Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
News, coverage and analysis tracking Star Wars: The Phantom Menace across the outlets.
Latest coverage
The secret to making a good Star Wars game is to do less - Reader's Feature
This reader's feature argues that successful Star Wars games succeed by focusing on a single core fantasy rather than trying to include every possible element of the universe. Games like TIE Fighter, Republic Commando, and Jedi: Fallen Order are highlighted for their focused design, while others are criticized for becoming unfocused "catalogues" of features. The author suggests that future Star Wars games should prioritize a clear identity and developer confidence in saying 'no' to extraneous features.
Disney+’s 8-Episode Star Wars Series Blends Stranger Things With The Expanse
Disney+'s upcoming Star Wars series, Skeleton Crew, blends elements of Stranger Things and The Expanse, following four kids stranded in space after discovering a derelict ship. Jude Law stars as a pirate with his own agenda. The series aims for a lighter tone than other recent Star Wars shows, focusing on character-driven adventure and a sense of wonder reminiscent of Amblin films.
Natalie Portman once said everyone thought she was a "horrible actress" after appearing in the Star Wars…
Natalie Portman stated that after appearing in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, she was considered a "horrible actress" and no directors wanted to work with her. Despite the massive box office success of "The Phantom Menace," the films received significant criticism. Portman later achieved critical acclaim with roles in "Closer" and "Black Swan," and also appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Jane Foster.
Vilka är det som jobbar med FZ?
This article introduces the staff behind the Swedish gaming website FZ, describing them as passionate gamers with diverse tastes and strong opinions. It highlights their backgrounds, favorite games, music, films, and books, aiming to connect them with the FZ community.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer – The First Preview
Fuse 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.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer expands the universe beyond podracing
Star 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.
Darth Maul voice actor "wasn't into" the character's design and says seeing The Phantom Menace "was the biggest disappointment" of his life
Peter 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 movie
Director 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 Linux
D7VK 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 Tomatoes
The 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 Temptations
This 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 Rebels
The 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 2026
Video 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 Edition
Star 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 6
STAR 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 Ever
Star 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.