Welcome,
Rebelscum fans! This week on the site, we’re looking at the iconic podracing sequence from
The Phantom Menace. If you haven’t checked out our “
Expand Your Mind” article first, read up to learn about the history of the sequence and its importance within the saga. Stay tuned throughout the week for more articles, insights,
and video content.
Between ardent prequel fans and older viewers who were disappointed with the trilogy, few would disagree that the podracing sequence isn’t one of
Episode I’s best moments.
The Phantom Menace was groundbreaking with its early developments within computer generated imagery, and over two decades later the Boonta Eve Classic still holds up as an impressive technical achievement.
What else do you need to know about podracing? Check out our Force Facts:
- Designer Killian Plunkett and Dave Filoni considered bringing Ben Quadrinaros into The Clone Wars for its fourth season, but ultimately decided to keep a sense of mystery regarding the character. They even joked about making a documentary miniseries about Quadrinaros and how the Boonta Eve Classic was the only race he ever lost.
- Surprisingly, the announcers Fodesinbeed Annodue (aka Fode and Beed) are some of the most mysterious characters in the saga, as their only subsequent appearances have been in LEGO Star Wars tie-in shorts.
- In the Legends novel Tatooine Ghost, Han Solo and Princess Leia meet with Anakin’s childhood friend Kitster Banai at the site of the Boonta Eve Classic.
- Warwick Davis appears in the podrace as a friend of Watto’s and as Anakin’s childhood mate Wald.
- In Tatooine Ghost, Wald becomes the new owner of Watto’s salvage shop after the Toydarian retires. Wald and Kitster’s further adventures were also explored in the MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies.
- Many of the sound effects that were developed for the podracing sequence were reutilized for the Jaaku speeders in The Force Awakens.
- Ruins of the podracers from The Phantom Menace can be seen in The Mandalorian during Din and Cobb Vanth’s adventures in the Tatooine desert.
- Luke attempts to explore his father’s profession in the Legends YA book series Rebel Force. In Target, Luke shows a lot of his father’s inherent aptitude for racing despite being unaware of his heritage.
- Sebulba finally gets a rematch with Anakin in the YA novel Jedi Quest: The Dangerous Games during Anakin’s training with Obi-Wan.
- Anakin passes on his podracing knowledge to Ahsoka in the comic Crash Course, which was included on the DVD pack for The Clone Wars feature film.
What do you think,
Rebelscum fans? What is some of your favorite podracing trivia? Who is your favorite racer?
Let us know in the forums, and as always, may the Force be with you!
