{"id":1426,"date":"2011-08-23T15:18:24","date_gmt":"2011-08-23T20:18:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/?p=1426"},"modified":"2026-05-21T13:55:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T18:55:50","slug":"the-pod-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/the-pod-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Now This is Podracing"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Boonta Eve Podrace from Episode I<\/em> is definitely a highlight of the film, especially after George Lucas decided to extend and improve it in subsequent video releases. No matter how much he expands it, however, deleted shots remain.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

THE PROBLEMS OF THE UNIVERSE<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the early drafts of the script, Obi-Wan was the “main” Jedi. Qui-Gon, his mentor, only showed up later when everyone landed on Coruscant. It was Obi-Wan who was involved in all of the important scenes during the first half of the film, including the discovery of Anakin Skywalker. With that in mind, here’s a passage from the Episode I Insider’s Guide<\/em> CD-ROM about the morning of the pod race:<\/p>\n

Before she exits the hovel in the revised rough draft, Padm\u00e9 notices Obi-Wan staring out a window. She tells him, “You look like you’re trying to solve the problems of the universe…” To this he replies, “Only our own, but maybe they will become the problems of the universe. I don’t know…” Again, it seems as if Obi-Wan can sense that the difficulties facing the Naboo may have larger, and darker, ramifications for the galaxy as a whole.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There was a line in the Return of the Jedi<\/a><\/em> novelization where Obi-Wan says, “My pride had terrible consequences for the galaxy.”<\/em> It’s a nice parallel.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ANAKIN’S DREAM<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Episode I<\/em>, there’s a scene where Anakin, Padm\u00e9, Kitster, and Shmi arrive at the Pod Race Arena Hangar on camel-like Eopies. R2-D2 and C-3PO are following behind, dragging Anakin’s Pod. What we don’t see in the film is what took place previously. Kitster brings the Eopies to Anakin’s backyard while Artoo is busy painting the Pod. Anakin is sleeping, and has one of his prophetic dreams. The scene takes place at dawn, after Darth Maul arrives on Tatooine.\u00a0Here is the Illustrated Screenplay<\/a><\/em> version:<\/p>\n

EXT. MOS ESPA – SLAVE QUARTERS – PORCH – SUNRISE <\/strong>
\nPadm\u00e9 exits the hovel.<\/em><\/p>\n

EXT. MOS ESPA – SLAVE QUARTERS – BACK YARD – SUNRISE <\/strong>
\nAs the twin suns rise, ARTOO is busy painting the racing Pod. Anakin is asleep. PADM\u00c9 passes ARTOO. <\/em><\/p>\n

Padm\u00e9
\nI hope you’re about finished.<\/p>\n

ARTOO whistles a positive reply. PADM\u00c9 sees KITSTER riding toward them on an EOPIE, a strange camel-like creature. He is leading a second EOPIE behind him. PADM\u00c9 goes over to ANAKIN. He looks very vulnerable as he sleeps. She watches him, then touches him on the cheek. ANAKIN wakes up, yawns, and looks at her a little puzzled. <\/em><\/p>\n

Anakin
\nYou were in my dream…
\nyou were leading a huge army into battle.<\/p>\n

Padm\u00e9
\nI hope not; I hate fighting.
\nYour mother wants you
\nto come in and clean up.
\nWe have to leave soon.<\/p>\n

ANAKIN stands up and stretches just as KITSTER arrives. <\/em><\/p>\n

Anakin
\nHook ’em up, Kitster.
\n(to Padm\u00e9) I won’t be long.
\nWhere’s Qui-Gon?<\/p>\n

Padm\u00e9
\nHe and Jar Jar left already.
\nThey’re with Watto at the arena.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This scene is included on the Episode I<\/em> DVD<\/a> in the Deleted Scenes section but take note that it has been edited to remove all the dialogue between Anakin and Padm\u00e9 about the dream.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-content\/uploads\/dawn_640_divx.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEFORE THE RACE<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are a few things that happen right before the Pod Race that were removed from the final cut of the film.\u00a0Most of them are small things like pod race introductions and encouraging words to Anakin.\u00a0One thing I would have liked to have seen is a shot where all the racers bow to Jabba as described in the Episode I Illustrated Screenplay<\/a><\/em>:<\/p>\n

All the PILOTS bow from the waist as JABBA THE HUTT enters the box and waves to the crowd.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The “bowing to Jabba” rumor was one of the earliest rumors to appear on the Internet while Episode I<\/em> was in production. As it turned out, Jabba had some more lines too. Here’s the excerpt:<\/p>\n

EXT. MOS ESPA – ARENA – STARTING GRID – DAY <\/strong>
\nSEBULBA, who is right next to ANAKIN, stands and waves to his fans. A small pep band plays as his fans wave and cheer. <\/em>KITSTER attaches the giant engines to Anakin’s Pod with a long cable. SHMI gives ANAKIN a big hug and kiss. She looks him right in the eye. <\/em><\/p>\n

Shmi
\nBe safe.<\/p>\n

Anakin
\nI will, Mom. I promise.<\/p>\n

She leaves as ANAKIN checks the cable hitches. <\/em><\/p>\n

Jabba
\n…Mawhonic tuta Hok,
\nTeemto Pagalies tuta Moonus Mandel,
\nAnakin Skywalker tuta Tatooine…<\/p>\n

The CROWD YELLS. ANAKIN waves to the crowd, as JABBA continues with his introductions. SEBULBA moves over to one of Anakin’s engines. KITSTER and JAR JAR unhitch the EOPIES, and KITSTER leads them away. ARTOO beeps that everything is OK. JAR JAR pats ANAKIN on the back. <\/em><\/p>\n

Jar Jar
\nDis berry loony, Annie.
\nMay da guds be kind, mesa palo.<\/p>\n

PADM\u00c9 comes up and gives ANAKIN a little kiss on the cheek. SEBULBA bangs on a part protruding from Anakin’s engine. He looks around to see if anyone has noticed. <\/em><\/p>\n

Padm\u00e9
\nYou carry all our hopes.<\/p>\n

Anakin
\nI won’t let you down.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The small bit with Shmi and Anakin was<\/em> reinserted into the Episode I<\/em> DVD<\/a> cut of the film. However, the parts with Padm\u00e9, Jar Jar, Jabba, and the others still remain on the cutting room floor.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a> \"\" <\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

LETTING FATE DECIDE<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Watto throws the chance cube to “let fate decide” if Anakin or Shmi would be the slave to be freed if Anakin wins the Pod Race, there were a few extra lines that were deleted.\u00a0Here’s how the conversation went according to the Episode I Illustrated Screenplay<\/a><\/em>:<\/p>\n

\n

Qui-Gon
\nI’ll wager my new racing Pod against
\n…say…the boy and his mother.<\/p>\n

Watto
\nA Pod for slaves. I don’t think so…
\nwell, perhaps. Just one…the mother, maybe
\n…the boy isn’t for sale.<\/p>\n

Qui-Gon
\nThe boy is small,
\nhe can’t be worth much.<\/p>\n

WATTO shakes his head. <\/em><\/p>\n

Qui-Gon (cont’d)
\nFor the fastest Pod ever built?<\/p>\n

WATTO shakes his head again. <\/em><\/p>\n

Qui-Gon (cont’d)
\nBoth, or no bet.<\/p>\n

Watto
\nNo Pod’s worth two slaves…
\nnot by a long shot…one slave or nothing.<\/p>\n

Qui-Gon (cont’d)
\nThe boy, then…<\/p>\n

WATTO pulls out a small cube from his pocket. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE EXTENDED PODRACE\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a small homage to Episode IV<\/em>, there was supposed to be a Bith band playing music in the crowd at the Podrace. They are definitely seen in the DVD version, so look for them there.\u00a0The Episode I<\/em> DVD<\/a> has some great deleted footage on it. If you watch the two Pod Race scenes (Extended Lap 2 <\/em>& The Grid Sequence<\/em>), you’ll be treated to many great shots you didn’t see in the theatrical version, some of which were reinserted right back into the film. Many more Pod Racers were introduced, and Lap 2 was greatly extended.<\/p>\n

Also, during the race there were supposed to be some shots of maintenance or salvage droids who are deployed to clean up debris from the various crashes.\u00a0The Art of\u00a0 Episode I<\/a><\/em>, page 143 reads:<\/p>\n

The flying clean-up droids hover about, waiting for a crash, then swoop down and clear away the wreckage. Like Podracer droids, they can be identified by their mushroom-shaped caps.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I believe that by “Podracer Droids” they mean Pit Droids. You’ll have to watch the Extended Poddrace: Lap Two scene to see them.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/a>\"\" <\/a>\"\" <\/a>\"\" <\/a>\"\" <\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-content\/uploads\/grid_480_divx.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n
https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-content\/uploads\/lap2_480_divx_lo.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

FANTA<\/strong><\/p>\n

There originally was an alien named Fanta who was a spectator watching the Pod Race. He had the distinct pleasure of sitting next to Jar Jar Binks, who constantly annoyed him while trying to peek at his viewscreen.\u00a0The Neimoidians in Episode I<\/em> were originally supposed to be long-snouted, skinny aliens, very similar to the sketches of Fanta seen below. The idea was that the Trade Federation had the Battle Droids created in their image, hence the elongated heads of the Battle Droids. Some time later, George Lucas decided to use the green-skinned Duros from the Episode IV<\/em> cantina scenes as the inspiration for the Neimoidians instead.<\/p>\n

It seems that instead of trashing the design altogether, they took the discarded Neimoidian design and used it to create Fanta, since he was in the original script. In fact, if you look at a few of the sketches, you’ll see that some of them actually say “Neimoidian” right on them (or some variation of the word.) They removed the “Neimoidian” label on future sketches and just called him Fanta with no specific species. One also has “PHANTA” written on it, giving us another addition to the character’s development.\u00a0Here are some quick bits from the Episode I Illustrated Screenplay<\/a><\/em> that have to do with Fanta and Jar Jar’s antics on the Viewing Platform:<\/p>\n

JABBA THE HUTT and the crowd watch the progress of the race on small, hand-held view screens. JAR JAR is looking over the shoulder off a strange alien named FANTA.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jar Jar
\nWhere’s Skywalker?<\/p>\n

FANTA moves the view screen out of JAR JAR’s view. PADM\u00c9, SHMI, and QUI-GON watch another screen and look worried.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

QUI-GON sits quietly, meditating. PADM\u00c9 and SHMI search the landscape for any sign of the racers. JAR JAR is still annoying FANTA for information.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

QUI-GON, PADM\u00c9, SHMI, and JAR JAR yell for joy as ANAKIN passes. JAR JAR is very nervous and pounds on the back of his alien neighbor, FANTA.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jar Jar
\nWhat gooie-on?<\/p>\n

Fanta
\nBug off.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AFTER THE RACE<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>After the Podrace, there are some congratulations, and then Anakin and Shmi are left behind.\u00a0Remember, Anakin does not know he is free until Qui-Gon returns for him. So for now, this is goodbye to the Jedi until Qui-Gon returns the Eopies.\u00a0Here’s the excerpt from the Episode I Illustrated Screenplay<\/a><\/em>:<\/p>\n

EXT. MOS ESPA – ARENA – MAIN HANGAR – DAY <\/strong>
\nJAR JAR gives ANAKIN a great hug, then PADM\u00c9 gives him a hug, then SHMI.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Anakin
\nAh, gee…enough of this…<\/p>\n

Shmi
\nIt’s so wonderful, Annie.
\nYou have brought hope to those
\nwho have none. I’m so very proud of you…<\/p>\n

Padm\u00e9
\nWe owe you everything.<\/p>\n

Anakin
\nJust feeling this good was worth it.<\/p>\n

In the background, QUI-GON has harnessed the EOPIES to containers full of parts. <\/em><\/p>\n

Qui-Gon
\nPadm\u00e9, Jar Jar, let’s go,
\nwe’ve got to get these parts back to the ship.<\/p>\n

The group walks over to QUI-GON and the EOPIES. PADM\u00c9 climbs on behind QUI-GON. JAR JAR swings up onto the second EOPIE, only to slowly slide off the other side. ARTOO whistles. ANAKIN and SHMI wave as they ride off. <\/em><\/p>\n

Qui-Gon
\nI’ll return the eopies by midday.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Boonta Eve Podrace from Episode I is definitely a highlight of the film, especially after George Lucas decided to extend and improve it in subsequent video releases. No matter how much he expands it, however, deleted shots remain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1001004,"featured_media":4481,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,25],"tags":[62,79,74,78,73,42,84,34,81,77,76,63,75,58,82,45,80,32,67,59,72,53,44,65,83,71,57,60],"class_list":["post-1426","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cutscenes","category-cutscenes-tpm","tag-anakin-skywalker","tag-bith","tag-c-3po","tag-chance-cube","tag-dream","tag-droid","tag-eopie","tag-episode-i","tag-fanta","tag-jabba","tag-jabba-the-hutt","tag-jar-jar-binks","tag-kitster","tag-mos-espa","tag-neimoidian","tag-obi-wan-kenobi","tag-ody-mandrell","tag-phantom-menace","tag-pit-droid","tag-pod-race","tag-podrace","tag-queen-amidala","tag-qui-gon-jinn","tag-r2-d2","tag-salvage-droid","tag-shmi-skywalker","tag-tatooine","tag-watto"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1426","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1001004"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1426"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1426\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4480,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1426\/revisions\/4480"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4481"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1426"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1426"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starwarz.com\/tbone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}