Anakin Skywalker, subsequently known asDarth Vader (/dɑːrθˈveɪdər/), is a fictional character in theStar Wars franchise, serving as its most central figure. He was first introduced inStar Wars, the first movie of theoriginal film trilogy, as the secondaryantagonist and one of the leaders of theGalactic Empire. He has since become a cultural icon and one of the most iconic villains of cinema.[a]
Theprequel trilogy chronicles Anakin's childhood as a precocious human slave, liberation by theJedi Order, and young adulthood as a morally conflictedJedi Knight, under the mentorship ofObi-Wan Kenobi. Skywalker is secretly lured into theSith warrior cult by theGalactic Republic politicianPalpatine. When Palpatine seizes control of the galaxy as its Emperor, Skywalker betrays the Jedi Order and, during a duel with Kenobi, is severely mutilated and thereafter transformed into acyborg whom Palpatine rebrands as the Sith lord Darth Vader. He serves the Emperor for over two decades, hunting down the remaining Jedi and attempting to crush theRebel Alliance who oppose the new Empire. Finally, when Palpatine tries to kill Vader's sonLuke, the Sith lord turns against his master, leading to the mutual destruction of Palpatine and Vader, which effectively brings the Empire to its end.
In secret, Vader is the husband ofPadmé Amidala, the father of Luke Skywalker and his twin sisterLeia Organa, and the grandfather ofBen Solo (later known as Kylo Ren).[b]
David Prowse physically portrayed Vader in the original trilogy, whileJames Earl Jones provided his voice in all of the films and some other appearances, which continues to be used as a vocal template following Jones's retirement and death.Sebastian Shaw portrayed Anakin unmasked and as a ghost inReturn of the Jedi (1983),[c] whileJake Lloyd andHayden Christensen portrayed Anakin in the prequel trilogy, with Christensen reprising the role in the seriesObi-Wan Kenobi (2022) andAhsoka (2023). In the standalone filmRogue One (2016), Vader is portrayed bySpencer Wilding and Daniel Naprous. The character also appears in novels, comics, and video games.
Creation and development
Darth Vader
As part of the development forthe originalStar Wars film,[d]George Lucas hired the artistRalph McQuarrie to create conceptual images for the characters. For Vader, Lucas asked McQuarrie to depict a "very tall, dark fluttering figure that had a spooky feeling like it came in on the wind."[10] Because the script described Vader traveling between spaceships, McQuarrie suggested that he should wear a space suit. Lucas agreed, and McQuarrie created Vader's iconic mask by combining a full-face breathing mask with asamurai helmet.[10][11] A 1975production painting by McQuarrie depicts Vader engaged in a lightsaber duel with Deak Starkiller, who later became Luke Skywalker. Vader is shown wearing black armor, a flowing cape and a skull-like mask and helmet. This early design was similar to Vader's final appearance.[12] The character also bears resemblance in its presentation and voice to that of theGhost of King Hamlet inLaurence Olivier's film adaptation ofHamlet (1948).[13][14]
Working from McQuarrie's concepts, the costume designerJohn Mollo devised an outfit that combined clerical robes, a motorcycle suit, aGerman military helmet, and a military gas mask.[15] The prop sculptorBrian Muir created the helmet and armor.[16] The sound of Vader's breathing was created by the film's sound designer,Ben Burtt, using modified recordings of a scuba breathing apparatus.[17] The sound effect is trademarked at theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office.[18]
Lucas has provided differing accounts of how the name "Darth Vader" originated.[19] On one occasion, he said it was inspired by the phrase "Dark Water".[20] It is also possible that "Darth Vader" originated from the name of Gary Vader, a boy who went to high school with Lucas.[21] “Darth” is a title given to the Sith Lords of the Sith Order, such as Darth Sidious (Palpatine), Darth Tyranus (Count Dooku), andDarth Maul. It was widely believed for years that "Darth Vader" meant "Dark Father", even fueled by Lucas himself after the release ofStar Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, despite contradicting the fact that the "father" twist in that film hadn't been planned when Darth Vader was created.[22]
The names of variousStar Wars characters have been altered in countries outside the United States. In France, Vader's name was changed toDark Vador (pronounced[daʁkvadɔʁ]) starting with the original film.[23][24] Although the names of some other characters have been reverted to the English versions over the years, Vader is still referred to asDark Vador in recent French-languageStar Wars media.[25][26] The title "Darth" has been replaced with "Dark" for other Sith Lords as well.[27] In Italian-language editions ofStar Wars films, Darth Vader was calledDart Fener (pronounced[ˌdar(t)ˈfɛːner]) starting with the original trilogy. In 2004, the dubbing director for the Italian-language version ofRevenge of the Sith (2005) asked Italian fans to decide which name to use in the film; the Italian name was chosen. However, the name was switched to "Darth Vader" forThe Force Awakens (2015).[28][29] In Iceland, Darth Vader's name isSvarthöfði, which means "black-head".[30]
Anakin Skywalker
The filmsSwiss Family Robinson (1960) andBattle of the Bulge (1965) influenced the originalStar Wars trilogy, but Lucas's publicist has denied that Anakin Skywalker was named afterKen Annakin, the director of those films.[31][32] The original surname of Anakin and Luke was "Starkiller", and it remained in the script until a few months into filmingStar Wars. It was dropped due to what Lucas called "unpleasant connotations" withCharles Manson, who became a "star killer" in 1969 when he murdered actressSharon Tate.[33][34] Lucas replaced "Starkiller" with "Skywalker".[35]
The Phantom Menace introduced the possibility that Anakin could be theChosen One of an ancient Jedi prophecy, who is destined to bring balance to the Force. Lucas stated in an interview that "Anakin is the Chosen One. Even when Anakin turns into Darth Vader, he is still the Chosen One." Hayden Christensen said of Anakin: "He believes that he's the Chosen One. He's not doing wrong things knowing that it's having a negative impact. So there's that sort of naivety to him...and it makes him more human in a lot of ways."[36] Lucas later clarified that the plot element of Anakin'svirgin birth was meant to align the character with heroes from mythology in general and not specificallyJesus.[37]
After completingprincipal photography forRevenge of the Sith in 2003, Lucas made changes to Anakin's character by rewriting his turn to the dark side. He accomplished this through editing the principal footage and filming new scenes duringpickups in London in 2004. In previous versions of the script, Anakin had several reasons for turning to the dark side, including his sincere belief that the Jedi were plotting to seize control of the Republic. Although he retains this belief in the finished film, Lucas's changes emphasized his desire to rescue Padmé from death. Thus, in the theatrical version ofRevenge of the Sith, Anakin falls to the dark side primarily to save Padmé.[38]
Anakin's apprenticeAhsoka Tano was introduced in the 2008 animated filmThe Clone Wars. Giving Anakin responsibility for a Padawan was meant to place the character in a role that forced him to become more cautious and responsible. After just a short time together, though, Anakin realized they shared many qualities, and she could benefit from a mentor similar to herself. Ahsoka was eager, reckless, and undisciplined, much like Anakin. However, those traits are among the reasons that Anakin was such a good Jedi and master to Ahsoka.[39] It was also meant to provide him with insight about his relationship with his own master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and show how their relationship matured. Anakin's relationship with Ahsoka was seen as an essential story arc spanning both the film and the 2008 television seriesThe Clone Wars.[40]
David Prowse, a 6-foot-6-inch (1.98 m) bodybuilder and actor, portrays Vader in the original trilogy. Prowse was originally offered the role ofChewbacca, but turned it down, as he wanted to play the villain.[41]Bob Anderson, a former Olympic fencer, portrays Vader during lightsaber fight scenes inThe Empire Strikes Back andReturn of the Jedi.[42] Lucas chose to have a different actor provide Vader's voice, because he felt Prowse's West Country English accent was inappropriate for the character.[43] The director originally consideredOrson Welles for the role, but selected James Earl Jones instead after deciding that Welles's voice would be too recognizable to audiences.[44][45] Jones initially felt his role was too small to warrant recognition, and he chose to be uncredited inStar Wars andThe Empire Strikes Back. He was finally credited inReturn of the Jedi in 1983.[46][43]
When filming the scene inThe Empire Strikes Back in which Vader confesses he is Luke's father, Prowse was given modified dialogue to read that did not exist in the script. He was known for repeatedly leaking information to the public, and the filmmakers wanted to keep Vader's revelation a secret until the film was released. Prowse was asked to read the line "Obi-Wan killed your father" instead of "No, I am your father."[47] Only the director, the producers, andMark Hamill knew the actual line, which was dubbed in later by Jones.[47][48] Prowse did not know the real line until he viewed the finished film.[49]
Hayden Christensen portrays Vader inRevenge of the Sith, whileBrock Peters provides his voice in theStar Wars radio series.[50][51]Scott Lawrence voices Vader in video games, including the 2019 virtual reality seriesVader Immortal.[52]Matt Sloan voices the Sith Lord in both video games and television productions.[53] Both Spencer Wilding and Daniel Naprous portray Vader inRogue One, with Jones providing the voice.[54] Jones also voices Vader in theStar Wars Holiday Special (1978) and the animated seriesStar Wars Rebels.[55][56] In September 2022, it was confirmed that Jones would retire from voicing the character. His voice was digitally recreated by the companyRespeecher for use in the seriesObi-Wan Kenobi, and he later signed over the rights to his voice for futureStar Wars productions.[57][58]
Anakin Skywalker
Near the end ofReturn of the Jedi, Luke removes Vader's mask. Although Prowse had portrayed the Sith Lord throughout the trilogy, the filmmakers wanted a more experienced actor to play the unmasked Vader.[59]Sebastian Shaw was selected for the role, which appears as "Anakin Skywalker" in the credits.[60] Shaw's presence on set was kept secret from all but the minimum cast and crew, and Shaw was contractually obligated not to discuss any film secrets with anyone, even his family.[61][62] In the final scene of the film, Shaw portrays Anakin'sForce spirit. His likeness in this scene was replaced with that of Hayden Christensen in the 2004 DVD release.[63]
WhenThe Phantom Menace was being developed, hundreds of actors were auditioned for the role of young Anakin beforeJake Lloyd was cast.[64]Rick McCallum, the film's producer, said that Lloyd was "smart, mischievous and love[d] anything mechanical—just like Anakin."[65][66] When casting the role of 19-year-old Anakin forAttack of the Clones, the filmmakers reviewed about 1,500 candidates before selecting Hayden Christensen.[67] The Canadian actor reprises the role inRevenge of the Sith and in the seriesObi-Wan Kenobi andAhsoka. His performance inRevenge of the Sith garnered him a nomination for theSaturn Award for Best Actor,[68] while his portrayal of Anakin inObi-Wan Kenobi earned him the Saturn Award for Best Guest Performance in a Streaming Series.[69]
Anakin is voiced byMat Lucas and Frankie Ryan Manriquez in the 2003 animated micro-seriesClone Wars, and is voiced byKirby Morrow in several television productions.[70][71]Matt Lanter provides the character's voice in video games and in various television productions, includingThe Clone Wars,Rebels,Forces of Destiny andStar Wars: Tales.[72] Lanter also voices Anakin in thefilm version ofThe Clone Wars. During the second-season finale ofRebels, Lanter's voice is sometimes blended with the voice of James Earl Jones.[73]
Vader was introduced inStar Wars (1977) as a cyborg commander serving the Galactic Empire. He andGrand Moff Tarkin have been tasked with recovering architectural plans for theDeath Star battle station, which were stolen by the Rebel Alliance. Vader captures and interrogates the Rebel leader Princess Leia, who has sent the plans to Vader's former master Obi-Wan Kenobi. During Leia's rescue by Obi-Wan's allies Luke Skywalker andHan Solo, Vader strikes down his mentor in a lightsaber duel. After placing a tracking device aboard Han's ship, Vader locates the Rebel base onYavin 4. When the Rebels attack the Death Star, Vader pursues Luke in hisTIE fighter. Before he can shoot Luke down, Han intervenes and sends Vader's ship spiraling off course, which allows Luke to destroy the Death Star.
InThe Empire Strikes Back (1980), Vader has become obsessed with finding Luke, who is now a Rebel commander. Vader's forces assault the Rebel base onHoth, but the Rebels escape. Vader convincesthe Emperor that Luke could be a valuable ally if he were turned to the dark side of the Force. Vader engagesbounty hunters to follow Luke's companions, and compels theCloud City administratorLando Calrissian to set a trap for them. After Han, Leia, Chewbacca andC-3PO arrive, Vader tortures and freezes Han in carbonite and gives him to the bounty hunterBoba Fett. When Luke lands on Cloud City to help his friends, Vader overpowers him and severs his hand. He tells Luke that he is his father, and tries to persuade him to join the dark side and help him overthrow the Emperor. Horrified, Luke escapes through an air shaft. Vader telepathically tells Luke that it is his destiny to join the dark side.
Vader and the Emperor supervise the construction of the second Death Star inReturn of the Jedi (1983). Believing there is still good in his father, Luke surrenders to Vader in an attempt to bring him back from the dark side. Vader takes his son to the Death Star and brings him before the Emperor, who attempts to seduce him to the dark side. Luke lashes out at the Emperor with his lightsaber, but Vader blocks his strike, and the two of them duel once again. As Luke regains control of his emotions, Vader senses that he has a sister, and threatens to turn her to the dark side if Luke will not submit. Enraged, Luke overpowers Vader and severs his hand. The Emperor then betrays his apprentice by ordering Luke to kill Vader and take his place, but Luke refuses.
Enraged, the Emperor begins torturing Luke withForce lightning, leading to Luke begging his father to save him. Unwilling to see his son die, Vader throws the Emperor down a reactor shaft to his death, but is mortally wounded in the process. Luke carries him to a docking bay, where Imperial forces are evacuating in the face of a Rebel assault. At Vader's request, Luke removes his father's mask and looks upon the face of Anakin Skywalker for the first time.[e] The redeemed Anakin Skywalker encourages him to go and tells him that he has saved him, before peacefully dying. On Endor, Luke burns his father's body on a funeral pyre. As the Rebels celebrate the destruction of the Death Star and the fall of the Empire, Luke sees Anakin's spirit appear alongside the spirits of Obi-Wan andYoda.
The first film of the prequel trilogy,The Phantom Menace (1999), takes place 32 years beforeStar Wars.[74][f] Anakin is a nine-year-old slave living on Tatooine with his motherShmi.[75] He is a gifted pilot and mechanic, and has built his own protocol droid, C-3PO. Anakin Skywalker claimed that he had built C-3PO himself, although later Star Wars lore made clear that C-3PO had already existed and just fallen into disrepair until Anakin reconstructed him with new parts.[76] The Jedi MasterQui-Gon Jinn meets Anakin after making an emergency landing on Tatooine with Padmé Amidala, the queen ofNaboo. Qui-Gon learns that Anakin was conceived without a father and can see the future. He becomes convinced that Anakin is the "Chosen One" of Jedi prophecy who will bring balance to the Force. After winning his freedom in apodrace wager, Anakin departs the planet with Qui-Gon to be trained as a Jedi, leaving his mother behind.
During the journey toCoruscant, Anakin forms a bond with Padmé. Qui-Gon asks theJedi Council for permission to train Anakin, but they refuse, concerned that the fear he exhibits makes him vulnerable to the dark side. During a conflict with theTrade Federation, Anakin helps end the blockade of Naboo by destroying a control ship. Qui-Gon is mortally wounded in a duel with the Sith LordDarth Maul, and with his dying breath asks his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi to train Anakin. With the council's reluctant approval, Anakin becomes Obi-Wan's apprentice. Palpatine, the newly elected Chancellor of theGalactic Republic, takes an interest in Anakin and his career as a Jedi.
Attack of the Clones (2002) is set ten years afterThe Phantom Menace.[74] Anakin has grown powerful but arrogant, and believes that Obi-Wan is holding him back. After rescuing Padmé from an assassination attempt, he travels with her to Naboo as her bodyguard. They begin to fall in love, despite a Jedi Code prohibition against romantic relationships. Sensing that his mother is in danger, Anakin travels with Padmé to Tatooine and finds that she was kidnapped byTusken Raiders. He locates her at a Tusken campsite, where she dies in his arms. Overcome with grief and rage, Anakin massacres the Tusken tribe. Padmé is disturbed by what he has done, but comforts him nevertheless. Anakin and Padmé then go toGeonosis to aidObi-Wan, only to be captured by the Sith LordCount Dooku. Facing execution, Anakin and Padmé profess their love for each other. They are saved from death by an army of Jedi andclone troopers, led by the Jedi MastersMace Windu and Yoda. Anakin andObi-Wan then confront Dooku, but he defeats them both and severs Anakin's arm. After being rescued by Yoda, Anakin is fitted with a robotic arm and marries Padmé in a secret ceremony.
A wax sculpture of Anakin Skywalker at theMadame Tussauds museum in London
Revenge of the Sith (2005) is set three years afterAttack of the Clones.[74] Anakin, who is now a Jedi Knight and a hero of theClone Wars, leads a mission withObi-Wan to rescue Chancellor Palpatine from the Separatist commanderGeneral Grievous. The two Jedi again battle Count Dooku, whom Anakin overpowers and then kills at Palpatine's urging. Anakin returns to Coruscant to reunite with Padmé, who tells him she is pregnant. Although initially excited, Anakin soon begins to have nightmares about his wife dying in childbirth.
Palpatine appoints Anakin to the Jedi Council as his personal representative, but the council is suspicious of the Chancellor. They decline to grant Anakin the rank of Jedi Master and instruct him to spy on Palpatine, which upsets Anakin. Later, Palpatine reveals to Anakin that he is the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, the mastermind of the Clone Wars. He suggests that Anakin can prevent Padmé's death by using the dark side of the Force. Anakin reports Sidious' treachery to Windu, who confronts and subdues the Sith Lord. Desperate to save Padmé, Anakin betrays Windu by cutting off his hand, which allows the Sith Lord to kill him. Despite being horrified at what he did, this was the final straw. Anakin then betrays the Jedi by pledging himself to the Sith, and Sidious appoints him Darth Vader.
On Sidious' orders, Vader slaughters all the Jedi in the Jedi Temple, including the younglings, and assassinates the Separatist Council onMustafar. After learning what her husband has done, a distraught Padmé travels to Mustafar and pleads with him to abandon the dark side, but he refuses. Believing that Padmé andObi-Wan are conspiring against him, Vader uses the Force to strangle his wife into unconsciousness. He then engagesObi-Wan in a lightsaber duel that ends withObi-Wan severing his limbs and leaving him for dead on the banks of a lava flow, where he catches fire and sustains severe burns. Sidious finds the barely-alive Vader and takes him to Coruscant, where his mutilated body is covered in black armor that keeps him alive. When Vader asks if Padmé is safe, Sidious lies to him and says that his strangulation killed her, which causes Vader to scream in anguish. At the end of the film, Vader supervises the construction of the first Death Star alongside Sidious and Tarkin.
The Clone Wars (film)
In the 2008 animated filmThe Clone Wars, set shortly after the events ofAttack of the Clones, Yoda assigns Anakin an apprentice,Ahsoka Tano. Anakin is at first reluctant to accept this responsibility. He calls Ahsoka "Snips" for her "snippy" attitude, while Ahsoka refers to him as "Skyguy".[77] After earning Anakin's respect during a dangerous mission, Ahsoka joins him on a quest to rescueJabba the Hutt's infant son, Rotta. Her impetuousness both annoys and endears her to Anakin, and he develops a friendly affection towards her.
In the first film of the sequel trilogy,The Force Awakens (2015), set thirty years after the events ofReturn of the Jedi, Vader's burned helmet is in the possession of his grandson Kylo Ren. Ren speaks to the helmet as if praying, asking his grandfather to help him fully commit to the dark side. He vows to follow in Vader's footsteps and finish his goal to destroy the Jedi.[78]
Anakin's voice is heard briefly in the third film of the trilogy,The Rise of Skywalker (2019), which takes place a year later. DuringRey's confrontation with the resurrected Darth Sidious, she hears the voices of various deceased Jedi, including Anakin. He encourages her to return balance to the Force like he once did.[79][80]
Rogue One
In the standalone filmRogue One (2016), set immediately before the events ofA New Hope, Vader summons the weapons developerOrson Krennic to his castle on Mustafar. He confronts him about his handling of the Death Star project and the destruction of Jedha City. When Krennic asks Vader for an audience with the Emperor, Vader refuses.[81] At the end of the film, Vader boards a Rebel flagship and kills several Rebel soldiers as he tries to recover the stolen Death Star plans. Vader's role in the film was different in early versions of the story. InGary Whitta's originalpitch, the Sith Lord appeared onScarif and slaughtered a Rebel blockade.[82] In another early storyline, Vader killed Krennic for his failure to prevent the Rebels from stealing the Death Star schematics.[83]
Television series
The Clone Wars
Anakin is featured in all seasons ofStar Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–2014, 2020), set between the events ofAttack of the Clones andRevenge of the Sith. As a Jedi Knight, he leads the501st Legion on missions with both his master Obi-Wan and his apprentice Ahsoka. Some of Anakin's actions taken out of concern for Ahsoka violate the Jedi code, such as torturing prisoners who may know her location.[84] Throughout the series there are references to Anakin's eventual fall to the dark side, including visions of his future as Vader[85] and his disillusionment with the Jedi Council after they wrongly accuse Ahsoka of bombing the Jedi Temple. While Ahsoka is later forgiven after Anakin finds the true culprit, she nonetheless chooses to leave the Jedi Order. Dooku's death at Anakin's hands duringRevenge of the Sith is mentioned by Obi-Wan. Anakin appears as Vader in the final scene ofthe series finale, which occurs afterRevenge of the Sith. He investigates the crash site of aVenator-class Star Destroyer, which was demolished duringOrder 66. Finding one of Ahsoka's lightsabers among the wreckage, he assumes that his former Padawan has perished.
Star Wars Rebels
Vader appears in the animated seriesStar Wars Rebels (2014–2018), which takes place fourteen years after the conclusion ofThe Clone Wars.[74] He makes minor appearances throughout the first season, and plays a larger role in the second season.[86] At the beginning of the series, he leads a squad of Force-sensitiveImperial Inquisitors who kill Jedi andForce-sensitive children. Vader dispatchesthe Grand Inquisitor to hunt a Rebel cell onLothal, and later arrives personally to deal with the Rebel threat after the Inquisitor is killed.
In the second-season premiere, Vader orchestrates the murder of Imperial Minister Maketh Tua, who tried to defect to the Rebellion, and confronts the two JediKanan Jarrus andEzra Bridger. When Vader attacks the fleet of the Phoenix Squadron, he discovers that Ahsoka is still alive and has joined the Rebel Alliance.[87] She is overwhelmed when she recognizes Anakin under a "layer of hate". The Emperor then orders Vader to send another Inquisitor to capture her.[88] Later in the season, Ahsoka has a vision in which Anakin blames her for his fall to the dark side. In the season finale, Ahsoka duels with Vader inside a Sith Temple. As the episode concludes, Vader emerges from the ruins of the temple, while Ahsoka's fate is left unknown.
Forces of Destiny
Anakin appears in multiple episodes of the animated web seriesForces of Destiny (2017–2018).[89]
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Hayden Christensen portrays both Anakin and Vader in the 2022 miniseriesObi-Wan Kenobi, set a decade afterRevenge of the Sith and nine years beforeA New Hope.[90] The series reveals that for a decade after their duel on Mustafar, Obi-Wan believed his fallen apprentice to be dead. While attempting to drawObi-Wan out of hiding, the Imperial InquisitorReva Sevander tells him that Anakin is still alive.[91] Vader begins huntingObi-Wan, which eventually leads them to duel again. Although Vader initially overpowers his former master,Obi-Wan recovers his strength and wounds Vader multiple times. He slashes open Vader's helmet to partially reveal his face, then leaves him, weakened and wheezing. Flashback sequences in the series depict Anakin training underObi-Wan in the years preceding the Clone Wars, as well as a newly minted Vader carrying out the massacre at the Jedi Temple.
Ahsoka
Hayden Christensen portrays Anakin inAhsoka (2023), which takes place after the original trilogy. Anakin appears in spirit-form to his former apprentice Ahsoka in the World Between Worlds, an ethereal realm that exists outside of time and space.[92] He leads her through visions of their shared past together, including her training, their battles during the Clone Wars, her departure from the Jedi Order and his fall to the dark side.[93] In one scene, Anakin's spirit-form alternates between him and Darth Vader (as a cyborg).Industrial Light and Magic used "de-aging" technology to make the 42-year-old Christensen appear younger.[94]
Video games
Vader is featured in the three-episode virtual reality game seriesVader Immortal, which is set betweenRevenge of the Sith andRogue One. The first episode became available with the launch of theOculus Quest virtual reality headset in May 2019, while the last was released in November of the same year.[95][96][97] The series was later released for theOculus Rift. In August 2020, all three episodes were released forPlayStation VR.[98]
Vader makes a brief appearance at the end ofJedi: Fallen Order (2019). He kills the Second Sister for her failure to secure a Jedi Holocron that could lead the Empire to a number of Force-sensitive children. He then attempts to personally take the Holocron fromCal Kestis, who barely manages to escape. Vader returns as a boss in the sequel,Jedi: Survivor (2023), where he leads an Imperial assault on a Jedi hideout on the planetJedha. He duels Cere Junda, whom he manages to slay after a prolonged battle.
Darth Vader was added toFortnite Battle Royale in 2022 as both a cosmetic outfit, part of the Chapter 3 Season 3Battle Pass, and as a non-playable character (NPC);[103][104] On May 16, 2025, as part of theStar Wars: Galactic Battle season ofFortnite, the Darth Vader NPC returned, with the added feature of allowing players to converse with the character, accomplished viagenerative AI modeled after James Earl Jones' voice.[105] Additionally, an Anakin Skywalker outfit was added in 2023, and a Samurai Darth Vader outfit was added in 2024.[106][107]
The 25-issue Marvel comic seriesDarth Vader (2015–2016) focuses on the Sith Lord in the aftermath of the Death Star's destruction, as well as his life after learning about his son's existence.[111][112] The series takes place parallel to the 2015 seriesStar Wars, in which Vader and Luke meet; the two series have acrossover titledVader Down.[113][114] A continuation series set betweenThe Empire Strikes Back andReturn of the Jedi debuted in 2020.[115] The first few issues focus on Vader exacting revenge on those who concealed Luke; he also visits Padmé's tomb on Naboo and encounters her handmaidens.[116] A subsequent story arc depicts Vader being tested by the Emperor.[117] The five-issue seriesObi-Wan & Anakin (2016) depicts the lives of the two Jedi betweenThe Phantom Menace andAttack of the Clones.[118]
Between 2017 and 2018, Charles Soule wrote a prequel-era series, also calledDarth Vader (sometimes subtitledDark Lord of the Sith). It begins immediately after Vader wakes up in his armor at the end ofRevenge of the Sith and explores his emotional transformation upon learning of Padmé's death, his adjustment to his mechanical suit, how he creates his red-bladed lightsaber, and his hunting of Jedi in the Inquisitor program.[119] Its final arc, which depicts the construction of Vader's fortress on Mustafar, implies that Palpatine used the Force to conceive Anakinin utero,[120] as some had theorized thatRevenge of the Sith indicates.[121][g] A Lucasfilm story group member later clarified that "This is all in Anakin's head".[123][h]
A five-issue limited series titledVader: Dark Visions, was released in 2019.[124]Vader Down writerJason Aaron wrote part of the miniseriesDarth Vader: Black, White & Red, an extension of a Marvel event highlighting fan-favorite characters.[125]
Following the acquisition ofLucasfilm byThe Walt Disney Company in 2012, most of the licensedStar Wars Expanded Universe material produced between 1977 and 2014 was rebranded asStar Wars Legends and declared non-canon to the franchise. TheLegends works comprise a separate narrative universe.[i]
Books
Vader is featured prominently innovels set in theStar Wars universe. In the 1978 novelSplinter of the Mind's Eye byAlan Dean Foster, Vader meets Luke for the first time and engages him in a lightsaber duel that ends with Luke cutting off Vader's arm and Vader falling into a deep pit.[130]Shadows of the Empire (1996) reveals that Vader is conflicted about trying to turn his son to the dark side, and knows deep down that he still has good in him.
Vader's supposedly indestructible glove is theMacGuffin of the young-reader's bookThe Glove of Darth Vader (1992). Anakin Skywalker's redeemed spirit appears inThe Truce at Bakura (1993), set a few days after the end ofReturn of the Jedi. He appears to Leia, imploring her forgiveness. Leia condemns Anakin for his crimes and banishes him from her life. He promises that he will be there for her when she needs him, and disappears. InTatooine Ghost (2003), Leia learns to forgive her father after learning about his childhood as a slave and his mother's traumatic death. InThe Unifying Force (2003), Anakin tells his grandsonJacen Solo to "stand firm" in his battle with the Supreme Overlord of theYuuzhan Vong.
Upon the release of the prequel films, the Expanded Universe grew to include novels about Vader's former life as Anakin.Greg Bear's 2000 novelRogue Planet andJude Watson'sJedi Quest series chronicle Anakin's early missions with Obi-Wan, whileJames Luceno's 2005 novelLabyrinth of Evil, set during the Clone Wars, depicts Anakin battling Separatist commanderGeneral Grievous. In Luceno'sDark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (2005), set a few months after the events ofRevenge of the Sith, Vader disavows his identity as Anakin as he hunts down surviving Jedi and cements his position in the Empire.
In theDark Nest trilogy (2005), Luke and Leia uncover old recordings of their parents inR2-D2's memory drive; for the first time, they see their own birth and their mother's death, as well as their father's corruption to the dark side. InBloodlines (2006), Han and Leia's son Jacen—who has turned to the dark side—uses the Force to envision Vader slaughtering the children at the Jedi Temple.
Vader also appears in a series of tongue-in-cheek children's books byJeffrey Brown.[131] In Brown's series, a hapless Vader sets out to be a father to a young Luke and Leia, with some scenes portraying light-hearted versions of their darker film counterparts. For example, one scene shows Vader, Luke and Leia at the carbonite freezing chamber on Bespin, with Vader pronouncing the freezer adequate for making ice cream.
Comics
Vader appears in several comic books such asMarvel Comics'Star Wars (1977–1986). InDark Empire II, he is revealed to have had a castle on the planet Vjun.[132] Anakin Skywalker is a major character inDark Horse Comics'Star Wars: Republic series (1998–2006). InBoba Fett: Enemy of the Empire (1999), Vader hires Fett a few years before the events ofA New Hope. InVader's Quest (1999), set soon afterA New Hope, the dark lord encounters Luke for the first time.[j]Star Wars: Empire (2002–2005) spans from about a year beforeA New Hope to several months afterwards. Anakin and Vader appear in the non-canonicalStar Wars Tales (1999–2005); in the storyResurrection, Darth Maul is resurrected and faces Vader in battle.[134]
Vader-centric comics released and set just afterRevenge of the Sith includeDark Times (2006–2013),Darth Vader and the Lost Command (2011),Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison (2012), andDarth Vader and the Cry of Shadows (2013–14).
Clone Wars
Anakin is featured in all three seasons of theClone Wars micro-series (2003–2005), which takes place shortly after the conclusion ofAttack of the Clones. Anakin becomes a Jedi Knight and is quickly promoted to General of the Republic, due in part to Palpatine's influence. Among other missions, he fights a duel with Dooku's apprenticeAsajj Ventress, helps Obi-Wan capture a Separatist-controlled fortress, and rescues the Jedi MasterSaesee Tiin during a space battle. During the third season, Anakin frees a planet's indigenous species from Separatist control and sees a cryptic vision of his future as Darth Vader. In the series finale, Anakin and Obi-Wan embark on a mission to rescue Palpatine from General Grievous, which leads into the opening ofRevenge of the Sith. The series was removed from canon in 2014 and placed in theLegends universe.
Video games
Vader plays a central role in theLegends gameStar Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008), where he is playable in the first level and later appears as a boss. The game's main character, Galen Marek, orStarkiller, is Vader's secret apprentice.[135] Vader also appears in the sequel,Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (2010), as the final boss.
Other appearances
TheStar Wars Holiday Special, a television special broadcast byCBS in 1978, features a brief appearance of Darth Vader, who appears on-screen speaking with Imperial officer "Chief Bast" in footage cut from the original 1977 film. The sequence is dubbed with new dialogue, performed by James Earl Jones. In the story, Vader colludes with Boba Fett to entrap the Rebels.[136]
Darth Vader features in the 1981radio drama adaptation ofStar Wars, voiced by the actorBrock Peters. Vader makes his first appearance on the planetRalltiir, where he treats Princess Leia with suspicion. In later extended scenes, he is heard interrogating and torturing Leia on board his Star Destroyer and aboard the Death Star.[137][138]
The French psychiatrist Eric Bui and his colleagues have considered Vader to be a useful example for explainingborderline personality disorder to medical students.[139] Bui argued that Anakin met the criteria to be diagnosed with the disorder, citing his impulsivity, difficulty controlling his anger, and alternation between idealization and derealization, extreme fear of abandonment, and disassociative episodes as examples.[140] Bui's findings were corroborated by several other studies of Vader's character in the field ofpsychopathology.[141][142][143][144] However, Brazilian neurologist Felipe Filardi da Rocha noted that the environment and culture that Anakin was raised in must be taken into account before making a formal diagnosis, and argued that other mental disorders should be considered as well.[145]
Anakin's origin story inThe Phantom Menace has been compared tosignifiers of African American racial identity, particularly his being a slave,[146] and his dissatisfaction with his life has been compared to that of Siddhartha Gautama before he becamethe Buddha.[147]
In 2003, theAmerican Film Institute listed Vader as the third greatest movie villain in cinema history onAFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains, behindHannibal Lecter andNorman Bates.[148] In 2010,IGN ranked Darth Vader 25th in the "Top 100 Videogame Villains".[149] His role as atragic hero in the saga has also met with positive reviews.[150][151] Contrarily, in 1977, aNew Journal and Guide writer criticized the lack of racial diversity in the originalStar Wars film, pointing out that "the force of evil ... is dressed in all black and has the voice of a black man."[152] George Lucas felt hurt at such accusations.[153]
Vader is parodied as "Dark Helmet" (Rick Moranis) in theStar Wars parodySpaceballs (1987).[154] One of the primary antagonists ofFinal Fantasy IV (1991),Golbez, was stated by game creatorTakashi Tokita to be based on Vader.[155] A Mexican church advised Christians against seeingThe Phantom Menace because it portrays Anakin as aChrist figure.[156]
Chewing lice; the one on the right, with a Vader-esque head, isRicinus vaderi.
TheFedayeen Saddam, an Iraqi paramilitary organisation, was issued withfiber glass Darth Vader-style helmets from 1995, apparently at the instigation of their commander,Uday Hussein, who was said to have been an avidStar Wars fan. A number of them were brought to the United States and the United Kingdom as souvenirs following the2003 invasion of Iraq.[177]
In 2019, an original Vader helmet fromThe Empire Strikes Back was sold for $900,000 in an online auction.[178]
In 2014,Hot Wheels created a full-size Darth Vader-inspired car (dubbed as the 'Darth Car') to coincide their partnership with Star Wars franchise. Built by Action Vehicle Engineering and designed by Bryan Benedict, the car was built on theChevrolet Corvette C5 chassis and sporting a small-blockLS3 V8 engine. The car was made its public debut atSan Diego Comic-Con that year and currently as part of the Garage of Legends car collection.
^Inlater versions Hayden Christensen was digitally inserted in his place within the latter context.[9]
^Originally titledStar Wars, it was later retitledStar Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope.
^The Phantom Menace adds another perspective to that scene. As part of his redemption, Anakin finally accepts his late mother's lesson to him as a boy; change bringing inevitable loss. Anakin accepts his imminent death knowing that it cannot be prevented. WhileThe Phantom Menace significantly establishes his Achilles heel (fear of losing people he cares for),Return of the Jedi significantly establishes his redemption.
^Due to Anakin being portrayed as a boy, Darth Vader does not physically appear in the film. His breathing andThe Imperial March are featured in the end credits - foreshadowing Anakin's transformation into the Sith Lord. This is one of the dramatic ironies of the film because some of the audience having seen the original trilogy knows what follows - while the characters do not. Prior to the film's release, there was a 1998 teaser poster showing Anakin casting Darth Vader's shadow behind him.
^In the film, Palpatine tells Anakin aboutDarth Plagueis the Wise, "a Dark Lord of the Sith so powerful and so wise, he could use the Force to influence the midi-chlorians to create life." This was preceded by the rough draft ofRevenge of the Sith, in which Palpatine tells Anakin upon his fall to the dark side, "I arranged for your conception. I used the power of the Force to will the midi-chlorians to start the cell divisions that created you. ... You could almost think of me as your father."[120][122]
^Soule elaborated that "The Dark Side is not a reliable narrator."[123]
^In Marvel's 1977 series, Vader learns Luke's surname from a Rebel deserter, before later obtaining his first name.[133]Vader's Quest sees him learning Luke's surname from a captured Rebel. In 2013'sStar Wars, Vader hears Luke's name in a vision of his duel with Kenobi on the Death Star. In the current comic canon, Boba Fett tells Vader Luke's surname.[112]
^Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016 (July 15, 2016).Ahsoka's Untold Tales Panel.YouTube. Event occurs at 59m25s. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. RetrievedJuly 16, 2016.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^Hayes, David C. (2015)."The Star Wars Holiday Special". In Rausch, Andrew J.; Riley, R.D. (eds.).Trash Cinema: A Celebration of Overlooked Masterpieces. Albany, Georgia: BearManor Media.Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. RetrievedJune 20, 2018.
^Dick Cheney (June 22, 2006)."Interview With Dick Cheney".The Situation Room (Interview). Interviewed by John King.CNN.Archived from the original on April 3, 2007. RetrievedApril 27, 2008.
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