By now, most Star Wars fans probably know the majority of these films and shows' most iconic "Easter eggs" by heart. Even the most dedicated watchers, however, may have still missed a subtle George Lucas "appearance" in 1999's Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.
Journalist and Star Wars writer Clayton Sandell (Star Wars: Timelines and more) revealed on his Substack earlier this week that there is a literal blink-and-you-miss-it Easter egg hidden in the film. It took over 25 years, but we can all now finally point it out excitedly to all our friends and family (who probably don't think it's as cool as we do, but what else is new?).
In the scene where Queen Amidala and her guards are running down a hallway in the Theed palace (there is a photo on Sandell's post, linked above), there is actually a blurry image of George Lucas's face at the top of an archway. You kind of have to squint to see it, but it's there -- at the timestamp of 1:57:17 on Disney+, according to Sandell.
A new Easter Egg in THE PHANTOM MENACE has been identified 26 years after the film’s release.
— Star Wars Holocron (@sw_holocron) March 5, 2025
At 1 hour 58 min and 17 sec into the film, George Lucas’ face can be seen on a stone archway in the background on Naboo.
More details in the 🔗 below ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3jC76zCJE5
But this isn't just one of those "it sort of looks like Lucas" fan theories. It was actually added in on purpose. In a conversation with former Industrial Light & Magic matte painter Caroleen “Jett” Green, the artist revealed that it was simply a fun addition to the background of the scene. See? Work can be both "work" and fun at the same time.
“I decided to get a picture of George, and I put it on this plaque,” she told Sandell. “I thought, ‘Well, that’ll be cool.'"
It's a true Easter egg. It doesn't add anything to the scene or take anything away -- it blends perfectly into the background. You're not supposed to notice it's there -- it's quick, and then it's gone. But now the next time you watch The Phantom Menace -- and likely each time after that -- you're definitely going to be on the lookout for it.
Nearly 50 years since it began, Star Wars just somehow keeps on giving. What a time to be alive.