In "Episode I – The Phantom Menace", set 32 years before "A New Hope", R2-D2 is portrayed as belonging to the Naboo defense forces, one of three astromech droids deployed for repair duty onboard Queen Padmé Amidala's (Natalie Portman) starship as it attempts to get past the Trade Federation blockade. The sole survivor of the three, R2-D2 repairs the deflector shields and saves the day. "This is R2-D2's earliest appearance in the Star Wars universe and takes place at approximately 00:25:22 in the film". Having proved his worth, R2-D2 then becomes part of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn's (Liam Neeson) party on Tatooine where he meets C-3PO and Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd).. Later still, he serves as the astromech droid for Anakin's starfighter during the Battle of Naboo.