Darth Vader

Darth Vader (41 BBY–4 ABY) is a fictional character in the Star Wars Universe. He is widely considered to be one of the most iconic movie villains of all time.

Behind the scenes

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

Related Topics:
Ralph McQuarrie - Rebel ship - Tantive IV - Japan - Kabuto - Samurai - Kendo - German - World War II - Stahlhelm - Leitmotif - The Imperial March - Sound designer - Ben Burtt - Scuba

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It is interesting to note that "Vader" is the Dutch word for "father" and that the German word for "father" (Vater) is similar. Thus, it may be tempting to read the character name "Darth Vader" as "Dark Father," a word-play that may well be the root of the Sith title. However, judging by the origin of the other Sith names, Vader may also possibly be a derivative of the word "invader." It is worth noting that in the original scripts for Star Wars, the name "Darth Vader" was given to a normal Imperial general. The title "Darth" may also come from "Dark Lord of the Sith."

Related Topics:
Dutch - German - Darth

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

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

Related Topics:
Black Knight - Marvel Universe - Supervillain - Doctor Doom - Stephen King - Dark Tower - Anime - Kikaider - Isaac Asimov - Foundation Trilogy - Lord of the Nazgul - Witch-King of Angmar - Lord of the Rings

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