We rank the 50 Biggest WTF Moments in Star Wars History
By Josh Hill
44. First Appearance Of Droidekas
Film: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
The Moment: Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are attempting to breach the bridge of a Droid Command Ship when they are attacked by droidekas — mobile killing machines that not only use speed to catch you but are protected by a force shield that deflects almost anything that is fired their way.
Why It’s Memorable: This was the first time that we saw something other than the stormtroopers of the original trilogy act as henchmen trying to kill our main characters. Not only that, but these droids were otherworldly in ways that we were hoping the rest of the prequels would be.
The world was entering The Phantom Menace with virgin eyes and high hopes, and rolling out these droidekas — literally — was something that was immediately awesome. It was all downhill from there on out as far as the prequels were concerned, but the first appearances of the Droidekas in Episode I still sticks with us. Up to this point, a lightsaber had solved every problem we encountered — including in that moment melting through a massive door — but the droidekas were too much. It’s a moment that was watered down with what followed, but just try to go back and feel the excitement you did the first time they rolled out on our two heroes.
Next: 43. Anakin Takes A Leap Of Faith