George Lucas's long-speculated appearance in The Phantom Menace has been unveiled at last
In a delightful surprise for Star Wars fans, it has been revealed that the film's creator, George Lucas, made a secret cameo in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
During the climactic battle scene in Theed's royal palace, a keen-eyed viewer may spot a small, blurred detail β an oval relief high above a massive window. This intriguing image, hidden in plain sight, is none other than a painted portrait of George Lucas himself.
The discovery of this long-rumoured mystery was made by Clayton Sandell while speaking to Caroleen "Jett" Green for his newsletter. Interestingly, the idea of incorporating Lucas's image wasn't his, but rather was suggested by Green.
The painted image was filmed as a matte painting integrated into the hallway scene of Theed Palace, which was created by Industrial Light & Magic. This implies that the original scene was shot on the sets at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney, where principal photography for the film mainly took place.
The image appears during a scene where PadmΓ© and a squad of Naboo guards run through a long hallway before being surrounded by enemy battle droids. It's a fleeting moment, but for dedicated fans, it's a delightful Easter egg that adds a personal touch to the Star Wars universe.
But Lucas's connection to the Star Wars saga doesn't end with this cameo. His voice has been used in the background of several Star Wars movies, including Rogue One, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker, through the use of a scream originally from his 1973 movie, American Grafitti.
This scream replaced the Wilhelm scream, a famous stock scream used in hundreds of films, as the stock scream of choice in several Star Wars movies. The Lucas scream, as it has come to be known, adds another layer of connection between Lucas's films and the Star Wars universe he created.
George Lucas explicitly approved the inclusion of his painted image in The Phantom Menace, and the image was shown to a supervisor before it was finalised. Despite being a subtle detail, it's clear that Lucas wanted his presence to be felt in the film he created.
So, the next time you watch Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, keep an eye out for the small, hidden detail that connects the film's creator to the universe he created. It's a delightful Easter egg that adds a personal touch to an iconic film.
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