Since its release 25 years ago, Lucasfilm has rewritten the story of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Anakin Skywalker himself. With the re-release of The Phantom Menace in theaters, many have had the rare opportunity to revisit the first chronological film in Star Wars the way it was intended. Barring the 3D re-release of the film in 2012, the 25th anniversary of Episode I is allowing fans to realize just how much the franchise has changed since The Phantom Menace on the big screen.

As many have come to know, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace‘s ending adequately sets up the rest of the Skywalker Saga. From establishing Anakin as a Jedi Padawan to setting up Senator Palpatine as the villainous Emperor, the groundwork of the subsequent eight chronological films is established in The Phantom Menace. Although this remains true, the treatment of the Star Wars franchise since 1999 has seen the meaning of The Phantom Menace – and Anakin Skywalker’s character arc – somewhat altered.

George Lucas’ Protégé Dave Filoni Revealed The Meaning Of Qui-Gon’s Death

Qui-Gon’s Death In The Duel Of The Fates Has Been Outlined By Dave Filoni In Recent Years

Since 2019, Dave Filoni has become an integral part of Star Wars storytelling. Filoni has been involved in the franchise since 2008 due to his work on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, yet the release of The Mandalorian has only seen Filoni gain more storytelling opportunities of increasing scale. This has led to Filoni being named as the writer-director of an upcoming Star Wars movie which is set to conclude the events of the New Republic timeline established by The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and other TV shows.

Through Filoni’s increased involvement in Star Wars, the protégé of George Lucas has been able to outline his own perception of the prequel trilogy. One scene that has received a lot of attention from Filoni is the Duel of the Fates from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace‘s finale. In The Mandalorian‘s Disney+ documentary, Filoni was shown outlining his view of the Duel of the Fates, and what the outcome of Qui-Gon’s death meant for the franchise.

Filoni explains that the reason the Duel of the Fates resonates so much with him is that it is a duel for the fate of Anakin Skywalker. Filoni states that Qui-Gon, knowing that the Jedi have lost touch with the galaxy and should be more open to compassion, love, and feelings, is fighting to be the father figure Anakin needs. Qui-Gon knows that Anakin is the Chosen One of the Force and needs someone open to emotion to guide him, something the other members of the Jedi Order do not embody as openly.

In Filoni’s view, when Qui-Gon dies, Anakin’s fall to the dark side is all but confirmed. After Qui-Gon’s death, Anakin is handed off to Obi-Wan Kenobi. While Kenobi trains Anakin well and comes to love him, he looks at him as a brother rather than a son. This cements Anakin’s turn, and – in Filoni’s view – is why the aptly titled Duel of the Fates from the ending of The Phantom Menace is so important.

This Wasn’t George Lucas’ Interpretation Of The Phantom Menace

Lucas Saw Qui-Gon & Anakin’s Relationship In The Phantom Menace Differently

Interestingly, Filoni’s – and thus Disney’s – view of what The Phantom Menace means is somewhat different from George Lucas’ interpretation. Despite Filoni learning a lot from George Lucas, the latter once explored the idea that Qui-Gon was wrong for wishing to train Anakin in The Phantom Menace.

In an interview with Cut Magazine from 1999 (via David Talks SW on Tumblr), Lucas explained his view of Qui-Gon and Anakin’s relationship:

“I think it is obvious that he [Qui-Gon] was wrong in Episode I and made a dangerous decision, but ultimately this decision may be correct. The ‘phantom menace’ refers to the force of the dark side of the universe. Anakin will be taken over by dark forces which in turn destroy the balance of the Galaxy, but the individual who kills the Emperor is Darth Vader – also Anakin.”

Although Lucas acknowledges that Qui-Gon’s decision eventually turned out correct in Return of the Jedi, he insists that Qui-Gon was obviously wrong in The Phantom Menace. In Lucas’ mind, Anakin Skywalker should never have been a Jedi in the first place. If Lucas thinks Qui-Gon was wrong to insist on training Anakin, it means the latter should have remained a slave on Tatooine to avoid the dangerous events of the Skywalker Saga.

Modern Star Wars Has Reinterpreted The Phantom Menace

Lucas’ Original View Of Episode I Has Been Altered

As evident, it is clear the interpretation has changed since its release in 1999. The difference in points of view between Filoni and Lucas is quite staggering when placed in contrast with one another. Filoni’s view is clear that Qui-Gon Jinn was the hero that Anakin needed in The Phantom Menace. This view implies that Qui-Gon was completely correct in fighting for Anakin and that he was the only one in the Jedi Order who saw the truth; Anakin not having a father in Star Wars meant he needed a loving, caring father figure to prevent his transition into Darth Vader.

While Lucas likely also agrees with this idea, his viewpoint has some stark opposites. Through the one comment that Qui-Gon Jinn was obviously incorrect in training Anakin, Lucas views the former as a reckless Jedi who may have been too much like Anakin. In bringing Anakin into the fold of Jedi, Sith, and the Force, Qui-Gon dangerously placed the child onto the path to becoming Darth Vader. It may well be the case that Lucas is right and Anakin was never supposed to be a Jedi, as evidenced by the Will of the Force conceiving of him outside the Republic.

The Truth Will Always Depend On Your Point Of View

Interpretations Of The Skywalker Saga Will Always Depend On Singular Points Of View

Despite Filoni and Lucas having a different interpretation of The Phantom Menace, both have valid viewpoints. As is the case with anything regarding Star Wars – or cinematic – storytelling, the film will forever be open to subjective opinion. Neither Lucas nor Filoni are incorrect in their views of The Phantom Menace, just as neither of them is undoubtedly correct. In reality, the truth of what The Phantom Menace means for the character of Anakin will always depend on any individual viewer’s point of view.

While some may watch The Phantom Menace and think of Qui-Gon as a singular Jedi who was right in his view of Anakin, others could think he was reckless and endangered the entire galaxy. Either viewpoint is valid and does not detract from the overall Skywalker Saga at large, as either could fit with the following eight movies. This truly highlights the beauty of a franchise like Star Wars, a beauty that began with Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace chronologically, as it is open to any interpretation of its wide-reaching thematic explorations.