Jake Loyd Says School Was 'A Living Hell'

Published on 03-06-2012 06:52 PM

5 Comments

Playing the lead role in a Star Wars movie would be a dream come true for most 10-year-olds. For Jake Lloyd, the child actor who starred as a young Anakin Skywalker in George Lucas' 1999Star Wars reboot Episode One - The Phantom Menace, it became a "living hell".

In a rare interview, Lloyd admitted his role in the much maligned film made him a target for school bullies, and the taunts continued into university.

"My entire school life was a living hell - and I had to do up to 60 interviews a day," the 23-year-old told website blackbookmag.com during a visit to Australia for a sci-fi convention.

"Other children were really mean to me. They would make the sound of the lightsaber every time they saw me. It was totally mad. "College has been similar ... you'll never find more intelligent, charming people than drunk students in the college world."

Lloyd, who was 10 when The Phantom Menace was released and is now 20, admitted he hasn't seen the film since it was released and has given up acting because of the fallout.
He even destroyed all of his Star Wars memorabilia. "When you have something like that there's a lot of expectations for it to meet the standards of the public and I don't think George did that.

"For me to go back and watch it now would be kind of creepy." But Lloyd admitted he had fond memories of one particular scene. "Sitting in the Pod Racer was kind of cool. I just sat there and George would just shout directions and I'd pull on the levers."

Lloyd is studying in Chicago and has only had a bit part in Madison in 2001 since Star Wars. He says he attends the occasional sci-fi convention for the money. Lucas' The Phantom Menace was a critical flop and has just a 51 per cent approval rating on review aggregate site Metacritic. But it continues to be a box office hit, with a 3D version currently screening in cinemas.

via NZHerald.co.nz

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5 Comments

Mr. JabbaJohnL - 03-06-2012
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This is based on a video from a few years ago, so why is this news now? On his Facebook page, he commented that he saw the 3D release and enjoyed it, and the fun surrounding it. This seems like people just digging for a story.

Tycho - 03-06-2012
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Jake Lloyd seems to have grown into a very smart and articulate young man. He'd be fascinating to talk to.

SirSteve - 03-12-2012
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It was just brought to my attention and was making the rounds in the Star Wars news circle so I posted it...

Beast - 03-12-2012
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Originally Posted by Mr. JabbaJohnL

This is based on a video from a few years ago, so why is this news now? On his Facebook page, he commented that he saw the 3D release and enjoyed it, and the fun surrounding it. This seems like people just digging for a story.

Agreed. It does seem like people are just digging for a story.

I'm glad he got over being a crybaby about the role. Cause it was pretty lame of him.

Especially getting upset cause people would make lightsaber noises at him. Pfft.

JediTricks - 03-13-2012
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Originally Posted by Beast

Agreed. It does seem like people are just digging for a story.

I'm glad he got over being a crybaby about the role. Cause it was pretty lame of him.

Especially getting upset cause people would make lightsaber noises at him. Pfft.

Yikes dude, he was a little kid at the time, give him some slack! That sort of thing is scarring, it takes time to get over. I don't see you giving Liam Neeson crap for vowing for a year to quit acting in response to making TPM, or Ewan McGregor the business for turning to heavy drink during the making of the prequels just to survive, and they weren't a little kid just starting out in acting.