Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is arguably one of the most contentious prequels of all time, yet the film’s first draft may actually have been better than the final movie. Released in 1999 to almost insatiable fan hype, the original was perhaps always destined to be a disappointment, coming 16 years after the final film in one of the most beloved and influential trilogies of all time. Because of this legacy, it was probably inevitable that every creative decision would be placed under the microscope, with even the most seemingly innocuous inclusions sparking ferocious division and debate among the fanbase.
However, even the film’s most stalwart defenders will struggle to argue that the cinematic 1999 Phantom Menace is a perfect movie. From bizarre pacing, distinctly un-Star Wars-y plot points, and characters that toed the line between irritating and outright offensive, the movie’s many problems have been well documented. This has led some to argue that The Phantom Menace‘s first draft would have been a vast improvement. According to the 1999 CD-ROM The Episode I Insiders Guide, Star Wars: The Beginning (via The Secret History of Star Wars) included several major differences to the final movie, including different settings, character arcs, and narrative concerns. Here’s every way that The Phantom Menace‘s first draft was better than the final movie.
Naboo Was Utapau In The Phantom Menace’s First Draft
A subtle but important difference between the two scripts is that the earlier version took place on the planet Utapau, which was later renamed Naboo. While this change may seem inconsequential, it actually had a major impact on the two main communities living there: the Naboo and the Gungans. In naming the planet after the surface-dwelling humans, Lucas inadvertently relegated the Gungans to second-tier status, condemned to call their homeworld after their rivals. In keeping the planet’s name separate from the two peoples, Episode I could have added greater depth to Gungan culture, giving them greater parity with the Naboo.
The Phantom Menace First Draft Would Have Saved Jar-Jar
As perhaps the most infamous character in The Phantom Menace, Jar-Jar Binks has gone down in history as a spectacular misfire. Not only was his role as comic relief highly questionable, but his characterization as a dim-witted, funny-talking local was criticized by many as falling into a racist trope. The Phantom Menace first draft reveals that this wasn’t always so. Originally, the character spoke in perfect English (as did other Gungans like Governor – later renamed “Boss” – Nass) and, while still innocent and childlike, was much less whacky than the final Ahmed Best version. Had The Phantom Menace stuck with this approach, it’s unlikely Jar-Jar would have become so hated.
Obi-Wan Kenobi Was Already A Jedi Knight In The Phantom Menace’s First Draft
One of the major differences between The Phantom Menace first draft and final film is in the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Despite playing second fiddle to Liam Neeson’s Qui-Gon Jinn in the finished version, the first draft saw Kenobi as a fully-formed Jedi Knight operating largely independently. By contrast, Qui-Gon would have only shown up in the Coruscant section of the story.
Neeson’s Qui-Gon has become one of the most popular Jedi in the entire Star Wars saga, so downplaying his role to such an extent may have proved a mistake. However, in changing Obi-Wan’s role, the movie could have actually compensated for this change. For starters, seeing Obi-Wan as a black-clad lone warrior would have created clear parallels with Luke Skywalker, playing into the cyclical nature of Star Wars. Furthermore, having Obi-Wan advocate for Anakin from the outset would have deepened their relationship ahead of the tragic events to come in the trilogy.
The Phantom Menace Doesn’t Mention The Chosen One Prophecy
One of the most hotly debated aspects of Star Wars lore introduced in The Phantom Menace is Anakin’s status as “The Chosen One“. While the extent to which the saga has undermined this label is up for debate, The Phantom Menace first draft side-stepped the issue by diluting it considerably. Though the Jedi Council sensed Anakin was dangerous and declared him to have been foreseen, any suggestion of him being conceived by the will of the Force was dispensed with. Ultimately, this makes Anakin’s path to darkness and later transformation into Darth Vader much more straightforward, without worrying about whether he actually fulfilled his destiny.
The Phantom Menace’s First Draft Sets Up Shmi’s Fate More Effectively
Shmi’s fate in Episode II – Attack of the Clones was a catalyst for Anakin’s fall to the dark side. Unfortunately, many critics felt that her sudden reappearance in Anakin’s life was an unearned, overly convenient twist – especially given Anakin’s mission on Naboo. However, one line from The Phantom Menace first draft could have more effectively set up her death and Anakin’s response to it.
Upon his departure from Tatooine, Anakin was told by Watto, “Enjoy your freedom, boy. Come back someday and visit your Mom.” This seemingly throwaway line would have both better set up the tragic circumstances under which Anakin would eventually return to Tatooine, and also explain much of Anakin’s guilt. Had he returned sooner, as perhaps Watto was insinuating, maybe he really could have saved Shmi and averted the tragedy that began his fall.
Anakin Skywalker’s Force Powers Are Better Developed In The First Draft
A further Anakin concern in the released Phantom Menace is the readiness with which Qui-Gon accepts him as the Chosen One. Save for the much-derided midi-chlorian test, quick reflexes, and pod-racer prescience, there’s little to mark Anakin out as something genuinely extraordinary. The Phantom Menace first draft changes this. In several exchanges with Obi-Wan, Anakin is shown to have unnerving wisdom – proffering a number of sage idioms and confessing to having met the Jedi in his dreams. Additionally, his ability to predict the future is fully fleshed out, telling Padmé that the pair will one day be married. Giving Anakin such genuinely impressive Force abilities would have better established his potential.
The Phantom Menace’s First Draft Sets Up A Fantastic Love Triangle
Another potential side-plot cut from The Phantom Menace first draft was a love triangle between Padmé, Anakin, and Obi-Wan. In the script, Padmé shoots Obi-Wan admiring glances during their excursions on Tatooine and after Obi-Wan’s brazenness in standing up to Queen Amidala – to the extent that the Jedi Knight begins to feel uncomfortable. In later trilogy installments, having a romantic undercurrent permeate the trio’s relationship could have added a fascinating extra dynamic, as well as a genuine justification for Anakin’s envious rage on Mustafar and willingness to believe Padmé would betray him. Given that jealousy is famously “the shadow of greed,” this twist would have further explained Anakin’s fall.
Obi-Wan’s Duels With Darth Maul Are Far More Impressive
Although Maul’s athletic combat and legendary double-lightsaber have made him a cult Star Wars figure, some of his fights leave a lot to be desired. Scenes such as his first encounter with Qui-Gon on Tatooine fail to show the Sith Lord at his full potential – a tragic waste, given his relative lack of screen time. The Phantom Menace first draft takes a different approach. The Tatooine fight, in particular (this time with Obi-Wan), features both Jedi and Sith displaying a range of impressive Force abilities, including telekinesis and “moving extremely fast, and vibrating to the point of becoming almost invisible” (via The Secret History of Star Wars), making Maul a much more menacing opponent.
Maul Was A Much Better Character
-(24).jpg)
Beyond his fight sequences, The Phantom Menace first draft also made Maul a more fully-formed, proactive character. The finished movie essentially uses the Dathomirian as a near-wordless henchman sent by Sidious to dispatch his opponents. In the first draft, however, Maul has several more lines of dialogue, making him much closer to the arch, Shakespearean villain seen in projects like The Clone Wars and Rebels. For instance, in his final fight with Obi-Wan, he taunts the Jedi, declaring, “You’re finished, Jedi. And this is the beginning of the end for all Jedi.” A more talkative Maul may have helped the character become even more popular.
The Jedi Council Have No Problems With Obi-Wan Training Anakin
The Jedi Council’s refusal to accept Anakin and their dogmatic approach to his training is one of the clear fault lines between Qui-Gon and the rest of the order. And yet, given their universal skepticism and understanding of the risks involved, the fact that the Jedi so suddenly changed course and granted Obi-Wan permission to train Anakin (despite Yoda’s protestations) has always seemed like a strange volte-face. After all, had there been genuine concerns about the dire consequences of training Anakin, it seems unlikely that the Council would have caved against their better judgment just because Obi-Wan asked nicely.
Once again, The Phantom Menace first draft removes this inconsistency altogether. By making it so that the Council, while skeptical, ultimately agree that Anakin should be trained after reviewing his test scores, the first draft avoids any awkward change of heart. It also firmly places the burden of training Anakin on Obi-Wan’s shoulders from the outset, which is much more in keeping with the character’s confession to Luke in Return of the Jedi. The Phantom Menace first draft certainly doesn’t fix all the problems with Episode I. However, by including some or all of these original ideas, the prequel trilogy could have had a far stronger first chapter and better set up future installments.
