The cast of the STAR WARS prequel comments on George Lucas’ trilogy for the 25th anniversary of THE PHANTOM MENACE

The hype of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace was crazy before the film’s release in 1999. The film didn’t live up to that hype for many fans, but it had some really great moments.

As The Phantom Menace celebrates its 25th anniversary, the cast of the film, including Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Liam NeesonAND Ian McDiarmid recently offered some comments on the film during an interview with Empire, and they talked about the critical reaction and George Lucas’ direction.

McGregor spoke about the pressure of taking on the role of a young Obi-Wan Kenobi and how that was alleviated by working with Liam Neeson:

“There are moments in every script that become like little pinnacles, where there’s an expectation that you’re going to hit an emotional punch. And that was one of them. I was so fond of Liam [Neeson]. He’s such a generous, wonderful man: playing him was so easy, because he was right in that moment with me, and I was there with him.

Liam Neeson continues by recalling working with Ahmed Best, the actor behind Jar Jar Binks, and how he was hurt by the way the actor was treated by fans:

“Ahmed was so funny and creative. Ewan and I were personally hurt and offended by the critical reaction to the character.”

Hayden Christensen, who played the role of Anakin Skywalker in Attack of the Clones, explained what the opportunity was like for him to take on this role, saying:

“The scale of the opportunity – the enormity of it all – was exciting to me. Obviously it was also a little discouraging, but there’s a saying: “Pressure is a privilege.” I felt very lucky to have him. I was really excited to be able to express George’s mapping of how someone goes from good to bad.

Then there’s Natalie Portman, who played Padmé Amidala in all three films. She expressed how she was initially apprehensive about taking on the role, but also why it was the perfect opportunity for her, saying:

“I was worried about doing it, that I wouldn’t be able to do anything else afterward, because the show brings with it such a mythology into American life. But that’s exactly why it was such an incredible opportunity. It served as a bridge between my career as a child and my career as an adult.”

Ian McDiarmid, who made his debut as the sinister Sith Lord, Sheev Palpatine Return of the Jedispoke about his return for the prequel series and in particular the fight scene he had with Mace Windu, saying:

“George [Lucas] he kept raving about it. I was screaming, “ABSOLUTE POWER!” I said, ‘Do you want me to do some quiet ones, because this is a little much?’ George said, ‘No, go further, go further!’ So I did, and it looks like he kept most of it: there’s no way to keep it. What he likes best is: “DO IT!”. People love it,” he says. It’s official: the dark side has more fun.”

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace will be back in theaters the weekend of May 4th and I actually can’t wait to revisit the film on the big screen.