I Need To Know More About The MTV Phantom Menace Premiere Party At Skywalker Ranch

Robbie Fox2/27/2024 7:20 PM

Jeff Kravitz. Getty Images.

I recently came across these photographs on Instagram from MTV's Phantom Menace release party in 1999, and actually had to rub my eyes/double check to make sure they weren't AI generated at first. Why in the world were the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Barry Pepper, Hansen, Paul Rudd, Fred Durst, Carmen Elektra, Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, and more gathered at Skywalker Ranch together for a Star Wars premiere?! And more importantly, why haven't I ever heard anything about this party?!

Giphy Images.

Those names I just mentioned really only scratch the surface of who was invited to the MTV premiere party, as well! Usher, Orlando Bloom, 98 Degrees, Katie Holmes, Seth Green, Third Eye Blind, Andy Dick, Tori Spelling, Jason Schwartzman, Shannen Doherty, Natasha Lyonne, Edward Furlong, Tatyana Ali, and more were also in attendance!

It was a who's who of the late 90s, and everyone there were seemingly gifted tons of free swag and drinks on the lawn out in front of the ranch before they saw the movie - looked pretty sick! Judging by the redness in Paul Rudd's eyes, I think there might've been more than just booze passed around too. I wonder if that helped or hurt their perception of 'The Phantom Menace' tho….

Giphy Images.

If you're drunk/high, do you revert back to your child-like brain and love all the lightsaber fights/think Jar Jar is the funniest guy of all time, or do you just get bored out of your skull watching all the dialogue about galactic trade disputes and nod off? I feel like it depends on the person. Paul Rudd and Ryan Reynolds probably got outta that theater thinking George Lucas just made the next 'Godfather' in space, while I'd wager my salary that Ozzy fell asleep somewhere in the first act - probably before the Jedi are even gassed by the Trade Federation.

Anyway - I want to see a 'Greatest Night In Pop' documentary about this party one day. I think there's gotta be some stories to be told, and I want to hear em. Now please enjoy the rest of the party pictures from the kind folks at Getty Images….