Darth Vader#Prequel trilogy

As part of the development for 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." 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.{{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 }}{{cite journal|date=June 2004|title=The Old Master: Ralph McQuarrie on Designing Star Wars|journal=Star Wars Insider|issue=76}} A 1975 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.{{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}}

Working from McQuarrie's concepts, the costume designer John Mollo devised an outfit that combined clerical robes, a motorcycle suit, a German military helmet, and a military gas mask.{{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}} The prop sculptor Brian Muir created the helmet and armor.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

Lucas has provided differing accounts of how the name "Darth Vader" originated.{{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 }} 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.{{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}} “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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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 }}{{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 }} The title "Darth" has been replaced with "Dark" for other Sith Lords as well.{{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}} 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).{{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}}{{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}} In Iceland, Darth Vader's name is {{lang|is|Svarthöfði}}, which means "black-head".{{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}}

The films Swiss Family Robinson (1960) and 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.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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 }}{{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 }} Lucas replaced "Starkiller" with "Skywalker".{{Sfn|Rinzler|2008|p=191}}

The Phantom Menace introduced the possibility that Anakin could be the 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."{{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}} Lucas later clarified that the plot element of Anakin's virgin birth was meant to align the character with heroes from mythology in general and not specifically Jesus.{{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}}

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 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."Within a Minute" (2005). Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith DVD documentary.

Anakin's apprentice Ahsoka Tano was introduced in the 2008 animated 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.{{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}} 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 The Clone Wars.{{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}}

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David Prowse, a {{convert|6|ft|6|in|m|adj=on}} bodybuilder and actor, portrays Vader in the original trilogy. Prowse was originally offered the role of Chewbacca, but turned it down, as he wanted to play the villain.{{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 }} Bob Anderson, a former Olympic fencer, portrays Vader during lightsaber fight scenes in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.{{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 }} 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. 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.{{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}}{{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 }} 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.{{cite AV media |title=Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox Home Entertainment |year=2004}}{{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}}

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." Only the director, the producers, and Mark Hamill knew the actual line, which was dubbed in later by Jones.{{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}}{{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}} Prowse did not know the real line until he viewed the finished film.{{Sfn|Rinzler|2010a|p=1595}}

Hayden Christensen portrays Vader in Revenge of the Sith, while Brock Peters provides his voice in the Star Wars radio series.{{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 }}{{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 }} Scott Lawrence voices Vader in video games, including the 2019 virtual reality series Vader Immortal.{{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}} Matt Sloan voices the Sith Lord in both video games and television productions.{{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}} Both Spencer Wilding and Daniel Naprous portray Vader in Rogue One, with Jones providing the voice.{{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}} Jones also voices Vader in the Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) and the animated series Star Wars Rebels.{{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 }}{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}

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 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}}{{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}} 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.{{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 }}

When The Phantom Menace was being developed, hundreds of actors were auditioned for the role of young Anakin before Jake Lloyd was cast.{{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}} Rick McCallum, the film's producer, said that Lloyd was "smart, mischievous and love[d] anything mechanical{{mdash}}just like Anakin."{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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,{{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}} while his portrayal of Anakin in Obi-Wan Kenobi earned him the Saturn Award for Best Guest Performance in a Streaming Series.{{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 }}

Anakin is voiced by Mat Lucas and Frankie Ryan Manriquez in the 2003 animated micro-series Clone Wars, and is voiced by Kirby Morrow in several television productions.{{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 }}{{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 }} Matt Lanter provides the character's voice in video games and in various television productions, including The Clone Wars, Rebels, Forces of Destiny and Star Wars: Tales.{{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 }} Lanter also voices Anakin in the 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.{{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 }}

{{Main|Star Wars original trilogy}}

Vader was introduced in 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 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 the Emperor that Luke could be a valuable ally if he were turned to the dark side of the Force. Vader engages bounty hunters to follow Luke's companions, and compels the 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.

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.

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.

{{Main|Star Wars prequel trilogy}}

The first film of the prequel trilogy, The Phantom Menace (1999), takes place 32 years before Star Wars.{{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 }} Anakin is a nine-year-old slave living on Tatooine with his mother Shmi.{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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.

Attack of the Clones (2002) is set ten years after The Phantom Menace. 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 troopers, 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 museum in London]]Revenge of the Sith (2005) is set three years after Attack of the Clones. Anakin, who is now a Jedi Knight and a hero of the 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.

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.

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.

Anakin's voice is heard briefly in the third film of the sequel trilogy, 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.{{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 |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 }}{{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 |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 }}

In the 2008 animated 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".{{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}} 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.

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.{{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}} 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, the Sith Lord appeared on Scarif and slaughtered a Rebel blockade.{{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 }} In another early storyline, Vader killed Krennic for his failure to prevent the Rebels from stealing the Death Star schematics.{{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}}

Anakin is featured in all seasons of 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 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.{{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}} 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.{{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|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}} Dooku's death at Anakin's hands during Revenge of the Sith is references by Obi Wan. Anakin appears as Vader in the final scene of 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. Finding one of Ahsoka's lightsabers among the wreckage, he assumes that his former Padawan has perished.

Vader appears in the animated series Star Wars Rebels (2014–2018), which takes place fourteen years after the conclusion of The Clone Wars. The Sith Lord makes minor appearances throughout the first season, and plays a larger role in the second season.{{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}} At the beginning of the series, he leads a squad of Force-sensitive Imperial Inquisitors who kill Jedi and {{No wrap|Force-sensitive}} children. He dispatches the Grand Inquisitor to hunt a Rebel cell on Lothal, and later arrives personally to deal with the Rebel threat after the Inquisitor is killed.

In the second-season premiere, Vader orchestrates the murder of Imperial Minister Maketh Tua, who tried to defect to the Rebellion, and confronts the two 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.{{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}} She is overwhelmed when she recognizes Anakin under a "layer of hate". The Emperor then orders Vader to send another Inquisitor to capture her.{{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}} 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.

Anakin appears in multiple episodes of the animated web series Forces of Destiny (2017–2018).{{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}}

Hayden Christensen portrays both Anakin and Vader in the 2022 miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi, set a decade after Revenge of the Sith and 9 years before A New Hope.{{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}} 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.{{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 }} 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.

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} Industrial Light and Magic used "de-aging" technology to make the 42-year-old Christensen appear younger.{{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}}

Vader is featured in the three-episode virtual reality game 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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}} The series was later released for the Oculus Rift. In August 2020, all three episodes were released for PlayStation VR.{{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}}

Vader makes a brief appearance at the end of 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, 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.

Both Vader and Anakin are playable characters in every Lego Star Wars video game.{{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}} Vader is a playable character and a boss in Disney Infinity 3.0,{{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}} and can be unlocked as a playable character for a limited time in Disney Magic Kingdoms.{{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}} A bird version of Vader appears as a playable character and a boss in Angry Birds Star Wars and its sequel.{{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}}

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);{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}} Additionally, an Anakin Skywalker outfit was added in 2023, and a Samurai Darth Vader outfit was added in 2024.{{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}}{{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}}

Star Wars: Lords of the Sith was one of four canon novels released between 2014 and 2015.{{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 }} In it, Vader and Palpatine find themselves hunted by revolutionaries on the planet Ryloth.{{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 |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 }}{{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 }}

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.{{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}}{{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 }} The series takes place parallel to the 2015 series Star Wars, in which Vader and Luke meet; the two series have a crossover titled Vader Down.{{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}}{{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}} A continuation series set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi debuted in 2020.{{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}} 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.{{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}} A subsequent story arc depicts Vader being tested by the Emperor.{{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/}} The five-issue series Obi-Wan & Anakin (2016) depicts the lives of the two Jedi between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones.{{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}}

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.{{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}} Its final arc, which depicts the construction of Vader's fortress on Mustafar, implies that Palpatine used the Force to conceive Anakin in utero,{{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}} as some had theorized that Revenge of the Sith indicates.{{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}}{{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."{{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 }}}} A Lucasfilm story group member later clarified that "This is all in Anakin's head".{{efn|Soule elaborated that "The Dark Side is not a reliable narrator."{{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}}}}

A five-issue limited series titled Vader: Dark Visions, was released in 2019.{{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}} 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.{{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 }}

{{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:
{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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 }}}}

Vader is featured prominently in 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.{{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}} 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.

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 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.

In the 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 (2006), Han and Leia's son Jacen—who has turned to the dark side—uses the Force to envision Vader slaughtering the children at the Jedi Temple.

Vader also appears in a series of tongue-in-cheek children's books by Jeffrey Brown.{{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}} 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.

Vader appears in several comic books such as Marvel Comics' Star Wars (1977–1986). In Dark Empire II, he is revealed to have had a castle on the planet Vjun.{{Cite book|last=Sansweet|first=Stephen J.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/36960986|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}} 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, Vader learns Luke's surname from a Rebel deserter, before later obtaining his first name.{{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}} 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.}} 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 Resurrection, Darth Maul is resurrected and faces Vader in battle.{{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}}

Vader-centric comics released and set just after Revenge of the Sith include 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).

Anakin is featured in all three seasons of the 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.

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 Starkiller, is Vader's secret apprentice.{{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}} Vader also appears in the sequel, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (2010), as the final boss.

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.{{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 }}

The character appears in various Lego Star Wars shorts, voiced by Matt Sloan as Vader and by Kirby Morrow as Anakin.

Darth Vader features in the 1981 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.{{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]}}{{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}}

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

The French psychiatrist Eric Bui and his colleagues have considered Vader to be a useful example for explaining borderline personality disorder to medical students.{{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}} Anakin's origin story in The Phantom Menace has been compared to signifiers of African American racial identity, particularly his being a slave,{{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}} and his dissatisfaction with his life has been compared to Siddartha's before he became Gautama Buddha.{{Harvnb|Bortolin|2005|p=xiii}}

{{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.{{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 }} In 2010, IGN ranked Darth Vader 25th in the "Top 100 Videogame Villains".{{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}} His role as a tragic hero in the saga has also met with positive reviews.{{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}}{{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}} 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."{{cite journal|last1=Bremond|first1=Walter|date=October 1, 1977|title=Star Wars and Blacks|journal=New Journal and Guide}} George Lucas felt hurt at such accusations.{{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}}

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

Vader is parodied as "Dark Helmet" (Rick Moranis) in the Star Wars parody Spaceballs (1987).{{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}} One of the primary antagonists of Final Fantasy IV (1991), Golbez, was stated by game creator Takashi Tokita to be based on Vader.{{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}} A Mexican church advised Christians against seeing The Phantom Menace because it portrays Anakin as a Christ figure.{{Harvnb|Bowen|2005|p=97}}

File:Parasite150059-fig1 - Chewing lice of genus Ricinus.tif.]]

The slime-mold beetle Agathidium vaderi is named after Vader,{{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=http://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}} as is the louse Ricinus vaderi.{{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}} In 2022 researchers at the 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.{{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}} A grotesque of Darth Vader looms over the east face of the Washington National Cathedral's northwest tower.{{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}}

Many commentators and comedians have also evoked Vader's visage to 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.{{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}} In 2005, Al Gore referred to Tele-Communications Inc.'s John C. Malone as the "Darth Vader of cable",{{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}} and political strategist Lee Atwater was known by his political enemies as "the Darth Vader of the Republican Party".{{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}} Native American artist Bunky Echohawk portrayed General George Armstrong Custer as Vader in his painting Darth Custer.{{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 }} In 2015, a statue of Vladimir Lenin in Odesa, Ukraine, was converted into one of Vader due to a law on decommunization.{{cite news|last1=Worland|first1=Justin|date=October 25, 2015|title=Ukrainian Lenin Statue Turned into Darth Vader|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}} 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 the administration.'"{{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 }} This led to him being referred to as "Darth Cheney" by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.{{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}}{{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.{{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 }}

In Ukraine, the Internet Party of Ukraine has had multiple people run for election under the name Darth Vader.{{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}}{{efn|Two men named Darth Vader were candidates at the 2014 Kyiv mayoral election and the Odesa mayoral election of the same day.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}{{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|publisher=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}}{{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 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}}{{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}}}}

File:Fedayeen Saddam helmet.JPG helmet in the Army Flying Museum]]

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.{{cite web |url=https://royalarmouries.org/collection/object/object-54774 |title=Helmet (1995) for Fedayeen Saddam |author= |date= |website=royalarmouries.org |publisher=Royal Armouries |access-date=22 August 2022 }}

In 2019, an original Vader helmet from The Empire Strikes Back was sold for $900,000 in an online auction.{{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 }}

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 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.

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• {{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}}
• {{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}}
• {{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}}

• {{Star Wars Databank|subject=darth-vader|text=Darth Vader}}
• {{Star Wars Databank|subject=anakin-skywalker|text=Anakin Skywalker}}

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