Details About Darth Vader’s Appearance in Rogue One

Darth Vader 3
Fan Art

Entertainment Weekly continues with their Rogue One coverage, this time releasing the details of Darth Vader’s appearance in the movie.

 

 

One of the things fans wanted to know was whether James Earl Jones would lend his legendary voice to the Sith Lord again. The answer is – yes! After recently voicing  Vader in Star Wars: Rebels, Jones will reprise the role in Rogue One. Several other actors will perform within the mask and armor (and none of them is Hayden Christensen – see the tweet at the end of the article).

 

How much Vader are we going to get? Kathleen Kennedy answers:

“He will be in the movie sparingly,” she says. “But at a key, strategic moment, he’s going to loom large.”

Darth Vader
Fan Art

 

EW also discussed Darth Vader’s reputation in the galaxy. The rebels are hardly familiar with Vader and even within the Empire, he is more of a legendary figure.

“Within the Rebellion, it’s not commonly spoken about,” says director Gareth Edwards. “Within the Empire, there is the culture of knowing of the existence of Darth Vader. There’s definitely an underlying feeling that there is a power – a dark power – available to the Empire and that if you overstep your mark, you will suffer the consequences.”

 

Orson Krennic

 

Though we are more than happy to see him again, Vader will share the screen with other villains, namely Ben Mendelsohn’s Orson Krennic who wants to secure his place at Emperor Palpatine’s side.

“There is a lot of palace intrigue going on in the Empire, with people conspiring to move up the ranks and sabotaging each other,” producer John Knoll says. “There’s not a lot of loyalty there.”

 

The two are rivals with Vader breathing down Krennic’s neck. If he knows who he is dealing with, Krennic certainly has guts. If not… Krennic’s downfall will be entertaining to see.

“Vader doesn’t really play by the rules,” says Kiri Hart, Lucasfilm’s chief of story development. “He’s present in the military structure, but he’s not beholden to it. He’s not accountable to anybody, really, except Palpatine.”

“When Tarkin says to Vader to ‘release him’ when he’s choking that guy, Vader does it, but not because he has to. He’s just willing to give Tarkin one in that moment,” she says, with a nervous laugh. “That’s part of what makes the reveal of the Emperor, even in a hologram in Episode V, so cool because you’re like, ‘Oh, wow. Here is the guy that Vader literally bends his knee to. What’s that all about?’”

That’s what Krennic is trying to figure out, too: How can he acquire that most-favored status? What is it between the Emperor and Vader that binds them?

 

star-wars-gareth-edwards

 

Director Gareth Edwards was a fan of Darth Vader since childhood and shared his memories with the magazine. His first experience with Vader on set though happened  in the Fall of 2014 during a test shoot on the Starkiller Base set of The Force Awakens.

“He’s got more in common with lighting a car than a person, so we wanted to get it exactly right,” Edwards said. “We had the breathing sound just to inspire everyone. I just got massive goosebumps. I was so nervous to turn the corner and see him. You have to pinch yourself. Everyone became children again, so easy. You just go straight back to being a 4-year-old, like, in a heartbeat.”

He says that’s when a filmmaker becomes a fan again. “There’s all these rules about security on set, but I couldn’t help it,” Edwards says. “I got my phone out and started taking pictures of him, and pictures of me with him, because I felt like no one would ever believe that I’d met Darth Vader.”

 

To read the entire piece, follow the link to the EW site. We will closely follow their coverage of the movie.

 

 


 

Rogue One, A Star Wars Story, will be released in December this year.

 

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Staff member, comic and book reviewer. Cheers for the Light Side, but would drink with Grand Admirals.

Jelena Bidin (LadyMusashi)

Staff member, comic and book reviewer. Cheers for the Light Side, but would drink with Grand Admirals.

78 thoughts on “Details About Darth Vader’s Appearance in Rogue One

  • June 23, 2016 at 5:36 pm
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    This will be epic. The Vader we have all wanted to see, I’m sure.

  • June 23, 2016 at 6:00 pm
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    Didn’t Edwards do Godzilla a couple years ago? Which also, by the way, used Godzilla very sparingly (and disappointingly). I would love to see a really badass, Vader-centric film but this doesn’t sound like it will be that at all.

    • June 23, 2016 at 6:17 pm
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      I think everybody would like to see a Vader-centric film, certainly while James Earl Jones is still with us.

      • June 23, 2016 at 6:57 pm
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        Not really, actually. There’s a real risk of ruining the mystique of Vader’s character.

        • June 23, 2016 at 8:54 pm
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          Not necessarily. They could tell a singular story of him being trapped on a planet by Rebels or hunting down a supposed Jedi or something. Where he goes in an admin capacity and then ends up having to fight his way out. Kind of like reverse Dredd, only on a planet with Vader.

    • June 23, 2016 at 7:26 pm
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      Rogue One isn’t and was never supposed to be a Vader-centric film. Getting him sparingly wasn’t even expected and is better than not at all.

      • June 23, 2016 at 8:46 pm
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        He will be in it sparingly but also featured heavily in one action scene I’m sure

    • June 23, 2016 at 9:21 pm
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      This movie isn’t called Darth Vader because the movie isn’t about him. Comparing it to Godzilla is like apples and oranges. I bet we see less of Vader than we did Godzilla,but Vader’s brief screen time will be better than Godzilla’s. I guess we will find out December 16th, can’t wait.

      • June 24, 2016 at 12:40 am
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        Golly you’re excited!

  • June 23, 2016 at 6:16 pm
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    It’s awesome that TPTB have chosen to tell stories that fit with and around the main episodic saga. Most fans had 16 years to envision what the PT would be, and some never adapted to or accepted the fact that our visions were wrong. ‘Rogue One’ looks like it will give all fans what they want, yet another great Star Wars film just like the other seven are.

  • June 23, 2016 at 6:19 pm
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    I don’t have any issues with them using Vader sparingly in this movie, but I am surprised at the fact that even within the Empire people aren’t really familiar with Vader and don’t really even know for sure if he exists. You would think the Emperor’s right hand man would be better known.

    • June 23, 2016 at 6:56 pm
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      But the Emperor is pretty much in the shadows, too. And Darth Vader is his personal enforcer, not an official military or political leader. No one knows the name of the bodyguard/hitman.

      • June 23, 2016 at 7:09 pm
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        Good point. I had always just assumed that if the Sith ruled the galaxy, they would make sure everyone knew it and bowed to them. They are no longer in the period where they have to keep the fact that they are Sith a secret.

        • June 23, 2016 at 8:44 pm
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          They also have no need to advertise it. Did Dick Cheney advertise that he was the Penguin? Does Elon Musk advertise that he’s a real life Bruce Wayne? Does Putin tell the world that he’s KGBeast? Do they broadcast their battles on the news?

          Nope. They have no need to. 🙂

    • June 24, 2016 at 5:57 am
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      They rule an ENTIRE GALAXY. He can’t be everywhere. He’s obviously been enough places and doled out his ruthlessness enough that places he hasn’t been, his reputation and myth proceeds him.

  • June 23, 2016 at 6:22 pm
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    they ought to throw Hayden a bone here.

    • June 23, 2016 at 6:30 pm
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      One may never know until the day of. No one was expecting to hear Ewan McGregor’s Obi Wan voice (or Yoda’s despite some rumors) in TFA so there might be some surprises.

      • June 23, 2016 at 6:51 pm
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        I was happy that Hayden took the Vader suit because he owns the role of Anakin / Vader in the PT, but out of the prequels I prefer someone else with the right size to take the part. Hayden wasn’t tall enough to play Vader.

        • June 23, 2016 at 7:41 pm
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          I was surprised to see he was only 6′. He looked taller in the Jedi robes – good job by the costuming dept.

    • June 23, 2016 at 7:41 pm
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      All they need is a guy who is the built like Prowse and can imitate his physicality. Don’t need Hayden for that.

      • June 24, 2016 at 5:56 am
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        Already got him. Steven Wilding.

    • June 23, 2016 at 9:08 pm
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      I wouldn’t be against seeing Hayden with the scars

    • June 24, 2016 at 12:11 am
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      I’d be happy to throw a bone AT Hayden 😀 (runs away as hoardes of PT-loving villagers come at me with lightsabers)

  • June 23, 2016 at 6:35 pm
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    Always a given Vader’s role would be a minor one. Rogue One is way more spin-off than a prequel.

    I still firmly believe we’ll not see Vader in any of the trailers. Perhaps hear his breathing, but they’ll save his appearance for the actual movie.

    • June 23, 2016 at 6:54 pm
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      I surely hope they save his reveal. It will be epic.

      • June 23, 2016 at 7:32 pm
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        Well it might be cool if he’s only called in as the Rebels escape and Force chokes out Director Krennic (Mendelson) for ‘failing’ the Empire.

        And then steps onto the star destroyer to pursue the plans.

        Aaaand here..we….go.

        • June 23, 2016 at 9:15 pm
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          I figure it would be something like this, but add in that he kills a bunch of rebels after Krennic lets them escape.

        • June 24, 2016 at 5:55 am
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          WHy do you need “several actors” to be in the suit for that? They could put you in the fucking suit for that.

          • June 24, 2016 at 5:04 pm
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            Because SW fans are so psychotic that they would complain about little things like this. So you do the best to get every detail right.

      • June 24, 2016 at 12:53 am
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        That would be cool, yet I think marketing him is key to showing every average joe just when and where this movie is set. I was surprised he wasnt even hinted at in the first trailer.

    • June 23, 2016 at 7:30 pm
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      He’ll get the Luke in TFA treatment, albeit, with more screen time.

      • June 25, 2016 at 3:25 am
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        Well we know that JEJ will be getting more dialogue. I am so stoked to hear Vader cough in Rogue One, maybe even hum quietly to himself. Talking is risky though.

    • June 23, 2016 at 11:39 pm
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      There’s no way they won’t show Vader in a trailer in some way shape or form. Even if its just the breathing or a behind the back shot or something. That’s how you pull EVERYONE into the film. There isn’t a question like there was for TFA of “Where’s Luke” We know exactly what Vader was doing at this time, wrecking shop. Of course they shouldn’t give us the money shot. But just a taste of Vader is more than enough, especially in a good trailer, to get the hair on people’s neck standing up, goosebumps formed, and get em rearing to go out this December.

      • June 24, 2016 at 12:44 am
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        We will see.

        • June 24, 2016 at 3:44 am
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          If they don’t put Vader in the Trailer – the movie will make like 1 Billion LESS.

        • June 24, 2016 at 4:42 am
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          Lol there’s nothing to wait and see. It’s pretty much a “no-duh” guarantee.

      • June 24, 2016 at 5:54 am
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        Nailed it. I still know people that think Rogue One is episode 8. Vader will dispel that thinking and put asses in the seats. Makes zero sense to not put him in the trailer when they’re basically putting him front and center for marketing right now.

  • June 23, 2016 at 7:31 pm
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    I just want to see Vader in close quarters combat with some rebels…it has the potential to be one of the coolest scenes in any SW film.

    • June 25, 2016 at 3:23 am
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      It should be a surprise. Like: “It should be JUST around this corner… here! Open the door ….. Just past this door and it’ll be a straight shot to the database console!! ….. Door’s opening— OH SHIT!!!! *Vader kills half the squad and Force-chokes Jyn …. Vader approaches her and begins to speak…

  • June 23, 2016 at 7:54 pm
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    Blocked for your OT purist comment (that’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it).

  • June 23, 2016 at 7:54 pm
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    It’s at a point where Imperial brass still mock Vader and make fun of his religion. He doesn’t scare everybody.

    • June 23, 2016 at 8:52 pm
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      To be fair there really weren’t many, if any, people higher, militarily speaking, than the people that were in that room. Besides, Vader responded by almost killing said top military official with those “sorcerers ways” which would absolutely filter down through the ranks enhancing his legendary boogey-man status among the rank and file troopers.

      You say “still mock” as if there would be a culture of doing such within the ranks, when we’re shown that his attitude was not necessarily the norm. It’s been made very clear that the Empire rules through fear, even within it’s own ranks. This is shown throughout the OT and shown very specifically on Rebels.

    • June 24, 2016 at 12:09 am
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      Vader had a very different role in the original film. He was portrayed as Tarkin’s henchman and had to answer to him. Due to his popularity Vader was given larger importance in TESB and was moved centre stage and second only to the Emperor we assume.

    • June 24, 2016 at 5:51 am
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      LOL…really? Go back to ANH and watch the faces of every man in that room, Tarkin included, when Vader force choked Motti. They were fucking terrified. Motti thought his balls were made of brass and spoke out of turn and nearly paid the price for it. You act like Imperial brass will talk shit to Vader and stuff him in a locker. You realize the Death Star wasn’t his first day on the job, right?

      • June 24, 2016 at 7:31 pm
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        Why would Motti openly mock him if he knew instant death could be the result? Is he suicidal? They thought he was just some military muscle with a outdated religion that the Emperor kept around to go in with the troops, bust shit up and occasionally fly a TIE Fighter. Tarkin ranks above Vader and gives him orders. Clearly Vader is viewed differently pre Death Star destruction than post by the Imperial brass.

        • June 24, 2016 at 7:55 pm
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          Tarkin doesn’t rank above Vader. He’s a Dark Lord of the Sith. He’s not in the military hierarchy. He reports only to the Emperor. Literally stands at his right hand. Vader follows Tarkins orders on his own prerogative. Did you read the Tarkin novel? They respect each other and work together for the most part. Vader may defer to Tarkin on the Death Star, as he is in charge of the battle station, but he absolutely does not “take orders” from him. Certainly not the way the other military brass does. When Obi-Wan is sensed there is no asking permission from Tarkin. He flat tells him what’s going to happen and walks out without asking if it’s OK or Tarkin’s thoughts on the matter. He’s doing his own thing his own way with absolutely zero fucks given on Tarkin’s thoughts on the matter.

          • June 24, 2016 at 8:44 pm
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            Tarkin: “Vader – release him.”
            Vader: “As you wish.”

            Sure as hell seems like an order to me.

  • June 23, 2016 at 8:14 pm
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    More likely he’ll be a hologram projection ala TESB like in the AT-AT, or when the Emperor talked to Vader through a transmission. I seriously doubt we’ll see him in any combat. The most we’ll ever get to see of Darth Vader will be Episodes IV, V, and VI.

    • June 23, 2016 at 10:55 pm
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      Unlikely, article says that “Several other actors will perform within the mask and armor”, doubt they’d bother with that if he didn’t have a reasonably substantial role in the film. Probably 15-20 minutes of screen time I reckon

      • June 24, 2016 at 12:51 am
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        15-20 minutes of screen time is more than Vader had in ANH. Plus the article pretty much debunks the notion that Vader has a ‘reasonably substantial’ role in the film.

        • June 24, 2016 at 1:08 am
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          I agree, less than that. BUT….multiple actors? Can’t imagine why, for such a small role, you’d need more than one unless there’s a swordsman in the mix.

          • June 24, 2016 at 2:48 am
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            Stuntman, Swordsman, and Poser. Maybe he catches on fire too in which they’d need a new guy for that as well.

          • June 24, 2016 at 4:35 pm
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            Schedules. That’s the challenge with a large cast. The scenes with Vader might be shot months apart (including the reshoots) due to the actors he’s with.

          • June 24, 2016 at 5:06 pm
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            I don’t know that I agree. How hard would it be to clear the schedule of ‘guy who is inside the Vader suit’ for a couple of days of pickups? It’s not like trying to schedule around say, Forrest Whittaker. I’m still thinking swordsman…who takes out our non-jedi jedi character.

          • June 24, 2016 at 5:17 pm
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            Because the bulky stunt person in the suit may be on other projects for a solid month. These people work gig to gig and aren’t necessarily sitting by the phone. It’s a small, physical part and doesn’t necessitate a David Prose for days on end.

    • June 24, 2016 at 5:48 am
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      Will wager any amount of money you want that he is going to be destroying rebels. He will probably wipe out Ero’s entire crew. He’s 1000% going to be fighting.

    • June 25, 2016 at 11:45 pm
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      Oh no, he will be in combat. 100% positive on that.

  • June 23, 2016 at 9:01 pm
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    Cool, but the idea that Darth Vader making his appearance in a more substantial role since 1983 could be in a film that’s decent, just okay, fine, or just plain bad is horrible to think about.

  • June 23, 2016 at 9:03 pm
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    Vader, Vader, Vader!!!!

  • June 23, 2016 at 10:37 pm
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    They will know the power of the Dark Side!

  • June 24, 2016 at 12:42 am
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    Dang, Anthony giving Hayden the cold shoulder. savage

    • June 24, 2016 at 1:52 am
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      Hayden Christensen’s too small to play a suited Vader. There’s a perfectly good reason to not have him.

  • June 24, 2016 at 1:18 am
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    But, BUT, B U T ! Leia says, “Lord Vader ! Only you could be so bold….” so Leia knows Vader not only in the political sphere but potentially also in the para-military activism of rebellion. I really REALLY hope the writers have studied the nuances of the ANH dialogue….

  • June 24, 2016 at 1:56 am
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    “Vader does it, but not because he has to. He’s just willing to give Tarkin one in that moment.” Vader does it because they’re ‘friends’ and Tarkin has the ultimate authority on the Death Star, not because Vader decided to “give him one.” Tarkin is also held in high regard by the Emperor, and Vader would not be foolish enough to disrespect Palpatine without good reason. Does Kiri Hart even read the scripts and material Lucasfilm release?

    • June 24, 2016 at 5:46 am
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      You’re really just arguing semantics now. If you’re going by source material, Palpatine sends Vader to the Death Star to keep Tarkin in line. His main job is to make sure Tarkin doesn’t get too ambitious with the Death Star at his command. Tarkin has ultimate authority, yes, but not over Vader. You’re really splitting hairs over your interpretation and what Hart said about it.

      • June 24, 2016 at 8:19 am
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        It’s never once mentioned that Palpatine sent Vader to the Death Star to keep Tarkin in line. Vader was sent to retrieve the Death Star plans and prevent an attack on the base, which inevitably led him onto the Death Star itself. Tarkin was given almost full control of Vader by the Emperor. Unless Tarkin does anything that jeopardises the Emperor or the battle station, he controls Vader. Vader clearly says “as you wish”. Would you say that to someone who ranks below you? No.

        • June 24, 2016 at 9:55 am
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          I believe you are mistaken. A Sith Lord is not going to favor a regular human ove rhis apprentice. Look at the body language of Tarkin when Vader approaches the Emperor at end of ROTS. The look on Tarkin’s face is “aww shoot, here comes the Emperor’s putbull”. I think there may have been some mutual respect though. Vader respected that Tarkin has the same goals in mind as the Emperor, but I don’t doubt for a moment that if Tarkin did not tow the line, Vader would have killed him and asked forgiveness later. Tarkin being a military genius, respected Vader as “the last of his religion” and being that he had seen the Jedi in action, knew of his power. But Tarkin was also looking for misstep that he could use to bring Vader down and take his place.

          As for the Emperor, he put Motti in charge of Vader for a while after Yavin IV, but it was to nudge Vader into his true place as a Sith Lord. No doubts that if Tarkin had lived through that battle, he would have been the Emperor’s favorite carbonite wall hanging.

          • June 24, 2016 at 1:26 pm
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            He didn’t favour Tarkin, he just trusted him more. Vader could have seized the opportunity to betray the Emperor.

          • June 24, 2016 at 5:09 pm
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            And the guy controlling the most powerful weapon in the galaxy didn’t posses the same opportunity? LOL…your logic has huge holes in it. When, how, where, and why did Palpatine trust Tarkin over the guy he’s been literally watching and grooming to be his apprentice since the kid was 5 years old?

        • June 24, 2016 at 5:06 pm
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          Oh yes he does. It’s in a comic or a novel where he specifically tells Vader he is sending him to the Death Star to monitor Tarkin and to make sure his ambition doesn’t get too large. You JUST said unless Tarkin jeopardizes the Emperor…which is exactly why I told you the Emperor sent Vader in the first place.

          And when was Tarkin “given control over Vader?” That’s absurd. Vader knows why he is there. So does Palpatine. He’s placating Tarkin. He’s obedient to a certain degree out of mutual respect. You also forget that he tells Tarkin he’s dealing with Obi-Wan by himself, his own, and isn’t asking permission. He tells it how it’s going to be and walks out without a response. Would you say that to someone who outranks you? No.

  • June 24, 2016 at 2:46 am
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    I hope “palace intrigue” implies that we’ll finally see the Imperial Palace at some point which we really haven’t seen onscreen yet.

  • June 24, 2016 at 3:43 am
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    Why is Darth Vader in it “SPARINGLY”??? This is the villain that the fans are MOST excited about ! MORE VADER = BETTER

    • June 24, 2016 at 1:44 pm
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      Yes, we’re excited. But no, more is not always better. That’s such a typical mindset that only leads to dissatisfaction. Moderation is mandatory to make his presence powerful.

    • June 25, 2016 at 7:17 pm
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      Vader had 16 minutes of screen time in the original.

      16 minutes. He’s had just as much in Rebels.

  • June 24, 2016 at 9:42 am
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    It reallly chaps my asteroids that everyone involved with Star Wars film making takes potshots at Hayden Christensen. I thought he was great in his role. As Anakin, he was the typical American teen – awkward, horny, easily manipulated, entitled to more than he deserves, impatient, looking to bag an older woman, and making poor relationship choices. He really shines though in his parts as Vader – slaughter of the Tusken, loping off Dooku’s head knowing that he shouldn’t, demanding to be a Master to the Council and his wife, destroying the Jedi children and the Separatist leaders, and of course the epic battle of Mustafar and immoliation scene. Vader would not have cared to win Oscars for his acting – he would have killed the Academy members for the silliness of it all.

    You wanna take shots at any Prequel Trilogy actor that deserves is lets talk about Natalie “oh my face is burned fire that guy – I scream and cry the same in every movie” Portman. I so enjoyed the tortue scenes of “V for Vendetta”.

  • June 28, 2016 at 2:52 am
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    I can understand not using Hayden Christensen in THIS capacity. He really isn’t built for that suit, they had to use lifts for that scene in ROTS. Now if there was going to be a scene with his mask off, I could see using him there. And yes I thought he was good as Anakin.

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