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Although the striking image of Darth Maul was often used in promoting the movie, leading to many people's assumption that the title was referring to him, "The Phantom Menace" is really referring to Senator Palpatine, whose involvement as a menace, Darth Sidious, is "elusive" like a phantom to all other characters but Darth Maul. Viceroy Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation is unaware of the identity of his special acquaintance, Lord Sidious, who, while communicating with the Gunray, only appears in the form of a teleconferencing hologram, which is like a phantom. The heroes of the story are further unaware that Gunray even has such an acquaintance, as they question the motives of the Trade Federation. As Palpatine is the puppet master of the whole movie - orchestrating the Naboo invasion whilst befriending the Queen, playing both sides against each other for his own political gain, and introducing Darth Maul from the shadows - it is he who should be considered the chief villain of the piece, the true phantom menace. Of special note, at the end of the movie, while Yoda and Mace Windu discuss the Sith affiliation of "the mysterious warrior," the music ends on an unresolved chord while the camera pans to the newly selected Supreme Chancellor Palpatine.
Ewan McGregor recalled that his performance in the film consisted of "walking into rooms and looking up".
During filming, Ewan McGregor made lightsaber noises as he dueled. George Lucas explained many times that the sound effects would be added in by the special effects people later on. Ewan said "I kept getting carried away."
Keira Knightley's parents tried to convince her not to audition, but the twelve-year-old actress still sought a role, given she was a Star Wars fan.
Qui-Gon Jinn's communicator is a redecorated Gillette Sensor Excel Razor for Women.
Warwick Davis: Davis, who played Wicket in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983), is sitting next to Watto during the pod race scene. He also plays Anakin's friend Wald, a Rodian child.
Rick McCallum: The producer appears on the right, in a floppy wide-brim hat, when Queen Amidala meets Senator Palpatine.
John Knoll: The visual effects supervisor at Industrial Light & Magic plays the Naboo pilot who gets killed during the space battle with the Trade Federation. It happens after Ric Olié says "The deflector shield is too strong."
George Lucas: [1138] The Droid smashed by Jar Jar Binks during the battle has serial number 1138 on his back. THX 1138 (1971) was Lucas's first film and starred Robert Duvall.