Jake Lloyd has opened up once more about his life since his schizophrenia diagnosis, revealing his ambition for a career in esports, and how he feels about The Phantom Menace over 25 years later.
ILM and Skywalker Sound writer Clayton Sandell got an opportunity to speak with Jake Lloyd in a new interview. Highlights from Sandell’s previous conversations with Lloyd and his mother can be found at the links provided. Lloyd was diagnosed with schizophrenia after running into trouble with the law over a speeding incident, and has largely kept out of public life ever since. However, things seem to be going significantly better for Lloyd in the following years. He’s been involved in a schizophrenia treatment program from which he is about to graduate:
“I’m in the right place about things; they make sure that you walk away with some of the tools in your belt. Healing above all is a coping mechanism, so that’s great – and I’m able to take the treatment of therapy and socializing in a healthy and productive manner. [My future looks like] medicine, therapy, and not [messing] with somebody’s time.”
Jake Lloyd indicated that the future of his career is not a return to acting, but in esports, as he has become a professional gamer in his spare time:
“[Esports are] what was most applicable considering my history and having a future at all – so I’m really excited about that. I was in the top 500 of [Call of Duty: Modern Warfare] when it first came out, and I’m kind of not able to play as much as I should in treatment, but I’m in the top 4% of eliminations for Call of Duty now, and I use that as a résumé.”
Lloyd also mentioned that, while he hasn’t kept up with a lot of Star Wars content in the years since the prequels, he does like playing Star Wars games:
“I don’t really have the time [to watch new Star Wars shows and movies]; I don’t watch TV. But I compensate as best I can with the video games, to be a couch potato and make that a living and see if that can benefit someone other than me… Yeah, [I] definitely [do look forward to more Star Wars]. I’m trying to beat those games again, dude. I still enjoy it, yeah.”
As for his feelings on the franchise, and his role in it, he had the following to say:
“[Star Wars] means an entire feeling of joy – there’s an expanse there and it’s brilliant and friendly… I really, really appreciate that people care. I don’t actually try to go without that. But I’d love to say thank you to everybody who’s able to be supportive. Thank you. I appreciate [the love for The Phantom Menace], dearly.”
You can watch the full interview below:
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is available to watch on VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and digital platforms, including Disney Plus.
Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.