Why George Lucas Slowed Down Star Wars’ Fastest Lightsaber Battle

Fans of the galaxy far, far away were left speechless after a recently resurfaced video compared the raw, unedited lightsaber duel between Ewan McGregor and Ray Park in The Phantom Menace to the version that made it to theaters. The original footage shows the actors moving at a breakneck speed, their choreography almost too quick to follow. Suddenly, the decision to slow down the final cut seems much more intentional—and necessary.

The Director’s Dilemma: Balancing Intensity and Clarity

George Lucas himself addressed this creative choice in the making-of documentary for The Phantom Menace. He admitted that the film’s pacing and action could easily overwhelm viewers. As he put it,

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 pushed the audience’s limits. He went on to say,

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 raw footage not only highlights the sheer speed of the duel but also the incredible physical effort both actors put into their performances. Their dedication set a new standard for action in the franchise.

Behind the Blades: Training for the Ultimate Duel

The lightning-fast moves seen in the unedited footage didn’t happen by accident. Both McGregor and Park spent months perfecting the choreography for their showdown. Ray Park, originally hired as a stunt performer, landed the role of Darth Maul after his martial arts skills impressed the stunt coordinator. His background in Wushu and acrobatics shaped the character’s aggressive fighting style.

McGregor trained under the same coordinator, learning the complex sequences step by step before performing them at full speed. Behind-the-scenes clips show the actors running through long stretches of choreography together, focusing on timing and flow rather than relying on quick cuts in editing.

The stunt coordinator was tasked with inventing a new style of combat for the prequels—one that was faster and more dynamic than anything seen in the original trilogy. This demanded absolute precision from the actors, who performed most of the duel themselves. The raw set footage reveals just how much their teamwork and physical skill contributed to the scene’s impact.

“Duel of the Fates”: Music and Myth in Motion

John Williams’ “Duel of the Fates” became an instant classic, forever linked to the epic confrontation between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul. The choral power and driving tempo of the score gave the fight a sense of grandeur, turning a technical display into an emotional high point for the film.

The music’s bold style marked a departure from the original trilogy’s sound, helping to define the tone of the prequel era. Its presence in the duel made it a cultural touchstone, echoing through later Star Wars projects, trailers, and fan tributes. For many, the music is inseparable from the memory of the battle, amplifying its status as one of the saga’s most unforgettable moments.

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is currently streaming on Disney+.