Filming started on June 2. Leavesden Film Studios and the Tunisian desert. Its visual effects included extensive use of computer generated imagery CGI many of its characters and settings were completely computerized. The film was Lucass first directorial effort after a 2. Star Wars in 1. 97. I/91oVE%2BCHYAL._SY606_.jpg' alt='Watch Lego Star Wars: The Padawan Menace Hdr' title='Watch Lego Star Wars: The Padawan Menace Hdr' />The Phantom Menace was released to theaters on May 1. Star Wars film, Return of the Jedi. The films premiere was extensively covered by media and was greatly anticipated because of the large cultural following the Star Wars saga had cultivated. It received polarizing reviews critics praised the visuals, action sequences, score and many of the performances, but criticized the writing, characterization, and Ahmed Bests as Jar Jar Binks and Jake Lloyds as Anakin Skywalker performances. It grossed more than 9. Titanic. It became the highest grossing film of 1. Star Wars film until the release of Star Wars The Force Awakens in 2. North America as of August 2. A 3. D reissue, which has earned an additional 1. February 2. 01. 2. The film was followed by two sequels, Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones in 2. Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith in 2. The Trade Federation upsets order in the Galactic Republic by blockading the planet Naboo in preparation for a full scale invasion. The Republics leader, Supreme Chancellor Valorum, dispatches Jedi Knight. Qui Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi Wan Kenobi, to negotiate with Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray. Darth Sidious, a Sith Lord, and the Trade Federations secret adviser, orders the Viceroy to kill the Jedi, and invade Naboo with an army of battle droids. The Jedi escape and flee to Naboo. During the invasion, Qui Gon saves a Gungan outcast, Jar Jar Binks, from being run over and killed by a droid transport. Indebted to Qui Gon, Jar Jar leads the Jedi to an underwater Gungan city. The Jedi unsuccessfully try to persuade the Gungan leader, Boss Nass, into helping the people of Naboo, though they are able to obtain transportation to Theed, the capital city on the surface. They rescue Queen Amidala, the ruler of the Naboo people, and escape the planet on her royal starship en route to the Republic capital planet of Coruscant. Amidalas ship is damaged as they pass the Federation blockade and becomes unable to use its hyperdrive, landing for repairs on the desert planet Tatooine. Qui Gon, Jar Jar, astromech droid. R2 D2, and Amidala in disguise as one of her handmaidens visit the settlement of Mos Espa to purchase new parts at a junk shop. They meet the shops owner, Watto, and his nine year old slave, Anakin Skywalker, who is a gifted pilot and engineer, and has created a protocol droid called C 3. PO. Qui Gon senses a strong presence of the Force within Anakin, and is convinced that he is the chosen one of Jedi prophecy who will bring balance to the Force. Qui Gon wagers Anakins freedom with Watto in a Podrace, which Anakin wins. Anakin joins the group to be trained as a Jedi, leaving his mother Shmi behind. En route to their starship, Qui Gon encounters Darth Maul, Darth Sidiouss apprentice, who was sent to capture Amidala. A duel ensues, but Qui Gon quickly disengages and escapes on board the starship. Qui Gon and Obi Wan escort Amidala to Coruscant, so that she can plead her peoples case to Chancellor Valorum and the Galactic Senate. Divx Avi Ipod LEGO DC Super Heroes: Justice League - Attack Of The Legion Of Doom!. Qui Gon asks the Jedi Council for permission to train Anakin as a Jedi, but the Council refuses after he is interviewed by Yoda and becomes concerned that Anakin is vulnerable to the dark side. Undaunted, Qui Gon vows to train Anakin himself. Meanwhile, Naboos Senator Palpatine persuades Amidala to make a vote of no confidence in Valorum to elect a more capable chancellor to resolve the crisis on Naboo. Though she is successful in pushing 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 to Naboo, as well as to confirm the return of the Sith, whom they believe to be extinct. On Naboo, Padm reveals herself to the Gungans as Queen Amidala, and persuades them into an alliance against the Trade Federation. Jar Jar leads his people in a battle against the droid army while Padm leads the hunt for Viceroy Gunray in Theed. During a battle in a starship hangar to free Naboo pilots, Anakin takes shelter in a vacant starfighter, and inadvertently triggers its autopilot, joining the battle against the Federation droid control ship in space. Anakin blunders into the hangar of the droid control ship and destroys the ship from within before escaping, deactivating the droid army. Meanwhile, Qui Gon and Obi Wan battle Darth Maul, who mortally wounds Qui Gon before being bisected by Obi Wan. As he dies, Qui Gon requests Obi Wan to train Anakin. Subsequently, Palpatine is elected as the new Supreme Chancellor, and Gunray is arrested. The Jedi Council promotes Obi Wan to the rank of Jedi Knight and reluctantly accepts Anakin as Obi Wans apprentice. At a festive ceremony, Padm presents a gift of appreciation and friendship to the Gungans. Liam Neeson as Qui Gon Jinn, a Jedi Master who discovers Anakin and insists that the boy be trained as a Jedi despite the Jedi Councils protests. Lucas originally wanted to cast an American actor in the role, but cast Irishman Neeson 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. Ewan Mc. Gregor as Obi Wan Kenobi, Qui Gons Jedi Padawan, who holds his master in high regard but questions his motives at times. Mc. Gregor 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. Mc. Gregor had a vocal coach to help his voice sound closer to Guinness. He also studied several of Guinness performances, from his early work and the Star Wars movies. Natalie Portman as Queen Padm Amidala, the 1. Queen of Naboo, who hopes to protect her planet from a blockade invasion made by the Trade Federation. Over 2. 00 actresses auditioned for the role. The Production notes stated 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. Portman was chosen especially for her performances in Lon The Professional 1. Beautiful Girls 1. Lucas. 5 He stated, I was looking for someone who was young, strong, along the lines of Leia and Natalie embodied all those traits and more. Portman was unfamiliar with Star Wars before being cast,5 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.