Jeremy hopes the Force is with him as he pursues a forensics career in the swamps of Louisiana.

The Star Wars Prequels

As any enthusiast of the galaxy far far away knows, the prequel trilogy heavily divided fans. Some loved it, some hated it, and many fell somewhere in-between. With a new cast and fresh setting, the impossibly high standards of the first three movies may have paved the path for an inevitable backlash of the prequels.



Regardless of your take on Episodes 1-3, they offer several fun nods to their predecessors, interesting correlations that likely dash past the casual viewer's perception. To see what I mean, let's examine six stunning parallels between the first films from each trilogy: The Phantom Menace (Episode 1) and A New Hope (Episode 4)!



Spoilers ahead.

Darth Vader and Darth Maul

6. Both Have Similar Names

Article Adjective Noun being described A New Hope The Phantom Menace

Rather than examine plot similarities, we'll start by considering the shared naming pattern. As the above table shows, both titles have three words and begin with an article, follow with an adjective, and end with the noun being described.



Taking it even further, each name sets the tone for its saga. A New Hope has an optimistic title, but the the movie begins in darkness. We see how the nefarious Empire reigns, yet throughout the trilogy, good slowly conquers evil and the Empire collapses.



Contrastingly, The Phantom Menace has an ominous title but begins in relative peace. Here, the universe is a moderately stable place, free of large-scale war, and Jedi help protect the diplomatic galaxy. However, things crumble throughout the trilogy as war breaks out and the Jedi dwindle.

Leia Organa

Padme Amidala

5. Both Heroines Must Transfer Information

In Episode 4: Princess Leia is captured by the ruthless Empire, but not before hiding the technical readout for the planet-destroying Death Star in R2-D2. Leia must provide this information to the Rebellion, and is eventually freed with the help of a Jedi (Obi-Wan), a Skywalker (Luke), and an alien (Chewbacca)



In Episode 1: Queen Amidala is captured by the ruthless Trade Federation, and must provide the news of the Federation's blockade to the Republic. Padme is freed with the help of Jedi (Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon) and aided in her quest by a Skywalker (Anakin) and an alien (Jar-Jar).



Further similarities: Each woman meets and befriends her future husband (Han and Anakin), but the romance doesn't blossom until the following movie. Additionally, both utilize deception to further their goals: Leia lies about not being a Rebellion agent while Padme uses a decoy bodyguard to conceal her status as queen.

Luke Skywalker

Anakin Skywalker

4. Both Skywalkers Lose Their Family

In Episode 4: Luke sulks as his uncle's farm anchors him to Tatooine. Thanks to Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke escapes the desert planet, but only after his uncle and aunt are killed.



In Episode 1: Anakin sulks as his slavery to Watto anchors him to Tatooine. Thanks to Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn, Anakin escapes the desert planet, but only after leaving his mother behind (who later dies in Episode 2).



Further similarities: Both father and son are presented as earnest yet naive, and possess incredible potential with the Force despite an inability to harness it. Anakin and Luke are also abnormally skilled at piloting. Speaking of which...

Luke Skywalker

Anakin Skywalker

3. Both Skywalkers Destroy a Space Station

In Episode 4: In the climax of the film, Luke flies into the trenches of the Death Star and fires two torpedoes to destroy it. This prevents the Rebels from being wiped out by the station's laser.



In Episode 1: In the climax of the film, Anakin flies into the innards of the Trade Federation's space station and fires two torpedoes to destroy it. This prevents the Gungans from being wiped out by the Battle Droids the station controlled.



Further similarities: Both Luke and Anakin were accompanied by R2 during their run and were new additions to their respective flying units.

Episode 4's Celebration

Episode 1's Celebration

2. Both End with a Victory Celebration

In Episode 4: With the Death Star destroyed, the protagonists celebrate as Princess Leia presents Luke and Han with medals for their aid (poor Chewie got gypped). Leia smiles at Luke as R2 happily chirps.



In Episode 1: With the Federation's command ship destroyed, the protagonists celebrate as Queen Amidala presents Boss Nass with a Globe of Peace for his aid. Padme smiles at Anakin as R2 happily chirps.



Further similarities: Both films end on a triumphant note, only soured by the fact that...

Darth Vader kills Obi-Wan

Darth Maul kills Qui-Gon

1. Both Jedi Mentors Die

In Episode 4: Obi-Wan, Luke's Jedi mentor, confronts Darth Vader in a lightsaber battle. Vader kills Obi-Wan by slicing him through the middle.



In Episode 1: Qui-Gon, Anakin's Jedi mentor, confronts Darth Maul in a lightsaber battle. Maul kills Qui-Gon by impaling him through the middle.



Further similarities: Both Jedi perish in front of their apprentices (Luke sees Obi-Wan die, and Obi-Wan sees Qui-Gon) and both had previously faced their opponent: Obi-Wan fought Vader on Mustafar in Episode 3, and Qui-Gon dueled Maul on Tatooine earlier in Episode 1.

Han and Greedo

Anakin and Greedo

Bonus: Both Movies Feature Greedo

In Episode 4: Greedo, a Rodian bounty hunter, confronts Han Solo but is shot and killed.



In Episode 1: Greedo, a Rodian youth, confronts Anakin Skywalker but is pummeled and beaten. This scene was deleted from the film, but can still be found on YouTube or in DVD extras.



After his scuffle with Anakin, Greedo's family hilariously caution him to be careful or he'll end up dead. Oh, the irony.

Future of Star Wars

Though far from perfect, I'll forever enjoy the Easter Eggs and references Star Wars inserts within its films. With two separate timelines as well as new movies still releasing, the future looks bright for the galaxy far far away.



Feel free to vote for your favorite film and I'll see you at our next countdown!

© 2017 Jeremy Gill

Jeremy Gill (author) from Louisiana on June 15, 2017:

Thanks Poppy! You're right, and I imagine George Lucas intended these similarities to exist to mirror the original trilogy.

Poppy from Enoshima, Japan on June 15, 2017:

Interesting insights, Jeremy! I suppose there will always be reccuring themes within the same genres.

Jeremy Gill (author) from Louisiana on June 14, 2017:

Thank you, Fullerman! I also enjoy each and every film. Episode 1 understandably receives lots of flack for Jar-Jar, but I really like certain elements and characters of the film such as Qui-Gon and Maul.

And hopefully we can one day explore comparisons from the Force Awakens trilogy to the original!

Ryan from Louisiana, USA on June 14, 2017:

Wow, this brings new meaning for me in the Star Wars saga. Makes you think, and realize things that I have missed. I enjoy all the Star Wars film, but definitely more of the old school fan. I am, however, very pleased with what they are accomplishing with the newer films like the Force Awakens and Rogue One. Great hub and I enjoyed it.