The “Star Wars” saga continues to reign as one of the most formidable and beloved film series, amassing a staggering total revenue exceeding $10.3 billion USD. Its influence extends beyond the silver screen into television, video games, merchandise, and even a selection of themed clothing. Now, the film that launched the epic prequel trilogy, “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” is slated for a grand return to cinemas.

Marking its 25th anniversary, the film, which originally premiered on May 19, 1999, will once again grace the big screen. The brainchild of the iconic filmmaker George Lucas, “Episode I” achieved over $1 billion in worldwide box office earnings, a figure that remains impressive by contemporary standards.

The film boasts a stellar cast including Ewan McGregor as the young Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, Liam Neeson as his mentor Qui-Gon Jinn, Natalie Portman as the royal Padmé Amidala, Jake Lloyd portraying the future Darth Vader, and Ian McDiarmid as the sinister Sheev Palpatine. Celebrated for its groundbreaking visual effects and a compelling new chapter in the “Star Wars” narrative, “The Phantom Menace” continues to be hailed as a landmark in film history.

In related news, the final season trailer for the Disney+ original series “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” was unveiled last month, with the show set to premiere with a trio of episodes. Fans of the galaxy far, far away can look forward to the theatrical re-release of “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” on May 3, 2024.