Fan-edited 'Phantom Menace' tightens film, cuts Jar Jar Binks
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HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - A mysterious re-edited version of George Lucas' "Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace" has been circulating lately and is causing a stir among fans on the Internet.
Titled "The Phantom Edit," the film is shorter than the original by about 20 minutes. Created by an anonymous fan calling himself the "Phantom Editor," the movie removes scenes and lines of dialogue that some fans objected to when the original film debuted.
After the movie opens with its signature "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away." audiences see a different scroll, which explains the reasons behind the new edit, saying in part: " ... I have re-edited a standard VHS version of 'The Phantom Menace,' into what I believe is a much stronger film by relieving the viewer of as much story redundancy, pointless Anakin actions and dialogue, and Jar Jar Binks, as possible."
When asked about "The Phantom Edit," George Lucas told Zap2it.com that he wasn't too worried about it.
"The Internet is a new medium, it's all about doing things like that," said Lucas, who added that it gives people a new creative outlet. "I haven't seen it. I would like to."
The general consensus of fans on the Internet seems to be that the new edit is an improvement.
One fan, who suggests that "this may in fact be the way the film should've been released," has even created a Web site dedicated to "The Phantom Edit" (members.onecenter.com/hollywood/phantomedit).