Darth Vader facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darth Vader |
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| Star Wars character | |
Darth Vader, as he appeared throughout the Star Wars franchise
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| First appearance | Star Wars (1977) |
| Created by | George Lucas |
| Portrayed by |
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| Voiced by |
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| Information | |
| Aliases | The Chosen One |
| Occupation |
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| Affiliation |
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| Family | Shmi Skywalker (mother) |
| Spouse(s) | Padmé Amidala (wife) |
| Children | Luke Skywalker (son) Leia Organa Solo (daughter) |
| Relatives | Ben Solo (grandson) |
| Weapon | Lightsaber |
| Master |
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| Apprentice |
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| Homeworld | Tatooine |
| Born | 41 BBY |
| Died | 4 ABY |
| Extended Family | |
| Canon |
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| Legends |
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Darth Vader is a famous character from the Star Wars movies. He first appears in A New Hope. Vader is a main character who represents the Dark Side of the Force in the Star Wars story. He is a tall man, about 2 meters (6 feet 6 inches) tall, wearing black armor and a cape. His face is hidden by a mask and helmet, which cover severe burns and scars.
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Who is Darth Vader?
Darth Vader is one of the most iconic villains in movie history. He is known for his deep voice, heavy breathing, and black suit. But before he became Darth Vader, he was a brave Jedi Knight named Anakin Skywalker. His story is about how a hero can fall to the dark side and then find a way back to the light.
The Name of Darth Vader
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George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, tried many names for the character. He wanted a name that sounded like "Dark Water." He added different last names like "Vaders" and "Smiths" and finally chose "Darth Vader."
After the movie The Empire Strikes Back came out in 1980, Lucas said that "Vader" was inspired by the German and Dutch word for "father" (vater or vader). This hinted at the character's secret connection to Luke Skywalker. Other ideas for the name might have come from words like "death" and "invader."
For a long time, people thought "Darth" was his first name because Obi-Wan Kenobi calls him "Darth" in the first movie. However, in Revenge of the Sith (2005), we learn that "Darth" is a title given to him when he joins the dark side of the Force.
Vader's Name in Other Countries
- In France, his name was changed to "Dark Vador" for the first movie. This name is still used today, even in the newest films.
- In Italy, Darth Vader was called "Dart Fener." In 2005, fans voted to keep this name. But for Episode VII in 2015, the Italian version changed it to the original English name, "Darth Vader."
- In Iceland, his name is "Svarthöfði", which means "blackhead."
How Darth Vader Was Designed
At first, Darth Vader wasn't planned to wear a helmet. But in 1975, concept artist Ralph McQuarrie suggested that Vader should wear a breathing device. This was because the script said Vader would travel in space and needed to survive in a vacuum.
Lucas told McQuarrie to draw a scary figure with a cape, like a samurai armor. McQuarrie combined a full-face breathing mask with a samurai helmet. This created one of the most famous designs in science fiction movies. McQuarrie's early painting of Vader fighting with a lightsaber showed him in black armor, a flowing cape, and a skull-like mask and helmet. This was very close to Vader's final look.
Based on McQuarrie's ideas, costume designer John Mollo created the outfit for the actor to wear. He used parts from clerical robes, a motorcycle suit, a German military helmet (called a Stahlhelm), and a military gas mask. The sculptor Brian Muir made the helmet and armor for the movie.
The famous sound of Vader's breathing mask was created by Ben Burtt. He used changed recordings of scuba diving equipment. This sound effect is so unique that it's officially a trademark!
Many people think that the design of Darth Vader's costume was influenced by Akira Kurosawa's Japanese samurai films, like The Hidden Fortress.
Darth Vader's Story
Darth Vader was born as Anakin Skywalker, a slave on the desert planet Tatooine. He later became a powerful Jedi. As an adult, he secretly married Padmé Amidala.
However, Anakin was tricked by Darth Sidious into joining the dark side. Sidious promised Anakin he could save Padmé from dying during childbirth. To do this, Anakin learned the ways of the Dark Side of the Force and became Darth Vader.
This meant he turned against his friend and master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. They fought a terrible battle on the volcanic planet Mustafar. Before the fight, Anakin, filled with rage, used the Force to choke Padmé, not understanding what he was doing. Obi-Wan won the battle, and Anakin lost his left arm and both legs. His body was also badly burned.
He was rescued by Darth Sidious, who had just become the Emperor of the Galactic Empire. Anakin's body was rebuilt with cybernetic parts, and he was given his famous black armor and helmet. Anakin lost all hope when he learned that Padmé had died, partly because of his actions. This completed his transformation into Darth Vader, which made Sidious very happy.
During the Galactic Civil War, between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire, Vader was the Empire's main enforcer and the Emperor's second-in-command. He was involved in building the two Death Stars and major battles like the Battle of Yavin and the Battle of Endor. During this time, he discovered he had a son, Luke Skywalker, and later a daughter, Leia Organa.
Darth Vader died in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi during the Battle of Endor. He saved his son, Luke, from the Emperor's deadly Force lightning, but his life support system was damaged. By saving Luke, he found his way back to the light side of the Force and helped end the civil war. Luke later cremated Vader's body and armor on Endor. Years later, his grandson, Kylo Ren, somehow found Vader's burnt helmet.
Who Played Darth Vader?
As Darth Vader
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The physical actor for Darth Vader in the first three Star Wars movies was David Prowse, a bodybuilder. Bob Anderson, a fencer, performed the exciting lightsaber fight scenes. George Lucas felt that Prowse, who was 6 feet 6 inches tall, gave Vader an important strong and imposing presence.
Lucas decided to have a different actor voice Vader because Prowse had a strong accent. He chose James Earl Jones, whose deep voice became instantly recognizable. Jones initially didn't want credit for his voice work, but he was credited in Return of the Jedi (1983). In Revenge of the Sith, Hayden Christensen and Gene Bryant also played Vader in the suit. Brock Peters voiced Darth Vader in the radio series. In Rogue One (2016), Spencer Wilding and Daniel Naprous played Vader, with James Earl Jones returning as the voice.
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Darth Vader has also appeared in many video games. In some games, visual effects artist C. Andrew Nelson played Vader in the suit, and Scott Lawrence voiced him. Matt Sloan voiced Vader in The Force Unleashed. Nelson also appeared as Vader in short scenes added to the Special Edition of The Empire Strikes Back.
In 2022, James Earl Jones decided to stop voicing Darth Vader. His voice is now digitally recreated using artificial intelligence by a company called Respeecher for future Star Wars projects.
As Anakin Skywalker
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For Return of the Jedi, an experienced actor named Sebastian Shaw was chosen to play Anakin Skywalker when his mask was removed. His scene was kept a secret from most of the cast and crew. Lucas himself directed Shaw for his appearance as Anakin's Force spirit at the end of the film. Later, in the 2004 DVD release, Shaw's face in this scene was replaced with Hayden Christensen's. This change was one of the most talked-about updates in Star Wars re-releases.
When The Phantom Menace was made, hundreds of young actors were considered for young Anakin before Jake Lloyd was chosen. Lucas thought Lloyd was a good actor, enthusiastic, and energetic, just like Anakin. For Attack of the Clones, Hayden Christensen was chosen to play the older Anakin. Lucas liked that he and Natalie Portman (who played Padmé Amidala) "looked good together."
For Revenge of the Sith, Christensen and Ewan McGregor (who played Obi-Wan Kenobi) practiced their big lightsaber duel for a long time. They trained with stunt coordinator Nick Gillard to learn and perform their fight scenes themselves, without stunt doubles.
Anakin has also been voiced by Mat Lucas in the 2003 animated series Clone Wars, and by Matt Lanter in the CGI animated film The Clone Wars and the TV series of the same name. James Earl Jones also voiced Vader in the animated series Rebels.
Darth Vader's Impact
Darth Vader is one of the most famous characters from Star Wars and is known worldwide as a top fictional villain. He is often seen as a symbol of evil, hatred, and darkness, but also of redemption. People recognize him by his black armor, cape, helmet, and especially his deep, raspy breathing sound. This sound is often used in movies and TV shows to refer to him.
Images for kids
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A wax sculpture at the Madame Tussauds Star Wars exhibit in London depicting Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker from the prequel trilogy.
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Darth Vader grotesque on the northwest tower of the Washington National Cathedral (Episcopal Church) in Washington, D.C.
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Anakin Skywalker costume from Star Wars universe
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Anakin Skywalker, Long Beach Comic Expo 2012
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Costumes at Star Wars Celebration IV in 2007 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles.
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See also
In Spanish: Darth Vader para niños
