Editing Darth Vader (section)

== Portrayals ==

=== Darth Vader ===
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| image1            = David Prowse 2013 (cropped).jpg
| alt1              = David Prowse
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| footer            = Left to right: [[David Prowse]], [[James Earl Jones]], and [[Hayden Christensen]]
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David Prowse, a {{convert|6|ft|6|in|m|adj=on}} bodybuilder and actor, portrays Vader in the original trilogy. Prowse was originally offered the role of Chewbacca, but turned it down, as he wanted to play the villain.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 29, 2020 |title=David Prowse, the Towering Figure Behind the Armor of Darth Vader, Passes Away |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/david-prowse |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=StarWars.com |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329033724/https://www.starwars.com/news/david-prowse |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Bob Anderson (fencer)|Bob Anderson]], a former Olympic fencer, portrays Vader during lightsaber fight scenes in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connell |first=Mikey |date=2012-01-02 |title='Darth Vader' Swordsman Bob Anderson Dies at 89 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/darth-vader-dies-bob-anderson-star-wars-277226/ |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=March 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324222600/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/darth-vader-dies-bob-anderson-star-wars-277226/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Lucas"/> The director originally considered [[Orson Welles]] for the role, but selected James Earl Jones instead after deciding that Welles's voice would be too recognizable to audiences.<ref name="casting">{{cite web |last=Russo |first=Tom |title=The Force Wasn't With Them |url=http://www.premiere.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=2164 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060508222750/http://www.premiere.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=2164 |archive-date=May 8, 2006 |access-date=October 3, 2006 |work=Premiere}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Montine |first=Olivia |date=2019-02-11 |title=Orson Welles Almost Played Darth Vader in Star Wars |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/573866/orson-welles-almost-played-darth-vader-star-wars |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=Mental Floss |language=en-US |archive-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930003605/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/573866/orson-welles-almost-played-darth-vader-star-wars |url-status=live }}</ref> Jones initially felt his role was too small to warrant recognition, and he chose to be uncredited in ''Star Wars'' and ''The Empire Strikes Back.'' He was finally credited in ''Return of the Jedi'' in 1983.<ref name="Dreams2">{{cite AV media |title=[[Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy]] |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox Home Entertainment |year=2004}}</ref><ref name="Lucas">{{cite video |title=Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope DVD Commentary |date=2004 |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox Home Entertainment |people=Lucas, George}}</ref>

When filming the scene in ''The 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."<ref name="EmpireMakingOf" /> Only the director, the producers, and [[Mark Hamill]] knew the actual line, which was dubbed in later by Jones.<ref name="EmpireMakingOf">{{cite web|first=Ian |last=Nathan |title=''The Empire Strikes Back'' at 40: The making of a ''Star Wars'' classic |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-making-empire-strikes-back/ |website=Empire |date=May 20, 2020 |access-date=March 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112021758/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-making-empire-strikes-back/ |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="EW10Things">{{cite magazine |last=Ross |first=Dalton |url=https://ew.com/article/2004/09/16/10-things-we-learned-star-wars-dvds |title=10 things we learned from the ''Star Wars'' DVDs |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=September 16, 2004 |access-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222104727/http://ew.com/article/2004/09/16/10-things-we-learned-star-wars-dvds/|archive-date=December 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Prowse did not know the real line until he viewed the finished film.{{Sfn|Rinzler|2010a|p=1595}}

Hayden Christensen portrays Vader in ''Revenge of the Sith'', while [[Brock Peters]] provides his voice in the [[Star Wars (radio)|''Star Wars'' radio series]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Ryan |date=2022-06-13 |title='Obi-Wan Kenobi' Star Hayden Christensen Explores His Latest Darth Vader Incarnation and Talks Anakin's (Much-Memed) Sand Feelings |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/obi-wan-kenobi-hayden-christensen-darth-vader-anakin-sand-feelings-1235162358/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106223338/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/obi-wan-kenobi-hayden-christensen-darth-vader-anakin-sand-feelings-1235162358/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=John |first=Derek |date=December 18, 2015 |title=That Time NPR Turned 'Star Wars' Into A Radio Drama — And It Actually Worked |url=https://www.npr.org/2015/12/18/460269884/that-time-npr-turned-star-wars-into-a-radio-drama-and-it-actually-worked |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=NPR |archive-date=June 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620103128/http://www.npr.org/2015/12/18/460269884/that-time-npr-turned-star-wars-into-a-radio-drama-and-it-actually-worked |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Scott Lawrence]] voices Vader in video games, including the 2019 virtual reality series ''[[Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series|Vader Immortal]]''.<ref name="btva">{{Cite web |title=Scott Lawrence (visual voices guide) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Scott-Lawrence/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408214525/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Scott-Lawrence/ |archive-date=April 8, 2024 |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref> [[Matt Sloan (voice actor)|Matt Sloan]] voices the Sith Lord in both video games and television productions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Matt Sloan (visual voices guide) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Matt-Sloan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127191850/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Matt-Sloan/ |archive-date=November 27, 2019 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref> Both Spencer Wilding and Daniel Naprous portray Vader in ''Rogue One'', with Jones providing the voice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/rogue-one-why-it-took-multiple-actors-to-play-darth-vader-exclusive-180501988.html|title=Rogue One: Why it took multiple actors to play Darth Vader (exclusive)|last=Butler|first=Tom|work=Yahoo Movies|date=December 14, 2016|access-date=December 16, 2016|archive-date=December 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216164011/https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/rogue-one-why-it-took-multiple-actors-to-play-darth-vader-exclusive-180501988.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Jones also voices Vader in the ''[[Star Wars Holiday Special]]'' (1978) and the animated series ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Child |first=Ben |date=2023-11-17 |title=The 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special was genuinely dire – how on earth did it happen? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/nov/17/the-1978-star-wars-holiday-special-was-genuinely-dire-how-on-earth-did-it-happen |access-date=2024-05-19 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=August 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825103842/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/nov/17/the-1978-star-wars-holiday-special-was-genuinely-dire-how-on-earth-did-it-happen |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Darth Vader Voice – Star Wars Rebels (TV Show) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Star-Wars-Rebels/Darth-Vader/ |access-date=May 19, 2024 |website=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref> In September 2022, it was confirmed that Jones would retire from voicing the character. His voice was digitally recreated by the company [[Respeecher]] for use in the series ''Obi-Wan Kenobi'', and he later signed over the rights to his voice for future ''Star Wars'' productions.<ref>{{cite web |last=Frost |first=Caroline |date=September 24, 2022 |title=James Earl Jones Signs Over Rights To Voice Of Darth Vader, Signalling Retirement From Legendary Role |url=https://deadline.com/2022/09/james-earl-jones-star-wars-darth-vader-rights-ai-signals-retirement-1235126394/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924120232/https://deadline.com/2022/09/james-earl-jones-star-wars-darth-vader-rights-ai-signals-retirement-1235126394/ |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |work=Deadline}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Brezincan |first=Anthony |date=September 23, 2022 |title=Darth Vader's Voice Emanated From War-Torn Ukraine |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/09/darth-vaders-voice-emanated-from-war-torn-ukraine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923130503/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/09/darth-vaders-voice-emanated-from-war-torn-ukraine |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |magazine=Vanity Fair}}</ref>

=== Anakin Skywalker ===
Near the end of ''Return 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.{{Sfn|Rinzler|2013|pp=582, 628}} [[Sebastian Shaw (actor)|Sebastian Shaw]] was selected for the role, which appears as "Anakin Skywalker" in the credits.{{Sfn|Rinzler|2013|p=582}} 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.{{Sfn|Rinzler|2013|p=634}}<ref name="Starlog">{{cite magazine |last=Pirani |first=Adam |date=July 1987 |title=Sebastian Shaw: The Return of Anakin Skywalker |magazine=[[Starlog]] |pages=56–57, 96 |volume=11 |issue=120}}</ref> In the final scene of the film, Shaw portrays Anakin's [[Force spirit]]. His likeness in this scene was replaced with that of Hayden Christensen in the 2004 DVD release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Bryan |date=2023-10-04 |title=Ahsoka Made George Lucas's Most Controversial Star Wars Change Pay Off |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1411894/ahsoka-anakin-skywalker-force-ghost-hayden-christensen-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-special-edition/ |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=SlashFilm |language=en-US |archive-date=May 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519190055/https://www.slashfilm.com/1411894/ahsoka-anakin-skywalker-force-ghost-hayden-christensen-star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-special-edition/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

When ''The Phantom Menace'' was being developed, hundreds of actors were auditioned for the role of young Anakin before [[Jake Lloyd]] was cast.<ref name="ProductionNotes">{{cite web |date=May 1, 1999 |title=Star Wars Episode I Production Notes: The Actors and Characters – Part I |url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp4.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041023023458/http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp4.html |archive-date=October 23, 2004 |access-date=November 9, 2016 |website=StarWars.com}}</ref> [[Rick McCallum]], the film's producer, said that Lloyd was "smart, mischievous and love[d] anything mechanical{{mdash}}just like Anakin."<ref name="NotesII">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp5.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041023023636/http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19990501/indexp5.html|archive-date=October 23, 2004|date=May 1, 1999|title=Star Wars Episode I Production Notes: The Actors and Characters – Part II|website=StarWars.com|access-date=April 5, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19991102/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102150746/http://www.starwars.com/episode-i/bts/production/f19991102/index.html|title=The Man (Literally) Behind C-3PO|date=November 2, 1999|website=StarWars.com|access-date=November 11, 2016|archive-date=November 2, 2007}}</ref> When casting the role of 19-year-old Anakin for ''Attack of the Clones'', the filmmakers reviewed about 1,500 candidates before selecting Hayden Christensen.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robin Gurland – Don't Call Her; She'll Call You |url=https://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/bts/profile/f20020128/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628202200/http://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/bts/profile/f20020128/index.html |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |access-date=November 11, 2016 |work=[[StarWars.com]]}}</ref> The Canadian actor reprises the role in ''Revenge of the Sith'' and in the series ''Obi-Wan Kenobi'' and ''Ahsoka''. His performance in ''Revenge of the Sith'' garnered him a nomination for the [[Saturn Award for Best Actor]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campea |first=John |date=2006-02-17 |title=The 2006 Saturn Awards Nominations |url=https://www.themovieblog.com/2006/02/the-2006-saturn-awards-nominations/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=The Movie Blog |language=en-US}}</ref> while his portrayal of Anakin in ''Obi-Wan Kenobi'' earned him the Saturn Award for Best Guest Performance in a Streaming Series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Rourke |first=Ryan |date=2022-10-26 |title=Saturn Award Winners Headlined By 'Everything Everywhere All At Once,' 'Top Gun Maverick,' and 'Better Call Saul' |url=https://collider.com/saturn-award-winners-2022-better-call-saul-top-gun-maverick/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Collider |language=en |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031225344/https://collider.com/saturn-award-winners-2022-better-call-saul-top-gun-maverick/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Anakin is voiced by [[Mat Lucas]] and Frankie Ryan Manriquez in the 2003 animated micro-series ''[[Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV series)|Clone Wars]]'', and is voiced by [[Kirby Morrow]] in several television productions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV Show) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Star-Wars-Clone-Wars/ |access-date=May 8, 2024 |website=Behind the Voice Actors |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510081942/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Star-Wars-Clone-Wars/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kirby Morrow (visual voices guide) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Kirby-Morrow/ |access-date=May 19, 2024 |website=Behind the Voice Actors |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120071035/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Kirby-Morrow/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Matt Lanter]] provides the character's voice in video games and in various television productions, including ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|The Clone Wars]]'', ''Rebels'', ''[[Star Wars Forces of Destiny|Forces of Destiny]]'' and ''[[Star Wars: Tales]].''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Matt Lanter (visual voices guide) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Matt-Lanter/ |access-date=May 18, 2024 |website=Behind the Voice Actors |archive-date=May 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515130631/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Matt-Lanter/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lanter also voices Anakin in the [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (film)|film version]] of ''The Clone Wars''. During the second-season finale of ''Rebels'', Lanter's voice is sometimes blended with the voice of James Earl Jones.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS4sclln5J4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731151616/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS4sclln5J4 |archive-date=July 31, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |title=Ahsoka's Untold Tales Panel |author=Star Wars Celebration Europe 2016 |date=2016-07-15 |website=YouTube |time=59m25s |access-date=July 16, 2016 }}</ref>