Why George Lucas Nerfed Star Wars' Most Legendary Lightsaber Duel

A recently unearthed comparison video is blowing the minds of Star Wars fans, showing just how incredibly fast Ewan McGregor and Ray Park’s original lightsaber duel in The Phantom Menace really was. The raw footage captures their movements at a nearly unbelievable speed, which sheds new light on why the version we saw in theaters was noticeably slower.

Why George Lucas Pumped the Brakes

This change wasn't an accident; it was a deliberate choice made by George Lucas. In a making-of documentary for the film, he admitted that the movie's overall intensity and complex structure could be too much for audiences to take in. He felt the film was pushing the limits of what viewers could follow.

According to a report from THR, he explained his approach:

I do a particular kind of movie of which this is consistent. But it is a very hard movie to follow. But, at the same time, I have done it a little more extremely than I have done it in the past.

Lucas recognized that the film's style was a core part of its design, but he also knew it needed to be accessible. He added:

It’s stylistically designed to be that way, and you can’t undo that, but we can diminish the affects of it. We can slow it down a little bit, so if it’s intense for us, a regular person is going to go nuts.

The unedited footage also serves as a testament to the sheer physicality and effort that went into creating the duel, defining the powerful performances from both McGregor and Park.

The Grueling Training Behind the Duel

The blistering pace seen in the original footage was the result of countless hours of rehearsal. Ray Park, who played Darth Maul, was first hired for the stunt team. However, stunt coordinator Nick Gillard saw a demo reel of Park's Wushu and acrobatic skills and knew he had found his Sith Lord. Park's martial arts expertise became the foundation for Darth Maul's fluid and menacing fighting style.

Ewan McGregor also trained extensively with Gillard, learning the complex choreography piece by piece until he could perform it at full speed. Behind-the-scenes documentaries show the two actors practicing long, continuous sequences, focusing on perfect timing to avoid relying on quick camera cuts. Gillard was tasked with inventing a new kind of martial art for the prequels, one that was faster and more dynamic than anything seen in the original trilogy. This new style demanded incredible precision from the performers, which both McGregor and Park delivered consistently. Their dedication to performing the duel themselves is why the raw footage is so impressive, showcasing the incredible coordination and skill that brought the fight to life.

The Lasting Impact of “Duel of the Fates”

It’s impossible to talk about the iconic duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul without mentioning John Williams’ masterpiece, “Duel of the Fates.” The track has become one of the most recognizable and beloved pieces of music in the entire Star Wars saga, and its legacy is forever tied to this specific fight scene.

The score’s intense choral arrangements and driving orchestral rhythm transformed a technically impressive sequence into an epic, emotional event. It gave the battle a mythic quality that elevated the entire film. This bold musical direction was a significant departure from the original trilogy's style and helped establish the unique tone of the prequel era. The music became so intertwined with the action that for many fans, it is the defining sound of the duel, cementing its place as one of the most unforgettable moments in the franchise's history.

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is available to stream on Disney+.