Thumb Wars

{{Short description|1999 American Parody film}} {{For|the game|Thumb war}} {{Multiple issues| {{More citations needed|date=January 2021}} {{Sources exist|date=January 2021}} }} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox film | name = Thumb Wars | image =

| caption = | director = [[Steve Oedekerk]] | producer = Steve Oedekerk Tom Koranda Paul Marshal | writer = [[Steve Oedekerk]] | starring = [[Steve Oedekerk]] [[Ross Shafer]] [[Mark DeCarlo]] [[Rob Paulsen]] Paul Greenberg Andrea Fears [[Megan Cavanagh (actress)|Megan Cavanagh]] | music = [[Robert Folk]] | cinematography = Mike DePrez | editing = Mike DePrez | studio = [[O Entertainment]] | distributor = Icestorm Entertainment [[RLJE Films|Image Entertainment]] (United States, [[DVD]]) [[Revolver Entertainment]] ([[United Kingdom|UK]]) | released = {{Film date|1999|05|18||2008|10|2|DVD Re-release}} | runtime = 29 minutes | country = United States | language = English | budget = | gross = }}

'''''Thumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle''''' is a 1999 [[short film]] directed by [[Steve Oedekerk]]. Using dressed up and coifed thumbs as [[puppet]]s, Oedekerk created a [[parody]] of ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'', with characters like [[Luke Skywalker|Loke Groundrunner]], [[Princess Leia|Princess Bunhead]], [[Obi-Wan Kenobi|Oobeedoob Benubi]], [[Han Solo|Hand Duet]], [[Chewbacca|Crunchaka]], [[R2-D2|Beeboobeep]], [[C-3PO|Prissypeo]], [[Darth Vader|Black Helmet Man]] and [[Jabba the Hutt|Gabba the Butt]]. It is the first film in the ''[[Thumbs!]]'' series. ''Thumb Wars'' debuted on [[United States|American]] television May 18, 1999, on [[UPN]]. It had its cable premiere on [[Cartoon Network]] on October 2, 2008 (and again on October 2, 2009) to promote [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|the 2008 ''Clone Wars'' series]] that premiered the next day.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cartoon Network September 29 - October 5, 2008 |url=http://www.tvschedulearchive.com/cartoon-network/2008/092908.txt |website=tvschedulearchive |access-date=31 May 2023 |archive-date=23 October 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141023191128/http://www.tvschedulearchive.com/cartoon-network/2008/092908.txt |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cartoon Network September 28 - October 4, 2009 |url=http://www.tvschedulearchive.com/cartoon-network/2009/092809.txt |website=tvschedulearchive |access-date=31 May 2023 |archive-date=21 February 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150221180458/http://www.tvschedulearchive.com/cartoon-network/2009/092809.txt |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> The TV version provided a trimmed down version of the film. It was also re-released in 2002 alongside ''[[Thumbs!|Thumbtanic]]'' as the ''Thumb Wars/Thumbtanic Thumb Double Feature'' on VHS and DVD. In 2005, the filmettes were again released together as a [[UMD Video]] on the [[PlayStation Portable]] system.{{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}

The film is produced by [[O Entertainment]] and was released on May 18, 1999.<ref>{{Citation|last=Oedekerk|first=Steve|title=Thumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle|date=1999-11-02|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206341/|type=Short, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi|others=Steve Oedekerk, Andrea Fears, Ross Shafer, Rob Paulsen|publisher=O Entertainment|access-date=2021-01-05}}</ref>

The films stars voice actors [[Steve Oedekerk]], [[Ross Shafer]], [[Mark DeCarlo]], [[Rob Paulsen]], [[Paul Greenberg (voice actor)|Paul Greenberg]], Andrea Fears, and [[Megan Cavanagh (actress)|Megan Cavanagh]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Thumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle (TV Short 1999) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206341/fullcredits|access-date=2021-01-05}}</ref> Steve Oedekerk, Mark DeCarlo, Rob Paulsen, and Megan Cavanagh also worked on the film [[Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius]], as well as the [[The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius|TV show]] that ran from 2002-2006 also done with [[O Entertainment]].

== Storyline == The 29-minute film opens with a parody of ''Star Wars''' [[Once upon a time#Modern variants|"A long time ago..."]] phrase: "If there were thumbs in space and they got mad at each other there would be... THUMB WARS."

The film then cuts to rolling text flying into the distance, as in ''Star Wars'': "It is a time of great unrest in the Universe. Using the nail side of the power of [[the Force|the Thumb]], the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Evil Thumbpire]] has taken a stronghold in the [[George Lucas|Sacul region of the Egroeg sector]]. The [[Rebel Alliance|Thumbellion Resistance Fighters]] have retreated to a hidden base. The Thumbpire is constructing a big dangerous weapon thing with enough fire power to blow stuff up. If the Thumbellion can destroy the big dangerous weapon thing, they will live and the good side of the thumb will reign. If they don't there can be no sequels. No sequels means no merchandising, no fan clubs, no freaky guys at conventions that have way too much free time and no clear desire to date girls. Victory is imperative!"

Opening scenes depict [[Darth Vader|Black Helmet Man]] capturing [[Princess Leia|Princess Bunhead]] and killing Thumbellion soldiers. On the surface of the planet below, [[Luke Skywalker|Loke Groundrunner]] whines to his aunt and uncle about wanting to be of use to someone. His uncle consoles him. "Well you're plenty useful here Loke. The harvest is soon and you'll be getting help! I bought a couple of [[droid (Star Wars)|digits]] today from the [[List of Star Wars races (F–J)#Jawa|freaky little hooded creatures]]. The big one is sort of effeminate and annoying, and I think the little one has an amputee inside!" Loke runs off in a huff and meets up with the man with the silliest name in the galaxy: [[Obi-Wan Kenobi|Oobedoob]] [[Scooby-Doo|Scoobi-Doobi]] Benubi. At Oobedoob's place, they view a [[hologram]] of Princess Bunhead. She informs them that Black Helmet Man is building a "[[Death Star|big, dangerous weapon thing]]" and that she needs their help. Loke and Oobedoob look up her holographic dress. After they viewed the message, they came back to Loke's house to find that his uncle Soondead and aunt Gonnabiteit have been 'clipped' by Black Helmet Man's troops. Loke determines to go and fight this evil menace.

At the Cantina, Loke and Oobedoob meet up with [[Chewbacca|Crunchy]] and [[Han Solo|Hand Duet]]. Hand tells them, "A one armed man killed my wife [[Sabrina (1995 film)|Sabrina]], a [[Working Girl|working girl]]. Now I'm a [[The Fugitive (1993 film)|fugitive]] and in [[Clear and Present Danger (film)|clear and present danger]]. I should be [[Presumed Innocent (film)|presumed innocent]] but they're playing [[Patriot Games (film)|patriot games]] with me. [[Raiders of the Lost Ark|Raiders]]. [[Regarding Henry]]. [[Blade Runner]]. [[Air Force One (film)|Air Force One]]..."

Loke and Oobedoob pay Hand and Crunchy in "girly giggles" at Hand's request, to save his skin from [[Jabba the Hutt|Gabba the Butt]]. The group boards Hand's ship ''[[Millennium Falcon|Hand's Hand]]'' and set off to save Princess Bunhead and the galaxy. They are caught in a tractor beam outside of the [[Death Star|Thumb Star]] which can spin planets. Once on the space station, Oobedoob and Black Helmet Man engage in a final duel, which Oobedoob is tricked into losing. Princess Bunhead appears and says, "I escaped somehow. Let's go." The team, minus Oobedoob, flee. However, Oobedoob's voice can be heard in Loke's head saying that he is still there "in spirit." Loke mentions that he considers this to be "kinda creepy".

The group hides in an asteroid where Loke meets [[Yoda|Master Puppet]]. Master Puppet agrees to train Loke in the ways of The Thumb. After a training session, which Loke ends up failing miserably, Master Puppet (deeply humored by Loke's bumbling) dubs him a [[Jedi Master|Thumb Master]].

The group travels to the Thumbellion base to regroup for the final attack on the Thumb Star. They learn that there is a button on the station designed to blow the entire thing up, much to the confusion of Princess Bunhead. The Thumbellion fleet launches an attack on the station. This sets the stage for the final confrontation between Loke Groundrunner and Black Helmet Man atop Loke's [[X-wing fighter|Finger-wing fighter]]. It is then that Black Helmet Man reveals: "Loke, I am your... mother!" and throws his cape back to reveal a pink dress. ''Hand's Hand'' appears and knocks Black Helmet Man off into space. As he floats into space, Black Helmet Man calls out to Loke by yelling, "Just wait till your father gets home!"

When Loke proudly proclaims that he will use the Power of the Thumb to hit the destruct button, Oobedoob's voice is heard saying to use the ship's targeting system, as "that's what it's there for." Loke fires a missile which hits the button and the giant thumb is destroyed.

The last scene shows the cast at a Chili Cookoff, along with Master Puppet (visibly controlled by a puppeteer) and the ghost of Oobedoob. The film ends with a voiceover from Oobedoob: "The Thumb will be with you...always."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4-siy6XJjQ|access-date=2021-01-05|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>

== Production == The production for ''Thumb Wars'' started in 1997 with [[Steve Oedekerk]], Paul Marshal, Tom Koranda, [[Mark DeCarlo]] and Jim Jackman. In 1998, the production for ''Thumb Wars'' developed more seriously into filming. The production started filming in [[Los Angeles, California]] in the California suburbs.

== Running gags == Throughout the movie different characters will ask Loke to touch tongues. First to do so is Oobedoob, requiring the act to "seal the training's beginning" and "make it all official", followed by Master Puppet asking for the same in order to train Loke in the ways of the Thumb.

As a running gag between all of the [[Thumbs!]] featurettes, a one-eyed thumb appears in each one; in ''Thumb Wars'', the one-eyed thumb is the bartender at the cantina.

== Releases == ''Thumb Wars'' was first released on [[VHS]], and then again with additional features, including character bios, commentary, and a 'Gabba the Butt' interview, on [[DVD]].

It is also available as part of the ''Thumb Wars/Thumbtanic Double Feature'' on DVD and [[Universal Media Disc|UMD]] for the [[PlayStation Portable]], released by [[O Entertainment]] and [[Image Entertainment]]. This disc features the two Thumbation filmettes ''[[Thumbs!|Thumbtanic]]'' and ''Thumb Wars'' in that order. It also includes wraparound footage of The Thumbersons. Despite including the cast interviews from ''Thumbtanic'' and the Gabba the Butt interview and Character Bios from ''Thumb Wars'', the film lacks the commentary available on the single-film releases.

== See also == * [[Thumbs!]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Wikiquote}} *{{IMDb title|0206341|Thumb Wars}}

[[Category:1999 films]] [[Category:1999 short films]] [[Category:1990s science fiction comedy films]] [[Category:1999 independent films]] [[Category:American independent films]] [[Category:American science fiction comedy films]] [[Category:American space adventure films]] [[Category:American science fiction short films]] [[Category:Fan films based on Star Wars]] [[Category:Puppet films]] [[Category:Short films with live action and animation]] [[Category:Parody films based on Star Wars]] [[Category:Short films directed by Steve Oedekerk]] [[Category:Films scored by Robert Folk]] [[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]] [[Category:1999 English-language films]] [[Category:1999 American films]] [[Category:American comedy short films]] [[Category:1999 science fiction films]] [[Category:English-language science fiction comedy films]] [[Category:English-language comedy short films]] [[Category:English-language independent films]]