Top 47 The Phantom Menace Movie Facts
Following is our collection of The Phantom Menace facts. Handpicked and verified, these little-known details can be obscure enough most people will miss. These behind the scene easter eggs and hidden messages will give you another view of The Phantom Menace film message.
In "The Phantom Menace" (1999), the podracing crowd was made up of 450,000 Q-tips being blown around

The Phantom Menace Trivia
These trivia from Reddit and other sources can be used as questions with answers in quizzes or games.
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The lyrics to Duel of the Fates are taken from a Sanskrit translation of a Welsh poem called Cad Goddeu, in which Gwyndion, a trickster sorcerer, animated a tree army to fight for him. The words used were cherrypicked by Williams to fit the melody and don't have any coherence.
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George Lucas told Ray Park to keep his piercing because it fit the character. You can also see it clearly in the 3D animated series The Clone Wars.
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This shot of the gas leaking into the room with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan in the opening scene is the only shot of the movie with no digital modifications.
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Episode One: The Phantom Menace (1999), artist Iain McCaig was asked by George Lucas to use the scariest character from his nightmares to design Darth Maul. After being shown this picture, a shocked Lucas suggested McCaig use his second scariest nightmare character instead.
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Keira Knightley plays the decoy of Natalie Portman's character. I've always assumed it was Natalie Portman playing both characters.
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While being puppeteered by Frank Oz in close ups, this wide shot of Yoda walking was achieved by having a little person in a Yoda costume.
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The Droidikas present at the Battle of Naboo have no shields, as the Gungan's own shields would not allow for their shields to enter.
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They used a lady's razor to make communications devices
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Qui-Gon Jinn uses a high-tech "communicator" device, it's actually a redecorated Sensor Excel Razor for Women. The sound of the hovering battle tanks used by the battle droids was created by running an electric razor around a metal salad bowl then digitally lowering the pitch.
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The Droidikas in the battle of Naboo have no shields, as they'd be unable to get through the Gungan's shield
The Phantom Menace Easter Eggs
Hidden objects, characters, easter eggs, and their meanings are wonderful ways to discover the filmmaker's perspectives of any given movie.
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The parade music from the finale is the same melody as the Emperor's theme from Return of the Jedi, just in a major key and higher tempo. This subtly indicates that Palpatine is the one who truly comes out on top by the end of the film.
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ET's species can be seen in the senate. -
The only time Darth Maul blinks in The Phantom Menace (1999) is right after Obi-Wan Kenobi cuts him in half -
A pod from the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey can be seen in Watto's junkyard on Tatooine
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Lucas used a practical effect for Jar Jar's arm. For one shot of The Last Jedi (2017) Rian Johnson used a practical effect for Snoke's arm. The 2 roles with these scenes in common are portrayed by the pioneers of Motion Capture; Ahmed Best and Andy Serkis -
In Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, E.T.'s species can be seen represented in the senate. This is in response to Speilberg hiding Star Wars easter eggs in many of his films, including E.T. -
Saw this "Maz Kanata" statue in Anakin's bedroom in Star Wars Episode 1 (1999) -
During the scene when Padme brings up Palpatine should become chancellor, you can see E.T's kind in a pod celebrating
The Phantom Menace Hidden Details






The viewscreen of the Trade Federation is a direct homage to Buck Rogers, one of the serials that inspired George Lucas

During the Battle of Naboo, Jar Jar Binks performs some incredible stunts first captured for film in Girl Shy (1924) when Harold Lloyd hangs from a street carriage and in Seven Chances (1925) when Buster Keaton is chased by boulders




Mace Windu can be seen in the background of one shot played by a completely different actor who definitely isn't Samuel L Jackson

Mirrors the ending of Return of the Jedi (1983).


When Qui-Gon is talking with Boss Nass he uses the Jedi mind trick *three* times to get what he wants.
In Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace During the Battle of Naboo Plains a Battle Droid (Center Left) Loses His Arm to a Booma, But Continues Marching Nevertheless.
When Queen Amidala announces she is heading back to Naboo, You can see a seemingly concerned senator Palpatine give the slightest smirk right before the scene changes.


Darth Maul uses the force to open a door using battle droid parts.
Jamming communication means invasion by the Trade Federation. In Attack of the Clones, when Geonosis is invaded by the Clone Army, they jam communications.

Cast and Details
Here are the full cast and crew of The Phantom Menace. The goofs, crazy credits, and trivia they have performed may have not taken your attention. Some are hidden for a reason, while others randomly forgotten.