An easily-missed podracer Easter egg inStar Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clonesis one of many connections between the movies and the non-movie materials of theStar WarsLegends continuity. Although the modernStar Warscanon is the franchise’s current continuity,Legends (formerly called the Expanded Universe)was the franchise’s official canon from 1977 to 2014, with some of theStar Warsmoviesincluding direct connections to Legends-era materials. This is especially prevalent in the prequel trilogy.
The planet Coruscant is featured prominently throughout the prequels, and while early concepts of an ecumenopolis were planned for the original trilogy, Timothy Zahn’s depiction of the planet and the name Coruscant were used in the films, keeping the continuity consistent.Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sithincludes a reference to the Siege of Saleucami, connecting the film to theStar Wars: Republiccomics and the Clone Wars as it was described inZahn’sThrawntrilogy.Attack of the Clonesalso has numerous connections to Legends-era works, including one detail that connects to a popular video game.
There’s A Blink-And-You’ll-Miss-It Podracing Scene In Attack Of The Clones
WhenObi-Wan Kenobiand Anakin Skywalker pursue the bounty hunter Zam Wesell into the Outlander Club on Coruscant,several vidscreens are visible, with one depicting podracers. On the frigid Mid Rim planet Ando Prime, several podracers from the Boonta Eve Classic – notably Dud Bolt and Boles Roor – are visible racing across the world’s snow-covered mountains. Dud Bolt, notably, crashed his Vulptereen 327 podracer offscreen during the Boonta Eve Classic, but the footage indicates that he obtained a new one for the Ando Prime race.
The post-1997Star Warsoriginal trilogy films and all three prequels reference their respective novelizations – explicitly Legends-era properties – in their end credits.
You’ll Never Believe Where The Podracing Footage Comes From
While it is not surprising that a seedy nightclub on Coruscant would play footage of a podrace, what is fascinating about the footage is thatit appears to come from the 1999 video gameStar Wars: Episode I Racer. The popular game tied intoStar Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menaceand allowed players to relive the Boonta Eve Classic and numerous other podraces on other worlds, including Ando Prime. While theStar Warsprequels include numerous references and subtle connections to Legends-era works, it is remarkable that a Legends-era property itself seemingly appeared in a movie.
What makes this connection even more noteworthy is thatAttack of the Clones, like the rest of the original six saga films, is part of both the Legends continuity and the modern canon, puttingRacerin an interesting position. While footage fromRacerappears to be inAttack of the Clones, this almost certainly does not mean that the game is part of both timelines. Even withRacerremaining a Legends-exclusive property, its apparent appearance inAttack of the Clonesis one of the film’s more interesting Easter eggs.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Cast
Years after the events of The Phantom Menace, the Skywalker Saga continues with Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. When Senator Padme Amidala’s life is threatened, Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are tasked with her protection. While Obi-Wan uncovers a clone army made in secret, Anakin falls in love with Padme, marking the beginning of his inevitable fall to the dark side of the Force.
