Will Disney Make a Darth Vader Movie

Darth Vader is one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history, and the face of the Star Wars franchise. With his imposing silhouette and signature breathing, he is a fictional figure that has managed to transcend his origins as the ultimate villain in George Lucas's Skywalker Saga and become a character known to even the most casual movie goer. Yet despite being a huge box office draw and a fan favorite, he's never received his own stand-alone film.

Some fans would argue a character that has already shaped the Star Wars Universe so much doesn't need one, but if his appearance in series likeStar Wars: Rebels,games likeJedi: Fallen Order,comics like Marvel'sStar Wars: Darth Vader,or movies likeRogue Onehave proven anything, it's that he's the one character fans will never tire of.

10 DESERVES IT: TO REVEAL WHAT HAPPENED IN THE 20 YEARS BEFORE STAR WARS

The period of time betweenStar Wars: Episode III -Revenge of the Sithand the originalStar Wars includes the nearly two decades Darth Vader spent hunting down the remaining vestiges of the Jedi Order, as well as helping the Emperor control star systems and plunder their resources.

Though some of it has been highlighted in animated series likeStar Wars: Rebelsand stand-alone films likeRogue One: A Star Wars Story,Vader fans have always hankered to see Vader dominate the galaxy as the Emperor's scourge in all his dark side glory.

9 DOESN'T DESERVE IT: HE'S BETTER WHEN HE'S MYSTERIOUS

Vader first electrified movie screens in 1977 when the originalStar Warspremiered, an imposing and intimidating figure that emanated mystery. Over the course of the original trilogy, fans learned pieces of Vader's backstory, but never enough to truly dismantle his mystique.

For some fans, the Dark Lord of the Sith works best as a peripheral antagonist and a narrative foil, and a physical embodiment of the conflict the hero must overcome to prove victorious.

8 DESERVES IT: TACKLING VADER'S POV IS PROVING A HIT IN THE COMICS

For any Star Wars fan wondering if knowing what's going on underneath the iconic black helmet would break Vader's mystique, they need only pick up a copy of Marvel'sStar Wars: Vader - Dark Visions or Star Wars: Darth Vader series. Highlighting some of Vader's most personal thoughts and ruminations, the success of the comics has only proved that fans are intrigued by what the Dark Lord thinks.

How did Darth Vader work through Padme's death? Did he ever wonder what happened to his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi? These sorts of questions are hinted at in the comics, and prompt some pretty explosive situations from the Dark Lord based on his tumultuous feelings.

7 DOESN'T DESERVE IT: HE ALREADY HAD THREE FILMS

One of the biggest complaints of fans opposing a Vader film have is that the Emperor's apprentice has already gotten a chance for his story to be told over three films. The Prequel Trilogy focused on the rise of Darth Vader and the figurative death of Anakin Skywalker, ensuring that no further ground needs to be covered.

In addition, those same fans feel that the original trilogy also highlights Vader to the extent that his character, when viewed between six films, dominates the Skywalker Saga more than any other.

6 DESERVES IT: ROGUE ONE

Whatever fans think ofRogue One: A Star Wars Story,there's no denying the impact when Darth Vader displayed one of the most exciting and terrifying examples of his powers for 19 electrifying seconds. Vader's raw power wasn't seen very much in George Lucas's original Star Wars trilogy, when age, time, and infirmity seem to have dampened his ferocity.

Having seen him struck down in his prime in Revenge of the Sith, when he was one of the greatest Force users -and duelists- the galaxy had ever seen, fans conceded Vader would always be a hulking, lurching figure untilRogue One.For them, 19 seconds deserved to be stretched out into a feature film.

5 DOESN'T DESERVE IT: DISNEY NEEDS TO FOCUS ON NEW CHARACTERS

In recent years, Disney has infused the Star Wars franchise with a myriad of new characters, from the fresh faces in the Sequel Trilogy to those that span the breadth of series available on its streaming platform. Some that fans have taken a shine to are even getting their own series.

With rumors that new Star Wars films could be set a thousand years before the events ofStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace,there's an opportunity for even more new characters than ever before, with no need for the franchise to cling to its foundational figures.

4 DESERVES IT: ANAKIN'S STORY ISN'T THE SAME AS VADER'S STORY

While the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker's rise and fall in the Force was spread over an entire trilogy, he didn't fully become "Darth Vader" until halfway throughStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.And when he acquired his new moniker, he wasn't wearing his signature suit, which fans only got to see in the last five minutes of the film.

Revenge of the Sithended just as Darth Vader's true story began, and from that time until fans see him again, a mysterious chasm of his exploits goes undocumented.

3 DOESN'T DESERVE IT: DISNEY NEEDS TO LEAVE THE SKYWALKER SAGA BEHIND

The Skywalker Saga has dominated the Star Wars franchise for over forty years, with the travails of the galaxy's most famous family dynasty shaping audiences's perspectives about the parameters of the Star Wars Universe.

By presenting a stand-alone film about Darth Vader, Disney would once again be tethering the franchise to a storyline that ended withStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,when it should focus on developing new adventures that contribute to its world-building.

2 DESERVES IT: IT WOULD BE A STORY FROM THE DARK SIDE'S PERSPECTIVE

So far, the Star Wars franchise hasn't made a film or series told from the perspective of the dark side, which makes it all the more intriguing. Disney has already established a precedent for films from villain perspectives with the popularMaleficentseries, and Vader has a significantly bigger fanbase.

Beyond just hunting down Jedi, Vader no doubt had his hands full dealing with scheming Imperial officials, the Emperor's backstabbing cronies, and commanding legions of troops to pacify the Empire's enemies, all of which make for an alluring way to expand behind-the-scenes.

1 DOESN'T DESERVE IT: HE'LL CONTINUE TO BE FEATURED IN OTHER SERIES

Disney+ is turning its attention to continuing the Star Wars franchise withThe Mandalorianwhile it takes a step back from producing any new films, and the success of its flagship series has allowed it to greenlight both theObi-Wan Kenobiseries and theCassian Andorseries.

Both of the new shows take place in the time period betweenRevenge of the Sithand the originalStar Wars,allowing for plenty of scenes involving Darth Vader. Hayden Christensen, who portrayed Anakin Skywalker inStar Wars: Episode II- Attack of the ClonesandRevenge of the Sithis already scheduled to return to theObi-Wan Kenobiseries, though it's not been confirmed if he'll be in the suit.

NEXT: LOTR Vs. Star Wars: 5 Reasons Why Sauron Is The Best Fantasy Villain (& 5 Why It's Darth Vader)

Next 10 Most Rewatchable Horror Movies Of 2021, Ranked

About The Author

Kayleena Pierce-Bohen (1269 Articles Published)

Kayleena has been raised on Star Wars and Indiana Jones from the crib. A film buff, she has a Western collection of 250+ titles and counting that she's particularly proud of. When she isn't writing for ScreenRant, CBR, or The Gamer, she's working on her fiction novel, lifting weights, going to synthwave concerts, or cosplaying. With degrees in anthropology and archaeology, she plans to continue pretending to be Lara Croft as long as she can.

Kirtley Whiname