Pause the movie Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace in the right place to discover a cool Easter egg, alluding to an SF classic.
Which classic is it about? Even though many people probably already know Star Wars: Episode 1 almost inside out, there is always something to discover. It’s worth taking a closer look, because at minute 33 and 40 seconds you can see a hidden declaration of love to one of the greatest masterpieces of the SF genre – namely 2001: A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick from 1968.
English trailer for Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
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The EVA Pod from 2001: A Space Odyssey
What can be seen? In the background of this scene at Watto’s junkyard on the planet Tatooine is an EVA Pod, a small spherical space capsule from Kubrick’s work. The EVA Pod is controlled by astronauts and used for outdoor work and as a means of transportation in space.
Originally, all props and sets from 2001 were supposed to be destroyed after filming, but somehow this capsule found its way into the set of Star Wars.
Appreciating George Lucas
How could Watto get the Eva Pod? George Lucas and his team made a conscious decision to include a homage to this classic. The EVA Pod was placed in Watto’s scrapyard as an Easter Egg. This is probably a replica.
Kubrick’s masterpiece pushed the boundaries of film and inspired numerous other artists and filmmakers. Without 2001, the genre would undoubtedly look different today. He set new standards for visual effects and philosophical narratives in the SF genre.
The tribute to the EVA Pod in Star Wars: Episode 1 shows George Lucas and his team’s appreciation for Kubrick’s work. It’s a subtle acknowledgment of 2001: A Space Odyssey’s importance to the genre.
This hidden detail is just one of many Easter eggs in the Star Wars saga. In Star Wars Episode 1 you will find another clever allusion: If you stop Star Wars Episode at the right place, you will find a clever Easter egg