David Prowse physically portrays Vader in the original trilogy, whileJames Earl Jones provides his voice in all of the films and in other media.Sebastian Shaw portrays Anakin unmasked and as a ghost inReturn of the Jedi (1983), whileJake Lloyd andHayden Christensen portray 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. Vader also appears in novels, comics, and video games, and has become an iconic character in popular culture.[d]
Creation and development
Darth Vader
Duringpre-production ofthe originalStar Wars film,[e] its director,George Lucas, hiredRalph 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."[9] 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.[9][10] 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.[11]
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.[12] The prop sculptorBrian Muir created the helmet and armor.[13] The sound of Vader's breathing was created by the film's sound designer,Ben Burtt, using modified recordings of a scuba breathing apparatus.[14] The sound effect is trademarked at theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office.[15]
Lucas has provided differing accounts of how the name "Darth Vader" originated. In a 2005 interview withRolling Stone, he claimed it was a modified version of "Dark Father."[16] On another occasion, he said it was inspired by the phrase "Dark Water".[17] It is also possible that "Darth Vader" originated from the name of Gary Vader, a boy who went to high school with Lucas.[18][19]
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.[20][21] 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.[22][23] The title "Darth" has been replaced with "Dark" for other Sith Lords as well.[24] 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).[25][26] In Iceland, Darth Vader's name isSvarthöfði, which means "black-head".[27]
Anakin Skywalker
The filmsSwiss Family Robinson (1960) andBattle of the Bulge (1965) influenced the originalStar Wars trilogy, but Lucas' publicist has denied that Anakin Skywalker was named afterKen Annakin, the director of those films.[28][29] 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 the well-known actressSharon Tate.[30][31] Lucas replaced the problematic name "Starkiller" with "Skywalker".[32]
The 1999 filmThe Phantom Menace—the first film of the prequel trilogy—introduced the possibility that Anakin could be theChosen One of an ancient Jedi prophecy, who is destined to bring balance to the Force. Lucas, who directed all three films in the trilogy, 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."[33] Lucas has stated that the circumstances of Anakin's birth are mysterious to align him with heroes from mythology, such asHercules.[34]
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' 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.[35]
In 2008, the character Anakin returned in the animated filmStar Wars: The Clone Wars, which was directed byDave Filoni. In an interview withScientific American, Filoni described Anakin as less "dark and tormented" and closer to a hero in this film than in previous films. He called this version of Anakin a combination of Luke Skywalker andHan Solo, and he said that Anakin's relationship with his apprenticeAhsoka Tano is an essential story arc in both the film and theanimated series that followed.[36] Tara Salvati ofScreenRant describes the relationship between Anakin and Ahsoka as a "tight bond", and asserts that Anakin has "unwavering support" for her.[37]
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.[38]Bob Anderson, a former Olympic fencer, portrays Vader during lightsaber fight scenes inThe Empire Strikes Back andReturn of the Jedi.[39] 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.[40] The director originally consideredOrson Welles for the voice role, but selected James Earl Jones instead after deciding that Welles' voice would be too recognizable to audiences.[41][42] 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.[40][43]
InThe Empire Strikes Back, it is revealed that Vader is Luke's father. Due to the enormity of this plot twist, the filmmakers wanted to keep the revelation a secret until the film was released. Prowse was known for leaking sensitive information to the public, so Vader's revelation was concealed even from him. When filming the scene, he was asked to read the line "Obi-Wan killed your father" instead of "No, I am your father."[44] Only the director, the producers, andMark Hamill knew the actual line, which was dubbed in later by Jones.[44][45] Prowse did not know the real line until he viewed the finished film.[46]
Hayden Christensen portrays Vader inRevenge of the Sith, whileBrock Peters provides his voice in theStar Wars radio series.[47][48]Scott Lawrence voices Vader in video games, including the 2019 virtual reality seriesVader Immortal.[49]Matt Sloan voices the Sith Lord in both video games and television productions.[50] Both Spencer Wilding and Daniel Naprous portray Vader inRogue One, with Jones providing the voice.[51] Jones also voices Vader in theStar Wars Holiday Special (1978) and the animated seriesStar Wars Rebels.[52][53] 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.[54][55]
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.[56]Sebastian Shaw was selected for the role, which is listed as "Anakin Skywalker" in the credits.[57] 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.[58][59] 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.[60]
WhenThe Phantom Menace was being developed, hundreds of actors were auditioned for the role of young Anakin beforeJake Lloyd was cast.[61]Rick McCallum, the film's producer, said that Lloyd was "smart, mischievous and love[d] anything mechanical—just like Anakin."[62][63] When casting the role of 19-year-old Anakin forAttack of the Clones, the filmmakers reviewed about 1,500 candidates before selecting Hayden Christensen, who reprises the role inRevenge of the Sith and in the seriesObi-Wan Kenobi andAhsoka.[64] Christensen's performance inRevenge of the Sith garnered him a nomination for theSaturn Award for Best Actor, while his portrayal of Anakin inObi-Wan Kenobi earned him the Saturn Award for Best Guest Performance in a Streaming Series.[65][66]
Anakin is voiced byMat Lucas and Frankie Ryan Manriquez in the 2003 animated micro-seriesClone Wars, and byKirby Morrow in several television productions.[67][68]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.[69] 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.[70]
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 former mentor in alightsaber 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, however, Han intervenes and sends Vader's ship spiraling off course, which allows Luke to destroy the Death Star.
InThe Empire Strikes Back (1980), set three years later, 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 turn to the dark side and help him overthrow the Emperor. Horrified, Luke escapes through an air shaft. Vadertelepathically 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), set a year later. 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 let 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. 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.[f][71] Anakin Skywalker is introduced as a nine-year-old slave living onTatooine with his motherShmi.[72] He is a gifted pilot and mechanic, and has built his own protocol droid,C-3PO.[73] The Jedi MasterQui-Gon Jinn meets Anakin after making an emergency landing on Tatooine withPadmé 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 apprenticeObi-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.[71] Anakin has grown powerful but arrogant, and believes that Obi-Wan is holding him back. After rescuing Padmé (now a senator) from an assassination attempt, he travels with her to Naboo as her bodyguard. They 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 help Obi-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 andYoda. Anakin and Obi-Wan 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.[71] Anakin, who is now a Jedi Knight and a hero of theClone Wars, leads a mission with Obi-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 Sidious to kill him. Anakin then pledges himself to the Sith, and Palpatine dubs him Darth Vader.
On Sidious' orders, Vader slaughters all the Jedi in the Jedi Temple, including the younglings, and assassinates the Separatist Council onMustafar; these actions help Palpatine transform the Republic into the Galactic Empire. 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 and Obi-Wan are conspiring against him, Vader uses the Force to strangle his wife into unconsciousness. He then engages Obi-Wan in a lightsaber duel that ends with Obi-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, causing 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".[74] 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 grandsonKylo Ren, second-in-command of the tyrannicalFirst Order. 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.[75]
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 Palpatine, she hears the voices of various deceased Jedi, including Anakin. He encourages her to return balance to the Force like he once did.[76][77]
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.[78] 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.[79] In another early storyline, Vader killed Krennic for his failure to prevent the Rebels from stealing the Death Star schematics.[80]
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.[81] Throughout the series there are references to Anakin's eventual fall to the dark side, including visions of his future as Vader[82] 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 a 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.[71] He makes minor appearances throughout the first season, and plays a larger role in the second season.[83] 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. Vader single-handedly decimates the Phoenix Squadron and discovers that Ahsoka is still alive and has joined the Rebel Alliance.[84] She is overwhelmed when she recognizes Anakin under a "layer of hate". The Emperor then orders Vader to send another Inquisitor to capture her.[85] 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).[86]
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.[87] 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.[88] Vader begins hunting Obi-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 under Obi-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.[89] 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.[90]Industrial Light and Magic used "de-aging" technology to make the 42-year-old Christensen appear younger.[91]
Tales of the Empire
In the episodeDevoted, Vader makes a brief appearance overseeing the training of the Inquisitors.
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.[92][93][94] The series was later released for theOculus Rift. In August 2020, all three episodes were released forPlayStation VR.[95]
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).[100][101] In May 2025, the Darth Vader NPC returned as part of theStar Wars: Galactic Battle season ofFortnite, with the added feature of allowing players to converse with the character, accomplished viagenerative AI modeled on James Earl Jones' voice.[102] Additionally, an Anakin Skywalker outfit was added in 2023, and a Samurai Darth Vader outfit was added in 2024.[103][104]
Novels
Star Wars: Lords of the Sith was one of four canon novels released between 2014 and 2015.[105] In it, Vader and Palpatine find themselves hunted by revolutionaries on the planetRyloth.[106][107] Vader also appears inThrawn: Alliances (2018), which depicts his mission withGrand Admiral Thrawn following the events of the third season ofRebels. The novel also features a parallel storyline of Anakin, Padmé, and Thrawn working together during the Clone Wars.[citation needed]
Comics
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.[108][109] The series takes place parallel to the 2015 seriesStar Wars, in which Vader and Luke meet; the two series have acrossover titledVader Down.[110][111] A continuation series set betweenThe Empire Strikes Back andReturn of the Jedi debuted in 2020.[112] 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.[113] A subsequent story arc depicts Vader being tested by the Emperor.[114] The five-issue seriesObi-Wan & Anakin (2016) depicts the lives of the two Jedi betweenThe Phantom Menace andAttack of the Clones.[115]
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.[116] Its final arc, which depicts the construction of Vader's fortress on Mustafar, implies that Palpatine used the Force to conceive Anakinin utero,[117] as some had theorized thatRevenge of the Sith indicates.[118][g] A Lucasfilm story group member later clarified that "This is all in Anakin's head".[120][h]
A five-issue limited series titledVader: Dark Visions, was released in 2019.[121]Vader Down writerJason Aaron wrote part of the miniseriesDarth Vader: Black, White & Red, an extension of a Marvel event highlighting fan-favorite characters.[122]
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.[127]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.[128] 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.[129] 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, Vader 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.[131]
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.[132] 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 speaks with Imperial officer "Chief Bast" in footage that was cut from the original 1977 film. The sequence was dubbed with new dialogue, performed by James Earl Jones. In the program's plot, Vader colludes with Boba Fett to entrap the Rebels.[133]
Vader appears in the 1981radio drama adaptation ofStar Wars, voiced byBrock 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.[134][135]
The French psychiatrist Eric Bui and his colleagues have considered Vader to be a useful example for explainingborderline personality disorder to medical students.[136] Bui argues that Anakin meets the criteria to be diagnosed with the disorder, citing his impulsivity, difficulty controlling his anger, and his alternation between idealization and derealization, extreme fear of abandonment, and disassociative episodes.[137] Bui's findings were corroborated by several other studies of Vader's character in the field ofpsychopathology.[k] However, the 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.[142]
Anakin's origin story inThe Phantom Menace has been compared tosignifiers of African American racial identity, particularly his being a slave.[143] His dissatisfaction with his life has been compared to Siddhartha Gautama's discontent before he becamethe Buddha.[144]
Cultural impact
In 2003, theAmerican Film Institute listed Vader as the third greatest villain in cinema history on its100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains list, behindHannibal Lecter andNorman Bates.[145] In 2010,IGN ranked Darth Vader 25th in the "Top 100 Videogame Villains".[146] Vader's role as atragic hero in the saga has received positive reviews.[147][148] However, 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."[149] George Lucas felt hurt by such accusations.[150]
Vader is parodied as "Dark Helmet" in theStar Wars spoof filmSpaceballs (1987).[151]Takashi Tokita, the lead designer for the video gameFinal Fantasy IV (1991), said that the game's primary antagonist,Golbez, is based on Vader.[152] A Mexican church advised Christians against seeingThe Phantom Menace because it portrays Anakin as aChrist figure.[153]
Three types of chewing lice. The one on the right, with a head resembling Vader's helmet, isRicinus vaderi.
Many commentators and comedians have evoked Vader's visage tosatirize politicians and other public figures, and several American political figures have been unflatteringly compared to the character. In response toRonald Reagan's proposedStrategic Defense Initiative (dubbed "Star Wars" by his political opponents), the German news magazineDer Spiegel portrayed Reagan wearing Vader's helmet on its cover in 1984.[158] In 2005,Al Gore referred toJohn C. Malone ofTele-Communications Inc. as the "Darth Vader of cable", and political strategistLee Atwater was known by his political enemies as "the Darth Vader of theRepublican Party".[159][160]
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 allegedly an avidStar Wars fan. A number of the helmets were brought to the United States and the United Kingdom as souvenirs following the2003 invasion of Iraq.[174]
In 2019, an original Vader helmet fromThe Empire Strikes Back was sold for $900,000 at an online auction.[175]
In 2014,Hot Wheels created a full-size Darth Vader-inspired car (dubbed the 'Darth Car') to coincide with its partnership with theStar Wars franchise. The car made its public debut atSan Diego Comic-Con that year and is currently part of the Garage of Legends car collection.[176]
^Originally titledStar Wars, it was later retitledStar Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope.
^Later retitled asStar Wars Episode IV—A New Hope.
^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."[117][119]
^Soule elaborated that "The Dark Side is not a reliable narrator."[120]
^In Marvel's 1977 series, Vader learns Luke's surname from a Rebel deserter, before later obtaining his first name.[130]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.[109]
^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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