Has it been that long? George Lucas’ Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is getting a 25th anniversary re-release by Disney on May 3. That’s in time to celebrate Star Wars day, May the 4th.
As part of the “The Phantom Menace” screenings, fans will be treated to an exclusive look at Disney+/Lucasfilm new series Star Wars: The Acolyte which takes place 100 years prior to Phantom Menace, that latter movie being the origin story of Anakin Skywalker who ultimately becomes Darth Vader. The Acolyte hits Disney+ on June 4.
Also the next Star Wars Celebration is headed to Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan on April 18-20, 2025. Tickets for the event will go on sale Thursday, May 2, at 7:00 P.M. EDT (US Time)/Friday, May 3, at 8:00 A.M. JST (Japan Time).
Phantom Menace starred Ewan McGregor as young Obi Wan Kenobi, Liam Neeson as his Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, Natalie Portman as Queen Amidala who becomes the love interest of Anakin, Ian McDiarmid as Senator Palpatine, Ahmed Best as Jar Jar Binks and Jake Lloyd as Anakin Skywalker.
Released in May 1999, 16 years after the previous Star Wars installment, 1983’s Return of the Jedi, Phantom Menace was greatly embraced by moviegoers grossing $1 billion at the global box office with $474.5M domestic. At the time, Phantom Menace became the highest grossing Star Wars movie of all-time. It was ultimately unseated by 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens which grossed $2.07 billion worldwide, and $936.6M stateside.