The Phantom Menace (1999) PG. 131 minutes. Cast & Credits Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid Directed by: George Lucas Synopsis: In Star Wars: Episode I, Darth Vader is a hopeful nine-year-old boy named Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi is a brash young Jedi Knight. The first chapter of the Star Wars saga follows Anakin's journey as he pursues his dreams and confronts his deepest fears in the midst of a galaxy in turmoil. Released on: Wednesday, May 19, 1999