Star Wars: Phantom Menace 20th Anniversary Celebration Live Panel

Every saga has a beginning. Join host Warwick Davis as we honor 20 years of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace! We’re turning the pages back with rare behind-the-scenes content and special guests brought together to share their memories and insight into the film’s creation. Now this is celebrating!

[@Reynaldor1991]

I became a STAR WARS fan because of Phantom Menace. I was 8 years old and it blew my mind. It’ll always be great in my eyes.

[@austinbeard1814]

Same!!

[@Vahki100]

Now and always - a proud prequelist!

[@sjs9869]

I’m happy for you. Really am

[@YodatheHobbit]

I hope you, AND EVERYONE can pass along what some of us didn't get in 1999-2006, being spared hate from some OT lovers for us loving the Prequels. DON'T be like those people. If a person was fortunate enough to be too young to be bullyed by people for loving the Prequels, consider yourself lucky. Let people be proud of their favorite Star Wars. Don't bully their love of the Sequels if that's what they love the most. People love the Original Trilogy, Prequels, and Sequels for different reasons. LET THEM. What one set of films lacks, it excels at in other ways. Respect and love that they get to love what they love, that doesn't mean you have to. Just because we don't love the Sequel Trilogy, doesn't mean we have to hate it, and hate those who love it.

[@doctorwardrobe2383]

I don’t care what people say. I was born in 96 and grew up w this trilogy. And I love the movies

[@zzygyy]

George Lucas stated "I am making a movie for kids". They will always be part of childhood to millions.

[@ertyuzxz605]

I wasn't born yet :'( I am a Revenge of the sith kid

[@darkthorpocomicknight7891]

I say ep 1 as a young adult. I feel as ancient as Palps LOL

[@stievenheymans5018]

Epilog

[@legrandgougoulilumine6940]

I'm old enough to say that Luke Skywalker's original name was Luke Starkiller.

[@Darth__Maul]

“As last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge”

[@minecraftercreeper9840]

You have been well trained,my young apprentice. They will be no match for you

[@thatsithchick9907]

DADDY!!!

[@thomasmuandersontheneousul4184]

Senator Palpatine: Move against the haters and RLM first. You will then have no difficulty in reuniting the fandom. DO WHAT MUST BE DONE LORD MAUL.

[@legrandgougoulilumine6940]

"At" ..you have not been well trained, young Palpatine's apprentice.

[@user-xx6vy9ri8p]

@@thomasmuandersontheneousul4184 Do not hesitate, show no mercy. Only then you will be strong enough to save the saga...

[@kvaldez46]

That trailer still looks good

[@PeteOliva]

I’ve always loved this movie. I’ve been defending it for years. The thing is, the distaste for it wasn’t always there. It sort of emerged in the few years after when the haters got hold of the IMDB forums and shortly thereafter, Facebook. I mean it, too. I’m glad people are coming around to embrace it again.

[@Maky313]

Poor Jake Llyod... It would have been great If he was healthy enough to be there. I hope things work out for him and we see him in a Celebration sometime in the future.

[@MTTT19]

When the audience started cheering and chanting for Ahmed Best was a great way to say, "We're not all jerks! Ahmed, you are awesome!"

[@QuiGonJinn1993]

You should watch the people vs George lucas now that was where you see the real jerks.

[@mister_john]

Even with its problems, Phantom Menace is deeply loved because of these people’s extreme dedication to their work. It will go down in history far beyond the sequels.

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

Amen.

[@thomasmuandersontheneousul4184]

I don't see it as a binary I put TPM at 3 and TLJ at 4 out of the "nine" - room enough for both teams LOL

[@jacklame7464]

I was so so happy for Ahmed best here when they cheered "Ahmed" as he came out on stage

[@bencebob8055]

Poor fella wanted to commit suicide for playing jarjar.

[@PowerPackers90]

It was for playing Jar Jar. He had no control on the obsessive hate he got.

[@JG1570]

Bob tea No he wanted to commit suicide because of the negative Star Wars fans. The prequel bashers. He created the character and George Lucas approved of it. All he did was do exactly what he was told because that’s with the creator of Star Wars told to do. Prequel bashers are responsible for any of the actors having trouble lives because they participated in Star Wars.

[@darthqui-gon5986]

The Phantom Menace is a masterpiece!!! I can't express with words how much I love this movie!!!! I love the fact that this was the most attended panel at this celebration, that says a lot about how many people love this movie too! And Admed's standing ovation was awesome!!!! He, and Jake Lloyd, deserve the LOVE!!! Thank you George Lucas for The Phantom Menace and the whole PT!! The entire saga episodes 1-6 as well as the Clone Wars!!! My life wouldn't be the same without the Lucas years!!!!

[@nutrix3864]

“You have been well trained my young apprentice, they will be no match for you.”

[@hiccupchrishaddockconolly]

I'm not die Palpatine

[@arc-trooperfives6328]

Do it

[@purefoldnz3070]

and then he died

[@TheInredibleMrH]

Phantom Menace is a good Star Wars movie. Search your feelings, you know it to be true.

[@TheInredibleMrH]

@wespozo agreed!

[@Ruleof2Review]

True! It’s GREAT!

[@mrrickstur]

Um, no. Just no.

[@JediMasterIsaac]

Yeah I wrote a review for it. It’s not. I appreciate a lot of the filmmaking but the story and characters just aren’t interesting.

[@thegentleman5409]

No it is not

[@copiryte9535]

Mesa is back! It's as if millions of voices screamed out in joy

[@loadedbuggy1264]

Phantom Menace is a good movie. #ChangeMyMind I don't care what anyone says, i still love this movie and no one can change my mind. Jar-Jar was certainly not the best character but i easily can look past it. Most of everything was awesome in this film. Thank you George Lucas for making my childhood amazing. This film is great.

[@jenniferparrish8733]

I totally agree. It’s my fav out of all the movies😊

[@ShivJ16]

Agreed, the criticism is completely overblown. I did find Jar Jar annoying and Anakin's actor was not great but besides that it's a really fun, entertaining ride. I love Qui-Gon in particular, it's a shame he had to die.

[@justice_productions_]

This comment and the replies show what brings us fans together :) I stand with you guys

[@ShivJ16]

@@justice_productions_ Ikr it's great that the internet is no longer a place where everyone craps on the prequels.

[@Alienadin]

I disagree. The Phantom Menace is one of the best movies ever made. No one can change my mind about that.

[@LawofMoses]

Thank you all of you for helping me live with my painful injury and depression. I think that the movies and especially clone wars lessons have helped me maintain myself. Thank you😊 Peace to all of you

[@LawofMoses]

@2manynegativewaves peace and good tidings to you also. May God guide you always to all truth and open the hearts of mankind so we don't make any more war in God's name

[@Khamon235]

So happy for Ahmed (and Kelly on friday) Sta Wars is not for bullies.

[@AngryJesus1]

When I heard that he nearly committed suicide because of the hate, it made me realize that Star Wars fans are the worst and best thing about Star Wars

[@DarthZiZi]

Force is for everyone.

[@TheLightSideReactions]

It's possible to hate a character while loving the actor. People should remember that.

[@raystantz2471]

The Light Side yes, however, movies are fiction. Why waste your time hating characters who don’t exist in real life and you would never cross either? It makes zero sense

[@TheLightSideReactions]

@@raystantz2471 - The same reason why you "waste your time" watching them. It's an escape. If a movie is good, it will inspire emotions toward the characters. If it doesn't, then it's not worth watching.

[@SkolneyVikings]

Love seeing Ahmed Best get that ovation.

[@uzzab6937]

The ending with the victory parade music was the best

[@user-xx6vy9ri8p]

It's actually speeded Emperor's theme. "Everything is going as planned"

[@rkoman1]

sad that ewan or liam didnt appear at this , was hoping to seem them on a SW celebration some day..

[@gridcoregilry666]

2manynegativewaves what are you referring to?

[@coloneluseless524]

Julio Chao / Probably the news where he said he wanted to kill a black man. But thats out of context. Don’t be mad at him, go watch his Good Morning America interview he explains why he said it.

[@kareem33w62]

Gonçalo Cardoso I can see Ewan going to the revenge of the sith celebration

[@ian221]

Watching this makes me really appreciate star wars episode 1 even more and is one of my favourite star wars films

[@myrosgaming2690]

Good to see Ahmed out there. Respect

[@schradester8]

Podracers are still freaking awesome. I’d love a podracer game again haha

[@anthonyallen3439]

I can't help but think of how exciting in was for fans to see this trailer back in 1999 when star wars was finally returning

[@MrThrashSnake]

I remember like yesterday how this was my first ever Star wars movie in a theater! After saw all the saga on the VHS collection and the "golden" one a couple years ago, i was so excited to see "episode I" and instantly felt in love with the design of Darth Maul and to hear the legendary opening scroll LIVE, good sweet memories with star wars ever since then.. :'D Greetings from Chile!

[@stefangrubesic2708]

So glad to see Ahmed here ❤️

[@Brook11223]

Ian Mcdiarmid is the dark side of the force. He is so amazing as Palpatine and Darth Sidious. Ray Park playing his apprentice Darth Maul was amazing. I wish Peter Serafinwicz got some recognition since he was the voice behind Maul. Also David Chaing being part of the Star Wars Universe from the late 90's and onwards says he has had an incredible journey. In one of the original trilogies you have Clive Revill playing the Emperor as a hologram. He then voiced Alfred Pennyworth for the first five episodes of Batman The Animated Series.

[@avip671]

This is a thousand times better than just having the cast

[@connormcsorley9323]

My dad took me to the cinema to watch this as a kid! God I feel old! 20 years 😲😲

[@INT_Based]

The Phantom Menace was the last film that George Lucas used actual “Film” to film it. You can tell it has that classic film grain look that wasn’t there after he switched to digital for episodes 2 and 3

[@AJDOLDCHANNELARCHIVE]

Yes it does fit in visually much better because of the film grain, and I think it might have helped sell the CGI since the overall image is not so pristine and clinical where ever flaw is more apparent. I'd love to see a "Special Editions" of the prequels with some improved CGI on Attack of the Clones especially, and adding some film grain emulation to make the 2 later prequels fit in a bit more visually.

[@INT_Based]

AJD OLD CHANNEL ARCHIVE I personally love the look already of AOTC and ROTS, they’re quite unique still even after all these years. Phantom menace would definitely benefit though from a bit of touch ups to the cgi. One thing I really love about the prequels is the amount of practical sets especially the real ships and droids. The painted backdrops are also classic. Not everything was green screen

[@UndernetChara]

When Star Wars uploads a video and the comment section is full of memes and quotes: Just like the simulations.

[@Ruylopez778]

Oh, I'm afraid the memes will be quite operational...

[@dresdenwarlock7978]

SO Happy Ahmed got that standing ovation

[@stevieg4562]

One of my favorite Star Wars movies, so much good memories.

[@garfilms]

I remember may 19, 1999 12:00 a.m. Toronto time, i traveled from Buenos Aires, Argentina to see it with my best friend who lives there

[@Djarin1313]

I was at the premiere of this film when I was fourteen and to this day, it is still my favorite Star Wars. No joke. The opening scene with Obi Wan and Qui Gon were worth the price of admission alone! Not to mention Maul and the final duel. I still live by Qui Gon’s words on a day to day basis.

[@raulitodoubleorlando]

We need another pod race scene in star wars tbh

[@podracer35]

Strongly agree. Not biased at all when I say that.

[@user-xx6vy9ri8p]

"They fly now" scene in TROS.

[@YodatheHobbit]

We need a VR Podrace Simulator game like Squadrons!

[@worldfamousgamer9191]

HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY STAR WARS EPISODE 1 THE PHANTOM MENACE, GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU.

[@Bamboozlenoodle]

So cool they kept Ahmed Best's F-bomb in there.

[@georgeclayton]

Ian is such a luvvie, he lives for these Star Wars events haha

[@shhtha]

For me, John Williams is the heart and soul of Star Wars

[@tyrannozilla]

It was a great time to be a kid. I was introduced to Star Wars 5 years prior and couldn't wait to see The Phantom Menace. I still remember my reaction from seeing the teaser poster for the first time in late 1998. I had just seen the special editions of the original trilogy in 1997 and thought that that would be it. Then I saw the poster that showed Anakin Skywalker as a child and Darth Vader's shadow behind him. Immediately, I knew who that kid was and who he would become. I had no idea that there was going to be another film, but after seeing that poster (then the trailer shortly afterwards) I knew I had to see it. I managed to see the film twice in theaters and several times on VHS. Nearly 25 years later, I still enjoy episode 1 and the other prequels un-ironically and do not regret it. Disney's films have not and never will match up to the originals, nor the prequels, and there's not been that many films since Phantom Menace that made me feel like I was going to witness an event in the making.

[@YLS8763]

Ray Park is such a treasure. He puts everything into his performances and he’s great with the fans. Ian’s wonderful as always. His voice gives me chills.

[@QuiGonJinn1993]

Jenks. Had the biggest pop coming out besides Ahmed Best.

[@calisthenicsmachine9725]

I love The Phantom Menace my 2nd favorite in saga!

[@fundhund62]

It's a great film!

[@calisthenicsmachine9725]

Collin Yates Revenge Of The Sith

[@calisthenicsmachine9725]

Collin Yates Maybe some nostalgia I was 4 when the phantom menace came out but I saw. The original trilogy on vhs before so I knew it was a prequel I’d say it’s what the prequels show the Jedi at their prime facing there greatest adversary. The lightsaber duel really shows that maul vs obi wan and qui gon is the best duel in the saga easily for me it always has been. I just enjoy the prequel era Palpatine schemings, the clone wars the fall of republic, the story is strong. That’s why Rots and Tpm are higher than the original trilogy for me the ot is great no doubt but the prequels era clone wars era has a whole I find better than galactic empire era. The age of the rebellion comics look very promising the age of Republic ones were great!

[@AyanKhan-og3sd]

My 10th favourite its mediocre at best

[@Raysboss302]

In retrospective, a masterpiece! I keep sayin this.

[@fundhund62]

Agreed. It has a lovely aura of innocence about it, which is fittingly highlighted through a certain bumbling Gungan.. The perfect start for this great saga!

[@aidangreen5148]

Like, if you still love Darth Maul

[@darkthorpocomicknight7891]

LOL. you state the obvious my young padawan.

[@crook7493]

Wdym "still" lol

[@BeazleyStudios]

Warwick is a great host. He should to do more hosting gigs and not just for star wars.

[@jennyjennings3379]

I’m a 1974 baby and grew up with Star Wars I absolutely loved the Return of the Jedi and A New Hope then watching The Phantom Menace. I keep watching them over and over I love them so much

[@greengreeneya2102]

I love TPM. Star wars Prequels are my favorite part of SW universe. I grow up with prequels. And to me prequels are THE STAR WARS. I just love these movies.

[@fundhund62]

I grew up with the originals, but I love the prequels even more!

[@fundhund62]

@Michael McGrath ?

[@user-xx6vy9ri8p]

@@fundhund62 Then you are true Star Wars fan!

[@bagginzses2910]

One of my favorite movies ever. I still remember how excited I was sitting in the theater when I was 9.

[@naturalbornteachers]

SENSEI WARWICK DAVIS illuminates anything like a SUPERNOVA. I love Episode I & LOVED this celebration. 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

[@landonhagan450]

I'm genuinely surprised how good of a host he is.

[@Antydoom]

my god 20 years already, im as hyped for star wars now as i was at 6. :D

[@Supermanjonny96]

I still think episode 3 has the best music for star wars ever!

[@noahb.m.89]

I was a senior in High School, went to the mid night showing and skipped school the next day haha its a family tradition thing!!

[@jonmurphy4889]

This brought me to tears being there not going to lie this man was treated so badly and horribly it made Kelly Marie Tran look like a superstar... Ahmed Best is an awesome guy and great person. I'm not ashamed to say that I had a Jar Jar poster on my wall when I was 10 when this movie came out LOL.

[@moonscore]

Great movie. Great memories. Great panel. Thanks for sharing!

[@milescarr649]

great interviews...all around entertaining...can’t believe it been 20 years since i was in line for the midnight screening of this movie!

[@italoclesio6073]

I remember like was last night, when I saw that Episode I would be launch. In that time I already was a Star Wars fan, I remember my excitement to watch the movie in theaters. I used to cut every news about Star Wars in every magazine that I found. When the movie was released I remember to be in shock with all the special effects and the story. Oh man, and the soundtrack was amazing too, a few weeks after I watched the movie, my mom bought to me the CD soundtrack, was one of the best things that I've ever had. So, thank so much George Lucas, for this amazing movie that you gave to us, all the Star Wars fans!

[@Sithqueen.29]

Honestly I was 5 when episode 1 came out and now I love all these movies. I love ian and rays acting plus Ahmed and Anthony's performances. they are truly amazing guys plus the whole team and george lucas himself is just amazing. I thank mr. Lucas for creating this world because whenever I have a rough day in the real world then i get into watching the movies and reading the books getting into the star world. Thank you to George for creating this Galaxy far far away.

[@FranciscoMNeto]

It's heartwarming to see Ahmed Best receive such an amazing welcome.

[@schradester8]

Ahmed Best lives up to his name. THE BEST

[@vtac7627]

The key to the panel is Warwick. If we can get him working, because he’s a funnier character than we’ve ever had.

[@kylebookout1789]

He may have gone too far in some places.

[@BlueOceanBelow]

54:25 I thought for sure they'd bleep that when they uploaded the video!

[@yodasdad]

lol First F-bomb at Celebration?

[@guitarguru767]

Good for them leaving it in.

[@isaacbeeby2528]

I enjoy watching the behind the scenes and making of the prequels more than the prequels themselves.

[@chocolate-ns8ci]

Love the prequels!! What an era 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Mikeinator]

Jar Jar forever!

[@dpgamezderek8137]

20 years. Man time flies

[@Costa2k]

Great movie! Childhood memories

[@ecnalremlig1644]

Thank you for posting all of these great videos.

[@jdc3860]

Star ⭐️ Wars Episode l The Phantom Menace 20 Years Later 1999 - 2019

[@caryswatson9408]

I'm crying 😭😭😭

[@brendanwright352]

Star Wars: "Every journey has a first step" Avengers Endgame: "Every journey has an endgame"

[@Fi_Sci_]

Am I the only one Who Loves The Prequels-this is rhetorical of course Because the Prequels are badass on so many levels and without them we never would’ve gotten the Clone wars 2008 Animated series 😁

[@Fi_Sci_]

2manynegativewaves well once you watch the Phantom Anniversary stream it gives Jar Jar a whole new meaning behind his character, The clumsy Gungan who tries to fit in but fails like any other individual in this World

[@daneoman1000]

No Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor or Natalie Portman

[@unclebozo9845]

Lloyd's in jail and hates cameras pointed at him, and I don't believe McGregor, Portman, or Neeson have ever gone to celebration.

[@daneoman1000]

Lloyd is not in Jail anymore, poor dude is in a mental Asylum due to schizophrenia.

[@purefoldnz3070]

Jake Lloyd is currently locked up in a psychiatric facility. Natalie Portman thought the prequels were so bad they destroyed her acting career. The actor that portrayed Jar Jar wanted to commit suicide. Geezus.

[@someguy7567]

Dane Parsons I really was expecting more of the main characters to make an appearance.

[@eduardofox1907]

the panel is for the making of episode I, not for the actors

[@talondarkfire]

I was a Freshman in college when that first trailer came out. I still get chills hearing that first bit with the Jedi theme playing. Then came the second trailer, when my friends and I went to go see A Bug's Life on $2 Tuesday just so we could see the trailer on the big screen. The Phantom Menace was the first DVD I ever bought - and that was before I had a DVD player. Say what you will about the movie (personally not my favorite), but it was huge when it came out.

[@TheeRedPaladin]

that music at the end was gold.

[@Timic83tc]

Hooray for hearing more about non-Disney SW movies

[@azureangel8217]

I really love this movie💯

[@starwarsprequelsandsequels7582]

Jeremiah Flowers me too

[@fundhund62]

Same here!

[@AyanKhan-og3sd]

7/10

[@danerd8978]

George is looking healthy again!

[@frostycane5134]

Andrew Brandt he used cgi

[@ThisHandleSystemCanGetNicked]

When did he not look healthy?

[@RetrocadePodcast]

Reflex He was nearly 300lbs and is diabetic and in his 70s

[@ThisHandleSystemCanGetNicked]

@@RetrocadePodcast Well yes he's overweight, but he's been that way for the last 20+ years now. I'm just saying, was he hospitalised at any point? Ill perhaps?

[@RetrocadePodcast]

Reflex no he just lost some of the weight

[@paranormalgamesstudios]

No Jake Lloyd though poor guy. Very sad.

[@coloneluseless524]

Paranormal Games / He got so much unfair hate because of Star Wars. He got into drugs and what not and it sucks.

[@paranormalgamesstudios]

@@coloneluseless524 Yeh I know. He was just a kid learning the ropes he had never acted before, George should have cast better and went for an older teenager for the role. Wish Jake Lloyd all the best in his future and I wish all the fans could show him support and help redeem the dark times that he endured.

[@kevincorey4406]

“Jar Jar’s my favorite character.” Well, we all knew George was crazy. But that’s why we love him.

[@quatz1981]

Jesus i can't believe 20 years has gone. I was just finishing college in the UK when this came out and will never forget how exciting it was to have another Star Wars film after 16 years.

[@EanFox7]

Loved this movie

[@arennotaaron8674]

Truly incredible!!! Best celebration yet!

[@matthewgaudet4064]

I want the theatrical cut on blu ray with no digital video noise reduction.

[@Alienadin]

I would be more than happy with just a DNR free presentation on Blu-ray or UHD. This masterpiece deserves the best treatment possible.

[@SCOTGamingwithJack]

you mean the THX FOX original release?

[@matthewgaudet4064]

@@SCOTGamingwithJack , yeah it exists on Laserdisc i have it.

[@SCOTGamingwithJack]

@@matthewgaudet4064 wasn't laserdisc an original prototype of the DVD or BLU-RAY

[@matthewgaudet4064]

@@SCOTGamingwithJack , kind of but it was an analog video format and not a digital one. Although later releases had digital audio.

[@Ruylopez778]

All three Sith dressed in black. Nice touch.

[@chrisholland7457]

RuyLopezQB6 i see what u did there...

[@ToneDesh]

Such a great panel!

[@MikeSidious]

This is absolutely wonderful.

[@koreybeatybeaty7347]

Star Wars Episode 1:The Phantom Menace Will Always Hold A Very Special Place In My Heart It Was The First Star Wars Movie I Saw On The Big Screen:-) I Loved It Then & Will Always Love It Forever:-) :-) :-) Great Panel Man 20 Years Of TPM Wow Just Amazing:-)

[@dr.leatherwood6216]

It was nice to see the crowd encourage Ahmed.

[@austriantruther485]

Greetings from Austria to all Star Wars Fans!👍👍👍

[@AD-th1hv]

Greetings back to you from Salzburg!

[@mr.blonde9817]

Greetings from America

[@firthlaist218]

Grüss Gott, fellow fan ...from England

[@austriantruther485]

@@firthlaist218 Hey! Grüss Gott!👋

[@austriantruther485]

@@AD-th1hv Greetings from Tirol.😊

[@jacobdominguez7808]

Such an awesome panel 👍

[@TWOFACETORCH]

Has it really been that long... God we are just motes of life in the time stream. I'm so happy to have gotten to experience this piece of that galaxy far far away.

[@CesarCordova]

Ahora resulta que sí nos gustó esta madre.

[@TheSoulWithin7]

Great panel! Beautifully done!! Its nice to see love for this movie, i only enjoy parts of it overall but i love episodes 2 and 3.

[@Vahki100]

Love this film!

[@DeltaUpsilonTug]

I've watched every Star Wars BTS documentary. Thanks for this!

[@Nine5Vader]

As much as people hated this film its the reason I'm a star wars fan, loved it as a child and still do today!

[@NormalLifeGaming]

I’m currently loving the Star Wars celebration and bringing out all these spin offs, shows and games along side with episode IX

[@Tareltonlives]

This panel was worth the admission!

[@fanofeverything598]

I was just there few hours ago!! It was a great experience!