Summary
It tookStar Warsthirteen years to properly explain what the title ofStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menacerefers to.George Lucas didn’t retiitle the firstStar Warsmovie untiil a year after the film’s release, but it then became standard for him to attack a subtitle to all the films in the franchiise. “The Phantom Menace” is a straightforward title for the first prequel, but its meaning is a little more complex than you' think.
Surprisingly, it took thirteen years forStar Warsto properly explain the title. This was done in one of the most important books in theStar WarsExpanded Universe, the timeline now known as “Legends.” James Luceno is believed to have worked closely with George Lucas himself when writing his novelDarth Plagueis, which makes it particularly important to the discussion - because this gives the term a fascinating in-universe meaning.
13 Ways Star Wars Legends Changes The Way You See The Phantom Menace
The Star Wars Legends continuity’s non-movie material greatly enhances the viewing experience of The Phantom Menace in a multitude of ways.
The Phantom Menace Wasn’t Just About Palpatine
InThe Phantom Menaceitself, the subtitle seems to refer simply to Palpatine. James Luceno’s 2012 novelDarth Plagueis, however, reveals that the term “Phantom Menace” is used in-universe to describe more than Palpatine. Darth Tenebrous, the Sith master of Darth Plagueis (Palpatine’s master), describes the post-Ruusan Sith Lords as “a phantom menace” to his apprentice.
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Tenebrous’s use of “phantom menace” refers to how the Sith reinvented themselvesfollowing their near destruction in the Ruusan campaign. Under theSith Rule of Two, there can only be two Dark Lords at a time, and rather than conquering the galaxy through brute force, they would control galactic events from the shadows. Tenebrous notes “(where)the Sith once wore armor, we now wear cloaks;” referring to a figurative and literal change in their tactics. Since Palpatine was the greatest of Bane’s Sith, it’s fitting for him to personally own this idea.
Darth Plagueis is alive for most ofThe Phantom Menace’sruntime in the Legends continuity.
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Star Wars Canon Has Changed This Approach
The modern canon propertyThe Acolytenotably marketed itself with a tagline that included the line “before the Menace,” indicating a different approach to the term “Phantom Menace” than the Legends continuity. One might interpret the tagline as saying thatall of Bane’s Sith are still phantoms, but Palpatine is the true menace among them. What bothStar Warstimelines have in common, however, is the fact that Palpatine was the ultimate manipulator throughoutStar Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, making him the ultimate “phantom menace.”
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Cast
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is set in a galaxy facing political turmoil, as Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi seek peace while encountering Anakin Skywalker, a slave with great potential in the Force. Meanwhile, the Sith begin their resurgence, threatening the stability of the Republic.
