Darth Vader: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:11, 20 November 2005

Latest revision as of 18:39, 24 August 2025

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{{short description|Star Wars character}}

{{SW Character|

{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}

bgcolor=#000|

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}

fgcolor=#fff|

{{Use American English|date=June 2022}}

name=Darth Vader|

{{Infobox character

image=[[Image:Darth Vader.jpg]]|

| name = Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader

position=Dark Lord of the [[Sith]]|

| image = Darth Vader - 2007 Disney Weekends.jpg

species=[[Humans (Star Wars)|Human]]|

| caption = Darth Vader at Disney's [[Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple|Jedi Training Academy]] attraction

gender=[[Male]]|

| series = [[Star Wars]]

height=2.02 meters (6 ft 7 in) (in armor)|

| first = ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' (1977)

weapon= [[Lightsaber]]|

| last =

vehicle= [[TIE/Advanced fighter]], ''[[Executor (Star Wars)|Executor]]'', [[Devastator (Star Wars)|Devastator]]|

| creator = [[George Lucas]]

planet= [[Coruscant]] (raised as Anakin on [[Tatooine]])|

| portrayer = {{show|Various|

affiliation=[[Sith]], [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]]|

{{Plainlist|

portrayer=[[Hayden Christensen]] (III){{ref|hayden}}<br>[[David Prowse]] (IV-VI)<br />[[James Earl Jones]] (III-VI voice)

* '''Darth Vader''':

* [[David Prowse]]

* [[Spencer Wilding]]

* Daniel Naprous

* [[Hayden Christensen]]

* '''Anakin Skywalker''':

* [[Sebastian Shaw (actor)|Sebastian Shaw]]

* [[Jake Lloyd]]

* [[Hayden Christensen]]

}}}}

| voice = {{show|Various|

{{Plainlist|

* '''Darth Vader''':

* [[James Earl Jones]]

* [[Brock Peters]]

* [[Matt Sloan (voice actor)|Matt Sloan]]

* [[Scott Lawrence]]

* [[Fred Tatasciore]]

* [[Maurice LaMarche]]

* '''Anakin Skywalker''':

* [[Matt Lanter]]

* [[Mat Lucas]]

* Frankie Ryan Manriquez

* Hayden Christensen

* [[Kirby Morrow]]

* [[David Birney]]

}}

'''Darth Vader''' ([[Dates in Star Wars|41 BBY]]&ndash;[[Dates in Star Wars|4 ABY]]) is a [[fictional character]] in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' films and ultimately the main character of the series. The iconic [[villain]] is a staple of [[popular culture|pop culture]] and ranks third on the [[American Film Institute]]'s [[AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains|top 50 villains of all time]]. {{ref|afi100}}

In the first two films released in the series, Vader is portrayed as the epitome of pure [[evil]]&mdash;a [[mass murderer]] and [[war criminal]] who holds the entire [[Galaxy (Star Wars)|galaxy]] under the boot of an evil [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Empire]]; and in doing so, dispassionately commits [[torture]], oversees the destruction of an entire planet, and [[murder]]s even his own officers. In later films, his [[redemption]], as well as his initial fall from grace, are explored in greater depth. Indeed, ''Star Wars'' creator [[George Lucas]] has explained that he considers Vader a victim of the true villain, [[Palpatine|Emperor Palpatine]], rather than a villain himself.

{{spoiler}}

Darth Vader was born '''Anakin Skywalker''', and is the father of twins [[Luke Skywalker]] and [[Princess Leia|Leia Organa]]. He is given the name "Darth Vader" in [[Dates in Star Wars#sw3|19 BBY]].

Throughout the six ''Star Wars'' films, Lucas employed five different actors to portray the character. Anakin Skywalker is played by [[Jake Lloyd]] as a child and [[Hayden Christensen]] as a young adult. [[David Prowse]] portrayed him in the original ''Star Wars'' Trilogy. His [[voice acting|voice]] was supplied by [[James Earl Jones]]. [[Sebastian Shaw (actor)|Sebastian Shaw]] portrayed the dying, middle-aged (and redeemed) man behind the mask in the theatrical release of ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' and shortly after, as his [[Force ghost|ghost]]; however, in the most recent [[DVD]] release, Christensen is digitally inserted in Shaw's place. Also, in the closing scenes of ''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith| Revenge of the Sith]]'', the fully armored Vader is played by Christensen, again with Jones' voice. In the [[video game]] version of ''Revenge of the Sith'', Vader's voice is supplied by Mat Lucas.

The character of Darth Vader also involved several stunt doubles, most notably [[fencing]] instructor [[Bob Anderson (fencer)|Bob Anderson]], who handled all of Vader's fight sequences in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi''. [[Mark Hamill]] (who portrayed Luke in the original trilogy) noted in a [[1983]] interview: "Bob Anderson was the man who actually did Vader’s fighting. It was always supposed to be a secret, but I finally told George I didn’t think it was fair any more. Bob worked so bloody hard that he deserves some recognition. It’s ridiculous to preserve the myth that it’s all done by ''one'' man."

[[Industrial Light & Magic]] employee C. Andrew Nelson has also portrayed Vader at a number of events for [[Lucasfilm]], as well as the [[videogame]] ''[[Star Wars: Rebel Assault II - The Hidden Empire|Rebel Assault II]]'', and in new footage filmed for the Special Edition releases of the ''Star Wars'' films in [[1997]].

There is some question as to when it's more appropriate to refer to the character as "Darth Vader" or "Anakin Skywalker". [[Yoda]] and [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]] both asserted at various times that Anakin Skywalker was destroyed and consumed by Vader during the events chronicled in ''Revenge of the Sith'', and the appearance of Anakin's spirit to Luke is meant to portray a Skywalker who had not been corrupted&mdash;Shaw's portrayal shows a man with a full head of hair, no burn marks, a less pasty skin color, and a full set of limbs, while Christensen appears as Anakin did before his [[disfigurement]]. The substitution of Christensen has been explained by Lucas as reinforcing the view that Anakin truly died prior to the original trilogy, but ''Star Wars'' seems to also approach the question with the implication that there is no simple answer to it; as Obi-Wan tells Luke during his explanation of Vader's identity, "Many of the truths we cling to depend greatly upon our own point of view."{{ref|Usage}}

==Anakin Skywalker==

{{SW Character|

image= [[Image:Rots32.jpg|200px|Anakin Skywalker]]<br /><small>[[Hayden Christensen]], as Anakin Skywalker, wields his [[lightsaber]] in a publicity shot|

bgcolor=#00b|

fgcolor=#FFF|

name=Anakin Skywalker|

position= Padawan, [[Jedi]] Knight|

species=[[Humans (Star Wars)|Human]]|

gender=[[Male]]|

height=1.35 meters (4 ft 5 in) (as a child), 1.85 meters (6 ft 1 in) as an adult|

weapon= [[Lightsaber|Blue Lightsaber]]|

vehicle=Customized [[Jedi Starfighter|Delta-7 Jedi Starfighter]], [[Advanced Jedi starfighter|Eta-2 Jedi Intercepter]], Anakin Skywalker's Podracer, [[Naboo N-1 Starfighter]]|

planet= Unknown (raised on [[Tatooine]])|

affiliation= [[Jedi]], [[Galactic Republic]]|

portrayer=[[Jake Lloyd]] (I)<br>[[Hayden Christensen]] (II-III, VI{{ref|ep6-2004}})<br>[[Sebastian Shaw (actor)|Sebastian Shaw]] (VI)

}}

<!--In-universe information-->| full_name = Anakin Skywalker

| species = Human

| gender = Male

| occupation = {{Plainlist|

* Jedi Knight

* Sith Lord

}}

| lbl21 = Master

| data21 = {{Plainlist|

* [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]] (as a Jedi)

* [[Darth Sidious]] (as a Sith)

}}

| lbl22 = Apprentice

| data22 = {{Plainlist|

* [[Ahsoka Tano]] (as a Jedi)

* [[Starkiller (character)|Starkiller]] (''Star Wars Legends'')

}}

| lbl23 = Homeworld

| data23 = [[Tatooine]]

| affiliation = {{Plainlist|

* [[Jedi Order]]

* [[Galactic Republic]]

* [[Sith Order]]

* [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]]

}}

| family = {{Plainlist|

* [[Shmi Skywalker]] (mother)

* [[Ben Solo]] (grandson)<!-- Please do not change to Kylo Ren. Real names of characters are listed in this infobox, and [[Ben Solo]] links to the Kylo Ren page. -->

}}

| spouse = [[Padmé Amidala]] (wife)

| children = {{Plainlist|

* [[Luke Skywalker]] (son)

* [[Leia Organa]]&thinsp;(daughter)

}}

}}'''Darth Vader''' ({{IPAc-en|d|ɑːr|θ|_|ˈ|v|eɪ|d|ər}}) is a fictional character in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise. He was first introduced in the [[Star Wars original trilogy|original film trilogy]] as the primary [[Antagonist|antagonist]] and one of the leaders of the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]]. He has become one of the most iconic villains of cinema.{{Efn|Attributed to multiple references:<br><ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Jesus |date=July 31, 2018 |title=How Darth Vader became the most iconic evil figure in film history |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90210858/how-darth-vader-became-the-most-iconic-evil-figure-in-film-history |access-date=April 2, 2024 |website=Fast Company |archive-date=April 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402051550/https://www.fastcompany.com/90210858/how-darth-vader-became-the-most-iconic-evil-figure-in-film-history |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IGN.com">{{cite web |title=Darth Vader – #1 Top 100 Villain |url=https://www.ign.com/top/top-100-villains |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109054107/https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-villains/1 |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |access-date=February 4, 2016 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher= |___location=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shea |first=Andrea |date=February 18, 2008 |title=Darth Vader: The Tragic Man Behind the Mask |url=https://www.npr.org/2008/02/18/19141349/darth-vader-the-tragic-man-behind-the-mask |access-date=April 1, 2024 |website=NPR |archive-date=April 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401212939/https://www.npr.org/2008/02/18/19141349/darth-vader-the-tragic-man-behind-the-mask |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Warmann |first=Amon |date=2024-02-28 |title=Hayden Christensen: The Master Of The Dark Side Speaks |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/hayden-christensen-star-wars-interview/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Empire |language=en}}</ref>}}

The [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|prequel trilogy]] chronicles Vader's childhood as a precocious human slave named '''Anakin Skywalker''', liberation by the [[Jedi Order]], and young adulthood as a morally conflicted [[Jedi|Jedi Knight]], under the mentorship of [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]]. Skywalker is secretly lured into the [[Sith]] warrior cult by the [[Galactic Republic]] politician [[Palpatine]]. When Palpatine seizes control of the galaxy as its Emperor, Skywalker abandons the Jedi Order and, during a duel with Kenobi, is severely mutilated and thereafter transformed into a [[cyborg]] whom Palpatine rebrands as the Sith lord Darth Vader. He serves the Emperor for over two decades, hunting down the remaining Jedi, including Kenobi, and attempting to crush the [[Rebel Alliance|rebels]] who oppose the new Empire. Finally, when Palpatine tries to kill Vader's son [[Luke Skywalker|Luke]], the Sith lord turns against his master, leading to the mutual destruction of Palpatine and Vader, which effectively brings the Empire to its end.

Anakin Skywalker is believed by many, notably [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]] and [[Qui-Gon Jinn]], to be the '''[[Messiahs in fiction and fantasy#Star Wars|Chosen One]]''' of an unfulfilled [[Jedi]] [[prophecy]], destined to bring balance to [[Force (Star Wars)|the Force]] by destroying the [[Sith]], according to Jedi Master [[Mace Windu]] in ''[[Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace|The Phantom Menace]]''. He is taken as a young boy and trained as a Jedi, and becomes a legendary figure during the [[Clone Wars]]. However, Anakin's arrogance and emotional insecurities eventually turn him to the [[dark side|dark side of the Force]], transforming him into Darth Vader, [[Dark Lord of the Sith]].

In secret, Vader is the husband of [[Padmé Amidala]], the father of Luke Skywalker and his twin sister [[Princess Leia|Leia Organa]], and the grandfather of [[Kylo Ren|Ben Solo]] (later known as Kylo Ren).{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<br><ref name="starwars-databank1">{{Cite web |title=Anakin Skywalker |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/anakin-skywalker |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=StarWars.com |language=en |archive-date=April 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420132057/https://www.starwars.com/databank/anakin-skywalker |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="starwars-databank2">{{Cite web |title=Darth Vader |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/darth-vader |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=StarWars.com |language=en |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619185209/https://www.starwars.com/databank/darth-vader }}</ref>{{Sfn|Hidalgo|Sansweet|2008c|p=163}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shkoukani |first=Emily |title=Like Grandfather, Like Grandson |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/darth-vader-kylo-ren-grandfather-grandson |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=StarWars.com |language=en |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509014207/https://www.starwars.com/news/darth-vader-kylo-ren-grandfather-grandson |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

Son of [[Shmi Skywalker]], Anakin is born in 41 [[BBY]]. Shmi claims that there was no father and that her [[pregnancy]] with Anakin resulted from a [[virgin birth|virgin conception]]. Some viewers have drawn [[narrative]] parallels between Anakin's [[origin]] and the [[New Testament]] stories of [[Jesus]]' conception and birth, as well as classic [[mythology|mythological]] stories. The wise Qui-Gon suggests that Anakin might have been conceived by the [[midi-chlorian]]s&mdash;the implication being that Anakin is a creation of the Force itself. (According to Palpatine in ''Revenge of the Sith'', the [[Sith Lord]] [[Darth Plagueis]] learned to provoke midi-chlorians into producing life&mdash;some have viewed this as a clue to Anakin's [[origin]]s.) Lucas has stated that these issues were left deliberately ambiguous, and that it has been left for the audience to decide how Anakin was created.

[[David Prowse]] physically portrays Vader in the original trilogy, while [[James Earl Jones]] provides his voice in all of the films and some television series. [[Sebastian Shaw (actor)|Sebastian Shaw]] portrays Anakin in ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' (1983),{{efn|In [[Changes in Star Wars re-releases|later versions]] Hayden Christensen was digitally inserted in his place.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 19, 2005 |title=Unscripted With Hayden Christensen and George Lucas |url=https://www.moviefone.com/movie/star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith/17722/video/qvNPYXmc/ |access-date=March 31, 2024 |website=Moviefone |at=Event occurs at 7:15 |archive-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331083039/https://www.moviefone.com/movie/star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith/17722/video/qvNPYXmc/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} while [[Jake Lloyd]] and [[Hayden Christensen]] portray Anakin in the prequel trilogy, with Christensen reprising the role in the series ''[[Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV series)|Obi-Wan Kenobi]]'' (2022) and ''[[Star Wars: Ahsoka|Ahsoka]]'' (2023). In the standalone film ''[[Rogue One]]'' (2016), Vader is portrayed by [[Spencer Wilding]] and Daniel Naprous. The character also appears in novels, comics, and video games.

In the prequels, and especially in the third episode, ''Revenge of the Sith'', Anakin is a [[tragic hero]] whose [[tragic flaw]] is his fear of loss.

===Childhood Creation and discovery=development ==

{{selfref|Events described in this section occur in the film ''[[Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace]]''}}

=== Darth Vader ===

[[Image:Anakinyoung.jpg|thumb|left|175px|Anakin Skywalker as a boy on [[Tatooine]].]]

As part of the development for [[Star Wars (film)|the original ''Star Wars'' film]]'',''{{Efn|Originally titled ''Star Wars'', it was later retitled ''Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope''.}} [[George Lucas]] hired the artist [[Ralph 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."<ref name="Casey" /> 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 a [[samurai helmet]].<ref name="Casey">{{cite book|last1=Casey|first1=Dan|title=100 Things Star Wars Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die|publisher=Triumph Books|year=2015|chapter=Ralph McQuarrie, the Conceptual Mastermind|isbn=978-1-63319-345-1|access-date=June 22, 2017|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dizlCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT309|url-status=live|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115164658/https://books.google.com/books?id=dizlCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT309 }}</ref><ref name="insider">{{cite journal|date=June 2004|title=The Old Master: Ralph McQuarrie on Designing Star Wars|journal=[[Star Wars Insider]]|issue=76}}</ref> A 1975 [[:File:Ralph McQuarrie Darth Vader production painting.jpg|production 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.<ref name="sw-memorable">{{cite web|date=August 16, 2016|title=Ralph McQuarrie's Most Memorable Masterpieces|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/ralph-mcquarries-most-memorable-masterpieces|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622155610/http://www.starwars.com/news/ralph-mcquarries-most-memorable-masterpieces|archive-date=June 22, 2017|access-date=June 22, 2017|website=StarWars.com}}</ref> The character also bears resemblance in its presentation and voice to that of the [[Ghost (Hamlet)|Ghost of King Hamlet]] in [[Laurence Olivier]]'s film adaptation of ''[[Hamlet (1948 film)|Hamlet]]'' (1948).<ref>https://thekindleroscarchronicles.com/2018/08/05/21-hamlet/</ref><ref>https://www.starwars.com/news/studying-skywalkers-shared-motifs-in-star-wars-and-shakespeare</ref>

Anakin first appears as a kind, selfless nine-year-old boy (played by [[Jake Lloyd]]). Anakin and his mother are [[slavery|slaves]] owned by the curmudgeonly scrap-shop owner [[Watto]]. A [[child prodigy]], Anakin excels at [[mathematics]] and [[engineering]]. Even at this young age, he can build or repair anything, evidenced by the creation of his own protocol droid, [[C-3PO]], and [[podrace|podracer]], each from salvaged parts. He is also a remarkable [[Aviator|pilot]] with quick reflexes.

Working from McQuarrie's concepts, the costume designer [[John Mollo]] devised an outfit that combined clerical robes, a motorcycle suit, a [[Stahlhelm|German military helmet]], and a military gas mask.<ref name="theguardian-mollo">{{cite web|last1=Gilbey|first1=Ryan|date=November 1, 2017|title=John Mollo obituary: Star Wars costume designer who dressed Darth Vader|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/nov/01/john-mollo-obituary|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330143416/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/nov/01/john-mollo-obituary|archive-date=March 30, 2019|access-date=July 10, 2018|website=The Guardian}}</ref> The prop sculptor [[Brian Muir (sculptor)|Brian Muir]] created the helmet and armor.<ref name="starwarscom">{{cite web|date=March 24, 2010|title=''Insider'' Excerpt: Vader Sculptor Brian Muir|url=https://www.starwars.com/fans/medianews/news20100324/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809032321/http://www.starwars.com/fans/medianews/news20100324/index.html|archive-date=August 9, 2011|website=StarWars.com}}</ref> The sound of Vader's breathing was created by the film's sound designer, [[Ben Burtt]], using modified recordings of a scuba breathing apparatus.{{Sfn|Rinzler|2010b}} The sound effect is trademarked at the [[U.S. Patent and Trademark Office]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Reilly|first1=Terry|date=January 5, 2017|title=The Crazy World of Trademarks|url=http://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence/the-crazy-world-of-trademarks-1.3918789|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106203421/http://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence/the-crazy-world-of-trademarks-1.3918789|archive-date=January 6, 2017|access-date=January 7, 2017|work=Under the Influence|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref>

Anakin is found on [[Tatooine]] by Qui-Gon Jinn, who is convinced that he is the Chosen One foretold by prophecy to bring balance to the Force due to his record-high midi-chlorian levels and virgin birth. His incredible abilities are attributed to this unique Force-adeptness; for instance, Qui-Gon attributes Anakin's piloting talent to the Force allowing Anakin to "see things before they happen." Qui-Gon manages to win Anakin's freedom with a clever wager, entering the boy in a podrace, which he wins despite multiple setbacks. Having won his freedom, Anakin must leave his mother, and he is brought to [[Coruscant]] along with Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, [[Padmé Amidala|Queen Padmé Amidala]] of [[Naboo]], and the [[List of Star Wars races#Gungan|Gungan]] [[Jar Jar Binks]].

Lucas has provided differing accounts of how the name "Darth Vader" originated.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Edwards|first=Gavin|date=2005-06-02|title=George Lucas and the Cult of Darth Vader|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/george-lucas-and-the-cult-of-darth-vader-247142/|access-date=2024-03-27|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-date=March 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327084654/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/george-lucas-and-the-cult-of-darth-vader-247142/|url-status=live }}</ref> On another occasion, he said it was inspired by the phrase "Dark Water".{{Sfn|Rinzler|2007|p=564}} It is also possible that "Darth Vader" originated from the name of Gary Vader, a boy who went to high school with Lucas.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Brian Jay|title=George Lucas: A Life|date=2016|publisher=[[Little, Brown and Company]]|___location=New York City|isbn=978-0-316-25744-2|page=213}}</ref> “Darth” is a title given to the Sith Lords of the Sith Order, such as Darth Sidious (Palpatine), Darth Tyranus (Count Dooku), and Darth Maul. It was widely believed for years that "Darth Vader" meant "Dark Father", even fueled by Lucas himself after the release of ''Star 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyler |first=Adrienne |date=2020-04-18 |title=Star Wars: What Does Darth Actually Mean? |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-darth-name-title-meaning-explained/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>

Master Jinn requests that the [[Jedi Council]] allow him to train Anakin as his student; this being proposed to take place after Obi-Wan completes the trials necessary to become a [[Jedi Knight]]. This request is denied, as Anakin is much older than the usual [[padawan]], and he exhibits much fear and anger left over from his days as a slave, further intensified by the separation from his mother and his home.

The names of various ''Star Wars'' characters have been altered in countries outside the United States. In France, Vader's name was changed to {{lang|fr|Dark Vador}} ({{IPA|fr|daʁk vadɔʁ|pron}}) starting with the original film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Llana |first=Sara Miller |date=December 16, 2015 |title=Darth Vader or Dark Vador? France gives Star Wars a Gallic twist |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2015/1216/Darth-Vader-or-Dark-Vador-France-gives-Star-Wars-a-Gallic-twist |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328061455/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2015/1216/Darth-Vader-or-Dark-Vador-France-gives-Star-Wars-a-Gallic-twist |archive-date=March 28, 2024 |access-date=2024-03-28 |work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2017 |title=Z6PO? How the French originally translated the names of Star Wars characters |url=https://www.thelocal.fr/20170504/star-wars-force-awakens-star-wars-characters-in-french |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329132907/https://www.thelocal.fr/20170504/star-wars-force-awakens-star-wars-characters-in-french |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=The Local France}}</ref> Although the names of some other characters have been reverted to the English versions over the years, Vader is still referred to as ''Dark Vador'' in recent French-language ''Star Wars'' media.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Assad |first=Rayan |date=2022-06-22 |title=L'épisode final de la série Obi-Wan Kenobi fait un clin d'œil à un duel de la série animée |url=https://www.numerama.com/pop-culture/1015116-lepisode-final-de-la-serie-obi-wan-kenobi-fait-un-clin-doeil-a-un-duel-de-la-serie-animee.html |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=Numerama |language=fr-FR |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812152039/https://www.numerama.com/pop-culture/1015116-lepisode-final-de-la-serie-obi-wan-kenobi-fait-un-clin-doeil-a-un-duel-de-la-serie-animee.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Imbert |first=Thomas |date=2016-12-18 |title=Star Wars : 15 références à la saga dans Rogue One [SPOILERS] |url=https://www.allocine.fr/diaporamas/cinema/diaporama-18658801/ |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=AlloCiné |language=fr |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812152024/https://www.allocine.fr/diaporamas/cinema/diaporama-18658801/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The title "Darth" has been replaced with "Dark" for other Sith Lords as well.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Faribeault|first=François|date=2024-05-23|title=La série Star Wars The Acolyte se dévoile davantage dans un duel entre un Jedi et un assassin|url=https://www.konbini.com/popculture/la-serie-star-wars-the-acolyte-se-devoile-davantage-dans-un-duel-entre-un-jedi-et-un-assassin/|access-date=2024-08-12|website=Konbini|language=fr|archive-date=August 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812152040/https://www.konbini.com/popculture/la-serie-star-wars-the-acolyte-se-devoile-davantage-dans-un-duel-entre-un-jedi-et-un-assassin/|url-status=live}}</ref> In Italian-language editions of ''Star Wars'' films, Darth Vader was called {{lang|it|Dart Fener}} ({{IPA|it|ˌdar(t) ˈfɛːner|pron}}) starting with the original trilogy. In 2004, the dubbing director for the Italian-language version of ''Revenge 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" for ''The Force Awakens'' (2015).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Montanero |first=Enrico |date=2004-11-05 |title=Vader o Fener? Ecco il responso |url=https://www.fantascienza.com/5230/vader-o-fener-ecco-il-responso |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=Fantascienza |language=It}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mereghetti |first=Paolo |date=2015-12-16 |title=Star Wars 7, ma è così memorabile? La nostra recensione |url=https://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/15_dicembre_16/ritorno-star-wars-ma-cosi-memorabile-l-abbiamo-visto-ve-raccontiamo-0ea1ffba-a3ce-11e5-900d-2dd5b80ea9fe.shtml |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=Corriere |language=It}}</ref> In Iceland, Darth Vader's name is {{lang|is|Svarthöfði}}, which means "black-head".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Holdsworth|first=Nick|date=2015-08-31|title=Icelandic Capital to Rename Street After Darth Vader|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/iceland-renames-street-darth-vader-818926/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328061456/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/iceland-renames-street-darth-vader-818926/|archive-date=March 28, 2024|access-date=2024-03-28|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref>

:''"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you."'' &#8212;Yoda speaking to Anakin in front of the Jedi Council

=== Anakin Skywalker ===

Ultimately, Anakin helps to lead Naboo and Gungan forces to victory over the [[Trade Federation]] by taking a Naboo spacefighter and destroying the Federation flagship, the [[Droid Control Ship]]. Later, a dying Qui-Gon, slain by [[Darth Maul]], urges Obi-Wan to train Anakin, and the Council reluctantly approves. Meanwhile, Palpatine, newly-elected as the Republic's Supreme Chancellor, befriends the boy, promising to "watch his career with great interest."

The films ''[[Swiss Family Robinson (1960 film)|Swiss Family Robinson]]'' (1960) and ''[[Battle of the Bulge (1965 film)|Battle of the Bulge]]'' (1965) influenced the original ''Star Wars'' trilogy, but Lucas's publicist has denied that Anakin Skywalker was named after [[Ken Annakin]], the director of those films.<ref>{{cite web |last=Young |first=Bryan |date=January 21, 2014 |title=The Cinema Behind Star Wars: Battle of the Bulge |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-cinema-behind-star-wars-battle-of-the-bulge |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921103135/https://www.starwars.com/news/the-cinema-behind-star-wars-battle-of-the-bulge |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |access-date=March 25, 2019 |website=[[StarWars.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-ken-annakin24-2009apr24,0,3633303.story |title=Ken Annakin dies at 94; British director of 'Swiss Family Robinson' and others |first=Dennis |last=McLellan |date=April 24, 2009 |access-date=March 15, 2019 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |___location=Los Angeles, California|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427111703/http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-ken-annakin24-2009apr24,0,3633303.story |archive-date=April 27, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The original surname of Anakin and Luke was "Starkiller", and it remained in the script until a few months into filming ''Star Wars''. It was dropped due to what Lucas called "unpleasant connotations" with [[Charles Manson]], who became a "star killer" in 1969 when he murdered actress [[Sharon Tate]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serratore |first=Angela |date=July 25, 2019 |title=What You Need to Know About the Manson Family Murders |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/manson-family-murders-what-need-to-know-180972655/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818185908/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/manson-family-murders-what-need-to-know-180972655/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedash |first=Kara |date=2020-02-18 |title=Star Wars: Here's Why George Lucas Changed Luke Skywalker's Original Name |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-george-lucas-luke-starkiller-skywalker-name-change/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=November 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105023320/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-george-lucas-luke-starkiller-skywalker-name-change/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lucas replaced "Starkiller" with "Skywalker".{{Sfn|Rinzler|2008|p=191}}

''The Phantom Menace'' introduced the possibility that Anakin could be the [[Chosen One (Star Wars)|Chosen 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{{nbsp}}...{{nbsp}}and it makes him more human in a lot of ways."<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=The Chosen One |type=Featurette on Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox |year=2005}}</ref> Lucas later clarified that the plot element of Anakin's [[Miraculous births|virgin birth]] was meant to align the character with heroes from mythology in general and not specifically [[Jesus]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pratik |date=2024-09-24 |title=George Lucas Destroyed All Anakin Skywalker-Jesus Christ Comparisons With a Simple Statement |url=https://fandomwire.com/george-lucas-destroyed-all-anakin-skywalker-jesus-christ-comparisons-with-a-simple-statement/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=FandomWire |language=en-US}}</ref>

Anakin and Padmé form a strong bond, Padmé being one of his first glimpses of the galaxy beyond Tatooine.

After completing [[principal photography]] for ''Revenge 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 during [[Pick-up (filmmaking)|pickups]] 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 of ''Revenge of the Sith'', Anakin falls to the dark side primarily to save Padmé.<ref name="Within">"Within a Minute" (2005). ''Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith'' DVD documentary.</ref>

===The Clone Wars===

{{selfref|Events described in this section occur in the film ''[[Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones]]''}}

Anakin's apprentice [[Ahsoka Tano]] was introduced in the 2008 animated film ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (film)|The 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salvati |first=Tara |date=2023-08-19 |title=7 Star Wars Moments That Sum Up Ahsoka & Anakin Skywalker's Relationship |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-moments-sum-up-anakin-ahsoka-relationship/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> 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 series ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|The Clone Wars]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minkel |first=JR |date=August 11, 2008 |title=When Clones Attack: Q&A with Clone Wars Director David Filoni |url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/star-wars-clone-wars-qa-david-filoni/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604225629/http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/star-wars-clone-wars-qa-david-filoni/ |archive-date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |website=Scientific American |publisher=[[Springer Nature]]}}</ref>

[[Image:AnakinEp2.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Anakin and [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]], ten years after the events of ''[[Star Wars Episode I|The Phantom Menace]]''.]]

Anakin, now played by [[Hayden Christensen]], is now a young adult and Obi-Wan's Jedi apprentice. He has developed into a socially awkward loner in his years of Jedi training, although his natural abilities place him leaps and bounds above his peers. This makes him arrogant, and he frequently shows off his talents to impress, and feel superior to, other people. His relationship with his master is complicated; although he says that Obi-Wan is like a father to him and claims his mentor possesses the wisdom of Master Yoda and the power of Master Windu, he chafes against Obi-Wan's authority and believes he is holding him back. Frustrated, he turns to another teacher for advice: Palpatine, who feeds the young padawan's fragile [[ego]] with assurances that he will one day be the greatest Jedi in the galaxy.

== Portrayals ==

Anakin is assigned to guard Padmé, who is now a [[Galactic Senate|senator]]. His childhood fascination with her has now become a powerful infatuation. In conversation, he reveals his affection for her, as well as his distrust of the political process and the need he perceives for there to be one strong leader. Anakin and Padmé ultimately fall in love, although Anakin's pursuit of this relationship is in violation of Jedi tradition, which holds that Jedi must avoid emotional attachment to others.

=== Darth Vader ===

While guarding Padmé, Anakin senses that his mother is in danger. After arriving on Tatooine, Anakin finds that his mother had been freed from slavery and was living in the desert with her new husband, [[Minor residents of Tatooine#Lars, Cliegg|Cliegg Lars]], when she was captured by [[Tusken Raiders]]. Anakin discovers their camp, and slips into the tent that contains his mother, presumably locating her with his Jedi senses. It is too late, however; after one final minute together, battered, sleep-deprived, and [[dehydration|dehydrated]], Shmi dies in his arms. Seized by a blind rage, he slaughters the entire tribe of Tuskens, including the women and children. Yoda, as well as the deceased Qui-Gon's spirit, sense his Force presence turn "dark," and fear that this signals the beginning of the end for Obi-Wan's young apprentice. Padmé is clearly troubled by what he has done, but, being in love with him, she is not truly repulsed, and instead tries to soothe him with sympathy.

{{multiple image|total_width=350

| direction = horizontal

Anakin and Padmé learn that Obi-Wan has been taken hostage by the [[List of Star Wars races#Geonosian|Geonosian]]-engineered [[Confederacy of Independent Systems|Separatist]] droid forces, and rush to his rescue &mdash; where they are also captured. Faced with their impending demise in a [[gladiator]]ial-execution arena, they profess their undying love to one another. Thankfully for the trio, the timely arrival of the Jedi along with new [[clone troopers]] allows them to escape and fight in the ensuing [[Battle of Geonosis]]. Anakin engages Separatist leader (and fallen Jedi) [[Count Dooku]] in a [[lightsaber]] battle, but is easily defeated by the older, more experienced warrior, who cuts off his right forearm. Anakin is fitted with a [[cybernetic]] replacement upon returning to Coruscant, and finally marries Padmé in a secret lakeside ceremony on Naboo, to which C-3PO and his counterpart, [[R2-D2]], are the only witnesses.

| align = right

| image1 = David Prowse 2013 (cropped).jpg

During the Clone Wars, Anakin's bold, death-defying battle techniques earn him the moniker "The Hero With No Fear." This bravery often verges on recklessness, however, and he often pays for it with bodily injury; during a duel with [[Asajj Ventress]], for example, he is too overconfident to treat his enemy with the fear and respect implicit in the rules of [[Seven forms of lightsaber combat|lightsaber combat]], and acquires a vertical [[scar]] on the right side of his face as a result.

| alt1 = David Prowse

| image2 = James Earl Jones (8516667383).jpg

During the war, Anakin and Padmé, whose marriage is still a secret, are kept apart for months at a time, and they both worry that they will lose each other. The [[twin]]s, Luke and Leia, are conceived during one of their rare nights together.

| alt2 = James Earl Jones

| image3 = Hayden-cfda2010-0004(1) (cropped).jpg

===Transformation into Vader===

| footer = Left to right: [[David Prowse]], [[James Earl Jones]], and [[Hayden Christensen]]

{{selfref|Events described in this section occur in the film ''[[Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith]]'}}

}}

[[Image:Revenge-of-the-sith-lg-01.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Anakin Skywalker during his fall to the dark side of the Force and transformation into Darth Vader.]]

Anakin and Obi-Wan have returned to fight in the [[Battle of Coruscant]] and are performing exquisite aerial maneuvers in their Jedi starfighters. Their mission is to board the Separatist flagship ''[[Trade Federation Cruiser|The Invisible Hand]]'', where Dooku appears to be holding Palpatine hostage. After landing on the ship and making their way to where Palpatine is being held, they are confronted by Dooku, who manages to disable Obi-Wan. Anakin defeats Dooku by amputating his hands. Palpatine urges Anakin to kill Dooku, and despite Anakin's reservation, he does. Anakin immediately expresses regret; to kill a foe who surrenders is not the way of the Jedi. Palpatine reassures him that Dooku was too dangerous to be kept alive.

Upon his return to Coruscant, Anakin is reunited with his wife and she informs him of her [[pregnancy]]. Despite Padmé's worries, Anakin is overjoyed at this news, and the couple make plans to raise their child. However, Anakin is troubled by visions of Padmé dying in [[childbirth]], visions like those he had of his mother before she died.

Palpatine, who by now has amassed near-[[dictator]]ial power in the Senate by playing on its fear of Separatist attack, makes Anakin his representative on the Jedi Council. The other Jedi reluctantly accept Anakin's placement on the Council, but deny him the rank of Jedi Master, stating that they don't approve Palpatine's interference with Jedi affairs. Further, the Jedi Council exhorts him to spy on Palpatine, fearing that there is a disturbance in the Force centered around him. Anakin, angry with the perceived snub, loses his trust in the Jedi Council, and confides to Padmé that he is plagued with uncertainty.

As Anakin continues to meet with Palpatine, the Chancellor offers him the chance to learn the dark side of the Force. Anakin realizes that Palpatine is the [[Sith Lord]] [[Darth Sidious]] that the Council had been hunting for since the beginning of the war, but Palpatine tells him that only through learning the dark side can he save Padmé from the death he has foreseen. Anakin reports Palpatine's secret to Windu, who orders him to stay behind and goes with three other Jedi to arrest the Chancellor. Palpatine duels with the Jedi, slaying three of them before engaging Windu in a prolonged battle. Back at the Jedi Temple, meanwhile, Anakin broods over an overwhelming thought: with Palpatine's death, he will lose the chance to save his wife.

[[Image:Burninganakin.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Anakin burns after already receiving grievous injuries at the hands of [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]]. His wounds necessitate artificial limbs and a respirator to live.]]

Windu apparently comes out on top in the duel, holding his weapon on the disarmed and toppled Sith just as Anakin arrives. Palpatine pleads for Anakin's help, but Windu is determined to kill him and destroy the Sith. Anakin demands that Palpatine must stand trial; mirroring his prior afflictions concerning Dooku's right to live, Anakin protests that executing him is not the way of the Jedi. Windu, mirroring Palpatine's assurances to Anakin aboard the ''Invisible Hand'', declares Palpatine too dangerous to keep alive. As Windu raises his blade to kill the Sith Lord, however, Anakin ignites his own and severs Windu's lightsaber-wielding right hand. Before the stunned Windu can respond to this betrayal, Palpatine springs to life and attacks Windu with a torrent of [[Force lightning]], sending him plummeting to his death. Anakin is horrified and guilt-ridden, but Palpatine reassures him that he is fulfilling his [[destiny]] by embracing the dark side. Anakin says he will do anything Palpatine desires, but he must help save Padmé's life. Palpatine says that he and Anakin, together, can find the secret, tacitly admitting that he does not have the ability to hold back death. Anakin then pledges himself to the dark side and is endowed with a new name: Darth Vader.

[[Image:SW3vader.png|left|thumb|300px|Vader's respirator mask is placed on him for the first time.]]

In order to increase Lord Vader's power with the dark side, Palpatine orders him to lead a battalion of clone troopers back to the Jedi Temple and kill every Jedi, padawan, and youngling inside. Anakin does this without question, killing venerable Jedi and children alike. Next, he is sent to the planet [[Mustafar]], where he assassinates the surviving members of the [[Confederacy of Independent Systems#The Separatist Council|Separatist Council]], including the [[Trade Federation]] [[Viceroy]], [[Nute Gunray]].

Padmé then travels to Mustafar to reunite with her husband. She is afraid for him and wants to leave public life to live together and raise their child. Anakin refuses, telling her that they no longer have to run because his new powers are enough to not only save her, but to overthrow the Emperor and make the Republic "the way we want it to be." Unbeknownst to Padmé, Obi-Wan has stowed away on her ship to find his former apprentice. Upon seeing his now former master, Anakin suspects betrayal and uses the Force to choke Padmé until she loses consciousness. Obi-Wan tries to reason with Skywalker, but once he sees that his old friend has truly gone mad with power and is beyond reaching, the former master and pupil duel throughout the mining complex and down the river of [[lava]] outside. The battle ends on the banks of the lava river, where Anakin, overconfident, leaps to strike his former master, only to lose his left arm and both legs to Obi-Wan's lightsaber. Screaming in pain, Anakin is stranded on the embankment, desperately trying to claw his way up with his remaining arm as Obi-Wan watches from above.

:''Obi-Wan: You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them! Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!''

:''Anakin (screaming): I hate you!''

:''Obi-Wan: You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you.''

[[Image:Vader complete.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Anakin Skywalker's transformation to Darth Vader is complete.]]

Anakin's clothing and body catch on fire and he is nearly [[Immolation|immolated]]. Obi-Wan, having retrieved Anakin's lightsaber (which he later gives to Anakin's son Luke in ''A New Hope''), abandons his former apprentice to the flames. Anakin ultimately manages to crawl high enough to prevent falling directly into the lava flow, but is left with near-fatal burns and severe [[lung]] damage. After Obi-Wan and Padmé leave the planet for [[Polis Massa]], where she gives birth, Palpatine arrives and finds his apprentice barely alive next to the lava river.

The grave injuries Anakin sustains during this duel greatly reduce his power with the Force; while he remains a formidable warrior, second only to Palpatine in his dark side potential, he is a shadow of his former Jedi self.

Meanwhile, Padmé dies in childbirth, just as Anakin had feared. Obi-Wan and Yoda, knowing the Skywalker twins would never be safe from the Sith if anyone knew who they truly were, give Luke to [[Minor residents of Tatooine#Lars, Owen|Owen Lars]] (Cliegg's son), along with his wife, [[Minor residents of Tatooine#Whitesun-Lars, Beru|Beru]], to raise on Tatooine. Obi-Wan would settle on Tatooine to oversee the beginnings of young Luke's life, biding his time until the Jedi could return to the galaxy. In the meantime, Leia is kept safely anonymous in the care of Senator [[Bail Organa]] of [[Alderaan]].

Palpatine learns of Padmé's death as he returns with Vader to Coruscant and repairs the damage to Anakin's body through intensive [[cybernetic]] enhancement, including an [[artificial respiration|artificial respirator]], a voice modulator, and a fearsome breath mask. Palpatine then revives Darth Vader as a [[cyborg]] in a manner reminiscent of [[Frankenstein's monster|the monster]] in the [[1931]] film ''[[Frankenstein (1931 film)|Frankenstein]]''.

[[Image:vaderrots.png|left|thumb|300px|Vader and the Emperor overseeing the construction of what is either the first Death Star, or the Death Star prototype.{{ref|prototype}}]]

:''Darth Sidious: Lord Vader, can you hear me? ''

:''Darth Vader: Yes, master. Where is Padmé? Is she safe? Is she all right?''

:''Darth Sidious: It seems, in your anger, you killed her.''

:''Darth Vader: I-I couldn't have! She was alive! I felt it! [[Notable lines in the Star Wars series#"Nooo!"|Nooo!]]''

Vader shakes the room with the Force, breaks his bindings on the operating table and struggles to walk under the sheer weight of his new legs. Overwhelmed by his despair in the belief he has killed his wife and unborn child, the only thing that remains in his life is his service to his master, the new Emperor of the galaxy.<br clear="all">

==Darth Vader==

[[Image:Vadertantive.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Vader enters the ''Tantive IV'' in search of the stolen Death Star plans.]]

Within the Empire, Vader is viewed as a cruel and frightening figure, frequently utilising his ability to choke people using the Force, and his victims often die in extreme fear while gasping for air. This may echo Vader's own frustration at his injuries. {{ref|breathing}} In ''A New Hope'', Vader's aggressive instincts are somewhat restrained by orders to serve under [[Grand Moff Tarkin]] for that time; when [[List_of_minor_Star_Wars_villains#Motti.2C_Romodi|Admiral Motti]] challenges Vader's "sad devotion" to the Force, Tarkin does not allow Vader to choke Motti to death, only long enough to make his point. The death of Tarkin aboard the [[Death Star]] removes any apparent check on Vader's power; after this point, Vader appears to be subordinate only to the Emperor himself. Throughout the rest of the trilogy, Imperial officers universally react with fear and dread at Vader's presence. This fear is not unwarranted, as both [[Admiral Ozzel]] and [[List of minor Star Wars villains#Needa, Lorth|Captain Needa]] die by Vader's hand in ''[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back]]''. [[Admiral Piett]] curiously survives, despite failing to recapture the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]''. In the DVD commentary, Lucas states that this is because Vader feels ambivalent about his son, Luke.

===Fighting the rebellion===

{{selfref|Events described in this section occur in the film ''[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope]]'}}

Vader is on a mission to retrieve the stolen plans of the Death Star, and to locate the hidden base of the [[Rebel Alliance]]. He boards the ''[[Tantive IV]]'', choking its captain, [[Raymus Antilles]], to death while sending teams of [[Imperial stormtrooper]]s to search the ship for the plans. Princess Leia is captured and brought to the Death Star, only to be tortured by Vader and to see her home planet destroyed under Tarkin's orders. The elderly Obi-Wan Kenobi, along with Luke, [[Han Solo]], and [[Chewbacca]], are in the meantime engineering Leia's rescue and escape from the Death Star aboard Solo's captured ship, the ''Millennium Falcon''.

Obi-Wan disengages the [[tractor beam]] holding the ''Falcon'' in one of the Death Star's hangar bays. On his way out, Vader stops him and engages him in a lightsaber duel. Obi-Wan vaguely warns Vader that striking him down will make him "more powerful than you can possibly imagine." As Obi-Wan sees that Luke and company have escaped, he leaves himself open to Vader's attack and becomes a spirit in the Force in order to guide Luke.

To determine the ___location of the rebel base, Vader allows Luke and Han to rescue Leia and escape with the technical readouts of the Death Star, which follows them to Yavin IV. During the Rebel attack on the Death Star, Vader pilots a distinctive [[TIE/Advanced fighter]] in pursuit of the Rebel [[X-Wing]] starfighters. Vader gets a lock on Luke's X-wing, noting that "the Force is strong with this one." Just as Vader is about to shoot Luke down, Han flies the ''Millennium Falcon'' into the fray and shoots down one of Vader's two support wingmen. This causes the other to veer into Vader's fighter, which is sent spinning away from the Death Star moments before Luke destroys it. Vader regains control and escapes.

===Battling his son===

{{selfref|Events described in this section occur in the film ''[[Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back]]'}}

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>

Vader is at the forefront of the continuing attempt to suppress the Rebellion. He orders the Imperial fleet to prepare a full military assault on the rebel base hidden on the ice world of [[Hoth]]. [[Admiral Ozzel]] makes the mistake of jumping into the system too close, alerting the rebels to their presence and allowing them to activate their shield generator (a mistake Ozzel pays for with his life. Afterwords he promotes Captain Piett to Admiral.) This forces the Imperials into launching a ground assault, delaying them long enough for some of the rebel ships to escape. While surviving rebel ships gather at their rendevous point, the ''Millennium Falcon'''s hyperdrive fails and tries desperately to escape through an [[asteroid]] field. Vader, obsessed with capturing the ''Falcon'', orders the fleet to follow, despite the inherent risks and the ultimate loss of life.

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}}

[[Image:Vader Needa.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Lord Vader executes Captain Needa for losing the ''Millennium Falcon''.]]

While on this pursuit, the Emperor contacts Vader via [[hologram]], giving him a new mission: to capture Luke Skywalker, "the son of Skywalker." Vader suggests that he could be turned to the dark side of the Force, and the Emperor agrees, noting that he would be a "great asset."

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>

Vader continues pursuing the ''Millennium Falcon'', resorting to hiring bounty hunters. Ultimately, the ship appears and just as quickly disappears, hiding in a blind spot on the back of the bridge tower of Captain Needa's [[Star Destroyer]]. Captain Needa takes responsibility for losing them, and apologizes to Vader. After Needa dies at Vader's hand, the fleet disperses and the ''Millennium Falcon'' breaks off, floating away as the Star Destroyer it was attached to dumps its garbage before going to hyperspace. The ''Falcon'' then sets course to [[Cloud City]], a [[mining]] colony administered by Han's old friend, [[Lando Calrissian]]. [[Boba Fett]], one of the bounty hunters hired by Vader, had deduced their strategy and followed them to Cloud City, alerting Vader.

=== Anakin Skywalker ===

Vader lands on Cloud City, making a deal with Lando and awaiting the arrival of the ''Millennium Falcon''. When it arrives, Vader captures and tortures Han to create a disturbance in the Force for Luke to sense and lure the Jedi learner to him. Sure enough, Luke, training under Yoda on [[Dagobah]], sees a vision of his friends in pain and rushes to Cloud City to save them, despite a stern warning from both Yoda and Obi-Wan's [[Force ghost]] that he would risk falling to the dark side. Meanwhile, promising to compensate Fett if the experiment fails, Vader successfully places Han in cryogenic hibernation as a test subject to see if the method would be viable for Luke Skywalker. Luke arrives at Cloud City, but Leia warns him of the trap. Fett escapes with Han's frozen body, transporting him to [[Jabba the Hutt]], to whom Han owes a large [[debt]].

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>

[[Image:Lukevsvader.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"The Force is with you, young Skywalker, but you are not a Jedi yet."]]Luke finds his way to the carbonite freezing facility, where Vader is planning to freeze him for transport to the Emperor. Vader appears behind Luke, and Luke turns to confront him. Vader and Luke battle until Luke falls into the freezing chamber, but he uses the Force to make an extraordinary leap to escape from the chamber just as Vader activates it. Attempting an escape from Cloud City, Luke is ultimately cornered by Vader. As Yoda and Obi-Wan warned, the inadequately trained Luke is in the end no match for the powerful and experienced Vader, who ultimately defeats him, cutting off his right hand.

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>

:''Vader: "There is no escape. Don't make me destroy you. Luke, you do not yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. Join me, and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy."''

:''Luke: "I'll never join you!"''

[[Image:Iamyourfather.jpg|thumb|left|300px|In the bowels of Cloud City, Lord Vader makes a stunning revelation to Luke.]]

:''Vader: "If you only knew the power of the dark side...Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father."''

:''Luke: "He told me enough! He told me you killed him."''

:''Vader: "No. ''I'' am your father."''

== Appearances ==

Vader then tries to persuade Luke to join him so that they can destroy the Emperor and rule the galaxy as father and son. Luke, although shaken by this stunning claim, refuses to join Vader and escapes.

=== Original trilogy ===

{{Main|Star Wars original trilogy}}

Vader was introduced in ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' (1977) as a cyborg commander serving the Galactic Empire. He and [[Grand Moff Tarkin]] have been tasked with recovering architectural plans for the [[Death 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 and [[Han Solo]], Vader strikes down his mentor in a lightsaber duel. After placing a tracking device aboard Han's ship, Vader locates the Rebel base on [[Yavin|Yavin 4]]. When the Rebels attack the Death Star, Vader pursues Luke in his [[TIE 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.

In ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' (1980), Vader has become obsessed with finding Luke, who is now a Rebel commander. Vader's forces assault the Rebel base on [[Hoth]], but the Rebels escape. Vader convinces [[Palpatine|the Emperor]] that Luke could be a valuable ally if he were turned to the dark side of the Force. Vader engages [[bounty hunter]]s to follow Luke's companions, and compels the [[Bespin|Cloud City]] administrator [[Lando Calrissian]] to set a trap for them. After Han, Leia, [[Chewbacca]] and [[C-3PO]] arrive, Vader tortures and freezes Han in carbonite and gives him to the bounty hunter [[Boba 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.

As the ''Millennium Falcon'' tries to escape with Luke aboard, Vader plans to recapture it, his troops having disabled the hyperdrive. He telepathically asks Luke again to join him, while Luke struggles with his own conflicting feelings and wonders aloud why Obi-Wan Kenobi didn't tell him the truth about his father. R2-D2 repairs the hyperdrive at the last moment and the ''Falcon'' escapes, leaving Vader uncharacteristically drained.

Vader and the Emperor supervise the construction of the second Death Star in ''[[Return 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.

===The redemption of Anakin Skywalker===

{{selfref|Events described in this section occur in the film ''[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi]]'}}

Enraged, the Emperor begins torturing Luke with [[Force 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. 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 and [[Yoda]].

Vader is charged with overseeing the completion of the second Death Star, with [[Moff Jerjerrod]] as his immediate subordinate. Still a fearsome presence, Vader visibly intimidates Jerjerrod, who promises that the construction crew would double their efforts. Vader ominously replies: "The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am." He later meets with Palpatine onboard the half-constructed battle station to plan turning Luke to the dark side.

=== Prequel trilogy ===

Luke, by now an almost full-fledged Jedi, helps Leia, Lando and Chewbacca rescue Han from Jabba's clutches, and then returns to Dagobah, where both Yoda and Kenobi tell him that Vader is indeed his father. He then joins Han, Leia, and Chewbacca on their mission to the [[forest moon of Endor]]. On the sanctuary moon, he surrenders to Imperial troops and is brought to Vader. Luke acknowledges Vader as his father and continues trying to turn him away from the dark side, but Vader ultimately refuses, and delivers Luke to the Emperor onboard the new, incomplete Death Star.

{{Main|Star Wars prequel trilogy}}

The first film of the prequel trilogy, ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace|The Phantom Menace]]'' (1999), takes place 32 years before ''Star Wars''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Travis |first=Ben |date=June 12, 2024 |title=Star Wars Timeline: Every Movie, Series And More |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-timeline-chronological-order/ |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=Empire |language=en |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323122442/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/star-wars-timeline-chronological-order/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Anakin is a nine-year-old slave living on Tatooine with his mother [[Shmi Skywalker|Shmi]].<ref name="gamesradar">{{cite web |last=Houghton |first=David |date=May 4, 2016 |title=George Lucas nearly wrote a perfect prequel trilogy. He just didn't notice |url=https://gamesradar.com/george-lucas-nearly-wrote-perfect-prequel-trilogy-he-just-didnt-seem-notice/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331115418/http://www.gamesradar.com/george-lucas-nearly-wrote-perfect-prequel-trilogy-he-just-didnt-seem-notice/ |archive-date=March 31, 2017 |access-date=March 30, 2017 |website=Gamesradar}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Elle |date=2019-08-29 |title=The Entire C-3PO And R2-D2 Story Finally Explained |url=https://www.looper.com/164303/the-entire-c-3po-and-r2-d2-story-finally-explained/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Looper |language=en-US}}</ref> The Jedi Master [[Qui-Gon Jinn]] meets Anakin after making an emergency landing on Tatooine with Padmé Amidala, the queen of [[Naboo]]. 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 a [[podrace]] wager, Anakin departs the planet with Qui-Gon to be trained as a Jedi, leaving his mother behind.

During the journey to [[Coruscant]], Anakin forms a bond with Padmé. Qui-Gon asks the [[Jedi 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 the [[Trade Federation]], Anakin helps end the blockade of Naboo by destroying a control ship. Qui-Gon is mortally wounded in a duel with the Sith Lord [[Darth 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 the [[Galactic Republic]], takes an interest in Anakin and his career as a Jedi.

Aboard the Death Star, the Emperor tells Luke that the rebel attack on the Death Star at Endor is a trap he had set to destroy the Rebellion once and for all. Luke resists the temptation to anger with the patience of a Jedi, but ultimately attempts to attack the Emperor. Vader draws his weapon to protect his master, engaging Luke in a lightsaber battle.

''[[Episode II: Attack of the Clones|Attack of the Clones]]'' (2002) is set ten years after ''The Phantom Menace''.<ref name=":1" /> 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 by [[Tusken 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 to [[Geonosis]] to aid {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}}, only to be captured by the Sith Lord [[Count Dooku]]. Facing execution, Anakin and Padmé profess their love for each other. They are saved from death by an army of Jedi and [[clone trooper]]s, led by the Jedi Masters [[Mace Windu]] and Yoda. Anakin and {{No wrap|Obi-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.[[File:Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker.jpg|239px|thumb|right|A wax sculpture of Anakin Skywalker at the [[Madame Tussauds]] museum in London]]''[[Episode III: Revenge of the Sith|Revenge of the Sith]]'' (2005) is set three years after ''Attack of the Clones''.<ref name=":1" /> Anakin, who is now a Jedi Knight and a hero of the [[Clone Wars (Star Wars)|Clone Wars]], leads a mission with {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}} to rescue Chancellor Palpatine from the Separatist commander [[General Grievous]]. The two Jedi again battle Count Dooku, whom Anakin overpowers and then slaughters 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.

Eventually, however, Luke decides to hide instead of fight, not wanting to destroy his father. Vader uses the Force to discover that Leia is Luke's sister, and thus his own daughter, and threatens to turn her to the dark side if he should fail with Luke. Realizing the threat to his sister, Luke's rage is finally unleashed, and he attacks his father, driving him back with a whirlwind of blows. Vader collapses on a causeway, allowing Luke to finally sever his right hand.

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. Anakin then betrays the Jedi by pledging himself to the Sith, and Sidious appoints him Darth Vader.

Luke's fury is suddenly cut short&mdash; as he stares at his own cybernetic hand, he realizes with a visceral horror that he has done the same thing that Vader once did to him, and has already begun transforming into Vader's successor. As the Emperor approaches, encouraging Luke to finish Vader and take his place, Luke throws down his lightsaber, refusing to perform the killing blow.

On Sidious' orders, Vader slaughters all the Jedi in the Jedi Temple, including the younglings. 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 {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}} are conspiring against him, Vader uses the Force to strangle his wife into unconsciousness. He then engages {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}} in a lightsaber duel that ends with {{No wrap|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, 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.

Enraged, the Emperor uses Force lightning to attack Luke. Luke writhes in agony under the Emperor's torture, begging his father for help. Unable to bear the sight of his son in pain, Vader turns on his master, throwing him into a deep shaft, where he explodes in a fury of dark energies. In the process, however, he is mortally wounded by the Emperor's lightning.

=== ''The Rise of Skywalker'' ===

As the Death Star crumbles under Rebel attack, the dying man pleads with Luke to remove his mask.

Anakin's voice is heard briefly in the third film of the sequel trilogy, ''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker|The Rise of Skywalker]]'' (2019), set 31 years after the events of ''Return of the Jedi''. During Rey'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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Breznican |first1=Anthony |last2=Robinson |first2=Joanna |title=25 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Cameos You Might Have Missed |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-cameos-who-were-the-jedi-voices-jodie-comer-reys-mom |website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |___location=New York City |access-date=January 7, 2020 |date=December 20, 2019 |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201234554/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-cameos-who-were-the-jedi-voices-jodie-comer-reys-mom |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Matt |title=How Palpatine Returned In 'The Rise of Skywalker' |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a30298776/palpatine-return-alive-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-9-explained/ |website=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]] |publisher=[[Hearst Magazines]] |___location=New York City |access-date=January 7, 2020 |date=December 21, 2019 |archive-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225110910/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a30298776/palpatine-return-alive-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-9-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== ''The Clone Wars'' (film) ===

:''Vader: "Luke, help me take this mask off.""

In the 2008 animated film ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (film)|The Clone Wars]]'', set shortly after the events of ''Attack 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".<ref name="Databank">{{cite web |title=Anakin Skywalker |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/anakin-skywalker |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620105740/https://www.starwars.com/databank/anakin-skywalker |archive-date=June 20, 2022 |access-date=September 23, 2016 |website=StarWars.com}}</ref> After earning Anakin's respect during a dangerous mission, Ahsoka joins him on a quest to rescue [[Jabba the Hutt]]'s infant son, Rotta. Her impetuousness both annoys and endears her to Anakin, and he develops a friendly affection towards her.

:''Luke: "But you'll die."''

:''Vader: "Nothing can stop that now. Just for once… let me look on you with my own eyes."''

=== ''Rogue One'' ===

[[Image:Anakinold.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[Sebastian Shaw (actor)|Sebastian Shaw]] as the dying Anakin.]]

In the standalone film ''[[Rogue One]]'' (2016), set immediately before the events of ''A New Hope'', Vader summons the weapons developer [[Orson 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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Agar|first=Chris|date=December 16, 2016|title=Star Wars: Darth Vader's Rogue One Role Explained|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-rogue-one-darth-vader-role-explained/|access-date=|website=[[Screen Rant]]|language=en-US|archive-date=November 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104231728/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-rogue-one-darth-vader-role-explained/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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. In [[Gary Whitta]]'s original [[Pitch (filmmaking)|pitch]], the Sith Lord appeared on [[Scarif]] and slaughtered a Rebel blockade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schaefer |first=Sandy |date=2020-01-23 |title=Rogue One Writer Reveals New Details About Cut Darth Vader Scene |url=https://screenrant.com/rogue-one-darth-vader-deleted-scene/ |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=June 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609045536/https://screenrant.com/rogue-one-darth-vader-deleted-scene/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In another early storyline, Vader killed Krennic for his failure to prevent the Rebels from stealing the Death Star schematics.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=March 21, 2017 |title='Rogue One' Almost Featured a Bonus Scene With Darth Vader — Killing a Major Character |url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/03/21/rogue-almost-got-more-vader-killing-a-major-character/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113024456/https://ew.com/movies/2017/03/21/rogue-almost-got-more-vader-killing-a-major-character/ |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |access-date= |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref>

Luke removes Vader's mask and sees the ghostly pale visage of a sad and withered man in his mid-forties. His head is bald, his skin is pasty white from not having been exposed to sunlight for more than two decades, and his face still carries the scars of the tragic duel with Obi-Wan. His weary eyes stare out from dark, sunken sockets at his son, and back at a life filled with sorrowful regret. In his dying breaths, Anakin Skywalker is redeemed, finally admitting to Luke that the goodness within him was not destroyed after all.

=== Television series ===

:''Anakin: "Now go, my son. Leave me."''

==== ''The Clone Wars'' ====

:''Luke: "No. You're coming with me. I'll not leave you here, I've got to save you.""

Anakin is featured in all seasons of ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'' (2008–2014, 2020), set between the events of ''Attack of the Clones'' and ''Revenge of the Sith''. As a Jedi Knight, he leads the [[501st Legion (Star Wars)|501st 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.<ref name="io9netflix">{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/how-clone-wars-ahsoka-tano-made-the-star-wars-franchis-1537984315|title=Why Ahsoka Tano Is the Best Thing to Happen to Star Wars in 20 Years|last=Davis|first=Lauren|date=December 16, 2015|website=[[Gizmodo]]|access-date=December 3, 2021|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204161753/https://gizmodo.com/how-clone-wars-ahsoka-tano-made-the-star-wars-franchis-1537984315|url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout the series there are references to Anakin's eventual fall to the dark side, including visions of his future as Vader and his disillusionment with the Jedi Council after they wrongly accuse Ahsoka of bombing the Jedi Temple. While Ahsoka is later forgiven after the true culprit is found, she nonetheless chooses to leave the Jedi Order.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2011/02/this-week-in-the-clone-wars-anakin-meets-darth-vader/|title=This Week in The Clone Wars: Anakin Meets Darth Vader|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|date=February 11, 2011|access-date=November 20, 2016|archive-date=November 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120213351/https://www.wired.com/2011/02/this-week-in-the-clone-wars-anakin-meets-darth-vader/|url-status=live}}</ref> Dooku's death at Anakin's hands during ''Revenge of the Sith'' is referenced by Obi Wan. Anakin appears as Vader in the final scene of [[Victory and Death|the series finale]], which occurs after ''Revenge of the Sith''. He investigates the crash site of a ''Venator''-class Star Destroyer, which was demolished during [[Order 66 (Star Wars)|Order 66]]. Finding one of Ahsoka's lightsabers among the wreckage, he assumes that his former Padawan has perished.

:''Anakin: "You already have, Luke. You were right. You were right about me. Tell your sister you were right."''

:''Luke: "Father… I won't leave you."''

==== ''Star Wars Rebels'' ====

[[Image:Spiritsjedi.jpg|right|350px|thumb|left|Shaw (left) as the spirit of Anakin Skywalker in ''[[Return of the Jedi]]''.]]

Vader appears in the animated series ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'' (2014–2018), which takes place fourteen years after the conclusion of ''The Clone Wars''.<ref name=":1" /> The Sith Lord makes minor appearances throughout the first season, and plays a larger role in the second season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fowler |first=Matt |date=October 2, 2014 |title=Everything You Need To Know About Star Wars Rebels |url=https://ign.com/articles/2014/10/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-star-wars-rebels |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919164549/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/02/everything-you-need-to-know-about-star-wars-rebels |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |access-date=September 23, 2016 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher= |___location=San Francisco, California}}</ref> At the beginning of the series, he leads a squad of Force-sensitive [[Imperial Inquisitor]]s who kill Jedi and {{No wrap|Force-sensitive}} children. He dispatches [[Grand Inquisitor (Star Wars)|the Grand Inquisitor]] to hunt a Rebel cell on [[Lothal (Star Wars)|Lothal]], and later arrives personally to deal with the Rebel threat after the Inquisitor is killed.

At this point, "Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker...Luke's father, dies." [http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Star-Wars-Return-of-the-Jedi.html]

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 Jedi [[Kanan Jarrus]] and [[Ezra Bridger]]. When Vader attacks the fleet of the Phoenix Squadron, he discovers that Ahsoka is still alive and has joined the Rebel Alliance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keane |first=Sean |title=Star Wars Rebels Season 2 premiere Recap: The 'Siege of Lothal' begins as a Sith Lord tightens his grip |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/channel-surfer/star-wars-rebels-season-2-premiere-recap-siege-lothal-blog-entry-1.2264260 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616103938/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/channel-surfer/star-wars-rebels-season-2-premiere-recap-siege-lothal-blog-entry-1.2264260 |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |access-date=November 24, 2020 |website=New York Daily News}}</ref> She is overwhelmed when she recognizes Anakin under a "layer of hate". The Emperor then orders Vader to send another Inquisitor to capture her.<ref name="fatesfulfilled1">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/dave-filoni-interview-star-wars-rebels-season-two-part-1|title=Fates Fulfilled: Dave Filoni Reflects on Star Wars Rebels Season Two, Part 1|last=Brooks|first=Dan|date=August 30, 2016|publisher=StarWars.com|access-date=November 20, 2016|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204191422/https://www.starwars.com/news/dave-filoni-interview-star-wars-rebels-season-two-part-1|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.

That night, Luke burns his father's Sith armor (and whatever remains inside) {{ref|body}} in the manner of a Jedi's [[funeral]]. During the victory celebration on the forest moon of Endor, Luke is able to see the redeemed spirit of Anakin Skywalker, standing once again with Obi-Wan and Yoda.<br clear="all">

==== ''Forces of Destiny'' ====

==Talents==

Anakin appears in multiple episodes of the animated web series ''[[Star Wars Forces of Destiny|Forces of Destiny]]'' (2017–2018).<ref name="Breznican">{{cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=April 13, 2017 |title=Star Wars'' highlights female heroes in ''Forces of Destiny |url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/04/13/star-wars-female-heroes-forces-of-destiny-stories/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703093434/http://ew.com/movies/2017/04/13/star-wars-female-heroes-forces-of-destiny-stories/ |archive-date=July 3, 2018 |access-date=April 13, 2017 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |___location=New York City}}</ref>

==== ''Obi-Wan Kenobi'' ====

Darth Vader is a brilliant strategist and one of the greatest pilots in the galaxy. Vader still possesses his former persona's amazing engineering skills, having overseen the design of the TIE/Advanced fighter. His talent with the lightsaber is legendary. All of these skills, however, are secondary to his incredible mastery of the Force. He is born with the greatest known midi-chlorian count (a measure of Force-aptitude) in the galaxy, surpassing that of both Yoda and the Emperor.

Hayden Christensen portrays both Anakin and Vader in the 2022 miniseries ''[[Obi-Wan Kenobi (TV series)|Obi-Wan Kenobi]],'' set a decade after ''Revenge of the Sith'' and 9 years before ''A New Hope''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=December 10, 2020 |title='Obi-Wan' Disney+ Series: Hayden Christensen Returning As Darth Vader |url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/obi-wan-disney-series-hayden-christensen-returning-as-darth-vader-1234654326/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210231956/https://deadline.com/2020/12/obi-wan-disney-series-hayden-christensen-returning-as-darth-vader-1234654326/ |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=December 10, 2020 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The series reveals that for a decade after their duel on Mustafar, Obi-Wan believed his fallen apprentice to be dead. While attempting to draw {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}} out of hiding, the Imperial Inquisitor [[Reva Sevander]] tells him that Anakin is still alive.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Drew |title='Obi-Wan Kenobi' Episodes 1 and 2 Recap: Unexpected Characters and Brand New Worlds |url=https://www.thewrap.com/obi-wan-kenobi-episode-1-episode-2-recap-review/ |website=www.thewrap.com |date=May 27, 2022 |publisher=The Wrap |access-date=27 May 2022 |archive-date=May 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527150151/https://www.thewrap.com/obi-wan-kenobi-episode-1-episode-2-recap-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Vader begins hunting {{No wrap|Obi-Wan}}, which eventually leads them to duel again. Although Vader initially overpowers his former master, {{No wrap|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 {{No wrap|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''====

However, Lucas states that his injuries on Mustafar cost Vader much of his Force potential. Lucas claims that, as a masked and suited Darth Vader, Anakin has roughly 80% of the power of the Emperor. Had he sustained none of his injuries on Mustafar, he would have been about twice as powerful.

Hayden Christensen portrays Anakin in ''Ahsoka'' (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.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Devan|last=Coggan|url=https://ew.com/tv/ahsoka-episode-4-major-character-returns/|title=Ahsoka sees the return of a major Star Wars character|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=September 5, 2023|access-date=January 5, 2024|archive-date=September 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906074441/https://ew.com/tv/ahsoka-episode-4-major-character-returns/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|first=Michael|last=Walsh|url=https://nerdist.com/article/what-happened-with-anakin-and-ahsoka-in-the-star-wars-series-world-between-worlds-sequence-cameo-flashbacks-purpose-explained/|title=What Happened Between Anakin and Ahsoka in the World Between Worlds|website=[[Nerdist]]|date=September 13, 2023|access-date=January 6, 2024|archive-date=January 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106080722/https://nerdist.com/article/what-happened-with-anakin-and-ahsoka-in-the-star-wars-series-world-between-worlds-sequence-cameo-flashbacks-purpose-explained/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Industrial Light and Magic]] used "[[de-aging]]" technology to make the 42-year-old Christensen appear younger.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bacon |first=Thomas |date=October 22, 2023 |title=Hayden Christensen's Anakin Skywalker De-Aging Explained By VFX Artists |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-hayden-christensen-ahsoka-return-de-aging-explained/ |access-date=January 6, 2024 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref>

=== Video games ===

Of important note is ''The Visual Dictionary of Star Wars, Episode III'' (ISBN 0756611288) which states that Vader's lack of physical hands is the direct reason he cannot create Force lightning, as Dooku and Palpatine could. His mechanical life support system, however, is vulnerable to Force lightning, contributing to his death in ''Return of the Jedi''.

Vader is featured in the three-episode virtual reality game series ''[[Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series|Vader Immortal]]'', which is set between ''Revenge of the Sith'' and ''Rogue One''. The first episode became available with the launch of the [[Oculus Quest]] virtual reality headset in May 2019, while the last was released in November of the same year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepherd |first=Jack |date=July 17, 2016 |title=A Star Wars film based on Darth Vader is on the way |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-darth-vader-vr-film-david-s-goyer-spin-off-a7141201.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111041837/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-darth-vader-vr-film-david-s-goyer-spin-off-a7141201.html |archive-date=November 11, 2017 |access-date=November 10, 2017 |work=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kris |first=Holt |date=April 12, 2019 |title='Star Wars' VR game 'Vader Immortal' teases story details in trailer |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/04/12/star-wars-vader-immortal-trailer-vr-oculus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428021107/https://www.engadget.com/2019/04/12/star-wars-vader-immortal-trailer-vr-oculus/ |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |access-date=April 25, 2019 |website=Engadget}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=November 21, 2019 |title=Vader Immortal: Episode III |url=https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2426206484098337/?locale=en_US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304081717/https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2426206484098337/?locale=en_US |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |access-date=January 7, 2020 |publisher=Oculus.com}}</ref> The series was later released for the [[Oculus Rift]]. In August 2020, all three episodes were released for [[PlayStation VR]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vincent |first=James |date=August 25, 2020 |title=Vader Immortal, a former Oculus exclusive, is available now on PlayStation VR |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/25/21400887/vader-immortal-playstation-vr-available-price |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829041819/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/25/21400887/vader-immortal-playstation-vr-available-price |archive-date=August 29, 2020 |access-date=September 1, 2020 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>

Vader makes a brief appearance at the end of ''[[Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order|Jedi: 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 from [[Cal Kestis]], who barely manages to escape. Vader returns as a boss in the sequel, ''[[Star Wars Jedi: Survivor|Jedi: Survivor]]'' (2023), where he leads an Imperial assault on a Jedi hideout on the planet [[Jedha]]. He duels Cere Junda, whom he manages to slay after a prolonged battle.

In ''The Empire Strikes Back'', Vader was able to block Han Solo's blaster bolts with his hand. One explanation is that Vader used the Force, while an [[Expanded Universe (Star Wars)|Expanded Universe]] novel states that Vader's right glove was indestructible; however, many regard those series of books to be non-[[canon]]ical.

Both Vader and Anakin are playable characters in every [[Lego Star Wars video games|Lego ''Star Wars'' video game]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andress |first=Joseph |date=2021-03-16 |title=Every Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Playable Character Revealed So Far |url=https://gamerant.com/every-lego-star-wars-skywalker-saga-playable-character-revealed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212230223/https://gamerant.com/every-lego-star-wars-skywalker-saga-playable-character-revealed/ |archive-date=February 12, 2022 |access-date=2022-02-12 |website=Game Rant |language=en-US}}</ref> Vader is a playable character and a boss in ''[[Disney Infinity 3.0]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Robertson |first1=Andy |date=May 8, 2015 |title=Everything We Know About 'Disney Infinity 3.0' 'Star Wars' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyrobertson/2015/05/08/disney-infinity-3-0-star-wars-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311133223/http://www.forbes.com/sites/andyrobertson/2015/05/08/disney-infinity-3-0-star-wars-2/ |archive-date=March 11, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2015 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> and can be unlocked as a playable character for a limited time in ''[[Disney Magic Kingdoms]]''.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 16, 2021 |title=Update 49: STAR WARS™ Episode IV: A New Hope {{!}} Livestream |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmCOhTKOqoI&ab_channel=DisneyMagicKingdoms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017122908/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmCOhTKOqoI&ab_channel=DisneyMagicKingdoms |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |access-date=October 18, 2022 |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> A bird version of Vader appears as a playable character and a boss in ''[[Angry Birds Star Wars]]'' and [[Angry Birds Star Wars II|its sequel]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-10-07|title=[Update] The ultimate guide to Angry Birds Star Wars II – walkthroughs, achievements, items|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/angry-birds-star-wars-ii/update-the-ultimate-guide-to-angry-birds-star-wars-ii-walkthroughs-achievements-/|access-date=2022-06-17|website=PocketGamer|language=en-US|archive-date=June 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617160104/https://www.pocketgamer.com/angry-birds-star-wars-ii/update-the-ultimate-guide-to-angry-birds-star-wars-ii-walkthroughs-achievements-/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Vader also has great physical strength, which he demonstrates in his first and last appearances in the original trilogy: lifting a Rebel captain by the throat with one hand in ''A New Hope'', and picking up the Emperor and hurling him to his death in ''Return of the Jedi''. The Expanded Universe has shown him punching through the skull of savage [[predator]]s and bludgeoning opposing Jedi onto their knees with one blow.

Darth Vader was added to ''[[Fortnite Battle Royale]]'' in 2022 as both a cosmetic outfit, part of the Chapter 3 Season 3 [[Battle Pass]], and as a non-playable character (NPC);<ref>{{cite web |last=Fanelli |first=Jason |date=June 5, 2022 |title= Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 3 Battle Pass: Darth Vader, Indiana Jones, And More |url= https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fortnite-chapter-3-season-3-battle-pass-darth-vader-indiana-jones-and-more/1100-6504144/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=June 21, 2022 |title= Fortnite Battle Royale v21.10 Update: Darth Vader's Lightsaber, Super Level Styles, Looking for Party, and More |url= https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fortnite-chapter-3-season-3-battle-pass-darth-vader-indiana-jones-and-more/1100-6504144/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=[[Fortnite]]}}</ref> On May 16, 2025, as part of the ''Star Wars: Galactic Battle'' season of ''Fortnite'', the Darth Vader NPC returned, with the added feature of allowing players to converse with the character, accomplished via [[generative AI]] modeled after James Earl Jones' voice.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 16, 2025 |last=Weripn |first=Alex |title= Disney, Epic Games Using AI to Bring James Earl Jones' Darth Vader Voice to 'Fortnite' |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/ai-james-earl-jones-darth-vader-voice-fortnite-1236219105/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Additionally, an Anakin Skywalker outfit was added in 2023, and a Samurai Darth Vader outfit was added in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 27, 2023 |last=Moore |first=Logan |title= Fortnite Reveals New Star Wars Crossover With Anakin Skywalker |url= https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/fortnite-star-wars-anakin-shop-skin/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=December 25, 2024 |last=Reeves |first=Brianna |title= Fortnite players annoyed by one missing Darth Vader Samurai detail |url= https://www.dexerto.com/fortnite/fortnite-darth-vader-samurai-katana-detail-missing-3015735/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |website=[[Dexerto]]}}</ref>

In battle, Darth Vader has a very precise and powerful fighting style. Because of his great strength, his blows have great power and unexpected speed, even when using only one arm to fight. He is precise and calm when fighting, rarely using acrobatics. He strikes to kill and uses psychology and his appearance to intimidate his foes. When striking with both hands on the grip of his lightsaber, he is able to pound his enemies with an onslaught of strong but somewhat slow strikes. This fighting style contrasts with Anakin's style before his disfigurement, which utilized more speed and acrobatics.

=== Novels ===

==Armor and life-support system==

''[[Star Wars: Lords of the Sith]]'' was one of four canon novels released between 2014 and 2015.<ref name="SW Adult">{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line |title=Disney and Random House announce relaunch of ''Star Wars'' Adult Fiction line |publisher=StarWars.com |date=April 25, 2014 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |archive-date=May 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514073722/http://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line |url-status=live }}</ref> In it, Vader and Palpatine find themselves hunted by revolutionaries on the planet [[Ryloth]].<ref name="NYDN">{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/review-star-wars-lords-sith-blog-entry-1.2201665 |title=REVIEW: ''Star Wars: Lords of the Sith'' throws Darth Vader and the Emperor onto the battlefield |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]] |___location=New York City |first=Sean |last=Keane |date=April 28, 2015 |access-date=May 27, 2016 |archive-date=August 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808160504/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/review-star-wars-lords-sith-blog-entry-1.2201665 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/articles/2015/05/09/star-wars-lords-of-the-sith-review |title=''Star Wars: Lords of the Sith'' Review |first=Eric |last=Goldman |date=May 9, 2015 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[j2 Global]] |___location=Los Angeles, California |access-date=May 27, 2016 |archive-date=June 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606044616/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/09/star-wars-lords-of-the-sith-review |url-status=live }}</ref>

Darth Vader's suit follows ancient Sith tradition, when the warriors of the dark side would adorn themselves in heavy armor. Vader's armor is built around a plastoid girdle that protects his organic and synthetic [[internal organs]]. More visible durasteel plates cover his shoulders, upper body and shins. He wears a suit of quilted, flexible, blast-dampening, multi-ply padding, and a cloak of armor weave. His gloves are made with a unique micronized iron that can deflect anything short of a lightsaber blow.

=== Comics ===

Vader's life support system includes a chest-worn, computerized control panel unit that regulates his respiratory functions. Three slot-like dataports offered diagnostic checks of his [[pulmonary]], [[Respiration (physiology)|respiratory]] and [[neural]] systems. On his belt, Vader wears two small system function boxes. The one on his right featured a temperature regulation system. On his left, he wears a respiratory sensor matrix. The center buckle features an audio enhancement unit built into the electromagnetic clasp. The armor also enables him to breathe in vacuum while protecting him from the coldness of space.

The 25-issue Marvel comic series ''Darth 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Darth Vader (2015–2016) |url=http://marvel.com/comics/series/19379/darth_vader_2015_-_present |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220170214/http://marvel.com/comics/series/19379/darth_vader_2015_-_present |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |publisher=Marvel}}</ref><ref name=Schedeen>{{cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |url=https://ign.com/articles/2015/06/03/star-wars-delivers-huge-change-for-han-solo |title=Star Wars Delivers Huge Change for Han Solo |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=June 3, 2015 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-date=April 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412175109/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/03/star-wars-delivers-huge-change-for-han-solo |url-status=live }}</ref> The series takes place parallel to the 2015 series [[Star Wars (2015 comic book)|''Star Wars'']], in which Vader and Luke meet; the two series have a [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] titled ''Vader Down''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 13, 2019 |title=Luke Skywalker Comes Face to Face with Darth Vader in Marvel's Star Wars #75 – Exclusive |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-75-exclusive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726001503/https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-75-exclusive |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |access-date=July 6, 2020 |website=StarWars.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Jesse|last=Schedeen|url=https://ign.com/articles/2015/11/17/star-wars-vader-down-1-review|title=Star Wars: Vader Down #1 Review|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[j2 Global]]|___location=San Francisco, California|date=November 17, 2015|access-date=November 10, 2017|archive-date=July 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712124144/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/11/17/star-wars-vader-down-1-review|url-status=live}}</ref> A continuation series set between ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi'' debuted in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|last=Celestino|first=Mike|date=February 5, 2020|title=Comic Review – "Star Wars: Darth Vader" (2020) #1|url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/02/05/comic-review-star-wars-darth-vader-2020-1/|access-date=February 29, 2020|website=Laughing Place|archive-date=February 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229082019/https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/02/05/comic-review-star-wars-darth-vader-2020-1/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 5, 2020|title=The Sith Lord's Quest Leads to Padmé's Tomb in Darth Vader #4 – Exclusive|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/darth-vader-4-preview|access-date=August 13, 2020|website=StarWars.com|language=en-US|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816063554/https://www.starwars.com/news/darth-vader-4-preview|url-status=live}}</ref> A subsequent story arc depicts Vader being tested by the Emperor.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McGuire|first=Liam|date=2021-08-25|title=Star Wars: Darth Vader's Sith Assassin Was His Deadliest Sidekick|url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-vader-ochi-bestoon-rise-skywalker-sidekick/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-08|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|archive-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104053214/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-vader-ochi-bestoon-rise-skywalker-sidekick/}}</ref> The five-issue series ''Obi-Wan & Anakin'' (2016) depicts the lives of the two Jedi between ''The Phantom Menace'' and ''Attack of the Clones''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brooks|first=Dan|date=October 12, 2015|title=Obi-Wan & Anakin Interview with Charles Soule|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/nycc-2015-exploring-the-uncharted-in-marvels-obi-wan-and-anakin-an-interview-with-charles-soule|access-date=November 20, 2016|website=StarWars.com|archive-date=July 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730060741/http://www.starwars.com/news/nycc-2015-exploring-the-uncharted-in-marvels-obi-wan-and-anakin-an-interview-with-charles-soule|url-status=live}}</ref>

Between 2017 and 2018, Charles Soule wrote a prequel-era series, also called ''Darth Vader'' (sometimes subtitled ''Dark Lord of the Sith''). It begins immediately after Vader wakes up in his armor at the end of ''Revenge 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.<ref>{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Brooks|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/in-marvels-new-darth-vader-series-we-will-see-the-sith-lords-rise-the-construction-of-his-lightsaber-and-more|title=In Marvel's New Darth Vader Series, We Will See the Sith Lord's Rise, the Construction of His Lightsaber, and More|website=StarWars.com|date=March 10, 2017|access-date=November 10, 2017|archive-date=November 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110225013/http://www.starwars.com/news/in-marvels-new-darth-vader-series-we-will-see-the-sith-lords-rise-the-construction-of-his-lightsaber-and-more|url-status=live}}</ref> Its final arc, which depicts the construction of Vader's fortress on Mustafar, implies that Palpatine used the Force to conceive Anakin ''[[Uterus|in utero]]'',<ref name="father2">{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/darth-vaders-father-revealed/|title=Does a New 'Star Wars' Comic Book Reveal Darth Vader's Father?|last=Young|first=Bryan|date=December 28, 2018|website=/Film|access-date=March 17, 2019|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108000800/https://www.slashfilm.com/darth-vaders-father-revealed/|url-status=live}}</ref> as some had theorized that ''Revenge of the Sith'' indicates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2018/12/20/star-wars-comic-anakin-father/|title=Star Wars comic finally reveals Anakin's father|last=Gunn|first=Callum|year=2019|website=Dork Side of the Force|access-date=March 17, 2019|archive-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411164748/https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2018/12/20/star-wars-comic-anakin-father/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|In the film, Palpatine tells Anakin about [[Darth 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 of ''Revenge 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."<ref name=father2 /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Jordan |date=2023-02-23 |title=Revenge of the Sith Almost Had a Very Different 'I Am Your Father' Reveal |url=https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-revenge-of-the-sith-palpatine-anakin-father/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=CBR |language=en |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621141043/https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-revenge-of-the-sith-palpatine-anakin-father/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} A Lucasfilm story group member later clarified that "This is all in Anakin's head".<ref name="notreally" />{{efn|Soule elaborated that "The Dark Side is not a reliable narrator."<ref name=notreally>{{Cite web|last=Lovett|first=Jamie|date=November 14, 2020|title=Star Wars: Original Prequel Plans Confirm Fan Theory About Anakin's Father|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/star-wars-prequel-trilogy-palaptine-anakins-father-george-lucas/|access-date=November 16, 2020|website=ComicBook.com|language=en|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115153626/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/star-wars-prequel-trilogy-palaptine-anakins-father-george-lucas/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

Besides the life support it provides his ravaged body, Vader's armor may also offer some moderate degree of protection against lightsabers. In the [[climax (narrative)|climactic]] duel of ''The Empire Strikes Back'', a blow from Luke's lightsaber appears to bounce off Vader's armor, eliciting a yell of pain from the Sith Lord.

A five-issue limited series titled ''Vader: Dark Visions'', was released in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Star Wars: Vader – Dark Visions (2019) #1 {{!}} Comic Issues|url=https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/76077/star_wars_vader_-_dark_visions_2019_1|access-date=January 17, 2021|website=Marvel Entertainment|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122082252/https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/76077/star_wars_vader_-_dark_visions_2019_1|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Vader Down'' writer [[Jason Aaron]] wrote part of the miniseries ''Darth Vader: Black, White & Red'', an extension of a Marvel event highlighting fan-favorite characters.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baver |first=Kristin |date=2023-01-12 |title=Marvel's Star Wars: Darth Vader – Black, White & Red Revealed |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/marvel-star-wars-darth-vader-black-white-red-reveal |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=StarWars.com |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113074956/https://www.starwars.com/news/marvel-star-wars-darth-vader-black-white-red-reveal |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Appearance==

[[Image:Vader.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Darth Vader with lightsaber drawn.]]

Anakin is a human of normal appearance. As an adult, he stands 6 [[feet]] 1 [[inch]] (1.85 [[metres]]) in height. His hair goes from straight and blond as a child to wavy and light brown as an adult. After Count Dooku severs his dominant right arm between the shoulder and elbow, he is fitted with a cybernetic [[prosthetic]] replacement that is later enhanced and covered with a black leather glove. During the Clone Wars, he acquires a vertical scar near his right eye, as a result of a duel that pitted him against Asajj Ventress. [http://www.theforce.net/swtc/injuries.html]

== ''Star Wars Legends'' ==

Anakin dresses in traditional Jedi garb, though he wears darker colors than most Jedi (dark brown and black), with a [[tunic]] made partially of synthetic leather.

{{See also|Star Wars in other media}}

Following the acquisition of [[Lucasfilm]] by [[The Walt Disney Company]] in 2012, most of the licensed ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe material produced between 1977 and 2014 was rebranded as ''Star Wars Legends'' and declared non-canon to the franchise. The ''Legends'' works comprise a separate narrative universe.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<br><ref name="THR Legends2">{{cite news |last=McMilian |first=Graeme |date=April 25, 2014 |title=Lucasfilm Unveils New Plans for ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lucasfilm-unveils-new-plans-star-698973 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429022447/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lucasfilm-unveils-new-plans-star-698973 |archive-date=April 29, 2016 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref name="SW Legends2">{{cite web |date=April 25, 2014 |title=The Legendary ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe Turns a New Page |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910044317/http://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page |archive-date=September 10, 2016 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |website=[[StarWars.com]]}}</ref><ref name="SW Adult2">{{cite web |date=April 25, 2014 |title=Disney and Random House announce relaunch of ''Star Wars'' Adult Fiction line |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514073722/http://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line |archive-date=May 14, 2016 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |publisher=StarWars.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dinsdale |first=Ryan |date=2023-05-04 |title=The Star Wars Canon: The Definitive Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-star-wars-canon-the-definitive-guide |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503204025/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-star-wars-canon-the-definitive-guide |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

=== Books ===

As the Dark Lord of the Sith, Anakin's [[Iris (anatomy)|irises]] turn fiery yellow when he intensely experiences the dark side; however, in his redemption, the coloration returns to normal. After turning to the dark side, he continues to dress as a Jedi to hide his new identity.

Vader is featured prominently in [[List of Star Wars books|novels set in the ''Star Wars'' universe]]. In the 1978 novel ''[[Splinter of the Mind's Eye]]'' by [[Alan 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.<ref name="vaderstarwars.com">{{cite web |title=Darth Vader |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/character/darthvader/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108211827/http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/darthvader/ |archive-date=November 8, 2010 |access-date=August 12, 2010 |work=[[Star Wars Databank]] |publisher=[[Lucasfilm]]}}</ref> ''[[Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (novel)|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 the [[MacGuffin]] of the young-reader's book ''[[The Glove of Darth Vader]]'' (1992). Anakin Skywalker's redeemed spirit appears in ''[[The Truce at Bakura]]'' (1993), set a few days after the end of ''Return 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. In ''[[Tatooine Ghost]]'' (2003), Leia learns to forgive her father after learning about his childhood as a slave and his mother's traumatic death. In ''[[The Unifying Force]]'' (2003), Anakin tells his grandson [[Jacen Solo]] to "stand firm" in his battle with the Supreme Overlord of the [[Yuuzhan Vong]].

After he is revived as a cyborg following his disfigurement on Mustafar, Vader must wear his armor at all times when he is not meditating in his pressurized containment-chamber. A towering figure, the suited Darth Vader is nearly 6 [[feet]] 8 [[inches]] (2.02 [[metres]]) tall. Ahead of his portentous footfalls, the cold, raspy breathing issuing from his respirator sends chills down the spine as it heralds his villainous presence. He wears a chestplate with lights and switches, presumably to manage his cybernetic components. Upon closer examination, the chestplate has [[Hebrew (language)|Hebrew]] lettering which has been translated as, "His deeds will not be forgiven, until he merits." [http://www.theforce.net/swtc/chestplate.html] His mask and helmet, while symmetrical in ''[[Revenge of the Sith]]'', is not symmetrical in any other films.

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 novel ''[[Rogue Planet (novel)|Rogue Planet]]'' and [[Jude Watson]]'s ''[[Jedi Quest]]'' series chronicle Anakin's early missions with Obi-Wan, while [[James Luceno]]'s 2005 novel ''[[Labyrinth of Evil]]'', set during the Clone Wars, depicts Anakin battling Separatist commander [[General Grievous]]. In Luceno's ''[[Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader]]'' (2005), set a few months after the events of ''Revenge of the Sith'', Vader disavows his identity as Anakin as he hunts down surviving Jedi and cements his position in the Empire.

==Behind the scenes==

In the [[The Dark Nest trilogy|''Dark Nest'' trilogy]] (2005), Luke and Leia uncover old recordings of their parents in R2-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. In ''[[Bloodlines (Star Wars novel)|Bloodlines]]'' (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.

[[Image:Vadersketch.jpg|350px|thumb|left|An early conceptual drawing of Darth Vader.]]

The character of Darth Vader was not originally planned to be a suited cyborg. The current image of Vader was created when concept artist [[Ralph McQuarrie]] drew the opening scene where the [[Corellian Corvette|Rebel ship]] ''[[Tantive IV]]'' was being boarded. It was initially imagined that Darth Vader would fly through space to enter the ship, necessitating a suit and breathing mask. This was later made permanent and incorporated in the story. Vader's head gear resembles a [[Japan]]ese ''[[kabuto]]'' (&#20828;), which is consistent with the [[samurai]]-like order of the Jedi and [[kendo]]-like lightsaber duels. It also resembles a [[Germany|German]] [[World War II]]-era ''[[Stahlhelm]]''. Vader's [[leitmotif]] is ''[[The Imperial March]]''. The characteristic breathing sound of his respirator was created by [[sound designer]] [[Ben Burtt]], who created the sound by simply recording himself breathing into an old [[Dacor]] [[scuba]] regulator.

Vader also appears in a series of tongue-in-cheek children's books by [[Jeffrey Brown (cartoonist)|Jeffrey Brown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/goodnight-darth-vader-by-jeffrey-brown-exclusive-reveal|title=Goodnight Darth Vader By Jeffrey Brown – Exclusive Reveal|website=StarWars.com|date=February 10, 2014|access-date=May 4, 2016|archive-date=May 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514141515/http://www.starwars.com/news/goodnight-darth-vader-by-jeffrey-brown-exclusive-reveal|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.

It is interesting to note that "Vader" is the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] word for "father" and that the [[German language|German]] word for "father" (''Vater'') is similar. Thus, it may be tempting to read the character name "Darth Vader" as "Dark Father," a word-play that may well be the root of the Sith title. However, judging by the origin of the other Sith names, Vader may also possibly be a derivative of the word "invader." In the movie's novel, the name was given to Darth Sidious from the Dark Side, and is supposed to mean ''him'', supposedly a nod to his status as the Chosen One. In the original scripts for ''Star Wars'', the name "Darth Vader" was given to a normal Imperial general.

=== Comics ===

Lucas took the name "Anakin" from his friend and fellow film director, [[Ken Annakin]].

Vader appears in several comic books such as [[Marvel Comics]]' ''[[Star Wars (1977 comic book)|Star Wars]]'' (1977–1986). In ''[[Dark Empire II]]'', he is revealed to have had a castle on the planet Vjun.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sansweet|first=Stephen J.|title=Star Wars Encyclopedia|publisher=Ballantine|year=1998|isbn=0-345-40227-8|edition=1st|___location=New York|page=23|oclc=36960986|author-link=Steve Sansweet}}</ref> Anakin Skywalker is a major character in [[Dark Horse Comics]]' ''[[Star Wars: Republic]]'' series (1998–2006). In ''Boba Fett: Enemy of the Empire'' (1999), Vader hires Fett a few years before the events of ''A New Hope''. In ''[[Vader's Quest]]'' (1999), set soon after ''A New Hope'', the dark lord encounters Luke for the first time.{{Efn|In Marvel's 1977 series,<!-- Issue 29 --> Vader learns Luke's surname from a Rebel deserter, before later obtaining his first name.<!-- Issue 35 --><ref>{{Cite web|last=Beard|first=Jim|date=June 13, 2019|title=The Crucial Darth Vader Moment Not Seen in the Movies|url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/the-crucial-darth-vader-moment-not-seen-in-the-movies|access-date=June 26, 2020|website=Marvel Entertainment|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726030737/https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/the-crucial-darth-vader-moment-not-seen-in-the-movies|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Vader's Quest'' sees him learning Luke's surname from a captured Rebel. In 2013's ''Star 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.<ref name=Schedeen/>}} ''[[Star Wars: Empire]]'' (2002–2005) spans from about a year before ''A New Hope'' to several months afterwards. Anakin and Vader appear in the non-canonical ''[[Star Wars Tales]]'' (1999–2005); in the story ''[[Star Wars Tales Volume 3#Star Wars Tales 9|Resurrection]]'', Darth Maul is resurrected and faces Vader in battle.<ref>{{Cite web|last=d|first=Tristan|date=June 8, 2020|title=Star Wars: Darth Maul Was Originally Killed (Again) by... Darth Vader!?|url=https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-darth-vader-killed-maul/|access-date=June 26, 2020|website=CBR|language=en-US|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621021530/https://www.cbr.com/star-wars-darth-vader-killed-maul/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Vader-centric comics released and set just after ''Revenge of the Sith'' include ''[[Star Wars: Dark Times|Dark Times]]'' (2006–2013), ''Darth Vader and the Lost Command'' (2011), ''Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison'' (2012), and ''Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows'' (2013–14).

As Vader fits the classic stock character of the [[Black Knight]], some have noted that Vader bears more than a passing resemblance to other villains. One is the classic [[Marvel Universe]] [[supervillain]] [[Doctor Doom]]. (This is further alluded in [[Stephen King]]'s ''[[Dark Tower]]'' novels in which so-called "Doombots" appear that wear green hoods and iron wolf masks, much like Doom, and carry lightsabers.) Similarities have also been noted with the evil brother Hakaider, from the [[manga]] and [[tokusatsu]] series ''[[Kikaider]]'', and the Mule, a villain in [[Isaac Asimov]]'s ''[[Foundation Trilogy]]''. A resemblance has also been noted to the [[Lord of the Nazgûl]], also called the [[Witch-King of Angmar]], from [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s [[Lord of the Rings]]; both Vader and the Witch-King dress in black, have a supernaturally fearsome presence and a hidden, pale form, are kept alive unnaturallly, and serve at the hands of [[Dark Lord]]s.

=== ''Clone Wars'' ===

==Expanded Universe==

Anakin is featured in all three seasons of the ''[[Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV series)|Clone Wars]]'' micro-series (2003–2005), which takes place shortly after the conclusion of ''Attack 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 apprentice [[Asajj Ventress]], helps Obi-Wan capture a Separatist-controlled fortress, and rescues the Jedi Master [[Saesee 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 of ''Revenge of the Sith''. The series was removed from canon in 2014 and placed in the ''Legends'' universe.

=== Video games ===

Ever since the very beginnings of the Expanded Universe, Anakin/Vader has had his role in it.

Vader plays a central role in the ''Legends'' game ''[[Star 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, or [[List of Star Wars Legends characters|Starkiller]], is Vader's secret apprentice.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 December 2024 |title=Star Wars: The Force Unleashed |url=https://www.starwars.com/games-apps/star-wars-the-force-unleashed |website=Star Wars}}</ref> Vader also appears in the sequel, ''[[Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II]]'' (2010), as the final boss.

== Other appearances ==

The pre-corrupted Anakin Skywalker is the [[protagonist]] of ''[[The New Droid Army]]'', a video game made for [[Game Boy Advance]]. In the game, Anakin is sent to investigate rumors of the Separatists making a new type of droid, superior to other droids and invulnerable to lightsabers. Anakin travels to Tatooine, but is hunted down by [[Minor bounty hunters in Star Wars#Sing, Aurra|Aurra Sing]] and eventually held in the captivity of [[Jabba the Hutt]]. Anakin breaks out, and is called to Coruscant. There, Anakin chases and defeats a [[Dark Jedi]] named Trenox, and uncovers Count Dooku's plot to destroy the [[Jedi Archives]]. Anakin stops him, but Dooku escapes. Anakin is next sent to [[Metalorn]], where he is to destroy the Cortosis Droid Factory and capture [[Wat Tambor]], the leader of the Techno Union. Anakin completes both objectives, but has to face a clone of Count Dooku while leaving the factory. Anakin defeats this false Dooku, and moves on.

The ''[[Star Wars Holiday Special]]'', a television special broadcast by [[CBS]] 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.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hayes |first1=David C. |editor1-last=Rausch |editor1-first=Andrew J. |editor2-last=Riley |editor2-first=R.D. |title=Trash Cinema: A Celebration of Overlooked Masterpieces |date=2015 |publisher=BearManor Media |___location=Albany, Georgia |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kQVBCgAAQBAJ&q=Star%20Wars%20Holiday%20Special%20darth%20vader%20bast&pg=PT140 |access-date=June 20, 2018 |chapter=The Star Wars Holiday Special |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115165217/https://books.google.com/books?id=kQVBCgAAQBAJ&q=Star%20Wars%20Holiday%20Special%20darth%20vader%20bast&pg=PT140 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The character appears in various [[Lego Star Wars#Films and videos|''Lego Star Wars'' shorts]], voiced by Matt Sloan as Vader and by [[Kirby Morrow]] as Anakin.

[[Image:AnakinCloneWars.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Anakin after defeating Asajj Ventress during the Clone Wars.]]

In the animated series ''[[Star Wars: Clone Wars]]'', Anakin goes through many battles in the war, earning him the moniker "The Hero With No Fear." One of such major events in it is his battle with [[Asajj Ventress]] on [[Yavin IV]]. He is later made a full-fledged Jedi Knight. During a mission to save the Nelvaanian Braves, Anakin goes through a cave that reveals what would become of him in the future. Despite Anakin's periods of separation from his wife, the twins Luke and Leia are conceived during the Clone Wars.

Darth Vader features in the 1981 [[Star Wars (radio)|radio drama adaptation of ''Star Wars'']], voiced by the actor [[Brock Peters]]. Vader makes his first appearance on the planet [[Ralltiir]], 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.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Brandon|last1=McKinney|first2=Scott|last2=Kolins|first3=Daniel|last3=Wallace|title=Star Wars: the Essential Guide to Planets and Moons|url=https://archive.org/details/essentialguideto00wall|url-access=limited|date=1998|publisher=Ballantine Publishing Group|___location=New York City|isbn=978-0-345-42068-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/essentialguideto00wall/page/n169 157]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Derek|last=John|title=That Time NPR Turned 'Star Wars' Into A Radio Drama – And It Actually Worked|newspaper=NPR.org|url=https://www.npr.org/2015/12/18/460269884/that-time-npr-turned-star-wars-into-a-radio-drama-and-it-actually-worked|publisher=[[NPR]]|date=December 18, 2015|access-date=July 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711085910/http://www.npr.org/2015/12/18/460269884/that-time-npr-turned-star-wars-into-a-radio-drama-and-it-actually-worked|archive-date=July 11, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the young adult series ''The Last of The Jedi'', Boba Fett, at the early age of fourteen, is hired by Imperial leader Inquisitor Malorum to investigate Padmé's death at Vader's request. Fett travels to Polis Massa (the small moon where Padmé gave birth shortly before her own death) and Naboo to gather this information. Fett fails to procure any information pertaining to Padmé's last moments. We can only assume that Vader was not satisfied with the Emperor's explanation of Padmé's demise. These events take place a year or two after ''Revenge of the Sith''.

Darth Vader was voiced by [[Maurice LaMarche]] in the 2024 ''[[The Simpsons|Simpsons]]'' shorts ''[[May the 12th Be with You]]'' and ''[[The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2024 film)|The Most Wonderful Time of the Year]]''.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

In the [[comic book]] ''[[Vader's Quest]]'' we see him hiring bounty hunters seeking for information about the author of the destruction of the Death Star. One captured rebel pilot, brought by one of the bounty hunters, informs him of the pilot's identity, and Vader sets up a plan for catching him, which eventually fails. It is in this [[comic book]] where Luke and his father meet for the very first time. Later on, according to the [[Alan Dean Foster]] novel ''[[Splinter of the Mind's Eye]]'' (which takes place shortly after the events in ''A New Hope''), Vader meets Luke for a second time, and combats him on the planet [[Planets of Star Wars#Mimban|Mimban]]. Luke puts up a valiant fight, but is no match for Vader, although he does manage to cut off the Dark Lord's mechanical arm. Vader's victory is near, but he trips over his own severed arm and falls into a [[well]], though he soon escapes Mimban and recovers from his duel. It has been adapted as a comic book by [[Dark Horse Comics]].

== Analysis ==

In ''[[The Star Wars Holiday Special]]'', Vader himself goes on a search for the Rebels responsible for the destruction of the Death Star. After intercepting the ''Millennium Falcon'' on its way to [[Kashyyyk]], Vader orders the blockade of the planet, in hopes of capturing Han and Chewbacca, who were partly responsible for the Death Star's destruction. Han and Chewbacca have the goal of reaching Kashyyyk in order for Chewie to reach his family for [[Life Day]]. Under the leadership of Vader, [[Chief Bast]], one of the Imperial officers who survived the destruction of the Death Star, institutes the blockade. After a search of Chewbacca's home, the Imperials are unable to find a trace of the Rebels, and return to base.

The French psychiatrist Eric Bui and his colleagues have considered Vader to be a useful example for explaining [[borderline personality disorder]] to medical students.<ref name="BPD paper">{{cite news |last=Hsu |first=Jeremy |date=June 8, 2010 |title=The Psychology of Darth Vader Revealed |url=http://www.livescience.com/culture/psychology-darth-vader-revealed-100604.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826000507/http://www.livescience.com/culture/psychology-darth-vader-revealed-100604.html |archive-date=August 26, 2010 |access-date=June 8, 2010 |work=[[LiveScience]] |publisher=TopTenReviews |___location=New York City}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bui |first1=Eric |last2=Rodgers |first2=Rachel |last3=Chabrol |first3=Henri |last4=Birmes |first4=Philippe |last5=Schmitt |first5=Laurent |date=2011-01-30 |title=Is Anakin Skywalker suffering from borderline personality disorder? |journal=Psychiatry Research |volume=185 |issue=1–2 |pages=299 |doi=10.1016/j.psychres.2009.03.031 |issn=0165-1781 |pmid=20537718}}</ref> Bui's findings were corroborated by several other studies of Vader's character in the field of [[psychopathology]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carvalho |first=Lucas de Francisco |date=2017-01-24 |title=From Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader: understanding Star Wars based on Theodore Millon´s theory of personality pathology |url=https://gredos.usal.es/bitstream/handle/10366/136112/De_Anakin_Skywalker_a_Darth_Vader_compre.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |website=J Med Mov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Friedman |first1=Susan Hatters |last2=Hall |first2=Ryan C. W. |date=2015-12-01 |title=Teaching Psychopathology in a Galaxy Far, Far Away: The Light Side of the Force |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-015-0340-y |journal=Academic Psychiatry |language=en |volume=39 |issue=6 |pages=719–725 |doi=10.1007/s40596-015-0340-y |pmid=25933645 |issn=1545-7230|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Friedman |first1=Susan Hatters |last2=Hall |first2=Ryan CW |date=2015-08-01 |title=Using Star Wars' supporting characters to teach about psychopathology |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/1039856215590032 |journal=Australasian Psychiatry |language=EN |volume=23 |issue=4 |pages=432–434 |doi=10.1177/1039856215590032 |pmid=26104772 |issn=1039-8562|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Tobia |first1=Anthony |last2=Draschil |first2=Thomas |last3=Zimmerman |first3=Aphrodite |last4=Breig |first4=Jason |last5=Peters |first5=Stephanie |last6=Rudge |first6=Derek |last7=Velez |first7=Danielle |date=2015-09-30 |title=Darth Vulcan? In support of Anakin Skywalker suffering from borderline personality disorder |journal=Psychiatry Research |volume=229 |issue=1–2 |pages=625–626 |doi=10.1016/j.psychres.2015.07.039 |issn=1872-7123 |pmid=26210648}}</ref> However, Brazillian 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.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=da Rocha |first1=Felipe Filardi |last2=Malloy-Diniz |first2=Leandro |last3=Corrêa |first3=Humberto |date=2012-06-30 |title=Revisiting the Anakin Skywalker diagnostic: transcending the diagnostic criteria |journal=Psychiatry Research |volume=198 |issue=1 |pages=179; author reply 180 |doi=10.1016/j.psychres.2011.07.024 |issn=1872-7123 |pmid=22325794}}</ref>

Anakin's origin story in ''The Phantom Menace'' has been compared to [[Sign (semiotics)|signifiers]] of African American racial identity, particularly his being a slave,<ref>{{cite book |last=Nama |first=Adilifu |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kHKzYBfEuSwC&q=%22anakin+skywalker%22&pg=PT75 |title=Black space: imagining race in science fiction film |date=2008 |publisher=[[University of Texas Press]] |isbn=978-0-292-71745-9 |___location=Austin, Texas |pages=63–64 |access-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115165218/https://books.google.com/books?id=kHKzYBfEuSwC&q=%22anakin+skywalker%22&pg=PT75 |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> and his dissatisfaction with his life has been compared to that of Siddhartha Gautama before he became [[the Buddha]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Bortolin|2005|p=xiii}}</ref>

Vader also has a prominent role in the [[1996]] novel/comic/video game ''[[Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire|Shadows of the Empire]]'', which took place between ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi''. He also makes occasional appearances in Dark Horse's ''Star Wars'' comic books set between the movies, especially ''Star Wars: Empire''.

== Cultural impact ==

In the [[Thrawn trilogy]], it is explained that Darth Vader was the first representative of the Empire to find the [[List of Star Wars races#Noghri|Noghri]], a race with exceptional combat skills whose planet had been devastated by a mock battle between orbitting Imperial ships. They attacked Vader's party, and it was only through Vader's personal intervention that his soldiers survived. Vader pretended to help them restore their planet, instead covering the planet with a plant that prevents any other plant from growing, therefore making the Noghri permanently dependant on the Empire. In exchange for what they saw as the restoring of their planet, they served as his personal commandos, and came to revere him as their master. Later, Vader transferred their services to [[Grand Admiral Thrawn]].

{{More citations needed section|date=June 2024|talk=Assertion of notability}}

In 2003, the [[American Film Institute]] listed Vader as the third greatest movie villain in cinema history on [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains]], behind [[Hannibal Lecter]] and [[Norman Bates]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://connect.afi.com/site/DocServer/handv100.pdf?docID=246 |title=AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains |work=afi.com|publisher=[[American Film Institute]]|___location=Los Angeles, California|access-date=May 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807135547/http://connect.afi.com/site/DocServer/handv100.pdf?docID=246 |archive-date=August 7, 2011 }}</ref> In 2010, ''[[IGN]]'' ranked Darth Vader 25th in the "Top 100 Videogame Villains".<ref>{{cite web|title=Darth Vader is number 25|url=https://ign.com/videogame-villains/25.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203060448/http://www.ign.com/videogame-villains/25.html|archive-date=December 3, 2010|access-date=December 6, 2010|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[j2 Global]]|___location=Los Angeles, California}}</ref> His role as a [[tragic hero]] in the saga has also met with positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmsmarts.com/movies/returnofthejedi/tragic-hero-anakin.html|title=Tragic hero: Anakin Skywalker from Return of the Jedi (1983)|website=Filmsmarts.com|access-date=November 10, 2017|archive-date=October 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019081753/http://www.filmsmarts.com/movies/returnofthejedi/tragic-hero-anakin.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Brian A.|last=Kinnaird|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-hero-in-you/201511/darth-vader-the-value-redemptive-sacrifice|title=Darth Vader: The Value of Redemptive Sacrifice|magazine=[[Psychology Today]]|publisher=Sussex Publishers|___location=New York City|date=November 15, 2015|access-date=May 31, 2018|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115165211/https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-hero-in-you/201511/darth-vader-the-value-of-redemptive-sacrifice|url-status=live}}</ref> Contrarily, in 1977, a ''[[New Journal and Guide]]'' writer criticized the lack of racial diversity in the original ''Star Wars'' film, pointing out that "the force of evil ... is dressed in all black and has the voice of a black man."<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bremond|first1=Walter|date=October 1, 1977|title=Star Wars and Blacks|journal=[[New Journal and Guide]]}}</ref> George Lucas felt hurt at such accusations.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jones|first=Brian Jay|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8rAmDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT228|title=George Lucas: A Life|date=2016|publisher=[[Little, Brown and Company]]|isbn=9780316257459|___location=New York City|page=249|access-date=November 30, 2020|archive-date=January 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115165218/https://books.google.com/books?id=8rAmDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT228|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Darth vader grotesque.jpg|thumb|[[Darth Vader grotesque]] on the northwest tower of the [[Washington National Cathedral]] ([[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]]) in [[Washington, D.C.]]]]

Leia Organa Solo named her youngest son [[Anakin Solo|Anakin]] in remembrance of her father's redemption.

Vader is parodied as "Dark Helmet" ([[Rick Moranis]]) in the ''Star Wars'' parody ''[[Spaceballs]]'' (1987).<ref name="George Lucas opinion of Star Wars parody">{{cite news |last1=Trzcinski |first1=Matthew |title=How George Lucas Reacted to the 'Star Wars' Parody 'Spaceballs' |url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/how-george-lucas-reacted-to-the-star-wars-parody-spaceballs.html/ |access-date=19 January 2025 |work=Showbiz CheatSheet |date=17 June 2020}}</ref> One of the primary antagonists of ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]'' (1991), [[Golbez]], was stated by game creator [[Takashi Tokita]] to be based on Vader.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Conversation With the Creator of Final Fantasy IV|url=http://www.1up.com/features/final-fantasy-iv-creator-conversation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404131218/http://www.1up.com/features/final-fantasy-iv-creator-conversation|archive-date=April 4, 2015|access-date=May 25, 2016|website=1UP.com}}</ref> A Mexican church advised Christians against seeing ''The Phantom Menace'' because it portrays Anakin as a [[Christ figure]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Bowen|2005|p=97}}</ref>

In the novel ''[[The Unifying Force]]'' of the ''[[New Jedi Order]]'' series, set 30 years after the [[Battle of Yavin]] in ''[[A New Hope]]'', Anakin's voice would speak to his grandson, [[Jacen Solo]], telling him to "Stand firm!" before Jacen eventually defeats [[Onimi]], the true Supreme Overlord of the Yuuzhan Vong.

[[File:Parasite150059-fig1 - Chewing lice of genus Ricinus.tif|thumb|Chewing lice; the one on the right, with a Vader-esque head, is ''[[Ricinus vaderi]].'']]

==Cultural figure==

The slime-mold beetle ''[[Agathidium vaderi]]'' is named after Vader,<ref>{{cite web|last=Lang|first=Susan S.|date=April 5, 2005|title=Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld are now species of slime-mold beetles – but strictly in homage|url=https://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/April05/slime-mold.Bush.Cheney.ssl.html|access-date=April 27, 2008|work=Cornell News|publisher=[[Cornell University]]|___location=Ithaca, New York|archive-date=May 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503213625/http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/April05/slime-mold.Bush.Cheney.ssl.html|url-status=live}}</ref> as is the louse ''[[Ricinus vaderi]]''.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Valan|first1=Miroslav|last2=Sychra|first2=Oldrich|last3=Literak|first3=Ivan|date=2016|title=Chewing lice of genus Ricinus (Phthiraptera, Ricinidae) deposited at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, Russia, with description of a new species|url= |journal=Parasite|language=en|volume=23|pages=7|doi=10.1051/parasite/2016007|pmid=26902646|pmc=4763114|issn=1776-1042|doi-access=free}}</ref> In 2022 researchers at the [[Vietnam National University, Hanoi|University of Hanoi]] thought they identified a new species of [[giant isopod]], seeking confirmation they sent specimens to the [[Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum]] in [[Singapore]] who confirmed it was a previously unidentified species and named it ''[[Bathynomus vaderi]]'' as they found its head resembled Darth Vader's helmet.<ref name="New species of giant sea bug named after Darth Vader">{{cite news |last1=Ortiz |first1=Christina |title=New species of giant sea bug named for Darth Vader |url=https://earthsky.org/earth/giant-sea-bug-darth-vader/?mc_cid=4ec10473c8&mc_eid=ba0661b2e9 |access-date=19 January 2025 |work=EarthSky News |publisher=Earth & Sky Communications, Inc |date=18 January 2025}}</ref> A [[grotesque (architecture)|grotesque]] of Darth Vader looms over the east face of the [[Washington National Cathedral]]'s northwest tower.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Darth Vader|url=http://www.nationalcathedral.org/about/darthVader.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055524/http://www.nationalcathedral.org/about/darthVader.shtml|archive-date=September 21, 2013|access-date=April 27, 2008|publisher=[[Washington National Cathedral]]}}</ref>

Due to his central role, Vader has entered the public consciousness as the quintessential villain; the [[American Film Institute]]'s list of the [[AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains|greatest movie villains]] placed him third, after [[Hannibal Lecter]] and [[Norman Bates]]. His powerful, [[baritone]] voice, coupled with his heavy breathing, is easily recognizable to moviegoers. He has been [[parody|parodied]] by such figures as "[[Dark Helmet]]" from ''[[Spaceballs]]'' and countless other parodies from cartoons, such as "Duck Vader" from ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures]]'' and "Darth Koopa" from [[Super Mario Bros. (TV)|''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show]]. Another kind of tribute to Darth Vader comes from [[Stargate SG-1]], in which there are similarities between [[Anubis (Stargate)|Anubis]] and Vader which are sometimes chilling and other times hilarious.

Many commentators and comedians have also evoked Vader's visage to [[political satire|satirize]] politicians and other public figures, and several American political figures have been unflatteringly compared to the character. In response to [[Ronald Reagan]]'s proposed [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] (dubbed "Star Wars" by his political opponents), German news magazine ''[[Der Spiegel]]'' portrayed the president wearing Vader's helmet on its cover in 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine |editor-last=Woods|editor-first=Bob|year=1997|title=It Took the World by Force|magazine=Star Wars: Official 20th Anniversary Commemorative Magazine|___location=New York City|publisher=[[Topps]]|page=57}}</ref> In 2005, [[Al Gore]] referred to [[Tele-Communications Inc.]]'s [[John C. Malone]] as the "Darth Vader of cable",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2005/08/22/8270018/index.htm|title=Al Gore Battles Old Cable Demons|first=Marc|last=Gunther|date=August 22, 2005|website=[[CNN]]|publisher=[[Turner Broadcasting Systems]]|___location=Atlanta, Georgia|access-date=April 27, 2008|archive-date=May 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524084458/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2005/08/22/8270018/index.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and political strategist [[Lee Atwater]] was known by his political enemies as "the Darth Vader of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://politics.netscape.com/story/2006/11/07/harvey-leroy-lee-atwater-was-a-republican-political-consultant|title=Harvey Leroy "Lee" Atwater, was a Republican political consultant|website=[[Netscape]]|date=November 7, 2006|access-date=April 27, 2008|archive-date=January 6, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106221449/http://politics.netscape.com/story/2006/11/07/harvey-leroy-lee-atwater-was-a-republican-political-consultant/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Native American artist [[Bunky Echohawk]] portrayed General [[George Armstrong Custer]] as Vader in his painting ''Darth Custer''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bunky Echo-Hawk takes the stage with live painting |work=[[The Brown Daily Herald]] |publisher=[[Brown University]] |___location=Providence, Rhode Island |date=October 5, 2007 |access-date=November 5, 2015 |url=http://www.browndailyherald.com/2007/10/05/bunky-echohawk-takes-the-stage-with-live-painting/ |first=Robin |last=Steele |archive-date=June 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622035734/http://www.browndailyherald.com/2007/10/05/bunky-echohawk-takes-the-stage-with-live-painting/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, a statue of [[Vladimir Lenin]] in [[Odesa, Ukraine]], was converted into one of Vader due to a law on [[Decommunization in Ukraine|decommunization]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Worland|first1=Justin|date=October 25, 2015|title=Ukrainian Lenin Statue Turned into Darth Vader|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|___location=New York City|url=http://time.com/4086228/ukraine-lenin-darth-vader/|access-date=October 25, 2015|archive-date=October 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025144438/http://time.com/4086228/ukraine-lenin-darth-vader/|url-status=live}}</ref> Former [[Vice President of the United States]] [[Dick Cheney]] has been compared to Darth Vader after he was quoted during a discussion on the [[war on terror]] saying, "I suppose, sometimes, people look at my demeanor and say, 'Well, he's the Darth Vader of [[Presidency of George W. Bush|the administration]].'"<ref>{{cite interview |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/22/sitroom.03.html |subject=Dick Cheney |interviewer=John King |work=The Situation Room |publisher=[[CNN]] |title=Interview With Dick Cheney |date=June 22, 2006 |access-date=April 27, 2008 |archive-date=April 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403055213/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/22/sitroom.03.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This led to him being referred to as "Darth Cheney" by [[Jon Stewart]] and [[Stephen Colbert]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cc.com/video/4d9qt7/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-cheney-camera-3|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|title=The Daily Show: Cheney Camera 3|date=January 25, 2007|access-date=December 4, 2021|archive-date=December 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204163256/https://www.cc.com/video/4d9qt7/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-cheney-camera-3|url-status=live}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=July 2024}} This comparison was followed by George Lucas stating that Cheney is more akin to Palpatine, and that a better stand-in for Vader would be [[George W. Bush]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/opinion/19dowd.html |title=The Aura of Arugulance |access-date=April 19, 2009 |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Maureen |last=Dowd |author-link=Maureen Dowd |date=April 19, 2009 |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615063221/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/opinion/19dowd.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Vader's name has become a [[synonym]] for evil; for example, political strategist [[Lee Atwater]] was known as "the Darth Vader of the [[United States Republican Party|Republican Party]]." Vader's [[leitmotif]], "[[The Imperial March]]," is sometimes used as the leitmotif for [[Mr. Burns]] on ''[[The Simpsons]]'' to show a comical comparison between the two fictional characters. George Lucas has pointed to Vader's iconic status as a reason he made the prequel movies, since he felt the icon overshadowed the fact that Vader was intended to be a tragic character.

In Ukraine, the [[Internet Party of Ukraine]] has had multiple people run for election under the name Darth Vader.<ref name=NewsweeDVU>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/darth-vader-runs-prime-minister-ukraine-vowing-take-back-crimea-putin-279629|title=Darth Vader Is Running for Prime Minister of Ukraine, Vowing to Take on Putin|work=[[Newsweek]]|date=October 24, 2014|access-date=October 24, 2014|archive-date=October 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024234234/http://www.newsweek.com/darth-vader-runs-prime-minister-ukraine-vowing-take-back-crimea-putin-279629|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|Two men named Darth Vader were candidates at the [[2014 Kyiv local election|2014 Kyiv mayoral election]] and the [[Odesa]] [[2014 Ukrainian local elections|mayoral election]] of the same day.<ref name=DVAM1514>{{cite news|url=http://un.ua/eng/article/507502.html|title=Kyiv Election Commission Registers Darth Vader As Candidate For Kyiv Mayor|agency=[[Ukrainian News Agency]]|date=May 1, 2014|access-date=May 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502013412/http://un.ua/eng/article/507502.html|archive-date=May 2, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espreso.tv/news/2014/05/01/dart_veyder_krim_stolyci_kandyduye_i_v_mery_odesy|title=Darth Vader candidate for mayor of Odesa|publisher=[[Espreso TV]]|date=May 1, 2014|language=ru|access-date=May 1, 2014|archive-date=May 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502001406/http://espreso.tv/news/2014/05/01/dart_veyder_krim_stolyci_kandyduye_i_v_mery_odesy|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/198450.html|title=Tsushko to compete for post of Odesa mayor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403000854/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/198450.html|archive-date=April 3, 2014|website=[[Interfax-Ukraine]]|date=March 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euronews.com/nocomment/2014/04/04/ukraines-darth-vader-presidency-bid-rejected/|title=Ukraine's Darth Vader presidency bid rejected|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080619/http://www.euronews.com/nocomment/2014/04/04/ukraines-darth-vader-presidency-bid-rejected/|date=March 4, 2016|website=[[Euronews]]|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/pro-western-parties-darth-vader-set-win-ukrainian/story?id=26469069|title=Pro-Western Parties, Not Darth Vader, Set to Win Ukrainian Elections|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|___location=New York City|first1=Rym|last1=Momtaz|first2=Dragana|last2=Jovanovic|date=October 26, 2014|access-date=September 24, 2015|archive-date=September 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925121933/http://abcnews.go.com/International/pro-western-parties-darth-vader-set-win-ukrainian/story?id=26469069|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11188609/Ukraines-Darth-Vader-candidate-denied-vote-after-refusing-to-remove-mask.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027160854/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11188609/Ukraines-Darth-Vader-candidate-denied-vote-after-refusing-to-remove-mask.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 27, 2014|title=Ukraine's Darth Vader candidate denied vote after refusing to remove mask|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|___location=London, England|quote= Darth Alekseyevich Vader, an official candidate in Ukraine's parliamentary elections, is turned away from a Kiev polling station after refusing to remove his mask|first=Geraldine|last=Cooper|date=October 26, 2014|access-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref><ref name=NewsweeDVU /><ref>{{cite news|title=Putin headed for victory in Odesa as Darth Vader clouds farcical election|url=http://uatoday.tv/politics/darth-vader-clouds-farcical-ukrainian-election-519586.html|work=[[Ukraine Today]]|date=October 23, 2015|access-date=October 24, 2015|archive-date=October 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024163530/http://uatoday.tv/politics/darth-vader-clouds-farcical-ukrainian-election-519586.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

Vader's revelation to Luke that he is his father is one of the most famous movie plot twists of all time. An [[IMDb]] poll on [[10 November]] [[2003]] asked users to choose which one of a set of movie spoilers was too infamous to be considered a spoiler anymore; Vader's true identity was a clear winner, by a forty-percent margin. (Other choices included the "secret identities" of [[Keyser Soze]] in ''[[The Usual Suspects]];'' the killers in ''[[Psycho]],'' ''[[Basic Instinct]]'' and ''[[Jagged Edge]];'' the planet in ''[[Planet of the Apes]];'' "Rosebud" in ''[[Citizen Kane]];'' and the contents of the delivery box in ''[[Se7en]].'')

[[File:Fedayeen Saddam helmet.JPG|thumb|right|An Iraqi [[Fedayeen Saddam]] helmet in the [[Army Flying Museum]]]]

During a major renovation, [[Washington National Cathedral]] held a competition for children to design new [[gargoyle]]s for the west towers. One winner was a design featuring Darth Vader. [http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/discover/darth.shtml]

The [[Fedayeen Saddam]], an Iraqi paramilitary organisation, was issued with [[fiber glass]] Darth Vader-style helmets from 1995, apparently at the instigation of their commander, [[Uday Hussein]], who was said to have been an avid ''Star Wars'' fan. A number of them were brought to the United States and the United Kingdom as souvenirs following the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://royalarmouries.org/collection/object/object-54774 |title=Helmet (1995) for Fedayeen Saddam |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=royalarmouries.org |publisher=Royal Armouries |access-date=22 August 2022 }}</ref>

In 2019, an original Vader helmet from ''The Empire Strikes Back'' was sold for $900,000 in an online auction.<ref>{{cite web |title=Darth Vader's Actual 'The Empire Strikes Back' Helmet Sold for $900K at Auction |url=https://manofmany.com/entertainment/movies-tv/darth-vaders-actual-the-empire-strikes-back-helmet-sold-for-900k-at-auction |website=Man of Many |access-date=October 1, 2019 |date=September 29, 2019 |archive-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023053655/https://manofmany.com/entertainment/movies-tv/darth-vaders-actual-the-empire-strikes-back-helmet-sold-for-900k-at-auction |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] [[Leon White]] wrestled under the names "Big Van Vader," "The Man Called Vader," and just "Vader." The name and gimmick, which originally included a large [[gargoyle]]-like helmet worn to the ring, were based on Darth Vader. Vader wrestled in [[Japan]] and [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]], where he was their world champion, and in the WWF (now [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]]).

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 the [[Chevrolet Corvette C5]] chassis and sporting a small-block [[General Motors LS-based small-block engine|LS3]] V8 engine. The car was made its public debut at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] that year and currently as part of the Garage of Legends car collection.

With the release of ''Revenge of the Sith'', Vader's popularity has seen an increase. His exaggerated and mournful howl of [[Notable lines in the Star Wars series#"Nooo!"|"NOOO!"]] also achieved notoriety.

==Notes andSee also references==

* [[List of Star Wars characters]]

[[Image:Spirits.jpg|thumb|right|350px|[[Hayden Christensen]] as the spirit of Anakin Skywalker in the DVD release of ''[[Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi|Return of the Jedi]]'']]

* [[Skywalker family]]

# {{note|afi100}}"''[http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/handv.aspx AFI's 100 Years&hellip;100 Heroes and Villains]''", [[American Film Institute]], last accessed [[October 20]], [[2005]].

* [[List of Star Wars books|''Star Wars'' books]]

# {{note|hayden}}Hayden Christensen only appears in the 2004 DVD release of ''Return of the Jedi'', in which he replaces actor Sebastian Shaw in the final scene of the movie. This version is considered the [[Canon (fiction)|canon]] version by Lucasfilm. Some fans were outraged by the change and criticized it for being disrespectful to Sebastian Shaw, undermining the film's cinematic historical value and for simply being uncalled for. These fans have also criticized that Luke would not recognize his father as a young man and criticize the ghost of the young Anakin as "smug" and "creepy" looking.

* [[Star Wars comics|''Star Wars'' comics]]

# {{note|Usage}}The complexity of this question and the occasional need to make definitive statements within this article poses some difficulties to maintaining the [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|neutral point of view]]. For instance, some may argue that the character's "true" name throughout the series is Anakin Skywalker, suggesting that this article be placed under that title. Due to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Policies_and_guidelines Wikipedia policies and guidelines], the title of the article is "Darth Vader". For references within the article text, this article defers to the shooting scripts, available [http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Star-Wars-Return-of-the-Jedi.html here] for ''Return of the Jedi'' and [http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Star-Wars-Revenge-of-the-Sith.html here] for ''Revenge of the Sith''.

* [[Star Wars video games|''Star Wars'' video games]]

# {{note|prototype}}In the DVD commentary for ''Revenge of the Sith'', Lucas makes an offhand comment regarding the first Death Star. He explains that it was the exact same one as seen in ''A New Hope''. He goes on to say that it would be "a bit of a stretch," but explains that due to "union disputes and supply problems," it took 19 years to build. However, [[Kevin J. Anderson]]'s novels [[Jedi Search]] and [[Champions of the Force]] explain that a prototype Death Star was built in preparation of construction of the first Death Star in ''A New Hope'', which would give another explanation for why the first Death Star took so long to build, in contrast with the second Death Star from ''Return of the Jedi''. Until a further source fully explains this, the issue remains disputed.

# {{note|breathing}} In its appraisal of Vader's injuries, the ''Star Wars Technical Commentaries'' states: "Was the physically oppressive nature of Vader's breathing difficulties great enough to affect his disposition or add to his aggression? Perhaps it is significant that he used telekinetic strangulation more often then any other method of intimidating or killing those who frustrated him." [http://theforce.net/swtc/injuries.html#breath]

# {{note|body}} According to [[Steve Sansweet]] of [[Lucasfilm]], the Star Wars Databank entry for Vader [http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/darthvader/], and the script for Return of the Jedi Special Edition, Anakin's body disappears at death in the same way as Obi-Wan's and Yoda's had, though some argue that the movie would have shown his disappearance explicitly if that were the case.

==See alsoNotes ==

{{notelist}}

== References ==

*[[The Imperial March]]

===Citations===

*[[Skywalker family]]

{{Reflist|30em}}

*[[Naberrie family]]

*[[Hasbro Darth Vader Voice Changer]]

==External=Works linkscited===

* {{Cite book |last1=Hidalgo |first1=Pablo |title=The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia |last2=Sansweet |first2=Stephen |publisher=Del Rey |year=2008a |isbn=9780345477637 |edition=First |volume=I |___location=New York}}

{{commonscat}}

* {{Cite book |last1=Hidalgo |first1=Pablo |title=The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia |last2=Sansweet |first2=Stephen |publisher=Del Rey |year=2008c |isbn=9780345477637 |edition=First |volume=III |___location=New York}}

{{wikiquote}}

* {{Cite book |last=Rinzler |first=J.W. |title=The Making of Return of the Jedi |publisher=Del Rey |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-345-54358-5

|edition=eBook v3.1 |___location=New York}}

* {{Cite book |last=Rinzler |first=J.W. |title=The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film |publisher=Del Rey |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-345-54286-1 |edition=eBook v3.1 |___location=New York}}

* {{Cite book |last=Rinzler |first=J.W. |title=The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film |publisher=Ebury Press |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-09-192499-7 |edition=2008}}

* {{Cite book |last=Rinzler |first=J.W. |title=The Making of The Empire Strikes Back |publisher=Del Rey |year=2010a |isbn=978-0-345-54336-3 |edition=eBook v3.1 |___location=New York}}

* {{Cite book |last=Rinzler |first=J.W. |title=The Sounds of Star Wars |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=2010b |isbn=978-0-85720-076-1 |___location=London}}

== External links ==

*[http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/anakinskywalker/index.html Star Wars: Databank | Skywalker, Anakin]

*[http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/darthvader/index.html {{Star Wars: Databank |subject=darth-vader|text=Darth Vader, Darth]}}

*[http://starwars.wikicities.com/wiki/Anakin_Skywalker {{Star Wars Wiki Databank| subject=anakin-skywalker|text=Anakin Skywalker]}}

*[http://starwars.wikicities.com/wiki/Darth_Vader Star Wars Wiki | Darth Vader]

*[http://www.theforce.net/swtc/injuries.html Injuries of Lord Vader]

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{{Commons category}}

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|title = [[Dark Lord of the Sith]] (under [[Palpatine|Darth Sidious]])

|years = 19 BBY - 4 ABY

|before = [[Palpatine|Darth Sidious]] and [[Count Dooku|Darth Tyranus]]

|after = [[Lumiya]] and [[List of minor Sith characters#Flint|Flint]]

|}}

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