The Curious Case of Star Wars Criticism: From George Lucas's Prequels to Disney's Sequels

George Lucas Began Writing The Phantom Menace on This Day 31 Years Ago

gingetattoo georg Lucas, Star Wars Movies

A long time ago — well, exactly 31 years ago today — George Lucas sat down and began writing what would become one of the most discussed and debated films in Star Wars history: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. It was October 31, 1994, when Lucas officially returned to the galaxy far, far away, beginning the screenplay that would reignite the Star Wars saga for a new generation.

The Return to a Galaxy Far, Far Away

After Return of the Jedi closed the original trilogy in 1983, Lucas took a break from filmmaking, focusing instead on technology, visual effects, and family life. But the Force wasn’t done with him yet. By the mid-90s, advancements in CGI — pioneered by Lucas’ own Industrial Light & Magic — had finally caught up with his creative ambitions.

Inspired by what ILM achieved on films like Jurassic Park (1993), Lucas decided it was time to revisit the Star Wars universe and tell the story of how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader. And so, on October 31, 1994, the first drafts of The Phantom Menace were born — marking the official start of the prequel trilogy era.

The Beginning of the Prequels

Lucas approached the prequels with a clear vision: to explore the fall of the Jedi, the rise of the Empire, and the corruption of Anakin Skywalker. But The Phantom Menace was more than a prelude — it was a bold reintroduction to a galaxy before the darkness.

The script went through several iterations, with early drafts featuring a much older Anakin and different political storylines. Eventually, Lucas settled on a version that focused on a young slave boy on Tatooine with extraordinary potential — a decision that would define the emotional core of the prequel trilogy.

From Page to Production

By 1997, Lucas was deep into production on The Phantom Menace. The film introduced fans to Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi, Liam Neeson’s Qui-Gon Jinn, and of course, Natalie Portman’s Padmé Amidala — as well as unforgettable new villains like Darth Maul.

Despite mixed reviews upon its release in 1999, the movie’s influence on pop culture is undeniable. From the podrace sequence to John Williams’ iconic Duel of the Fates, The Phantom Menace reshaped what audiences expected from cinematic world-building.

And love it or hate it, Lucas’ decision to dive back into writing in 1994 changed Star Wars forever — paving the way for everything from The Clone Wars series to the current Skywalker Saga.

A Legacy Still Felt Today

Three decades later, the prequels have enjoyed a massive resurgence in popularity. Fans who grew up with them now celebrate The Phantom Menace as a cornerstone of their childhoods — a film that dared to expand the mythology and lore of Star Wars beyond its original boundaries.

And it all began with George Lucas, a blank page, and a spark of inspiration 31 years ago today.

So here’s to the man who started it all — again.

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