. Harry Knowles was the first to unveil the crawl on his AICN site, mainly because Access Hollywood was going to be him to the punch on today's edition. (So Harry, how long have you kept the crawl to yourself? The Hutts would've paid top dollar for it, y'know.) If you don't want to know until opening day what the crawl reads, no worries; we're not going to blow the surprise. If you do want to blow your surprise, swipe the space directly below this with your mouse cursor to uncover the words...

Lincoln over at www.countingdown.com was the first to post the Vanity Fair article photos on the 'net that's got the mainstream media going ga-ga. As is the standard case for ever new ish of VF, New York City gets to see the new magazine first when it goes on sale tomorrow on New York newsstands; it goes on sale for the rest of the continent January 12th. [Originally appeared on Countingdown.com. Cool beans, Linc.]

(Maybe someone out there's still interested in noting that the VF article mentions by name Liam Neeson's Jedi Knight's name as well as Jar Jar in their spread, thereby 'officially' recognizing the two names. A year ago that would've been big news: now it's barely worth noting. Interesting how much difference a year makes, eh?)

Not interested in waiting that long to see the VF pictures? In addition to www.countingdown.com, Force.net and Demension7.com are mirroring the pictures at their two sites. (We're doin' our part by showin' the ultra-cool cover.)

And yes, Entertainment Tonight and other newspapers have made it a main telling point in their coverage of the Vanity Fair SW issue: Lucas is quoted as saying he won't do a follow-up trilogy to the middle episodes. At age 55, Lucas feels that a final trilogy would take another ten years once the prequel trilogy is completed sometime around 2005. No, Lucas doesn't think he'll hand off the keys to the Star Wars universe to anyone else; it's his baby, plain and simple.

Of course, that all may change one day...

January 7, 1999... All online pictures of Annie Liebowitz's Phantom Menace photoshoot for February's Vanity Fair magazine have been ordered to be taken off-line immediately. Emails from an unknown person claiming to be working for the magazine were sent to the various web sites running said photos, telling them that if the images were not removed immediately Vanity Fair's lawyers would be contacting them. According to the unknown individual, permission to show the VF cover was granted. Coming Attractions was not sent an email of this nature.

Major scoops of prequel conceptual artwork have appeared on two different movie web sites. First to do it was The C.H.U.D. Report (now there's an oblique movie reference if we've ever heard of one): so far they've posted four astounding and major SPOILER-filled reports filled with images of character and vehicle conceptual art from The Phantom Menace. C.H.U.D. Report's leaked images of a majority of TPM's spaceship designs, additional pod racer aliens, new droids we'll see and native animals on Naboo. They promise additional images are forthcoming.

On the 6th TheForce.net's prequel page revealed almost the entire conceptual art designs for the Jedi Knight council, along with additional Gungan characters and pod racers aliens.

We do warn you that by clicking on the above links you will be seeing concept art that is considered SPOILER material by some of you. However, these sites do not reveal any spoilers associated with the film's storyline, nor does it show finished CGI or still images of said characters and vehicles, so we leave the decision to click or not to click up to you.

Official Web Site: www.starwars.com/episode-i/

Related Sites:

The Force.net -- Maintained by an assortment of Rebel scum devoted to causing unrest in the Imperium by being the ultimate online site for all information pertaining to the next Star Wars trilogy. The Empire offers all bounty hunters ten thousand credits for the capture of these terrorists -- disintegrations are acceptable.

JediNet -- This diverse shop, run by an assortment of rogues who specialize in information dissemination, caters to every sentient craving for the latest news. But watch your back in this establishment: bounty hunters have been known to prowl its chat rooms looking for their 'reward'.

The Virtual Edition -- Site creator Roderick Vonhögen, has designed the Internet's premiere 'virtual edition' of the new Star Wars film: he's creating full-color images inspired by the rumors and official information slowly trickling out onto the 'net; in essence, creating his own storyboards for the picture. This is the place to get your eye candy until May 1999 rolls around. Graphically intensive.



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Last updated: Thursday, 07-Jan-1999 22:23:39 PST.
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