Key Takeaways:
– Matthew Wood, a sound editor at Lucasfilm, was the first person to watch the Star Wars prequel, The Phantom Menace.
– Wood worked on the sound for the prequel and George Lucas provided him with the rough cut for feedback.
– The full-length movie hadn’t been screened until that point, which made Wood the first viewer, viewing it even before Lucas himself.
– Matthew Wood shared his excitement and worries about the huge responsibility of being the first person to watch the film.
A Surprising Moment for Matthew Wood
Matthew Wood is no stranger to the Star Wars franchise, having been involved in numerous projects for the beloved saga. However, during a discussion to mark the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Menace, Wood surprised fans by saying he was the first to watch the 1999 prequel, even before Star Wars creator George Lucas himself.
Delving into his history with Lucasfilm, Wood said that he was uniquely positioned to watch the movie before anyone else. Picture editors Ben Burtt and Paul Martin Smith had spent weeks building up a rough cut of the movie, which Lucas handed to Wood for input, adjusting sound levels.
“George Lucas handed it over to me, saying, ‘Well, here you go, Matt. You’re it. The first one to see this film from the opening to the end,'” Wood recalled.
Becoming the First Viewer
This handoff from Lucas conferred on Wood the privilege of being the first viewer. Lucas, while overseeing everything unfolding in the editing rooms, had not had the chance to watch the complete film yet. This unexpected twist of fate put Wood in a unique position within the Star Wars franchise.
His Initial Reaction to The Phantom Menace
The opportunity to watch the rough cut of The Phantom Menace excited Wood. Nevertheless, his enthusiasm was tinged with a healthy dose of anxiety due to the extraordinary secrecy shrouding this project.
Wood shared, “This was the very first time someone watched a fresh Star Wars film since 1983, a whole sixteen years later. I was so thrilled I even called my mom to tell her what I was doing! I felt on edge though, as the film was several hours long with a lot of temporary content.”
It wasn’t just the long wait for a new Star Wars installment that filled Wood with anticipation. Having read the script did not lessen the thrill of watching the film. As Wood points out, the experience of reading versus watching is starkly different.
Comparing the Rough Cut to the Final Film
During his viewing, Wood noticed the differences between the rough cut and the final cut. Notably, John Williams’ legendary background score was missing from the early cut of the film. Instead, temporary sounds filled the film, an indication of the ongoing work.
In addition, the film’s visual effects (VFX) were incomplete, evidenced by patches of bluescreen. Despite the unfinished state of the film, Wood took on his role seriously and gave valuable input on the film’s sound, enhancing the overall experience for millions of Star Wars fans around the globe.
The Phantom Menace, along with all other Star Wars movies, is currently available for streaming on Disney+. So, while Wood may have been the first person to watch the film, fans worldwide can enjoy it whenever they wish. Whether you are a diehard Star Wars fan or a casual viewer, it’s always fun to know more about the behind-the-scenes workings of our favorite films.
