# Thumb Wars > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Thumb_Wars > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Thumb_Wars.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thumb_Wars > Source revision: 1340481190 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 1999 American Parody film For the game, see [Thumb war](/source/Thumb_war). This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Thumb Wars" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message) An editor has determined that sufficient sources exist to establish the subject's notability. 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Find sources: "Thumb Wars" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Thumb Wars Directed by Steve Oedekerk Written by Steve Oedekerk Produced by Steve Oedekerk Tom Koranda Paul Marshal Starring Steve Oedekerk Ross Shafer Mark DeCarlo Rob Paulsen Paul Greenberg Andrea Fears Megan Cavanagh Cinematography Mike DePrez Edited by Mike DePrez Music by Robert Folk Production company O Entertainment Distributed by Icestorm Entertainment Image Entertainment (United States, DVD) Revolver Entertainment (UK) Release dates May 18, 1999 (1999-05-18) October 2, 2008 (2008-10-02) (DVD Re-release) Running time 29 minutes Country United States Language English ***Thumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle*** is a 1999 [short film](/source/Short_film) directed by [Steve Oedekerk](/source/Steve_Oedekerk). Using dressed up and coifed thumbs as [puppets](/source/Puppet), Oedekerk created a [parody](/source/Parody) of *[Star Wars](/source/Star_Wars_(film))*, with characters like [Loke Groundrunner](/source/Luke_Skywalker), [Princess Bunhead](/source/Princess_Leia), [Oobeedoob Benubi](/source/Obi-Wan_Kenobi), [Hand Duet](/source/Han_Solo), [Crunchaka](/source/Chewbacca), [Beeboobeep](/source/R2-D2), [Prissypeo](/source/C-3PO), [Black Helmet Man](/source/Darth_Vader) and [Gabba the Butt](/source/Jabba_the_Hutt). It is the first film in the *[Thumbs!](/source/Thumbs!)* series. *Thumb Wars* debuted on [American](/source/United_States) television May 18, 1999, on [UPN](/source/UPN). It had its cable premiere on [Cartoon Network](/source/Cartoon_Network) on October 2, 2008 (and again on October 2, 2009) to promote [the 2008 *Clone Wars* series](/source/Star_Wars%3A_The_Clone_Wars_(2008_TV_series)) that premiered the next day.[1][2] The TV version provided a trimmed down version of the film. It was also re-released in 2002 alongside *[Thumbtanic](/source/Thumbs!)* as the *Thumb Wars/Thumbtanic Thumb Double Feature* on VHS and DVD. In 2005, the filmettes were again released together as a [UMD Video](/source/UMD_Video) on the [PlayStation Portable](/source/PlayStation_Portable) system.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] The film is produced by [O Entertainment](/source/O_Entertainment) and was released on May 18, 1999.[3] The films stars voice actors [Steve Oedekerk](/source/Steve_Oedekerk), [Ross Shafer](/source/Ross_Shafer), [Mark DeCarlo](/source/Mark_DeCarlo), [Rob Paulsen](/source/Rob_Paulsen), [Paul Greenberg](/source/Paul_Greenberg_(voice_actor)), Andrea Fears, and [Megan Cavanagh](/source/Megan_Cavanagh_(actress)).[4] Steve Oedekerk, Mark DeCarlo, Rob Paulsen, and Megan Cavanagh also worked on the film [Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius](/source/Jimmy_Neutron%3A_Boy_Genius), as well as the [TV show](/source/The_Adventures_of_Jimmy_Neutron%2C_Boy_Genius) that ran from 2002-2006 also done with [O Entertainment](/source/O_Entertainment). ## Storyline The 29-minute film opens with a parody of *Star Wars'* ["A long time ago..."](/source/Once_upon_a_time#Modern_variants) 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 Thumb](/source/The_Force), the [Evil Thumbpire](/source/Galactic_Empire_(Star_Wars)) has taken a stronghold in the [Sacul region of the Egroeg sector](/source/George_Lucas). The [Thumbellion Resistance Fighters](/source/Rebel_Alliance) 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 [Black Helmet Man](/source/Darth_Vader) capturing [Princess Bunhead](/source/Princess_Leia) and killing Thumbellion soldiers. On the surface of the planet below, [Loke Groundrunner](/source/Luke_Skywalker) 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 [digits](/source/Droid_(Star_Wars)) today from the [freaky little hooded creatures](/source/List_of_Star_Wars_races_(F%E2%80%93J)#Jawa). 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: [Oobedoob](/source/Obi-Wan_Kenobi) [Scoobi-Doobi](/source/Scooby-Doo) Benubi. At Oobedoob's place, they view a [hologram](/source/Hologram) of Princess Bunhead. She informs them that Black Helmet Man is building a "[big, dangerous weapon thing](/source/Death_Star)" 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 [Crunchy](/source/Chewbacca) and [Hand Duet](/source/Han_Solo). Hand tells them, "A one armed man killed my wife [Sabrina](/source/Sabrina_(1995_film)), a [working girl](/source/Working_Girl). Now I'm a [fugitive](/source/The_Fugitive_(1993_film)) and in [clear and present danger](/source/Clear_and_Present_Danger_(film)). I should be [presumed innocent](/source/Presumed_Innocent_(film)) but they're playing [patriot games](/source/Patriot_Games_(film)) with me. [Raiders](/source/Raiders_of_the_Lost_Ark). [Regarding Henry](/source/Regarding_Henry). [Blade Runner](/source/Blade_Runner). [Air Force One](/source/Air_Force_One_(film))..." Loke and Oobedoob pay Hand and Crunchy in "girly giggles" at Hand's request, to save his skin from [Gabba the Butt](/source/Jabba_the_Hutt). The group boards Hand's ship *[Hand's Hand](/source/Millennium_Falcon)* and set off to save Princess Bunhead and the galaxy. They are caught in a tractor beam outside of the [Thumb Star](/source/Death_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 [Master Puppet](/source/Yoda). 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 [Thumb Master](/source/Jedi_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 [Finger-wing fighter](/source/X-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."[5] ## Production The production for *Thumb Wars* started in 1997 with [Steve Oedekerk](/source/Steve_Oedekerk), Paul Marshal, Tom Koranda, [Mark DeCarlo](/source/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](/source/Los_Angeles%2C_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!](/source/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](/source/VHS), and then again with additional features, including character bios, commentary, and a 'Gabba the Butt' interview, on [DVD](/source/DVD). It is also available as part of the *Thumb Wars/Thumbtanic Double Feature* on DVD and [UMD](/source/Universal_Media_Disc) for the [PlayStation Portable](/source/PlayStation_Portable), released by [O Entertainment](/source/O_Entertainment) and [Image Entertainment](/source/Image_Entertainment). This disc features the two Thumbation filmettes *[Thumbtanic](/source/Thumbs!)* 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!](/source/Thumbs!) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Cartoon Network September 29 - October 5, 2008"](http://www.tvschedulearchive.com/cartoon-network/2008/092908.txt). *tvschedulearchive*. Retrieved May 31, 2023.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Cartoon Network September 28 - October 4, 2009"](http://www.tvschedulearchive.com/cartoon-network/2009/092809.txt). *tvschedulearchive*. Retrieved May 31, 2023.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Oedekerk, Steve (November 2, 1999), [*Thumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206341/) (Short, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi), Steve Oedekerk, Andrea Fears, Ross Shafer, Rob Paulsen, O Entertainment, retrieved January 5, 2021 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [*Thumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle (TV Short 1999) - IMDb*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206341/fullcredits), retrieved January 5, 2021 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Thumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle - YouTube"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4-siy6XJjQ). *www.youtube.com*. Retrieved January 5, 2021. ## External links Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Thumb Wars](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/Thumb_Wars)***. - [*Thumb Wars*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206341/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) v t e Star Wars Films Skywalker Saga Original trilogy Star Wars (1977) The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Return of the Jedi (1983) Prequel trilogy The Phantom Menace (1999) Attack of the Clones (2002) Revenge of the Sith (2005) Sequel trilogy The Force Awakens (2015) The Last Jedi (2017) The Rise of Skywalker (2019) Animated The Clone Wars (2008) Other Rogue One (2016) Solo (2018) The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) Starfighter (2027) Television Holiday Special (1978) An Ewok Adventure (1984) The Battle for Endor (1985) Television series Animated Droids 1985–1986 Ewoks 1985–1986 Clone Wars 2003–2005 The Clone Wars 2008–2020 episodes Detours unaired Rebels 2014–2018 episodes Forces of Destiny 2017–2018 Resistance 2018–2020 The Bad Batch 2021–2024 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