Summary

• Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace is returning to theaters after 25 years, giving fans a chance to revisit George Lucas' vision.
• Despite facing criticism, the movie was a huge financial success, with a budget of $115 million and earning over $1 billion.
• The re-release coincides with the 25th anniversary of the film's original release and will be timed with the popular May the 4th weekend.

25 years after it was released, Anakin Skywalker's descent into villainy. While often the subject of criticism, the movie proved to be a massive financial success. With a budget of $115 million, it brought in over $1 billion and ushered in a trilogy of its own.

Now, with its 25th Anniversary fast-approaching, Empire reports that the prequel will be released in theaters on Friday, May 3. Along with the release is an amazing new poster, featuring every major character under the watchful eyes of Darth Maul.

George Lucas' vision for The Phantom Menace proved to have a lasting effect, and it still has the chance to draw crowds today. The date will celebrate both the May the 4th weekend and Phantom Menace's original release.

The Phantom Menace Has Aged Well

In many ways, The Phantom Menace has left a lasting legacy that continues to be felt today. As a prequel, the foundations of the universe lies in the lore that was first presented when Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon stumbled across the young Anakin Skywalker. Countless stories have been told based on the Jedi Council that truly made its name in the prequel movies, with much of the Jedi and Sith lore having been born with their re-introduction in Episode I.

The Phantom Menace is available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

The Clone Wars show has also gone a long way in helping to improve Phantom Menace's reputation. Every character in the prequels is fleshed out in the show. It's a much-needed element that offers the necessary depth and history to bridge the gaps between every movie. The tragedy of Anakin's story required that added time to fully flesh him out, and instead of being left as three movies attempting to cover a man's entire downfall, The Clone Wars made Anakin sympathetic, which makes Phantom Menace even more touching in turn.

The politics within Star Wars: The Phantom Menace are also developed in future stories, and the effects still reverberate within the universe. After all, the taxation plight launches an entire era of warfare. Just as the rest of the prequels have enjoyed a recent resurgence, the first prequel has aged remarkably well, and the re-release is sure to bring waves of viewers.

Source: Empire