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Every time Star Wars acknowledged the prequels exist

Photo credit: NBC Universal
Photo credit: NBC Universal

From Digital Spy

Photo credit: NBC Universal
Photo credit: NBC Universal

When Disney took over the Star Wars franchise from Lucasfilm in 2012, the general feeling was that the prequel trilogy and their memory was being left behind as new films were announced.

While they were hits at the box office, we think it's safe to say that The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith do not have a positive association for many fans.

But far from ignoring them, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, Rogue One and Solo have all embraced their Star Wars-prequel roots and referenced them in various fashions.

Here are all the times the Star Wars franchise acknowledged – hell, even celebrated – the prequels...

1. Prequel Obi Wan speaks to Rey

In an uncredited appearance, as much as a voice can be counted as an "appearance", Ewan McGregor could be heard reprising his role as Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi in The Force Awakens.

The Scottish actor played Kenobi in the prequels from 1999 to 2005 and was on hand again to supply the simple line, "these are your first steps" – just audible when Rey touches Luke's lightsaber for the first time.

Archive material from Alec Guinness, who played Kenobi in the Original Trilogy from 1977 to 1983, was manipulated to create the word "Rey" which began the sentence from Obi Wan.

Speaking of lightsabers...

2. Bring back the Clones

During one of their more heated bro-chats in The Force Awakens, Kylo Ren suggests to General Hux that they bring back the Clone Army instead of using the First Order Troopers.

Clone Troopers (genetically created from the DNA of Jango Fett) were introduced in Attack of the Clones, a successor to the Battle Droids and a precursor of the iconic Stormtrooper.

3. "Laser sword"

Star Wars creator George Lucas was very fond of pissing off fans by referring to the legendary Jedi weapon as a "laser sword" and not lightsaber. He did so most expertly in The Phantom Menace when Anakin used it when talking to Qui Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) in his home on Tatooine.

Fast-forward to 2017's The Last Jedi and Luke Skywalker says "laser sword" when training Rey on the Porg-filled planet Ahch-To.

If only this was the sort of things fans would moan about.

4. Aurra Sing

Photo credit: Disney
Photo credit: Disney

What do you mean "who?"

According to Lando Calrissian in the most recent flick, Solo: A Star Wars Story, she was killed (or pushed) by Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson).

Fans of The Phantom Menace will remember a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo during the podrace sequence despite the character being touted as the new Boba Fett with an action figure released before the movie.

Sing went on to feature in The Clone Wars series (pictured above).

5. Warwick Davis

We all know that it's a rule now that when a Star Wars film is made, it has to include Warwick Davis. And quite right too.

He first appeared as adorable Ewok Wicket in Return of the Jedi and then returned to the saga for The Phantom Menace where he played, amongst another characters, Weazel – an associate of Watto who was visible during the podrace.

This character returned for a more substantial role in Solo: A Star Wars Story, where he was not only part of the burgeoning rebellion, but he even got a few lines!

Maybe he'll reprise Wald in Star Wars Episode IX..?

6. Anakin's Podracer

Actually, this entry shouldn't be included as this particular Easter Egg didn't make it to the final version of The Force Awakens. But it's worth a mention.

In a trailer for Episode VIII, fans were quick to spot a flag at Maz Kanata's hideout that featured an emblem also seen on Anakin Skywalker's podracer in The Phantom Menace.

Ultimately, JJ Abrams wanted to the new films to come up with their "own stuff" and made the decision to alter the flag and omit the neat prequel link.

7. Darth Vader returns to the place he nearly died

Photo credit: Disney
Photo credit: Disney

The Dark Lord of the Sith loved so much the planet where he lost his wife and child (or so he thought) AND nearly died, he set up home there.

Mustafar, the planet in question, was the location for the apocalyptic final scenes in Revenge of the Sith which saw Obi Wan de-limb his once BF.

A few years later, and still waiting for the Death Star's construction to be completed, Vader is hanging out on Mustafar as we see when Krennic goes for a one-to-one catch-up with his line manager.

8. Bail Organa

Photo credit: Disney
Photo credit: Disney

Handsome Jimmy Smits popped up as Bail Organa in Attack of the Clones and then again in Revenge of the Sith where he assisted Yoda and Kenobi with Anakin and Padme's new born twins. Organa took Leia to Alderaan, where he and his wife adopted her.

In Rogue One, Smith literally stepped out of the shadows to reprise his prequel part, albeit in a tiny cameo.

9. Luke mentions Darth Sidious to Rey

In The Last Jedi, Luke gives the Jedi a good old-fashioned slagging to Rey where he points out that they "allowed Darth Sidious to rise".

For those with short memories or unfamiliar with the name, Darth Sidious was the alter ego of Palpatine, who caused so much commotion in the prequel films; eventually becoming the Emperor and wiping the Jedi out.

10. The planet Felucia

This rather beautiful-looking planet was the backdrop for one of the many brutal deaths during the Order 66 sequence in Revenge of the Sith.

Felucia gets name-checked by Lando (Donald Glover) in Solo: A Star Wars Story, where he claims he did some business for business for Crimson Dawn's Dryden Vos.

11. Mon Mothma

Photo credit: Lucasfilm - Disney
Photo credit: Lucasfilm - Disney

Now here we have both an Original and Prequel Trilogy reference rolled into one.

As leader of the Rebel Alliance, Mothma first appeared in 1983's Return of the Jedi and was played by Poldark's Caroline Blakiston. The character did make an appearance in Revenge of the Sith, this time played by the brilliant Genevieve O'Reilly, but the scenes ended up on the cutting-room floor (or computer trash bin). Thankfully, fans can enjoy her scenes on the DVD extras.

But, that was not the last of the Irish actress. Jump to Rogue One and Mothma is back leading the rebels in a fight against the Empire. Gratifyingly, O'Reilly was asked back to reprise the role.

12. Darth Maul returns

Photo credit: 20th Century Fox
Photo credit: 20th Century Fox

Perhaps the greatest, certainly the boldest, reference of them all.

Maul, as he is now known, was known to millions across the world as THE face of The Phantom Menace back in 1999. From M&M plushies to towels to skateboards, there was nothing Lucasfilm wouldn't brandish their little red-faced horny devil on.

So fans were – perhaps understandably, for once – a bit miffed when the Sith Lord was "killed" by Obi Wan Kenobi. Their patience, however, has been rewarded with a juicy cameo at the denouement of Solo: A Star Wars Story, with original actor Ray Park back in the ninja pants. (According to Star Wars canon, Maul didn't die and got himself some robo-legs. Whatever, as long as he's back for more double-bladed lightsaber action.)

Now fronting crime syndicate Crimson Dawn, it looks like this bad boy's been up to plenty o' shenanigans since he was cut in half on Tatooine (his adventures in animated shows The Clone Wars and Rebels are well worth your time).

Solo: A Star Wars Story is in cinemas now – read our review here.

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