news and rumors

May 19, 1999

9:57 AM

Sam Davatchi images. Same Davatchi has posted up some excellent images from the film onto his site.

The Credits. T’Bone has posted up a scan of the credits for the film. It is not all of the credits, because we all know that it too about 2000 individuals were involved in post production. But the list does contain all the actors involved in the film. This list might comply with the films final credits. The biggest surprise from reading the list is that there is no actor credited for playing the part of Darth Sidious. T’Bone assures everyone that Ian MacDairmid played both Senator Palpatine and Darth Sidious. Lucasfilms could have done this to keep the secret for the Phantom Menace from anyone.

Official site updates. The official site has posted some new snapshots.

At fourteen, Queen Amidala rules over the Naboo people with the freshness of her young years and the efficiency of a true leader. Through her rigorous training, Amidala has demonstrated her dedication to the well-being of Naboo, and she has quickly earned the trust and loyalty of the people who elected her.
The Queen attends her world’s needs and addresses the concerns of her subjects, ruling from her palace in the capital city of Theed. However, Amidala’s regal presence is sometimes required at offworld political gatherings. In such occasions, it is customary for the Queen’s handmaidens to follow their monarch and assist her, as well as for Captain Panaka to provide additional protection with a team of guards specially trained for offworld duty.
The Naboo people’s faith in their leader is justified, for Amidala’s heart is true, and her determination unwavering. But the threat looming ahead might very well put the Queen’s abilities to the ultimate test.

New images. The Force Net has posted up these images from the newest Sunday Times.

May 16, 1999

7:42 PM

Official site updates. I assume you know that I have been out for a while. Lets just get to work. The following are things that were posted on the official site while I was gone.
It seems that the official site will not have a feature section oh the character like they did with the planets and weapons. Oh well, here are some of the character bios they recently posted up. I notice that it doesn’t seem like they will ever call Obi-wan, "Ben", this movie. I wonder if we will see the reason why he calls himself Ben.

A yet-unfinished droid, C-3PO is being built piece by piece on Tatooine, with parts taken from a variety of sources. Although constructed from used and reconditioned materials, C-3PO is meticulously assembled, following the structure of a standard Cybot Galactica protocol droid model as closely as possible. Most of the necessary parts are bought or traded for in junk shops on Tatooine, while some of the elusive pieces have to be built from scratch. Special requests to a star trader, or even a smuggler, occasionally help to obtain the more complex components.
C-3PO is intended as a household servant. In spite of his unfinished state the droid can already perform several of his programmed functions, including translation in a number of languages. A few secondary components are still missing, but most of all C-3PO lacks his outer casing "skin" which will help him blend into human society and meanwhile protect his internal components. As additional pieces are added to the mechanical puzzle, the droid becomes more and more functional.
Getting used to his environment takes up most of C-3PO's time, and he still has a lot to incorporate into his memory banks. But he is learning fast, and events will soon start him down the path to his destiny.

Trained by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, young Obi-Wan Kenobi is an excellent apprentice. His skills are already quite impressive, and Master Jinn is proud of his pupil's quick thinking and resourcefulness. He is not a Jedi yet, but his training is almost complete. His dedication to the Jedi way and the nobility of his character deeply honor the efforts of his mentor.
In accordance with tradition for human apprentices, Obi-Wan wears his hair short and even, except for a long, thin braid, and a small ponytail. He has constructed his blue-bladed lightsaber himself, as part of his training. His shoulders are covered with the traditional Jedi cloak.
Obi-Wan admires and respects Qui-Gon Jinn, even though there are times when Kenobi doesn't completely agree with his master's point of view. Young Kenobi's focus is beyond the moment, and he is inclined toward strict observance of the rules laid down by the Jedi Council.
Obi-Wan's first meeting with the boy Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine sets him on a path of destiny that will have tremendous repercussions for the entire galaxy.

An accomplished Jedi Master, Qui-Gon Jinn travels the galaxy to protect the citizens of the Republic and uphold justice from system to system. Other Jedi Masters often use Jinn's focused sensitivity to the Force as an example for their pupils. Qui-Gon Jinn's own apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, is always at his side, and learns from his wisdom and experience.
Jedi Master Jinn possesses strong features and a piercing gaze. Powerfully built and speaking in a grave and determined voice, he has a very intimidating presence. He wears his long hair tied back so as not to obstruct his peripheral vision. Although a little past his prime, he remains a powerful warrior and a very active Jedi Knight.
Qui-Gon Jinn is closely attuned to the Force, and has a strong empathy toward all life forms. His focus is in the moment, and he follows his instincts even when others may consider them reckless.

One of the keenest minds in the Galactic Senate, Senator Palpatine of Naboo has achieved the important distinction of representing an entire sector consisting of hundreds of star systems. As a sectorial senator, Palpatine holds a seat in the Main Senate Chamber on Coruscant, skillfully defending the interests of the systems he represents, including the Naboo people of his homeworld. Palpatine's kind features, delicate manners and calm effectiveness make him one of the most liked and respected members of the Senate.
Combining the apparent fatalism of a political realist with the shrewd and subtle power moves of a chess master, this senator from a humble provincial planet is a consummate performer in his chosen arts. The Senate Chamber is Palpatine's stage, and he takes advantage of everything it has to offer in order to drive his points home. The way sound bounces off the walls, the seating arrangement, the lighting that plays differently from one area to the other, the lines of sight everyone has or lacks - Senator Palpatine does not miss a single detail that might help him attain his goal. Which is to help Naboo, of course.

Completely embracing the dark side of the Force, Darth Maul is a fearsome Sith apprentice. His constant training, both in combat techniques and in the dark powers of the Force, makes him a formidable figure and a power to be reckoned with. His horned head, face tattoos and gleaming yellow eyes strike terror in the heart of all but the most focused opponents.
Since his master has great confidence in the pupil's abilities, Darth Maul is often entrusted with delicate missions. In return, Maul is absolutely loyal to his master, and devotes his utmost efforts to achieving the objectives laid out by his mentor. Although he closely follows traditions and protocols, Darth Maul is never one to blend in: he has built a double-bladed lightsaber, and trained himself to wield the unusual weapon with deadly accuracy. Only through his complete dedication to the way of the Sith was Maul able to bring the dark side of the Force to his aid in mastering such a dangerous combat skill.
On his own, Darth Maul represents a real threat to the delicate balance of the Galactic Republic, which the Jedi Council strives to preserve. But with the powers of the master and the apprentice combined, there is no telling what terrible conflict awaits the Jedi.

The Jedi Council. The following are images that T’Bone posted up on his site. I assume that he obtained the images from the upcoming "Who’s Who of The Phantom Menace". Oh well here are images of each one of the 12 Jedi Council member.

The Force Net images. The Force Net has posted up these images from magazines around the world.
The following images came from the Spanish magazine "Vea."

New Television commercials. On my trailer mirror link page I provide a list of links on where you find the new commercials. I am not sure which one is my favorite. So far it is Anakin’s One Dream.

Magazine scans by Me. The fallowing images I scanned in myself. The first one comes from the May 21st’s issue of Entertainment Weekly, the article has some spoilers and is a little bit of a down beat. However the article does contain some excellent images from the film. I am sorry about Jake Lloyd’s hair. The magazine came that way.

Sorry about the delays. Well, it seems that this semester is about to end. And I already know that I am passing my classes. So I can take some time on this site. Okay. these are several images that I was planning to post up recently.
The first batch come from the always shagadelic T’Bone. And make sure to visit his site for more news. Because baby, he did deliver this time.

"Duel of the Fates" Okay the single is out on radio. And since there are organizations out against MP3, the single is very hard to find on MP3. I have manage to get my hands on an MP3 version of it through a hard and dedicated search of all Star Wars site. I am sorry that I cannot provide you links since these sites have been shut down. But I would not want to discourage you from searching hard to find it.
The single can be purchased at the official site. But I assume that not everyone will be happy with the price of $40.

The new shots in the video are:
-Jar Jar, Qui-Gon and Obi-wan swimming towards Otoh Gunganoh.
-A shot of thousands of Gungans in a misty battlefield.
-series of shots with concept art morphing into live action shots.
-Anakin's pod flying by a crater and into a canyon.
-A wide shot of the pod race stadium.
-A morphing concept sketch of the Queen's ship going into hyperspace.

May 3rd, 12:01 AM. I just came from a local Toys R Us never expecting that there would be over a hundred fans here to purchase everything they can. It was a cross between December Holiday shopping and a mosh pit. I didn’t understand the over reaction since there were plenty of toys for everyone. I actually got dizzy from the experience. Or maybe it was the fact that I was holding a Mace Windu figure that I have been so eagerly awaiting for. And there is sense of amazement over the fact that it has been about a year when I got images of the prototype models for these figures. Oh well, I took some time too look around and notice all the coloring books, toys, video games, floatation devices, and candy. It was a great moment that I would say is even better then Christmas morning. So, after a while I finally decided to look for Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Maul and a CommTech Reader. I decide to find the figures with the best paint job. I know that by next month these figures will still be here. There was really no need to get all the figures, just get the figures that you enjoy.
It is funny, as I type this I have the action figures in a Duel like pose. And my CommTech reader is on the side of my belt. This from a 20 year old boy.... Maybe, it is Star Wars the entertains the boy in me.