Every fan of the series has wanted one thing besides seeing more of Leia in her slave bikini or Jar Jar hung from the rafters and that is to wield a real life light saber. In this quest, people have tried to use various items as pseudo sabers including things like fluorescent overhead bulbs which are quite dangerous if they break and are not recommended. And of course there have been plenty of toy versions like those sold in the stores and at carnivals that have the plastic that lights up and extends out when you swing it. Those might be durable enough for battle, but they look really hokey.|
Truly one of the most legendary villains in film history, Darth Vader is the epitome of evil. He is the character over the years we’ve all loved to hate. But from his early beginnings as Anakin Skywalker to his rise to become Darth Lord of the Sith, he’s had many actors play him.
Starting with the voice of Darth Vader in all the films, James Earl Jones is the most memorable. Even though he’s never physically seen in any of the films, his deep sinister tone has thrilled audiences for more than 30 years. Still working at 79, he most recently was seen on House on TV, is in the stage adaptation of Driving Miss Daisy. He also has a film coming out in 2012.
David Prowse, whose name may not be quite as familiar, played the actor inside the costume in the original films. Known for his strength and bodybuilding physique, he gave the character a very large presence on screen, adding even more to the villainous nature of Darth Vader.
Interestingly, a recent discovery found he almost spilled the beans in an interview two years before the second film. He took an educated guess that Luke would be Darth’s son and it would be revealed in the third movie. Turns out he was right, but it was the second instead. That would have been a big spoiler back in 1978.
Darth’s early days as young Anakin was played by two actors. The first is Jake Lloyd, the 10 year old seen in Phantom Menace. The lad’s acting was quite a trouble spot for many of the Star Wars fans who seemed to use the poor kid as a sort of a punching bag for the film’s flaws. After doing voice over work for various Star Wars games, he retired from acting and went on with his life. In recent years, he’s stayed out of the spotlight appearing once in awhile at fan conventions.
And then there is Anakin as the bitter teenager whose pain led him to the Dark Side. The role went to British born actor Hayden Christensen. Hayden, like his predecessor, was also panned by critics as being miscast in the role. It seemed an odd fit and he never quite seems comfortable as the brooding future Sith throughout his part in the films. The actor does have a unique distinction of playing both Darth and Anakin in the same film. Yes, that is him playing the Dark Lord at the end of the Revenge of the Sith.
Sebastian Shaw is probably not a name you’d recognize. He played Darth in the dying scene in Return of the Jedi. Originally in the funeral scene at the end of the film with Yoda and Obi-Wan, he was later replaced by Hayden in newer versions.
Other actors played Darth at various times, but that’s all the space we have for now. Thanks for reading and may the force be with you.
