Why did three actors play Darth Vader?
In the original Star Wars movies (IV, V, and VI) three actors ended up playing Darth Vader. David Prowse was the actual physical body for the most part, James Earl Jones was used for the voice, and in Return of the Jedi when the helmet was taken off he was played by Sebastian Shaw (who was also one of the "ghosts" at the end of the movie originally but was edited out and replaced by Hayden Christensen).
So my question is, why was the decision made to have so many people play one character in the original movies? Did Prowse just not have the right voice or look right (except for his height)? Was Sebastian Shaw not tall enough?
Best Answer
David Prowse definitely did not have the right voice. He is from Bristol in the UK, and has a Bristolian accent, what would be described as in the UK as a 'west country accent'. To many ears this sounds a little parochial - most people would think this more the accent for a farmer than a galactic enforcer for the Emperor, however unfair that comparison might be. However David Prowse was a body-builder, had acting experience so he had the right look at 6 foot 6 inches tall. He was also from the UK where many of the scenes involving Vader were made.
James Earl Jones is to a degree the opposite - he has an amazing voice, and although a more accomplished actor than Prowse, does not have the right bodybuilder physical presence and is (only) 6 foot 2 inches tall.
Finally, why Sebastian Shaw and not Prowse for the final scene with Vader? They may have thought that Prowse, only in his late 40's, might look a little too young to be Luke's father, and the accent would have been too striking a difference to the 'in helmet' voice. Of course with the later casting of Hayden Christensen as the young Anakin, the age would have been about right.
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Why are there multiple Darth Vader actors?
\u201cWe have Spencer who played [Vader] in certain moments,\u201d Edwards told Yahoo Movies, \u201cAnd then Dan did some other moments that I can't get into. But it was just the process of making the film. We shot at different times throughout the year and certain people were available more than others.\u201dWhy did James Earl Jones not play Darth Vader?
James Earl Jones is 91 years old, so there was no guarantee that he'd return to the role of Darth Vader for this new show; if he just wanted to relax and enjoy his golden years, I don't think anyone would have blamed him. But we're all very glad he came back, because Darth Vader just isn't the same without him.Did 3 people play Darth Vader?
Darth Vader first appeared in 1977, where he was portrayed by two actors. Bodybuilder David Prowse wore the armor on set, while Vader's dialogue was spoken by James Earl Jones. These two would portray Darth Vader in all three movies of the original trilogy.What three actors played Vader?
In the original trilogy David Prowse physically portrayed Vader while James Earl Jones voiced him. Sebastian Shaw portrayed the unmasked Anakin in Return of the Jedi, as well as the character's spirit prior to the 2004 re-release when he was replaced by Hayden Christensen as Anakin's Force spirit.THREE Actors Played Vader In Kenobi!
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Answer 2
its cause you couldn't hear David voice on the recording because of the head gear, so they had to dub it over and he wasn't about to do it, or that is what I was always lead to believe.
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