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{{See also|Darth Vader}}
{{Merge|Anakin Skywalker|discuss=Talk:Anakin_Skywalker#Merger proposal|date=May 2010}}
{{pp-move-indef|small=yes}} {{pp-move-indef}}
{{SW Character |
{{See also|Anakin Skywalker}}
|name = Anakin Skywalker
{{SW Character
|image = Anakin-Jedi.jpg
|name = Darth Vader
|caption = ] as Anakin Skywalker
|image = DVader.jpeg
|spouse = ] (deceased)
|caption = Darth Vader as depicted in '']'' (1980)
|position = ] Padawan<br>] Knight<br>] Member<br>Jedi Commander (as a ] Padawan)<br>Jedi General (before being on Council)<br>Jedi High General (while on the Council)<br />Dark Lord of the ]
|position = ], ]
|species = ] (]) |species = ]
|alias = ], The Chosen One
|gender = ]
|planet = ] |planet = ]
|affiliation = ], ]'' |affiliation = ], ]
|known relatives = Mother: ] (deceased), Spouse: ] (deceased), Children: ], ]
|portrayer = '']'' (III)<br>'']'' (IV-VI)<br>'']'' (Voice of III-VI)<br>'']'' (Unmasked Darth Vader)}}
|portrayer = ] (''I'')<br />] (''II'', ''III'', ''VI'' )<br />] (''VI'')<br />] (''Clone Wars'', video games)<br />] (''The Clone Wars'')
'''Darth Vader''' is a ] and the central antagonist in the ] saga, ] six-film ] saga. Vader originally appeared as ] villainous enforcer in the ] (Episodes IV, V, VI), and as a ] figure near the end of '']'', the third and final film of the ]. Lucas, in the audio commentary for ''Revenge of the Sith'', says that he considers both trilogies together to be ''The Tragedy of Darth Vader''.
}}
'''Anakin Skywalker''' is a central character in the Star Wars saga.<ref>Thornton, Mark. "", ], May 13, 2005. Retrieved May 5, 2007.</ref><ref>Helinski, Keith. "", ''moviefreak.com''. Retrieved May 5, 2007.</ref><ref>Winzler, Jonathan W. "", ], April 2005. Retrieved May 5, 2007.</ref> He first appears as a young boy — a ] on the desert planet ]; then a teenager — a ] of the noble ]; and finally a young adult — a heroic yet conflicted ]. In the ] (Episodes IV, V, VI), Anakin Skywalker is the former identity of the evil ] ]. Before his fall to the ] of the ], Vader fathers both ] and ]; Luke ultimately redeems his father in ], and Anakin sacrifices himself to save his son and destroy the Sith.


In the ], Vader is embodied by ], though ] portrays the unmasked Vader in '']''. In '']'', Vader is played by ]. In the original trilogy and ''Revenge of the Sith'', ] provides Vader's voice when he is masked, although Jones was uncredited for this role in ] and ].<ref name="imdb469">http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000469/ James Earl Jones filmography</ref> ] portrayed Anakin in '']'' in the scenes where Darth Vader's helmet is removed and when he appears as a Force-ghost with ] and ]. In the prequel trilogy, Anakin is portrayed by ] in '']'' and by ] in '']'' and '']''. ] of Christensen appears in the 2004 DVD release of ''Return of the Jedi'', replacing Shaw in the movie's final scene.


==Development==
In the original trilogy, George Lucas depicts Darth Vader as a fearsome ] who acts as the supreme commander of the brutal ] and right hand man of ] (]). Throughout the films, Vader oppresses ] and hunts down the members of the ]. In '']'', the series' final chronological installment, Vader redeems himself by killing Palpatine and saving his son, ] (]), sacrificing himself in the process.
A character named "Anakin Starkiller" appears in an early draft of ''Star Wars'', playing a role similar to Luke Skywalker's, as the 16-year-old son of a respected warrior. In one of the earlier drafts, Anakin was an older man in his 50s. On one of the final drafts, the name was changed into Anakin Skywalker. For '']'', series creator ] changed Anakin's age from twelve to nine to make the character's departure from ] more poignant. Anakin Skywalker grows up as a ] on the planet ], where he is the only known human capable of competing against aliens in ]. He is discovered by Jedi Master ], who believes him to be the "Chosen One" destined to bring balance to the Force, and he later becomes ]'s Padawan learner. He becomes a full-fledged Jedi and war hero during the ], but falls under the spell of the evil ] &mdash; who is secretly the Sith Lord Darth Sidious &mdash; and turns to the dark side, serving the tyrannical ] as Darth Vader. Years later, he redeems himself by killing Palpatine in order to save his son, Luke, sacrificing his own life in the process. <ref name="bts">{{cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/anakinskywalker/?id=bts|title=Skywalker, Anakin (Behind the Scenes)|publisher=]|accessdate=May 6, 2008|work=Star Wars: Databank}}</ref>


In the ], Vader is shown as his former self, ], a ] boy who eventually becomes a ], and later, a hero in the ]. Palpatine manipulates Anakin into betraying the Jedi, and Anakin falls to the "]" of the mystical ].


==Darth Vader==
{{TOC limit|limit=4}}
{{main|Darth Vader}}


Skywalker is mostly seen as ] in ] '']'', '']'' and '']''. However, he is shown unmasked at the end of ''Return of the Jedi'', and briefly seen in his suit at the end of '']''.
==Depiction==
{{Main|Star Wars#Feature films}}
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NOTE:


Over time, Vader has advanced in his ability to manipulate the ], as well as to persuade opponents of his will. Under the ]'s guidance, Vader learns to kill with mere suggestion.
This article is to be sorted by REAL-WORLD *narrative* chronology. The *narrated* time *fictional* "chronology" will be mentioned and explained as necessary and appropriate, but it must not dominate the arrangement of the article which must follow REAL-WORLD events.
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===Original trilogy===
In the first two films of the original ''Star Wars'' trilogy, Darth Vader is the primary antagonist: a dark, foreboding, and ruthless figure. One of the pivotal rulers of the Empire, he mercilessly attempts to destroy the ], which is waging a long and desperate war to free the galaxy from the Empire's evil clutches. Beginning with '']'', Vader's ] is composer ]' '']'', which heralds the character's entrances.


Vader received his injuries in a ] with his mentor, ] that occurred in ], where his ] are cut off by ] in '']''.
==== ''A New Hope'' ====
{{Main|Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope}}
Vader first appears in '']'', the fourth movie in the narrative chronology (but the first to be filmed). Vader attempts to recover the stolen plans of the ] and find the Rebel Alliance's secret base. He captures and tortures ] (]), and is present when Death Star commander ] (]) destroys her home world of ]. During the sequence of scenes in which Luke, Leia and Han escape the Death Star, Vader fights a ] duel against his former master, ] (]). Vader appears to emerge the victor as Kenobi sacrifices himself and literally "disappears" so that ] and his friends can escape the Death Star. Vader encounters Luke during a ], and senses in him a great strength in the Force. Just as Vader is about to shoot down Luke's ship, preventing the boy from destroying the Death Star, the '']'', piloted by ] (]), destroys Vader's wingman and sends Vader's ship spinning into space.


Vader is a Supreme Imperial Officer for the ], and incurs the wrath of high officers by piloting his own fighter into combat (as Anakin was quite a good pilot).
During the film, Kenobi tells Luke that Vader betrayed the Jedi and murdered Luke's father.


The horror and tragedy of Darth Vader are revealed in '']'' when Vader tells ], "I am your father". Vader hopes to bring Luke down the same path of hatred and anger that destroyed his former self. Instead, he finds that Luke is committed to being a ] and finding redemption for his father in spite of all that Vader has become.
==== ''The Empire Strikes Back'' ====
{{Main|Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back}}
In ''Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back'', Vader leads the Empire in invading the Rebel base on ], and pursuing the ''Millennium Falcon'' across the galaxy. He receives a ]ic transmission from Palpatine, who tells him that "the offspring of Anakin Skywalker" is their greatest enemy, and must not become a Jedi. Vader convinces Palpatine that Luke can be turned to the dark side and thus made a powerful ally, and sets a plan in motion to bring him into the Empire's service.


== Depiction ==
Vader eventually captures Leia, Han, ] (]), and ] (]) at ] on ] to lure Luke into a confrontation. Luke, who has been partially trained by ] (]), duels Vader, but is eventually defeated when Vader severs Luke's right hand. Vader reveals his true identity as Luke's father and offers Luke the chance to overthrow Palpatine and "rule the galaxy as father and son". Horrified, Luke refuses and throws himself from a weather platform into a reactor chasm. He is sucked into an air shaft and rescued by Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and ] (]), piloting the ''Millennium Falcon''. Later, his severed hand is replaced by a mechanical ].
{{Plot|date=March 2009}}
=== Films ===
{{main|Star Wars}}


==== ''Return of the Jedi'' ==== ==== ''Return of the Jedi'' ====
{{Main|Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi}} {{main|Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi}}
] ] (on the left) as Anakin Skywalker. The scene is no longer the official version: the most recent release of the film replaces Shaw with Hayden Christensen.]]
In '']'', Luke has nearly completed his Jedi training and learns from Yoda that Vader is indeed his father. Luke learns about his father's past from Obi-Wan's spirit, and also learns that Leia is his twin sister. On a mission to the forest moon of ], he surrenders to ]s and is delivered to Vader and Emperor Palpatine (]). Aboard the second Death Star, which is being constructed in orbit, Palpatine tries to seduce Luke to the dark side. Luke resists the Emperor's appeals to his anger and threats to his friends, but breaks down when Vader discovers that Luke has a sister and threatens to turn ''her'' to the dark side if he will not submit. Overcome with rage, Luke brutally overpowers Vader, severing his father's mechanical right hand. Luke controls his anger at the last minute, however, as he realizes that he is perilously close to suffering his father's fate.


The Emperor urges Luke to kill Vader and "fulfill his destiny" by becoming Palpatine's new apprentice, but Luke refuses, throwing down his lightsaber and proudly declaring his allegiance to the Jedi. Enraged, Palpatine unleashes a torrent of ] upon Luke. In agony, Luke begs his father for help. The sight of his son's suffering breaks the dark side's hold on Vader, and he grabs Palpatine and throws him into the Death Star's reactor core, killing him as his body explodes. Vader is mortally wounded in the process, however, Palpatine's lightning having short-circuited his mechanical ]s and ]. The character's first appearance was at the end of '']'' which is his final appearance within the fictional, ''narrated'' chronology. In the film's climactic scene, Palpatine attacks Luke with Force lightning after the young Jedi refuses to turn to the dark side, and Luke begs his father for help. The sight of his son in pain breaks the dark side's hold on Vader, who then turns on his master, throwing him down the second Death Star's reactor. In the process, however, he is mortally wounded by Palpatine's lightning.


Moments from death, he begs his son to take off his breath-mask so he can look at Luke with his own eyes. Luke complies and, for the first and only time, father and son truly see each other. Anakin Skywalker tells Luke that there was good left in him after all, and dies, redeemed. Luke escapes on a ] with his father's body as the Death Star explodes, destroyed by the Rebel Alliance. That night, Luke ] his father's body in its armor, in the manner of a traditional Jedi funeral. As the Rebellion celebrates the destruction of the Empire on Endor's forest moon, Luke sees the redeemed spirit of Anakin Skywalker standing alongside the spirits of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. In his final moments, he asks his son to remove his breathing mask. Looking upon him with his own eyes for the first and only time, a redeemed Anakin Skywalker tells Luke that the good within him had not been destroyed after all. With that, Anakin dies, finally at peace. Luke cremates his father in the manner of a Jedi funeral on ]. That night, as the Rebels celebrate the destruction of the Empire, Luke sees the spirit form of his father, Anakin, reunited with Jedi Masters Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi.


===Prequel trilogy===
==== ''Revenge of the Sith'' ====
{{Main|Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith}}
'']'' portrays Anakin Skywalker's fall to the dark side of the Force. The film is the fourth in the six to feature Vader. In the closing days of the ] between the ] and the villainous Separatists, Palpatine &mdash; then the Republic's Chancellor &mdash; reveals himself to Anakin as the Sith Lord Darth Sidious and tempts him to join the dark side by promising that it will enable him to save his ] wife, ] (]), from dying in childbirth. At first, Anakin informs Jedi Master ] (]) of Palpatine's identity; Windu orders Anakin to stay behind while he takes several Jedi to Palpatine's office to arrest him.


==== ''The Phantom Menace'' ====
Anakin returns to the Chancellor's office to make sure that Palpatine is taken alive, and finds him apparently defeated after a fierce lightsaber battle with Windu. Just as Windu is about to kill Palpatine, Anakin severs Windu's arm. Palpatine then blasts Windu with Force lightning, sending him plummeting out the window to his death. Desperate to save Padmé, Anakin pledges himself to the Sith, and becomes Palpatine's apprentice, Darth Vader.
{{main|Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace}}
[[Image:Anakinyoung.jpg|right|thumb|<!--


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Vader's first assignment is to assault the ] and kill everyone inside, even the children, paving the way for Palpatine to destroy the Jedi and form the Empire from the Republic's ashes. Vader then travels to the ] planet ], where the Separatist leaders have gathered, and mercilessly slaughters them. There, Vader is surprised by the sudden appearance of Padmé, who has learned what her husband has done and begs him to go into hiding with her. Vader refuses, instead saying that he plans to eventually overthrow Palpatine so that he and Padmé can rule the galaxy together. As Padmé recoils in horror, Anakin's former mentor and friend, ] (]), appears after stowing away in Padmé's ship. Believing Padmé has betrayed him, Vader uses the Force to choke her into unconsciousness. Kenobi and Vader engage in a fierce lightsaber duel, at the end of which Kenobi severs Vader's left arm and legs. Vader lands too close to the lava and nearly burns to death. Palpatine arrives in time to rescue Vader and transports him to ]. To sustain him, medical droids encase him in the black armored suit, mask, and respirator first seen in the original films.
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-->] portrayed 9-year-old Anakin Skywalker in ''Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace'' (1999).]]
When Vader regains consciousness and asks for Padmé, Palpatine tells him that she was killed in the heat of Vader's anger. This revelation breaks what remains of Anakin's spirit; he screams "Noooo!" in torment, destroying the objects around him with the Force. He is last seen at Palpatine's side, watching the construction of the first Death Star.
In the ] chronology, Anakin first appears in ''Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace'' as a selfless nine-year-old boy. Anakin and his mother, ] (]), are slaves in the service of ], a junk dealer. As an ] ], Anakin can build or repair nearly anything, evidenced by the creation of his own ], ], and ], both from salvaged parts. He is also a remarkable pilot who, according to Qui-Gon Jinn, can "see things before they happen".


Qui-Gon finds Anakin on Tatooine, and is soon convinced that the boy is the "Chosen One", foretold by a Jedi prophecy to bring balance to the Force. Shmi reveals that ]. Over the course of the narrative, Qui-Gon goes on to discover that Anakin has the highest known number of ], a measure of strength in the Force. While on Tatooine, Anakin forms a strong bond with Queen ], whom Qui-Gon and his Padawan apprentice, ], are guarding.
===Expanded universe===
====Literature====
{{Main|Star Wars Expanded Universe}}
Vader appears numerous times in ]' ''Star Wars'' series.


Qui-Gon bets Watto that the boy will win the upcoming podrace. When Anakin pulls off an amazing victory, Watto reluctantly gives over the boy; he refuses to give up ownership of Shmi, however, and Anakin reluctantly parts from her. After winning Anakin's freedom, Qui-Gon is attacked by Sith apprentice ] outside of their ship. After a short duel, they escape to ]. However, upon Qui-Gon's arrival, the ] denies Qui-Gon's request to train Anakin as a Jedi, saying the boy's future is clouded by the fear he exhibits. Ultimately, Anakin helps win the final battle against the corrupt ] at ] by destroying a power cell in the Droid Control Ship. A dying Qui-Gon, slain by Maul, urges Obi-Wan to train Anakin. Obi-Wan tells Jedi Master ] that he must fulfill his master's dying wish to train Anakin, with or without the council's approval. Yoda reluctantly agrees. ], newly elected as the Chancellor of the ], befriends the boy, promising to watch his career "with great interest."
As chronicled in ]'s novel ''],'' Vader sheds his identity as Anakin Skywalker shortly after the events of ''Revenge of the Sith''. In the months afterward, he systematically pursues and kills survivors of the ]; in the process, he fully embraces his new identity as a Sith and disavows any connection to his former Jedi self. The novel also reveals Vader's plan to eventually overthrow Palpatine and rule the Empire himself, and that his primary motivation for betraying the Jedi Order was that he resented their supposed failure to recognize his power. He initially hates his new, mechanical body, but adapts to it after accepting his new life.<ref>Luceno, J: "Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader", Del Ray, 0-345-47732-4</ref>


==== ''Attack of the Clones'' ====
In the comic book '']'', he hires bounty hunters to bring him information about the pilot who destroyed the Death Star, ultimately meeting his son Luke for the first time. Later, in the ] novel '']'' (which takes place shortly after the events in ''A New Hope''), Vader meets Luke for the second time and fights him in a lightsaber duel on ]. On Mimban, Vader is nearly defeated by Luke, who severs his right arm with the aid of Obi-Wan's spirit.<ref name="sw.combts">{{cite web|url=http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/darthvader/?id=bts|title=Darth Vader (Behind the Scenes)|publisher=]|work=Star Wars Databank|accessdate=2008-04-28}}</ref>
{{main|Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones}}
[[Image:AnakinEp2.jpg|right|thumb|350px|<!--


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]'s ] explains that Darth Vader is the first representative of the Empire to find the ], a race with exceptional combat skills, whom he manipulated into serving as his personal commandos and revering him as their master. Vader later transferred their services to ].
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-->] (left) as ] and ] as Anakin Skywalker in ''Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones'' (2002).]]
====Video games====
In ''Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones'', set 10 years later, Anakin is Obi-Wan's Padawan learner. He has grown arrogant over the years, and has begun to chafe against Obi-Wan's authority, turning instead to Palpatine, who feeds the young man's ego by telling him he will one day be the greatest of all the Jedi.
{{Main|Star Wars computer and video games}}


Anakin's first official assignment is to go with Padmé to ] and protect her from assassins who tried to kill her. They develop strong feelings for each other, even though she believes that the relationship cannot work because of their respective duties to the Republic. While on Naboo, Anakin confesses his love for her, and she responds that they cannot act on their desires because they would be forced to keep the relationship a secret.
Darth Vader has a prominent role in the 1996 '']'' multimedia project, including the video game, which takes place between ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi.'' In the story, ] plots to overthrow Vader and take his place as the Emperor's second in command. The story also reveals that Vader knows there is some good left in him, and that he wishes to use the Force to return his physical appearance to that of his former self.


While guarding Padmé, Anakin has a vision that his mother is in danger. Upon returning to his home planet, he finds that his mother, who had been freed by and married to Cliegg Lars, has been kidnapped by ]. Anakin tracks the Raiders to their camp, and finds Shmi there; beaten and tortured beyond all hope, she dies in his arms. He flies in a violent rage and slaughters the entire tribe, including the women and children. He returns with his mother's body and tearfully confesses to Padmé, who forgives and comforts him.
Darth Vader plays a central role in '']''. He is playable in the first level of the game, where he and his armies invade the planet ] to hunt down a rogue Jedi. Vader kills the Jedi and protects the man's young son, , who is gifted in the Force, to secretly raise as his apprentice. Vader sends Marek (the game's protagonist) on various missions to planets throughout the galaxy, with an ultimate goal to assassinate Palpatine so that he and his apprentice can rule the galaxy themselves. Towards the end of the game, however, it is revealed that Vader wasn't planning to overthrow Palpatine at all, and that he was just using his apprentice to expose the Empire's enemies; in the game's climax, Marek is killed by Vader and Palaptine. In the game's alternate ending, however, Marek kills Vader instead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/03/lucas200803?currentPage=2 |title=The Game Has Changed |accessdate=2008-04-23 |last=DiGiacomo |first=Frank |year=2008 |month=March |publisher=Vanity Fair}}</ref> In the ] version of ''The Force Unleashed'', Vader is also playable in the game's Duel Mode. He is also the main villain in the sequel: '']'', where he takes the body of the dead Galen Marek to Kamino to clone him as a more obedient apprentice to destroy Darth Sidious.


Anakin and Padmé then learn that the Confederacy of Independent Systems &mdash; a faction trying to secede from the Republic &mdash; has taken Obi-Wan prisoner. The two rush to the planet ] to rescue him, but they are also captured. Faced with their impending demise in a gladiatorial arena, they confess their love for each other. Escaping the fray with the help of a cadre of Jedi and the ], Anakin and Obi-Wan engage Separatist leader, former Jedi turned Sith Lord ], in a ] battle. Dooku severs Anakin's right arm, but it is replaced with a mechanical prosthetic. In the film's final scene, he marries Padmé in a secret ceremony, with ] and ] as their witnesses.
Vader is an unlockable playable character in '']'' and its sequels '']'' and '']''.


==== ''Revenge of the Sith'' ====
Vader is also featured as a playable character in ]'s fighting video game '']'', as one of three ''Star Wars'' guest characters. He is available by default in the ] version, but is unavailable in the ] version unless he is downloaded off ] for a small fee. In various videos, comics, artwork, and other media related to the game, he is most often depicted fighting the ] ], one of the ''Soulcalibur'' franchise's most recognizable characters.
{{main|Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith}}
In ''Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith'', set three years later, Anakin has become a full-fledged Jedi Knight and hero of the ]. While rescuing Palpatine from the Separatist leader ], Anakin and Obi-Wan encounter Dooku. A battle ensues in which Dooku knocks Obi-Wan unconscious and duels Anakin alone. Anakin overpowers him, cutting off his hands and, at Palpatine's urging, beheading him in cold blood. He is initially remorseful, but Palpatine reassures him that Dooku was "too dangerous to be kept alive."


Upon returning to Coruscant, Padmé tells Anakin that she is pregnant. Shortly afterwards, he has a vision of Padmé dying in childbirth. He fears that this vision will come true, as it is similar to the one he had of his mother just before she died.
Darth Vader is a playable hero in '']''. He is also a non-playable character in its predecessor '']''.


Palpatine makes Anakin his representative on the Jedi Council. The suspicious Council accepts Anakin, but denies him the rank of Master. To add insult to injury, they order him to spy on Palpatine, who has by now become a virtual dictator. Anakin is outraged, as he sees Palpatine as a mentor and a friend, and begins to lose faith in the Jedi.
In '']'' and its expansion '']'', Darth Vader is a controllable character on land. His ] and his personal ] squadron are playable as well.


Ultimately, Palpatine reveals to Anakin that he is the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, the mastermind behind the war, and that the dark side holds the power to prevent Padmé's death. Confused and conflicted, Anakin reports Palpatine to Jedi Master ]. Despite his orders to remain behind, he soon follows Windu to the Chancellor's office to make sure Palpatine is taken alive. Anakin finds Windu holding his lightsaber on a disarmed Palpatine, ready to strike. Anakin pleads with Windu to spare Palpatine's life, but Windu refuses, insisting that the Sith Lord is too dangerous to be kept alive. As Windu raises his lightsaber to deliver the final blow, Anakin severs Windu's right hand. Palpatine bombards Windu with ] and hurls him out the window to his death. Anakin then pledges himself to the Sith and becomes Sidious' apprentice, ].
In '']'' and its expansion '']'', Darth Vader is a Hero character under the Galactic Empire civilization. He also has his own campaign, narrated by the Emperor's Hand ].


Darth Vader's first task is to ], including the children. He then travels to ] to assassinate the Separatist leaders. There, he is met by Padmé, who has learned what he has done. She pleads with him to flee Palpatine's grasp with her, but he refuses, saying that the two of them can overthrow the Sith Lord and rule the galaxy together. As a horrified Padmé draws back, Obi-Wan, who had stowed away on Padmé's ship, emerges. Vader accuses Padmé of conspiring against him, and uses the Force to choke her into unconsciousness. Obi-Wan and Vader then engage in a fierce lightsaber duel over a raging volcano, at the end of which Obi-Wan severs Vader's left arm and both of his legs. As Vader comes into contact with the molten rock, he catches fire and nearly burns to death. Obi-Wan leaves him to die, taking Vader's lightsaber.
Darth Vader is an active, yet non-playable character in '']'', the ] based in the ''Star Wars'' universe. He often appears in cities, accompanied by multiple ], to hand out quests to players of the Imperial Faction. He also is a static quest giver at the Emperor's Retreat on ].


Palpatine arrives just in time to rescue Vader, and reconstructs his apprentice's ruined body with the ] limbs and suit of black armor first seen in '']''. Once Vader regains consciousness he inquires about his wife, Palpatine tells him that Padmé died as a result of Vader's anger (she had in fact died after giving birth, having lost the will to live). This revelation breaks what remains of Anakin's spirit, and he screams in torment, destroying several objects in the operating room. He is last seen at Palpatine's side during the construction of the first ].
==Production and publication==
===Creation and concepts===
The character's image was created when concept artist ] drew the opening scene where Vader and his stormtroopers board a ].<ref name="sw.combts" /> It was initially imagined that Darth Vader would fly through space to enter the ship, necessitating a suit and breathing mask.<ref name="sw.combts" /> This equipment was later made permanent and incorporated in the story.<ref name="sw.combts" />


=== Expanded Universe ===<!--Check this section with WP:SUMMARY-->
The iconic sound of the character's respirator breathing was created by sound designer ], who created the sound by recording himself breathing into a ] regulator.<ref name="empireofdreams">{{cite video|people=Burns, Kevin and Edith Becker|date=2004|title=Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy|medium=Documentary}}</ref>
{{seealso|Star Wars Expanded Universe}}
], ], ] and ].]]
In the animated series '']'', Anakin (voiced by Matt Lanter) is made a full Jedi Knight despite the Council's reservations. During the next three years of fighting in the ], Anakin becomes a legend throughout the galaxy, renowned as "The Hero With No Fear." The final episodes of both ''Clone Wars'' seasons depict Anakin dueling Dooku's minion ] and liberating the Nelvaanians. Anakin's adventures in the Clone Wars are also chronicled in the '']'' comic series. In the series, Anakin learns to use the Force to choke someone, fights another duel with Ventress (this one leaving him with a scar on his right temple), and commands his first few missions. In the animated film '']'' and the following ], Anakin (now voiced by ]) takes on a Padawan learner named ] shortly after becoming a Jedi Knight.


In the ], Anakin is described as a master of the Djem So form of ]. At his best, Anakin is almost like "a destroyer droid with a lightsaber . . . every step a blow and every blow a step."<ref>{{cite book |title=] |last=Stover |first=Matthew |authorlink=Matthew Stover |coauthors= |year=2005 |publisher=] |location= |isbn=0-345-42883-8 |pages= }}</ref>
Darth Vader's costume is one of the areas in which Lucas' interest in ] ] &mdash; particularly ] warriors &mdash; is most clearly manifested.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/10/22/arts/20091023-SAMU_index.html |title=black-lacquered gusoku armor |location=Japan |publisher=Nytimes.com |date=2009-10-22 |accessdate=2010-06-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Star Wars: The Magic of Myth|first=Mary|last=Henderson|publisher=]|year=1997}}</ref> According to ''Star Wars'' wardrobe master John Mollo, "Darth Vader's helmet started as a ] ] ] helmet".<ref>{{cite book|first=Richard|last=Ingram |coauthors=Arthur Ward|title=Buying and Selling Wartime Collectibles: An Enthusiast's Guide to Militaria|publisher=Crowood|year=2007|page=17}}</ref>


As chronicled in ]'s book '']'', Vader completes the shedding of his identity as Anakin Skywalker shortly after incurring his injuries on Mustafar; in the months afterward, he systematically pursues and kills the survivors of Palpatine's order to destroy the Jedi; in the process, he fully embraces his new identity as a Sith Lord and disavows any connection to his former Jedi self. The novel also reveals that Vader plans to eventually overthrow Palpatine, and that he betrayed the Jedi because he resented their supposed failure to recognize his power.
===Portrayals===
] played Darth Vader during filming of ''A New Hope''. Prowse was originally given the choice between the roles of ] and Darth Vader, and chose the latter because he said "people would remember him." After filming, ] was hired to read Vader's lines over Prowse's performance, in part due to Prowse's strong ];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/5009513/Darth-Vader-actor-David-Prowse-treated-for-prostate-cancer.html |title=Darth Vader actor David Prowse treated for prostate cancer |publisher=Telegraph.co.uk |date=2009-03-18 |accessdate=2010-06-17}}</ref> ] was considered, but Jones believes that his voice was too recognizable.<ref name="empireofdreams"/> Jones has since been closely identified with the role. In 1978, Jones returned as the voice of Darth Vader in ''],'' which used ''A New Hope'' footage of Prowse in the character's costume. When ] commissioned writer ] to adapt ''Star Wars'' as ], actor ] was hired to provide the voice of Darth Vader when Jones was not available. For the scene in which Luke unmasks Vader at the end of '']'', Lucas turned to ] to portray the newly reformed Sith Lord.


The redeemed spirit of Anakin Skywalker appears in the novel '']'', set a few days after the ending of ''Return of the Jedi''. He appears to his daughter Leia, imploring her forgiveness. Leia condemns him 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 '']'', Leia learns to forgive her father after learning about his childhood as a slave and his mother's traumatic death.
Vader was also played by several stunt doubles, most notably fencing instructor ]. Anderson handled all of Vader's fight sequences in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and ''Return of the Jedi.'' ], who portrayed Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy, noted in a 1983 interview in Starlog #72:
{{cquote|Bob Anderson was the man who actually did Vader's fighting. It was always supposed to be a secret, but I finally told George I didn't think it was fair any more. Bob worked so hard that he deserves some recognition. It's ridiculous to preserve the myth that it’s all done by ''one'' man.<ref>{{cite|title=Starlog #72|publisher=Starlog Magazine|date=1983|author=Not specified}}, text available at </ref>}}


In the novel '']'' of the '']'' series, set 30 years after ''A New Hope'', Anakin's voice speaks to his grandson, ], telling him to "stand firm" in his battle with the Supreme Overlord of the ]. In the '']'', Luke and Leia uncover old recordings of their parents in ]'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 '']'', the second novel in the '']'' series, Jacen uses the Force to "watch" Anakin slaughter the children at the Jedi Temple and become Darth Vader.
Recognition of Anderson's Vader fight choreography for the original series was highlighted in the film '']'', where he was recognized by ] and others as being "in Darth Vader's costume, doing all the ] work".<ref></ref>


==Psychology==
For ''Revenge of the Sith,'' ], who played Anakin Skywalker in the film as well as the preceding film, '']'', wore the Vader armor. However, as Christensen is shorter and smaller than Prowse, Lucas employed certain perspective trickery to make him seem as physically large as Prowse: a slightly scaled-down costume was created for him; the costume had extensions built into the boots and helmet, and some of the shots of Vader standing next to Palpatine were filmed using ]. No one was credited for the briefly heard voice of Darth Vader at the film's end. When asked if he had supplied the voice, either newly or from a previous recording, James Earl Jones told '']'', "You'd have to ask Lucas about that. I don't know".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/stage/ny-c5611250mar16,0,5264743.story|publisher=]|title=Fast Chat: James Earl Jones|date=2008-03-16}}</ref>


Eric Bui, a psychiatrist at ] Hospital in France, argued in a panel at the 2007 ] convention that Anakin met six of the nine diagnostic criteria for ] (BPD), one more than necessary for a diagnosis. He and a colleague, Rachel Rodgers, published their findings in a 2010 letter to the editor of the journal ''Psychiatry Research''. Bui says he found Anakin Skywalker a useful example to explain BPD to medical students.<ref name="BPD paper">{{cite news|last=Hsu|first=Jeremy|title=The Psychology of Darth Vader Revealed|url=http://www.livescience.com/culture/psychology-darth-vader-revealed-100604.html|publisher=TopTenReviews|website=]|date=June 8, 2010|accessdate=June 8, 2010}}</ref>
Actor and former ] visual effects artist C. Andrew Nelson has also portrayed Vader at ] events, in the '']'' and '']'' video games (both of them were voiced by Scott Lawrence), and in footage filmed for the 1997 Special Edition releases of the original three ''Star Wars'' films. Nelson has also appeared as Vader on various television shows and in numerous commercials. ]'s ] provided the voice of Darth Vader in the video games '']'' and '']'', and appeared in-person as the character in one episode of '']''.


In particular, Bui points to Anakin's ] and uncertainty over his identity. Anakin's ]s of the Tusken Raiders in ''Attack of the Clones'' and then the young Jedi in ''Revenge of the Sith'' count as two ] episodes, fulfilling another criterion. Bui hoped that his paper would help raise awareness of BPD, especially among teens.<ref name="BPD paper" />
===In other countries===
Like several other characters, Darth Vader's name was changed in the ] and ] versions of the films ("Dart Fener" in Italian<ref>{{cite web|author=Delos Books a.c.; html/php: Silvio Sosio |url=http://www.fantascienza.com/magazine/notizie/5230/vader-o-fener-ecco-il-responso/ |title=Vader o Fener? Ecco il responso ∂ |publisher=Fantascienza.com |date= |accessdate=2010-06-17}}</ref> and "Dark Vador" in French). More recently, some material in both languages has used the original name; for instance, the ] dubbing of ''Episode III''.<ref>http://doublage.qc.ca/showMovie.php?id=519</ref>

==In popular culture==
{{In popular culture|date=August 2009}}
Due to his role as the central antagonist in the ''Star Wars'' saga, Darth Vader has become a quintessential villain in the public's consciousness. His powerful bass voice, imposing armored figure, and cold mechanized breathing, have become oft-parodied trademarks of the character. Darth Vader's iconic status has made him a synonym for evil in popular culture. The ] listed him as the third greatest movie villain in cinema history on '']'', behind ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://connect.afi.com/site/DocServer/handv100.pdf?docID=246 |title=AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains |publisher=afi.com |accessdate=2010-05-21}}</ref> Darth Vader was also ranked number two on '']'' magazine's 2008 list of ''The 100 Greatest Movie Characters''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/100-greatest-movie-characters/default.asp?c=2 |title=''Empire's'' The 100 Greatest Movie Characters |publisher=''Empire'' Magazine |accessdate=2010-05-21}}</ref> '']'' magazine also ranked Vader on their list of ''The 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmsite.org/100characters.html |title=''Premiere Magazine's'' The 100 Greatest Movie Characters |publisher=Filmsite.org |accessdate=2010-05-21}}</ref> On their list of the ''100 Greatest Fictional Characters'', Fandomania.com ranked Vader at number 6.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fandomania.com/100-greatest-fictional-characters-10-6/ |title= The 100 Greatest Fictional Characters |publisher=Fandomania.com |accessdate=2010-05-21}}</ref>

===Politics===
], impersonating Darth Vader before a backdrop depicting the ], talking to ].]]

Many commentators and comedians evoke his visage to ] politicians and other public figures, and several American political figures have been unflatteringly compared to the character.

On June 22, 2006, the current ] ] referred to himself as the Darth Vader of the ]. Discussing the administration's philosophy on gathering intelligence, he said to ]'s ], "It means we need to be able to go after and capture or kill those people who are trying to kill Americans. That's not a pleasant business. It's a very serious business. And I suppose, sometimes, people look at my demeanor and say, 'Well, he's the Darth Vader of the administration.'"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/22/sitroom.03.html|publisher=CNN|work=The Situation Room|title=Transcripts|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>

] put on a Darth Vader helmet to address Dick Cheney as a "kindred spirit" on '']'' on January 25, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=81345&title=Cheney-Camera-3|publisher=]|title=The Daily Show: Cheney Camera 3|date=25 January 2007|accessdate=6 December 2008}}</ref> Cheney's wife, ], presented Stewart with a Darth Vader action figure on her appearance on the show on October 10, 2007. Both Stewart and ] have occasionally referred to Cheney as "Darth Cheney". In the ] cartoon show '']'', Dick Cheney's father is portrayed as being Darth Vader. At her presidential campaign event on September 19, 2007, ] also referred to Cheney as Darth Vader. At the 2008 Washington ] Dinner, Cheney joked that his wife Lynne told him that the Vader comparison "humanizes" him. George Lucas has told '']'' columnist ], however, that Cheney is more akin to Emperor Palpatine, and that a better stand-in for Vader would be ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/opinion/19dowd.html?ref=opinion|title=The Aura of Arugulance|accessdate=2009-04-19 | work=The New York Times | first=Maureen | last=Dowd | date=2009-04-19}}</ref> An issue of '']'' referenced this quote, and compared Bush and Cheney to Vader and Palpatine, respectively, in a satirical article comparing politicians to various ''Star Wars'' and '']'' characters.<ref>Newsweek</ref>

Then-Vice President ] referred to ]'s ] as the "Darth Vader of cable." <ref>{{cite news|url=http://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=2005-08-22|publisher=CNN|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref> Political strategist ] was known by his political enemies as "the Darth Vader of the ]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://politics.netscape.com/story/2006/11/07/harvey-leroy-lee-atwater-was-a-republican-political-consultant|title=Harvey Leroy "Lee" Atwater, was a Republican political consultant|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>

===Film and television===
Many films and television shows have featured characters that referenced or parodied Darth Vader.

Examples include: "Black Helmet Man" from the movie '']''; "Duck Vader" from '']''; "Darth Benkyou" in an episode of '']''; "Dearth Nadir" as played by ] for '']''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "]" sketch; "Girth Plotz" (]) in the '']'' episode "Star Warners"; ]'s alter-ego "Darth Koopa" from '']''; "Dark Helmet' from the movie '']'', "]" and another unnamed Vader-like character portrayed by ] from '']''; "]" from the '']'' ], "]", the leader of the planet Vegandon on '']''; an episode of '']'' where President Jimmy dresses in black and takes over the school; ]'s portrayal of the character in the '']'' episode "]" and it's sequel ]; "Dark Star" from the ] game '']''; ] from '']'' as Darth Chef in the episode "]"; Lord Uniscorn (Bloo) from one episode of ]; and Manny from '']'' as Dark Fater in the upcoming ''] TV movie, ''Food Storm''.

Many popular films pay homage to the character. ] in '']'' (dressed in a radiation suit) calls himself "Darth Vader from the planet ]" to convince the past version of his father to ask his mother to a dance. At the beginning of ]'s '']'', the character Hooper X gives a speech at a comic convention on how Darth Vader is a metaphor for how poorly sci-fi treats black people; he is especially offended that Vader (the "blackest brother in the galaxy") reveals himself to be a "feeble, crusty old white man" at the end of ''Return of the Jedi''. In the film '']'', a ] robot tries several discarded voice boxes, one of which gives him Vader's voice (provided by ]) and a Vader-like mouth grill. In the film '']'', Vader makes a non-speaking appearance next to ]. He tries to demonstrate his Force abilities, only to fail due to the non-existence of the Force outside of the ''Star Wars'' ].

===In other contexts===
]
The influence character has had on the public psyche has extended far beyond mainstream television and film. Indeed, the wide array of things named after the character &mdash; everything from buildings to beetles &mdash; shows that the Sith Lord has permeated everyday American life.

In 2005, former ] entomologists Quentin Wheeler and Kelly Miller named 65 new species of slime-mold beetle of the genus '']'', with one named ''Agathidium vaderi'' after Darth Vader.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/April05/slime-mold.Bush.Cheney.ssl.html|title=Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld are now species of slime-mold beetles -- but strictly in homage|work=Cornell News|publisher=]|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>

In the last years of construction, ] held a competition for children to design new ]s for the western towers. The third-place winner was a design featuring Darth Vader, which looms over the southern side of the northwest tower.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalcathedral.org/about/darthVader.shtml|title=About Darth Vader|publisher=]|accessdate=2008-04-27}}</ref>

], has a building made of dark reflective glass and the architecturally acclaimed ], a white futuristic ]{{ndash}}these buildings are known as the "Darth Vader building" and "Luke Skywalker building", respectively.<ref>''An architectural Star Wars clash at Sierra Point'', ''San Francisco Chronicle'', News Page 4, April 17, 1986</ref>

The Northbridge Centre in downtown ] is also commonly known as the "Darth Vader building".<ref>''Property Values Reduced'',''Sun Sentinel'', October 27, 1991</ref>

The ] in ], ] is informally dubbed the "Darth Vader building".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DE7D9123FF93AA15755C0A960948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all|title= Focus: Seattle; Creating An Office Empire|last=Egan|first=Timothy|date=1986-06-29|work=]|accessdate=2008-05-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.belltownmessenger.com/062007/062007-100-bellawards.html|title=the bell awards - Tom Graff (interview)|date=June 2007|work=Belltown Messenger|accessdate=2008-05-08}}</ref>

The ] (now State Insurance Tower) in ], ], was once nicknamed "Darth Vader's pencil box."<ref>.</ref><ref>"" ''Wayward Wellingtonians,'' 11 July 2008.</ref>

During the ], ] goaltender ] wore an all black mask while his other mask was being painted; he did so well in the black mask that he felt no need to replace it, and wore it for the remainder of the season. Fans endearingly termed him "Darth Gerber". In response Gerber tried out a new Darth Vader inspired mask design to begin the 2008–09 season when he was still a member of the Senators.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tsn.ca/story/?id=250552 |title=Sens' Gerber has new mask, new outlook on season |publisher=Tsn.ca |date= |accessdate=2010-06-17}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
{{Portal|Star Wars}}
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==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|2}} {{reflist}}


==Further reading== ==Further reading==
*'']'', 1st edition paperback, 1999. ], ], ISBN 0-345-43411-0 *'']'', 1st edition paperback, 1999. {{Aut|]}}, {{Aut|]}}, ISBN
*'']'', 2003. ], ISBN 0-345-42882-X *'']'', 2003. {{Aut|]}}, ISBN 0-345-42882-X
*'']'', 1st edition hardcover, 2005. Matthew Woodring Stover, George Lucas, ISBN 0-7126-8427-1 *'']'', 1st edition hardcover, 2005. {{Aut|]}}, {{Aut|]}}, ISBN 0-7126-8427-1
*''The New Essential Guide to Characters'', 1st edition, 2002. Daniel Wallace, Michael Sutfin, ISBN 0-345-44900-2 *''The New Essential Guide to Characters'', 1st edition, 2002. {{Aut|Daniel Wallace}}, {{Aut|Michael Sutfin}}, ISBN 0-345-44900-2
*''The ] Sourcebook'', ], 1st printing, 2001. Bill Slavicsek, J. D. Wiker, ISBN 0-7869-1849-7
*''Vader: The Ultimate Guide'', 2005. *''Vader: The Ultimate Guide'', 2005.
*''Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary'', hardcover, 1998. Dr. David West Reynolds, ISBN 0-7894-3481-4 *''Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary'', hardcover, 1998. {{Aut|Dr. David West Reynolds}}, ISBN 0-7894-3481-4
*''Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: The Visual Dictionary'', hardcover, 1999. Dr. David West Reynolds, ISBN 0-7894-4701-0 *''Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: The Visual Dictionary'', hardcover, 1999. {{Aut|Dr. David West Reynolds}}, ISBN 0-7894-4701-0
*''Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: The Visual Dictionary'', hardcover, 2002. Dr. David West Reynolds, ISBN 0-7894-8588-5 *''Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: The Visual Dictionary'', hardcover, 2002. {{Aut|Dr. David West Reynolds}}, ISBN 0-7894-8588-5
*''Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: The Visual Dictionary'', hardcover, 2005. James Luceno, ISBN 0-7566-1128-8 *''Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: The Visual Dictionary'', hardcover, 2005. {{Aut|James Luceno}}, ISBN 0-7566-1128-8
*Shooting script of '']'' as available at
*Shooting script of '']'' as available at
*''Star Wars Technical Commentaries'', Dr. Curtis Saxton, 1995-2005. Available at
*''Star Wars Databank''. , *''Star Wars Databank''. ,


==External links== ==External links==
*{{databank|category=character|subject=anakinskywalker|text=Anakin Skywalker}}
{{wikiquote}}
{{Wiktionary}}
*{{databank|category=character|subject=darthvader|text=Darth Vader}}
*{{sww|Anakin Skywalker}} *{{sww|Anakin Skywalker}}
* at The World of Star Wars
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{{Star Wars major characters}} {{Star Wars major characters}}
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{{Episode II}}
{{Episode III}} {{Episode III}}
{{Episode IV}}
{{Episode V}}
{{Episode VI}} {{Episode VI}}
{{Star Wars The Force Unleashed}}
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Revision as of 17:39, 11 August 2010

See also: Darth Vader

Template:SW Character Anakin Skywalker is a central character in the Star Wars saga. He first appears as a young boy — a slave on the desert planet Tatooine; then a teenager — a Padawan learner of the noble Jedi Order; and finally a young adult — a heroic yet conflicted Jedi Knight. In the Star Wars Original Trilogy (Episodes IV, V, VI), Anakin Skywalker is the former identity of the evil Sith Lord Darth Vader. Before his fall to the dark side of the Force, Vader fathers both Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa; Luke ultimately redeems his father in Return of the Jedi, and Anakin sacrifices himself to save his son and destroy the Sith.

Sebastian Shaw portrayed Anakin in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi in the scenes where Darth Vader's helmet is removed and when he appears as a Force-ghost with Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi. In the prequel trilogy, Anakin is portrayed by Jake Lloyd in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and by Hayden Christensen in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Stock footage of Christensen appears in the 2004 DVD release of Return of the Jedi, replacing Shaw in the movie's final scene.

Development

A character named "Anakin Starkiller" appears in an early draft of Star Wars, playing a role similar to Luke Skywalker's, as the 16-year-old son of a respected warrior. In one of the earlier drafts, Anakin was an older man in his 50s. On one of the final drafts, the name was changed into Anakin Skywalker. For Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, series creator George Lucas changed Anakin's age from twelve to nine to make the character's departure from his mother more poignant. Anakin Skywalker grows up as a slave on the planet Tatooine, where he is the only known human capable of competing against aliens in podracing. He is discovered by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, who believes him to be the "Chosen One" destined to bring balance to the Force, and he later becomes Obi-Wan Kenobi's Padawan learner. He becomes a full-fledged Jedi and war hero during the Clone Wars, but falls under the spell of the evil Palpatine — who is secretly the Sith Lord Darth Sidious — and turns to the dark side, serving the tyrannical Galactic Empire as Darth Vader. Years later, he redeems himself by killing Palpatine in order to save his son, Luke, sacrificing his own life in the process.


Darth Vader

Main article: Darth Vader

Skywalker is mostly seen as Darth Vader in episodes A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. However, he is shown unmasked at the end of Return of the Jedi, and briefly seen in his suit at the end of Revenge of the Sith.

Over time, Vader has advanced in his ability to manipulate the dark side of the force, as well as to persuade opponents of his will. Under the Emperor's guidance, Vader learns to kill with mere suggestion.

Vader received his injuries in a battle with his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi that occurred in Mustafar, where his organic limbs are cut off by Obi-Wan Kenobi in Episode III.

Vader is a Supreme Imperial Officer for the Galactic Empire, and incurs the wrath of high officers by piloting his own fighter into combat (as Anakin was quite a good pilot).

The horror and tragedy of Darth Vader are revealed in The Empire Strikes Back when Vader tells Luke, "I am your father". Vader hopes to bring Luke down the same path of hatred and anger that destroyed his former self. Instead, he finds that Luke is committed to being a Jedi and finding redemption for his father in spite of all that Vader has become.

Depiction

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Films

Main article: Star Wars

Return of the Jedi

Main article: Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Original scene with Sebastian Shaw (on the left) as Anakin Skywalker. The scene is no longer the official version: the most recent release of the film replaces Shaw with Hayden Christensen.

The character's first appearance was at the end of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi which is his final appearance within the fictional, narrated chronology. In the film's climactic scene, Palpatine attacks Luke with Force lightning after the young Jedi refuses to turn to the dark side, and Luke begs his father for help. The sight of his son in pain breaks the dark side's hold on Vader, who then turns on his master, throwing him down the second Death Star's reactor. In the process, however, he is mortally wounded by Palpatine's lightning.

In his final moments, he asks his son to remove his breathing mask. Looking upon him with his own eyes for the first and only time, a redeemed Anakin Skywalker tells Luke that the good within him had not been destroyed after all. With that, Anakin dies, finally at peace. Luke cremates his father in the manner of a Jedi funeral on Endor. That night, as the Rebels celebrate the destruction of the Empire, Luke sees the spirit form of his father, Anakin, reunited with Jedi Masters Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi.


The Phantom Menace

Main article: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
File:Anakinyoung.jpg
Jake Lloyd portrayed 9-year-old Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999).

In the Star Wars universe chronology, Anakin first appears in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace as a selfless nine-year-old boy. Anakin and his mother, Shmi (Pernilla August), are slaves in the service of Watto, a junk dealer. As an engineering prodigy, Anakin can build or repair nearly anything, evidenced by the creation of his own protocol droid, C-3PO, and podracer, both from salvaged parts. He is also a remarkable pilot who, according to Qui-Gon Jinn, can "see things before they happen".

Qui-Gon finds Anakin on Tatooine, and is soon convinced that the boy is the "Chosen One", foretold by a Jedi prophecy to bring balance to the Force. Shmi reveals that there was no father. Over the course of the narrative, Qui-Gon goes on to discover that Anakin has the highest known number of midi-chlorians, a measure of strength in the Force. While on Tatooine, Anakin forms a strong bond with Queen Padmé Amidala, whom Qui-Gon and his Padawan apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, are guarding.

Qui-Gon bets Watto that the boy will win the upcoming podrace. When Anakin pulls off an amazing victory, Watto reluctantly gives over the boy; he refuses to give up ownership of Shmi, however, and Anakin reluctantly parts from her. After winning Anakin's freedom, Qui-Gon is attacked by Sith apprentice Darth Maul outside of their ship. After a short duel, they escape to Coruscant. However, upon Qui-Gon's arrival, the Jedi Council denies Qui-Gon's request to train Anakin as a Jedi, saying the boy's future is clouded by the fear he exhibits. Ultimately, Anakin helps win the final battle against the corrupt Trade Federation at the film's climax by destroying a power cell in the Droid Control Ship. A dying Qui-Gon, slain by Maul, urges Obi-Wan to train Anakin. Obi-Wan tells Jedi Master Yoda that he must fulfill his master's dying wish to train Anakin, with or without the council's approval. Yoda reluctantly agrees. Palpatine, newly elected as the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, befriends the boy, promising to watch his career "with great interest."

Attack of the Clones

Main article: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
File:AnakinEp2.jpg
Ewan McGregor (left) as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002).

In Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, set 10 years later, Anakin is Obi-Wan's Padawan learner. He has grown arrogant over the years, and has begun to chafe against Obi-Wan's authority, turning instead to Palpatine, who feeds the young man's ego by telling him he will one day be the greatest of all the Jedi.

Anakin's first official assignment is to go with Padmé to Naboo and protect her from assassins who tried to kill her. They develop strong feelings for each other, even though she believes that the relationship cannot work because of their respective duties to the Republic. While on Naboo, Anakin confesses his love for her, and she responds that they cannot act on their desires because they would be forced to keep the relationship a secret.

While guarding Padmé, Anakin has a vision that his mother is in danger. Upon returning to his home planet, he finds that his mother, who had been freed by and married to Cliegg Lars, has been kidnapped by Tusken Raiders. Anakin tracks the Raiders to their camp, and finds Shmi there; beaten and tortured beyond all hope, she dies in his arms. He flies in a violent rage and slaughters the entire tribe, including the women and children. He returns with his mother's body and tearfully confesses to Padmé, who forgives and comforts him.

Anakin and Padmé then learn that the Confederacy of Independent Systems — a faction trying to secede from the Republic — has taken Obi-Wan prisoner. The two rush to the planet Geonosis to rescue him, but they are also captured. Faced with their impending demise in a gladiatorial arena, they confess their love for each other. Escaping the fray with the help of a cadre of Jedi and the clone army, Anakin and Obi-Wan engage Separatist leader, former Jedi turned Sith Lord Count Dooku, in a lightsaber battle. Dooku severs Anakin's right arm, but it is replaced with a mechanical prosthetic. In the film's final scene, he marries Padmé in a secret ceremony, with C-3PO and R2-D2 as their witnesses.

Revenge of the Sith

Main article: Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

In Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, set three years later, Anakin has become a full-fledged Jedi Knight and hero of the Clone Wars. While rescuing Palpatine from the Separatist leader General Grievous, Anakin and Obi-Wan encounter Dooku. A battle ensues in which Dooku knocks Obi-Wan unconscious and duels Anakin alone. Anakin overpowers him, cutting off his hands and, at Palpatine's urging, beheading him in cold blood. He is initially remorseful, but Palpatine reassures him that Dooku was "too dangerous to be kept alive."

Upon returning to Coruscant, Padmé tells Anakin that she is pregnant. Shortly afterwards, he has a vision of Padmé dying in childbirth. He fears that this vision will come true, as it is similar to the one he had of his mother just before she died.

Palpatine makes Anakin his representative on the Jedi Council. The suspicious Council accepts Anakin, but denies him the rank of Master. To add insult to injury, they order him to spy on Palpatine, who has by now become a virtual dictator. Anakin is outraged, as he sees Palpatine as a mentor and a friend, and begins to lose faith in the Jedi.

Ultimately, Palpatine reveals to Anakin that he is the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, the mastermind behind the war, and that the dark side holds the power to prevent Padmé's death. Confused and conflicted, Anakin reports Palpatine to Jedi Master Mace Windu. Despite his orders to remain behind, he soon follows Windu to the Chancellor's office to make sure Palpatine is taken alive. Anakin finds Windu holding his lightsaber on a disarmed Palpatine, ready to strike. Anakin pleads with Windu to spare Palpatine's life, but Windu refuses, insisting that the Sith Lord is too dangerous to be kept alive. As Windu raises his lightsaber to deliver the final blow, Anakin severs Windu's right hand. Palpatine bombards Windu with Force lightning and hurls him out the window to his death. Anakin then pledges himself to the Sith and becomes Sidious' apprentice, Darth Vader.

Darth Vader's first task is to kill everyone inside the Jedi Temple, including the children. He then travels to Mustafar to assassinate the Separatist leaders. There, he is met by Padmé, who has learned what he has done. She pleads with him to flee Palpatine's grasp with her, but he refuses, saying that the two of them can overthrow the Sith Lord and rule the galaxy together. As a horrified Padmé draws back, Obi-Wan, who had stowed away on Padmé's ship, emerges. Vader accuses Padmé of conspiring against him, and uses the Force to choke her into unconsciousness. Obi-Wan and Vader then engage in a fierce lightsaber duel over a raging volcano, at the end of which Obi-Wan severs Vader's left arm and both of his legs. As Vader comes into contact with the molten rock, he catches fire and nearly burns to death. Obi-Wan leaves him to die, taking Vader's lightsaber.

Palpatine arrives just in time to rescue Vader, and reconstructs his apprentice's ruined body with the cybernetic limbs and suit of black armor first seen in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Once Vader regains consciousness he inquires about his wife, Palpatine tells him that Padmé died as a result of Vader's anger (she had in fact died after giving birth, having lost the will to live). This revelation breaks what remains of Anakin's spirit, and he screams in torment, destroying several objects in the operating room. He is last seen at Palpatine's side during the construction of the first Death Star.

Expanded Universe

See also: Star Wars Expanded Universe
File:Anakin Skywalker.jpg
Anakin Skywalker as seen in episodes I, II, III and VI (original).

In the animated series Star Wars: Clone Wars, Anakin (voiced by Matt Lanter) is made a full Jedi Knight despite the Council's reservations. During the next three years of fighting in the Clone Wars, Anakin becomes a legend throughout the galaxy, renowned as "The Hero With No Fear." The final episodes of both Clone Wars seasons depict Anakin dueling Dooku's minion Asajj Ventress and liberating the Nelvaanians. Anakin's adventures in the Clone Wars are also chronicled in the Star Wars: Republic comic series. In the series, Anakin learns to use the Force to choke someone, fights another duel with Ventress (this one leaving him with a scar on his right temple), and commands his first few missions. In the animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the following television series, Anakin (now voiced by Matt Lanter) takes on a Padawan learner named Ahsoka Tano shortly after becoming a Jedi Knight.

In the novelization of Revenge of the Sith, Anakin is described as a master of the Djem So form of lightsaber combat. At his best, Anakin is almost like "a destroyer droid with a lightsaber . . . every step a blow and every blow a step."

As chronicled in James Luceno's book Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader, Vader completes the shedding of his identity as Anakin Skywalker shortly after incurring his injuries on Mustafar; in the months afterward, he systematically pursues and kills the survivors of Palpatine's order to destroy the Jedi; in the process, he fully embraces his new identity as a Sith Lord and disavows any connection to his former Jedi self. The novel also reveals that Vader plans to eventually overthrow Palpatine, and that he betrayed the Jedi because he resented their supposed failure to recognize his power.

The redeemed spirit of Anakin Skywalker appears in the novel The Truce at Bakura, set a few days after the ending of Return of the Jedi. He appears to his daughter Leia, imploring her forgiveness. Leia condemns him 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, Leia learns to forgive her father after learning about his childhood as a slave and his mother's traumatic death.

In the novel The Unifying Force of the New Jedi Order series, set 30 years after A New Hope, Anakin's voice speaks to his grandson, Jacen Solo, telling him to "stand firm" in his battle with the Supreme Overlord of the Yuuzhan Vong. In the Dark Nest Trilogy, 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, the second novel in the Legacy of the Force series, Jacen uses the Force to "watch" Anakin slaughter the children at the Jedi Temple and become Darth Vader.

Psychology

Eric Bui, a psychiatrist at Toulouse University Hospital in France, argued in a panel at the 2007 American Psychiatric Association convention that Anakin met six of the nine diagnostic criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD), one more than necessary for a diagnosis. He and a colleague, Rachel Rodgers, published their findings in a 2010 letter to the editor of the journal Psychiatry Research. Bui says he found Anakin Skywalker a useful example to explain BPD to medical students.

In particular, Bui points to Anakin's abandonment issues and uncertainty over his identity. Anakin's mass murders of the Tusken Raiders in Attack of the Clones and then the young Jedi in Revenge of the Sith count as two dissociative episodes, fulfilling another criterion. Bui hoped that his paper would help raise awareness of BPD, especially among teens.

See also

References

  1. Thornton, Mark. "What is the "Dark Side" and Why Do Some People Choose It?", Ludwig von Mises Institute, May 13, 2005. Retrieved May 5, 2007.
  2. Helinski, Keith. ""Revenge" Is Just Too Sweet", moviefreak.com. Retrieved May 5, 2007.
  3. Winzler, Jonathan W. "The Making of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Star Wars)", Powell's Books, April 2005. Retrieved May 5, 2007.
  4. "Skywalker, Anakin (Behind the Scenes)". Star Wars: Databank. Lucasfilm. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  5. Stover, Matthew (2005). Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Del Rey Books. ISBN 0-345-42883-8. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ Hsu, Jeremy (June 8, 2010). "The Psychology of Darth Vader Revealed". LiveScience. TopTenReviews. Retrieved June 8, 2010.

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