Summary

• The Phantom Menace introduces new characters, exploring the galaxy before the rise of the Empire.
• Ewan McGregor shines as a young Obi-Wan Kenobi, setting the stage for the original trilogy.
• Anakin's tragic backstory unfolds in his relationship with his mother and the Jedi.

The Star Wars prequel trilogy, beginning with Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, served to expand the already-rich Star Wars saga about 20 years after the original movie’s release. The new trilogy introduced audiences to an amazing assortment of characters. It also served to depict what the galaxy was like before the fall of the Jedi and the subsequent rise of the Empire during the Galactic Republic era.

The Phantom Menace takes place several decades before the events of A New Hope in the Star Wars timeline. This opened the door to creating many new characters as well as exploring the youth of several characters who had already existed in the original trilogy. Notably, the movie follows the Jedi’s discovery of a young Anakin Skywalker, unaware that the boy will one day become the fearsome Darth Vader.

Ewan McGregor As Obi-Wan Kenobi

Born March 31, 1971

• Active Since: 1993

Ewan McGregor was born in Perth, Penshire in Scotland and raised in Crieff. Though The Phantom Menace was the first blockbuster movie to feature him in a lead role, Ewan McGregor made a name for himself after starring in the musical Moulin Rouge! in 2001. His uncle, Denis Lawson, is also an actor and appeared in the original Star Wars trilogy, portraying the Rebel pilot Wedge Antilles.

Before he was Luke Skywalker’s mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi was the Jedi who trained his father. The Phantom Menace introduces Obi-Wan as a young Padawan learner, but he is still quite a force to be reckoned with, echoing the mighty warrior that audiences familiar with the original trilogy know he will soon become. Obi-Wan is initially skeptical of Anakin’s importance, but dutifully steps up to train him at the request of his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn.

Liam Neeson As Qui-Gon Jinn

Born June 2, 1952

• Active Since 1976

Liam Neeson was born in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, and rose to fame after starring in the Oscar-winning movie Schindler’s List. He originally had no plans to pursue acting, but joined an Irish acting company in 1976. He was discovered by director John Boorman two years later when he was performing the classics at Dublin’s Abbey Theater. Neeson eventually became known for his action roles after starring in the action-thriller Taken.

Qui-Gon is a bit of a renegade by Jedi standards, but his tendency to act outside the Jedi Council’s expectations leads him straight to Anakin Skywalker, who will one day play a huge role in the galaxy’s fate. Believing Anakin to be the Chosen One, he sticks up for the young boy and insists on taking him on as his Padawan. His tragic and sudden death opens the door for Obi-Wan Kenobi to become Anakin’s Master, though some believe that Qui-Gon’s training would have drastically changed Anakin’s fate.

Jake Lloyd As Anakin Skywalker

Born 1989