Episode I was budgeted at $120 million and finished at about $115. Filming ended up being four weeks less than originally scheduled. Lucas estimates that if anyone else were to make Episode I, the effects alone would cost $200 million. "If you want to deal with Anakin Skywalker, it's a story about a young slave boy who dreams of becoming a Jedi and makes it into Jedi school, becomes free, and realizes his dream. But in the process he has to go through a lot of painful sacrifices .

Behind the process
There's the story between two Jedi - an apprentice and a master. There's the story of a Senator who wants to become the Grand Chancellor of the Republic. There's the story of a young queen who's faced with the total annhiliation of a people, and how she can get a sluggish political institution to pay attention to what's going on." "Obi-Wan becomes a Jedi Knight. He is an apprentice at the beginning of the movie, and at the end he becomes a Jedi Knight. Eventually he'll become a master. Anakin becomes an apprentice." On whether or not he made any changes based on what his friends told him, "There was a very small comment that related to the last reel of the film, which I had been nervous about. As soon as somebody said that it was perhaps a little arbitrary, I went back and recut it. It was a big recut, but I was already pretty much aware that I'd gone too far in the intercutting process. I was telling too many stories." "In the beginning there were more characters that I wanted to do digitally. ILM thought it was going to take a huge amount of time and energy. So we took some of the characters out and did them as animatronic figures..." "The next one is the romantic one, which is probably a rather dramatic departure - which some people may not like. There will be some action in it, but it's basically more romantic." On the title of the film, "There are lots of different ways to put it. It's the Dark Lords of the Sith, of which there are only two. That's the opposite of a Jedi. It's somebody who works with the dark side of the Force. There is one Sith Lord who is trying to wreak havoc and take over the galaxy, and he is the Phantom Menace. I think you get the idea. There is somebody pulling the strings for everything." Lucas also commented on various internet rumors, only one of which is on this site. Jar Jar Binks was not named by Lucas's son Jett, but the name of the race, the Gungans, was taken from Jett's description of trucks and heavy machinery when he was two years old.
The Music/Score
The musical score was entirely composed and conducted by John Williams, who accompanied Lucas by doing the music for the other three Star Wars movies. The London Symphony Orchestra, London Voices and the New London Children's Choir lend their talents to create music that is pure and dynamic. The music is classic Williams: loud, exciting, and energetic brass sections throughout the piece, accompanied by softer, quieter, and more romantic parts. The music takes you on a emotional journey as the viewer follows the Jedi warriors in their battle against the Empire. The score is extremely well-written, and it is nothing short of perfect. Williams truly outdid himself by writing emotionally stimulating and powerful music that will affect the viewer long after he has left the theater.
Actors : the related scenes

Liam Neeson talks about the very little creative freedom that he had. However, he points to one scene, when he is talking to Shmi Skywalker, that he was allowed to depart from the script and touch her. "We're not talking about clothes being thrown off. Just a hint of intimacy. Neeson's proudest acting moment came in a scene on Tatooine when he motions for an Eopie (the creature seen in the 60 Minutes report and also in the Vanity Fair spread). "We did about 30 takes because I wanted to get the tchk-tchk sound perfectly." He added, "A scene like this is going to make kids and adults see this movie for the next 100 years."

"Well, if I saw him down in the East Village, I think I would cross the street!" -- Liam Neeson (talking about his character's new action figure)

QUESTION goes, The first time you said, "May the Force be with you," did you feel like a kid, or were you in actor mode?Liam: "May the Force be with you!" I thought it was "May the fish be with you!" I've got it totally wrong! Yes, that was kind of a sentimental moment. It was neat, I got a little chill!

Natalie Portman talked briefly about the accident that happened on the set involving a small explosive charge that was accidentally detonated in her face blasting debris into her eye. "I'd always been treated like a kid on sets. Now I was, like, an adult, and I kind of wasn't ready for it. It's a big mind change thing."

"I thought that this was going to be unique and different from anything I'd done and different from what people have seen before." -- Natalie Portman

This queen's got style! NATALIE PORTMAN got to wear extravagant costumes, hair and make-up in her new role.
Question goes: First of all, I know you're hearing this over and over again, but you are so grown up and tough. Was that really you or just acting?
Natalie: I don't know. I don't know what I'd do if I were placed in that position, being in charge of so many people. It's so much pressure. I'd like to think that I'd be that brave.

Jake Lloyd's schoolmates teased him when the Newsweek "Mannequin Skywalker" report came out. His parents told him that "Not everyone is going to love your performance in every film." He answered, "Yeah, but you guys love me, right?" His mother said that the family had to move after the teaser trailer came out in November because people kept coming to their house and looking for autographs.

"I got to meet some extraordinary actors and got to work with one of the best directors in the world." -- Jake Lloyd

Question goes,When you were in the pod, did you have to shake yourself or did the pod shake you?
Jake Lloyd: Actually, there were these three bars on the side and there were like five people, one in the middle and two on each end. And they'd be like, "Okay, turn to the left." And I'd be like, whoaaa. Everyone would just push down.

Ewan McGregor talks about the disappointment of filming, "I thought it would be all high-tech hydraulic stuff, but I had to actually stand there like [jiggling his body] like when someone said 'Blast!'" As for the acting, "There was a lot of just standing right behind Liam like this," he says, remaining still for a beat. "You'll see - I am very often just behind one of his shoulders, standing on a box." Ewan and Liam decided that the best way to personify the Jedi mind-set was to simply frown. "You get a tension in the eyebrows to represent an...incredible...amount...of...deep...though. What's you are actually thinking is, What am I going to eat when I get home." On the possibility of appearing around the globe on KFC wrappers, "I had never even considered that. Well, I hope I'm on a ten-piece bucket. Then I'll have really made it."

"So, we walked down there, and there was R2-D2 and I was screaming. It was like meeting a queen or something! And then the props guy came out with this big wooden box." -- Ewan McGregor

Question goes,Now, what's the name of this new movie you're in again?
Ewan McGregor: I'm doing a movie called 'Eye of the Beholder'... (laughs) Oh, wrong press junket! Oh, 'Star Wars!'

Episode I The Phantom Menace is here! Our special Episode I issue features interviews with Natalie Portman (Queen Amidala), Pernilla August (Shmi Skywalker), and composer John Williams! Plus, the Ships of Episode I and page after page of exclusive photos from The Phantom Menace! I haven't got my self a copy, but from what i see, this one is worth buying, my friend(already bought this one) said that the photos were in good quality and the paper too!) I'll put some of the photos in this mag(scanned) in this site!

Inside this Issue:

JOHN WILLIAMS - SCORE OF FORCE (6 pages) by Scott Chernoff

It wouldn't be Star Wars without the powerful music of John Williams, the man who created the music for the classic Star Warstrilogy, as well as for the Indiana Jones films, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Superman, and scores more. Now, the master composer sits down for his first exclusive Insider interview, and talks about his return to the Star Wars universe for The Phantom Menace.

THE SHIPS OF EPISODE I (6 pages) by Daniel Wallace

You wanted it, you got it! It's our complete run down of all the new ships you'll see in The Phantom Menace! Daniel Wallace, author of the upcoming book What's What in Episode I takes us on board the Radiant VII, Podracers, Sith Speeders -- and all the other new words you'll soon have memorized.

NATALIE PORTMAN - ALL HAIL THE QUEEN (6 pages) by Scott Chernoff

In her first exclusive Insider interview, Episode I's Queen Amidala holds court on fashion, fandom, and Phantom -- and the pressures of joining the galaxy's favorite saga. Includes exclusive photos!

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK (1 page) by Jon Bradley Snyder

Our fearless leader reflects on what it might mean when his own mom gets excited about Episode I.

SCOUTING THE GALAXY (2.5 pages) by Stephen J. Sansweet

Star Wars author and collector extraordinaire Steve Sansweet returns to answer readers' questions about collectibles, with flair.

PREQUEL PROFIL - PETER WALPOLE (1.5 pages) by Jamie Painter

As Episode I's set decorator, Peter Walpole had the Herculean task of "dressing" the countless environments seen in the film. Here, he shares a few trick of the trade with the Insider.

THE LAST PAGE (1 page)

More fantastic, original Star Warsart!

PREQUEL UPDATE WITH RICK MCCALLUM (10 pages) by Dan Madsen

Episode I producer Rick McCallum reflects on the making -and completion -of George Lucas' latest epic, and looks ahead to Episode II. Plus, more exclusive Phantom Menace photos!

IN THE STAR WARS UNIVERSE - SILAS CARSON (3 pages) by Scott Chernoff

Meet the man who plays three roles in The Phantom Menace,including stoic Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi and weaselly Neimoidian Viceroy Nute Gunray!

STAR NEWS (4 pages) by Scott Chernoff

All the Star Wars news that fits! In this issue: Episode I blazes a digital trail; new talking action figures; new European Star Warsroadshow; and more!

PERNILLA AUGUST - UNIVERSAL MOTHER (3 pages)

Even Darth Vader had to have a mommy, and in Episode I we meet Shmi Skywalker, mother of heroic young Anakin. Speaking from her native Sweden, actress Pernilla August talks about taking on one of the most important roles in the Skywalker saga.

STAR WARS BOOK SHELF (4 pages)

New column! By popular demand, the Insider introduces a new column (rotating each issue with our Star Warscomics column) devoted to the universe of Star Wars books. In our first installment, we look at the invasion of Episode I books hitting stores this spring and summer.

REBEL RUMBLINGS (3 pages)

Our readers sound off....and we reply

taken from starwars.com



             

Time Magazine's latest issue features Episode I on the cover. It is available now at newsstands and the two articles are also available online. There's a standard article on the making of Episode I (although this one is certainly worth reading) and there's also a great interview with Bill Moyers on the mythos of Star Wars. I've got a copy to myself and I'll update later.

The picture next to the Time magazine is from the new ending of Return of the Jedi. A you can see, it is a mirror image of the production picture above. Prequel producer Rick McCallum has said that the new ending for ROTJ will mirror the beginning of the prequels. What does he mean by "mirror"?? In my opinion, he means that if you put the ROTJ scene in a mirror and reverse the night background to a day background, then you'll get the opening scene in Episode I.


BACK

Any suggestions, critics or dissatisfaction can be forwarded to fg79@hotmail.com. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form. All informations here are gained from various reliable sources.