Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan prepare to fight their way out of the Trade Federation flagship. It's something…elsewhere…elusive." ―Obi-Wan Kenobi to Qui-Gon Jinn - Listen ( file info)
The success of the film allowed for the next two chapters of the prequel trilogy, as well as the Star Wars: The Clone Wars film and television series. The film was the catalyst for fifteen years of Star Wars storytelling that would primarily take place around the time of the prequel storyline. It was re-released on Blu-ray in September 2011, and was re-released in theaters in 3D on February 10, 2012. Despite mixed reviews from critics and fans, the film grossed $924.3 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing Star Wars film when unadjusted for inflation. The release was accompanied by extensive media coverage and great fan anticipation. The Phantom Menace was released in theaters on May 19, 1999, becoming the first Star Wars film since Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, which was released sixteen years earlier. It is the first part of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, the fourth theatrical Star Wars release overall, and the opening entry of the nine-film Star Wars saga. Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace is a 1999 film written and directed by George Lucas, produced by Rick McCallum and starring Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, and Ian McDiarmid.