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Darth Vader is a fictional character in George Lucas' science fiction saga Star Wars. He is the principal antagonist in the original film trilogy, who is revealed over the course of the saga to be a tragic hero named Anakin Skywalker. The character first appeared in the original trilogy of films (Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi); Anakin Skywalker's transformation into Vader is portrayed in the later, prequel film, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The character also appears extrensively in the series' "Expanded Universe" of novels, video games, and fan-produced works. Darth Vader is one of the most iconic villains in film history, ranked third on American Film Institute's 100 Heroes and Villains list.AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes and Villains''", American Film Institute, last accessed April 17, 2008

Darth Vader was physically portrayed in the original film trilogy by David Prowse, vocally by James Earl Jones, and finally by Sebastian Shaw at the conclusion of Return of the Jedi. In the prequel film trilogy, Anakin Skywalker was portrayed as a boy by Jake Lloyd, then as a young adult by Hayden Christensen. Christensen also briefly portrayed Darth Vader without the character's famous costume, and finally in the costume at the close of Revenge of the Sith.

The original trilogy depicts the character as a fearsome cyborg and Sith Lord who serves at the right hand of Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), leading the brutal Galactic Empire in oppressing the galaxy and hunting down the Rebel Alliance. The prequel trilogy depicts him as a slave boy who becomes a heroic Jedi Knight and hero of the Clone Wars. He then falls to the "dark side" of the mystical Force after Palpatine manipulates him into betraying the Jedi and destroying the Galactic Republic. In Return of the Jedi, the series' final chronological installment, Vader redeems himself by helping to destroy the Empire, sacrificing himself in the process.

Depiction

main: Star Wars#Feature films

Original trilogy

In 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 Rebel Alliance, which is waging a long and desperate war to free the galaxy from the Empire's evil clutches. Beginning with Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Vader's leitmotif is composer John Williams' The Imperial March, which heralds the character's entrances in the mise en scène.