Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
News, coverage and analysis tracking Star Wars: The Phantom Menace across the outlets.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer expands the universe beyond podracingStar Wars: Galactic Racer is an upcoming racing game that expands beyond podracing, featuring a story mode with a created character and a racing league across various planets. The game incorporates elements like vehicle customization, quick-time events for boosts, and destructible opponents, drawing inspiration from classic arcade racers and games like Burnout. It will also include a dedicated podracing mode and is set to release on October 6, 2026.- Star Wars: Galactic Racer – The First PreviewFuse Games' Star Wars: Galactic Racer shows strong Burnout roots with its racing mechanics, complemented by on-foot Star Wars-themed segments. This spiritual successor to Episode 1: Pod Racer is highly anticipated, with the preview suggesting a promising and engaging experience.
Darth Maul voice actor "wasn't into" the character's design and says seeing The Phantom Menace "was the biggest disappointment" of his lifePeter Serafinowicz, the original voice actor for Darth Maul in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, expressed significant disappointment with the film and the character's design upon its release. Despite his initial dissatisfaction, Darth Maul has since become an iconic character, appearing in other Star Wars media like The Clone Wars and his own series, Maul – Shadow Lord.
Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? (13th June)This week's Nintendo Direct showcased new titles like Ocarina of Time, Xenoblade Genesis, and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, alongside release dates for Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave and Orbitals, and ports of Lies of P and Stellar Blade. Several staff members shared their weekend gaming plans, including revisiting Ocarina of Time, finishing Pokopia, playing Kingdom Hearts III, and diving into Death Stranding Director's Cut.
The Mandalorian and Grogu director says The Phantom Menace inspired one cool, subtle detail in the new Star Wars movieDirector Jon Favreau revealed that a subtle detail in The Mandalorian and Grogu was inspired by Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, specifically the red laser barriers in a fight scene. He also mentioned that Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars graphic novels served as references for the AT-AT walker interior and the planet Nal Hutta, respectively. The director commentary is currently available in select US theaters via the TheaterEars app.
D7VK 1.10 brings even more 2D upgrades for retro Direct3D games on LinuxD7VK version 1.10 has been released, offering further enhancements for running retro Direct3D games on Linux and SteamOS through Wine and Proton. This update focuses on improving 2D game performance by optimizing surface data copies and includes fixes for flickering issues, missing backgrounds, and various other rendering problems across a range of classic titles.
The Mandalorian and Grogu is one of the lowest-rated Star Wars movies on Rotten TomatoesThe Mandalorian and Grogu has received a low Rotten Tomatoes score of 60% from critics, making it one of the lowest-rated Star Wars movies. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film is described as both cute and boring, with its score placing it below Attack of the Clones but above The Phantom Menace.
Darth Maul’s Second Blade – The “Phantom Menace” Concealed in our TemptationsThis article uses Darth Maul's dual-bladed lightsaber reveal in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace as a metaphor for spiritual temptation. It argues that hidden sins, like small dishonesties or "harmless glances," can be as destructive as major ones and should be taken seriously. The piece encourages readers to submit all thoughts to Christ and resist temptation.
Maul – Shadow Lord episode 8 doesn't stick exactly to canon, but star Sam Witwer says it was done with intention: "The audience can take from that what they will"Star Wars actor Sam Witwer discusses the intentional deviations from canon in episode 8 of Maul – Shadow Lord, explaining that the 'flashbacks' were designed as visions within Maul's remembrance. He notes that these visions differ from established lore in The Clone Wars and The Phantom Menace, leaving their interpretation to the audience.
The Shadow Lord finale might answer some burning Maul questions from Star Wars RebelsThe season finale of Maul - Shadow Lord provided answers to lingering questions about the character's past, particularly concerning his lightsaber and reliance on a cane, as raised in Star Wars Rebels. The episode established connections to the Inquisitorious and hinted at future conflicts, potentially explaining Maul's knowledge and limitations seen in later Star Wars media.
After 27 years, Maul – Shadow Lord finally gives us one of the most anticipated Star Wars showdowns, but with a…The Maul - Shadow Lord series finale delivered a highly anticipated lightsaber duel between Maul and Darth Vader, a confrontation fans have awaited since The Phantom Menace. Despite Maul's efforts and his eventual escape by collapsing a building on Vader, he fails to recognize Vader as Anakin Skywalker. The article also touches on the fates of other characters and sets up potential future storylines.
Video games are the only reason to be excited for Star Wars in 2026Video games are currently the most promising aspect of the Star Wars franchise, with upcoming titles like Star Wars: Galactic Racer and Star Wars Zero Company generating significant anticipation. This contrasts with a perceived decline in enthusiasm for new Star Wars films and television series, suggesting games may play a larger role in the franchise's future trajectory.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer goes hard on the Episode 1 nostalgia as release date trailer confirms returning podracers, Phantom Menace skins, and a $160 Collector's EditionStar Wars: Galactic Racer is set to release on October 6, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. The game leans heavily into nostalgia for Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, featuring returning podracers and skins. Multiple editions are available, including a Deluxe Edition and a $160 Collector's Edition.
STAR WARS: Galactic Racer releases October 6STAR WARS: Galactic Racer is set to launch on October 6th, with pre-purchases now available. The game features a singleplayer campaign with customizable vehicles and online multiplayer races. It will include Denuvo Anti-Tamper protection on Steam, and is recommended to be played with a controller.
Disney accused of "sequel erasure" after new Star Wars merchandise only covers the original trilogy and…Disney is facing accusations of "sequel erasure" from Star Wars fans due to a new merchandise release that exclusively features the original and prequel trilogies, omitting The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. While some fans expressed disappointment, others were indifferent, and director Jon Favreau hinted that future content like Ahsoka season 2 will address the timeline bridging the original and sequel eras.- Why Star Wars Episode I: Racer Is Still One of the Most Fun Star Wars Games EverStar Wars Episode I: Racer, released by LucasArts in 1999, remains a highly enjoyable game due to its fast-paced and chaotic podracing gameplay. The title successfully translated a key sequence from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace into a compelling standalone experience.
Maul – Shadow Lord director teases that Maul's Star Wars Rebels death might not be permanent: "You never…Maul – Shadow Lord supervising director Brad Rau has teased that the character's death in Star Wars Rebels may not be permanent. The article references Maul's final duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine, which occurred after their initial encounter in The Phantom Menace. Rau's comments suggest a potential return for the character despite his apparent demise in the series.
Star Wars Actor Sam Witwer Says A Darth Maul Game Could Be Something SpecialActor Sam Witwer, who voices Darth Maul in various Star Wars media, believes a dedicated Darth Maul video game could tell an incredible story. While Maul has appeared in multiple games, he has never starred in his own title. A previously rumored Darth Maul game inspired by Batman: Arkham Asylum was canceled.
Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord is officially renewed for season 2 before season 1 has even premieredThe animated series Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord has been renewed for a second season on Disney Plus before its first season has even premiered. Creator Dave Filoni teased the renewal, and the first season is set to begin streaming on April 6 with new episodes released weekly until May 4.
What to watch before Maul – Shadow Lord: 16 essential Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels episodesThis guide recommends 16 essential episodes from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels to watch before the release of Maul – Shadow Lord. It details key plot points for Darth Maul's story, including his survival, rise as a crime lord, and confrontations with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka Tano.