As a prequel kid, I, for one, have been loving how much love the prequels have gained over the years. My generation, who had their first theatrical Star Wars being Episodes I-III, are now adults and have come into their own in the fandom. This has been especially fun for me as Episode I: The Phantom Menace was the first Star Wars I ever saw on the big screen, and it's a big part of my Star Wars story. I mean, it's why I have two Star Wars movie rankings.
So, seeing the latest trailer celebrating The Phantom Menace's 25th anniversary, which Star Wars dropped on their Twitter account, made me feel so many emotions. In the midst of shots from cosplayers to fans celebrating Ahmed Best at Star Wars Celebration, Ewan McGregor explains, "The generation that first saw Episode I, that's their Star Wars. They love it. All these years later, you can see it. You can feel it."
Opening like the original trailer for The Phantom Menace, this little spot mixed behind-the-scenes looks at George Lucas and his crew making Episode I, as well as people today celebrating the film they love. You can see it below and on Star Wars' official Twitter account:
Every generation has a legend...#ThePhantomMenace returns to theaters May 3rd. pic.twitter.com/X1t5GTP8OM
— Star Wars (@starwars) April 23, 2024
I also got chills at the shot of the maestro himself, John Williams, discussing how he scored "Duel of the Fates," one of the most iconic pieces of Star Wars music ever created.
Episode I: The Phantom Menace might not have had the most warm reception for some fans, but there's no denying it changed Star Wars. Its impact on the canon is still being explored together in books like The Living Force by John Jackson Miller and upcoming series like Star Wars: The Acolyte, which examines the Jedi Order's transition from its golden age of The High Republic to where the order is at in Episode I. It's an important piece of Star Wars that cannot be ignored.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace returns to theaters for its 25th anniversary starting on May 3 for a limited time. Tickets are now available to preorder at a theater near you.