'OBI-WAN KENOBI' - THE VENGEANCE OF VADER!

Flanked by his forces, Darth Vader searches for the newly surfaced Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Now receiving the reactivated Force signature of his former friend now deadly enemy Obi-Wan Kenobi, the relentless Darth Vader, like a shark fixatedly hunting for distressed fish, renews his need for revenge against his former master.

Fans worldwide (including this writer) were thrilled beyond words to see Hayden Christensen finally return to the saga as both Anakin Skywalker, and, for selected sequences, back in the intimidating black armour of Vader, as seen in the recent Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series, still playing exclusively on Disney+,

Darth Vader’s Voice Emanated From War-Torn Ukraine | Vanity Fair

James Earl Jones Retires From Voicing Darth Vader - Variety

Enjoy this selection of great Vader images from the acclaimed series...

The new Vader suit, built to reflect the time period before both Rogue One and A New Hope.

Superb behind the scenes image of Vader in his meditation chamber.

Vader's terrifying attack on a weak and emotionally haunted Obi-Wan Kenobi.

A fiery reunion with Obi-Wan.

Never tolerating failure!

Grounding an escaping rebel transport with his powers.

Expecting betrayal from the Third Sister!

Defying a Dark Lord!

In pursuit of Obi-Wan.

The classic image recreated.

A superbly crafted second conflict, but this time Obi-Wan Kenobi has the advantage.

The tragic and shocking reveal of the once Anakin Skywalker.

Back on Mustafar conversing with the Emperor, and solidifying his future power base.

Vader's lightsaber, in a special TV series promotional image.

Showcased once again on the cover of Star Wars Insider.

Hayden Christensen with Vader at a recent series launch event.

With a couple of friends celebrating his well-deserved Saturn Award in October 2022.

'VADER WEEK': DAY 1 - MAKING AN ENTRANCE!

With guile, cunning, and ferocity, he has traced the Rebel spies who captured the top secret plans to the Death Star project, now Darth Vader and his Stormtrooper legion have attacked and boarded a Rebel-serving Blockade Runner bearing influential senate markings trying to escape his Star destroyer's pursuit over the outer rim world of Tatooine. The plans will finally be retrieved by Vader - whatever the cost!

The still-magnificent moment that introduced Darth Vader to the world, from the original Star Wars, as captured in modern storybook art form by Brian Rood. 

James Earl Jones Was Paid Only $7K to Voice Darth Vader in 'Star Wars'

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAMES EARL JONES!

Bringing Darth Vader's distinctive and powerful voice back to the STAR WARS universe this past three years with STAR WARS REBELS and ROGUE ONE, James Earl Jones fine contribution to the legendary saga continues, of which fans couldn't be happier.

James Earl Jones and His Unmistakable Voice - YouTube

STAR WARS AFICIONADO sends Birthday greetings out to James Earl Jones.

'STAR WARS REBELS' SEASON TWO - OUT THIS WEEK ON UK BLU-RAY/DVD

The "Big Bad", Darth Vader, is here: STAR WARS REBELS Season Two. Images: DISNEY/LUCASFILM.

No star system or world must oppose the will of the Emperor, and the once insignificant world of Lothal has now been "noticed" with its emergent and heroic Rebel cell headed by the now fully revealed Jedi, Kanan Jarrus. To kill a Jedi, the task must be handled by an opponent equally skilled, of which none could be more ruthlessly efficient in that task, with a relentless past pedigree of slaying Force-using "enemies", than the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader, making his proper, spectacular debut through key episodes of STAR WARS REBELS Season Two, the complete series of which is out October 3rd, 2016 in exciting HD Blu-ray and DVD, loaded with great and informative special features, via DISNEY/LUCASFILM.

Star Wars Rebels Season Two Trailer (Official) - YouTube

Star Wars Rebels Season Two - Mid-Season Trailer (Official) - YouTube

Darth Vader: One-Man Fleet - The Siege of Lothal Preview | Star Wars Rebels - YouTube

Vader Enters the Fray: Inside Season Two | Star Wars Rebels - YouTube

Season Two on UK Blu-ray and DVD.

Get it here: Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season 2 [Blu-ray]: Amazon.co.uk: DVD & Blu-ray

ROGUE ONE: WELCOME BACK, LORD VADER!

As if there was any doubt that the Emperor's right hand servant for darkness wouldn't be in ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY! Vader may ultimately be in it for one specific sequence, hopefully in a mask/costume in continuity with EPISODE IV, but we're sure it'll be a great one.

Darth Vader: Star Wars film Rogue One will feature Sith Lord | EW.com

Welcome back, Lord Vader!

DARK LORD'S FURY! 'STAR WARS REBELS' SEASON TWO ON UK TV!

Fear turned to anger. Anger turned to hate. Darth Vader challenges the STAR WARS REBELS! All images: DISNEY/LUCASFILM ANIMATION.

Well and truly sending us into excitement mode for the return of everyone's favourite super Sith in Darth Vader, DISNEY UK have kindly supplied us with these great animation stills from the extended STAR WARS REBELS Season Two opener: the ambitious, format-changing The Siege of Lothal, airing this Saturday, 18th July on DISNEY XD as a welcome prelude to a longer episode run coming this fall.

Prepare for shocks, surprises, tons of action, and plenty of Dark Side vengeance.

"Fulcrum" no more. Ahsoka Tano joins STAR WARS REBELS in Season Two.

Kanan shows doubt as to whether he wants to part of the bigger picture of rebellion.

A foe like no other. Kanan takes on Darth Vader.

Ezra's help is turned against him!

Another Jedi Padawan about to become extinct?

Sinister swordplay. The duel continues.

Can the rest of the Ghost crew help?

▶ Star Wars Rebels Season Two Trailer (Official) - YouTube
▶ The Dark Side Rises: Inside Season Two | Star Wars Rebels - YouTube
Dave Filoni Star Wars Rebels Season 2 Interview
Star Wars Rebels Videos & Movie Clips | Official Disney UK
DARTH VADER LIVES! 'STAR WARS REBELS' SEASON TWO BEGINS...

STAR WARS REBELS: OLD RED EYES IS BACK!

The feared Inquisitor will soon be informed of a new "Rebel Cell" in action on the far-off frontier world of Lothal. But before that, he receives a new directive from his own boss- the dreaded Jedi-killer Darth Vader: destroy the Children of the Force, as STAR WARS REBELS series opener Spark of Rebellion gets a special airing on the US ABC channel today (and tomorrow 4.30 pm via the UK's SKY ONE HD), with an important, ratings-grabbing additional scene featuring the vocal return of James Earl Jones. Vader's presence is truly welcome but surely going to be all too brief- looking very much like a streamlined version of the character conceived by Ralph McQuarrie, whilst his red eyes are a deliberate nod to the original 1977 film: Vader's mask, worn by Dave Prowse, having red-tinted lenses during filming. Here's hoping for more appearances from the franchise's greatest ever villain further down the series line...

AN AWARD FIT FOR A (LION) KING!

James Earl Jones with his OSCAR. Image: A.M.P.A.S.

Despite the always hilarious presence of Billy Crystal, this year's 84th Academy Awards presentation was a pretty pedestrian and predictable affair, though it was livened up by the occasional STAR WARS related mention or two, and the Academy finally giving an Oscar to the well deserved James Earl Jones for his outstanding contributions to the movies, especially for his iconic work as the voice of Darth Vader in the classic STAR WARS Trilogy, as well as other timeless hits like Disney's THE LION KING. Congratulations, Mister Jones!

Doug Trumbull with his OSCAR. Image: Richard Harbaugh/copyright A.M.P.A.S.

Also, a special mention of the achievement award that went to special effects pioneer Douglas Trumbull, a much liked and admired figure for his revolutionary work on landmark films like 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, SILENT RUNNING, STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE and BRAINSTORM. Trumbull continues to be a true magician who has made the impossible possible, much to the delight of millions of movie-goers around the world.

One annoying thing to say to the Academy, though: why was the legendary Swordsman/artist Bob Anderson not listed in the memoriam?

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE INTERACTIVE DARK LORD!

For all you Vader fans out there, here's a few behind the scenes shots of the London filming of Dave Prowse's iconic and much deserved return to the iron-lung suit for the 1996 STAR WARS interactive video/board game for HASBRO EUROPE, of which a portion of the Death Star II set (the storyline linked to RETURN OF THE JEDI) was resurrected and specially lit for Vader (once more voiced by James Earl Jones) and his troops to challenge his off-screen opponents, photographed by the classic first film's original Director of Photography: Gilbert Taylor. Both stars and cameramen did excellent work on a game which I still enjoy playing now and then...

At the time, news was rife that STAR WARS would be returning for the Prequels, of which Prowse was hoping he would be playing Vader again, telling CINESCAPE magazine in February 1996:

“I would love to play Anakin, but there’s some talk about Mark Hamill doing that role, playing his own father. I don’t know how they’d explain his going from his size to my size when he plays Darth Vader, though. Whoever they choose needs to be a very physical actor. He could be the greatest dramatist in the world, but without a physical presence, Vader wouldn’t be worth anything.”

 With thanks to Chris Baker for selected images.

Star Wars Interactive Video Board Game VHS footage - YouTube

FLASHBACK: CELEBRATING THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF "STAR WARS"

John Alvin's spirited poster leads the Tenth Anniversary celebration charge for STAR WARS.

With the apparently imminent news from REED of their CELEBRATION VI convention, presumably planned for 2012 (the Thirty Fifth anniversary of the original STAR WARS, the Tenth for EPISODE II and the Fifth of THE CLONE WARS), there will soon be lots for fans to celebrate and for costume fans to get into their best Stormtrooper and Jedi outfits for!

Until then, however, I thought it might be nice to go back in time and do a mini flashback to 1987 and the very first major anniversary event of any kind linked to STAR WARS: the Tenth Anniversary. The period of STAR WARS inactivity between the end of RETURN OF THE JEDI in 1983 and the re-invigorated interest in the saga with Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy books in 1991 may have been a long one, but this bright spark of joy was the first signpost for a great many ambitious things to come.

As well as interview footage from the time, enclosed are some nice images and info on merchandise and events linked to that great and memorable year which was well celebrated by STAR WARS fans in the US.

Enjoy the CBS FOX VHS tape release celebration trailer: YouTube - Star Wars: The First Ten Years 1977-1987 Trailer

A Tenth Anniversary feature on US TV: YouTube - Star Wars Feature - Today Show 1987
Celebration 0: The Star Wars 10th Anniversary Convention | StarWars.com

Surely the highlight of the year had to be the massive STARLOG magazine organised convention-A Tenth Anniversary Tribute to STAR WARS and George Lucas- which took place in Los Angeles during the weekend of 24th May 1987, and saw participation not only from many of the films luminary behind the scenes talent and cast, but also had a very rare appearance from Lucas himself, who talked at length to the 9,000 plus fans crammed into the auditorium about the saga-past, present and future- and answered questions from the audience. Darth Vader returned, voiced by James Earl Jones, and he would also prior introduce Lucas's appearance on stage (check out this brilliant clip:  YouTube - REAL Darth Vader Standup Intro To George Lucas).

The much missed UK magazine STARBURST magazine had several reporters covering this historic and much beloved event. Check out this PDF for more information:STAR WARS 10TH ANNIV

If anyone out there has any further specific memories of the event, or has additional pics/info, please share them with us. And, beyond the US, if anyone else celebrated the Tenth Anniversary in their own countries please get in touch and tell us about it -we'd love to hear from you...

The lovely limited edition FIRST TEN YEARS poster.

The distinctive Vader cover for the then new OMNIBUS edition of the movie adaptations.

The limited edition BLACKTHORNE PUBLISHING three part STAR WARS 3-D comic, with a story written by comics legend Len Wein, and inside art drawn by Patrick Zircher.

Limited edition badge pin utilizing character drawings first done for JEDI in 1983

STARLOG magazine celebrated the saga in style with a fantastic special issue, packed with rare photos, artwork and behind the scenes info and quotes.

They also produced this lovely brochure for a special celebration convention that year which saw guests from the films and behind the scenes mix with the fans for a memorable event.

A look inside the brochure which contained may personal tributes from STAR WARS cast and crew members, as well as rare photos and then previously unpublished B/W artwork from EMPIRE's Vader/Luke duel by Ralph McQuarrie.

A selection of guests who attended the event, including George Lucas and Irvin Kershner, Peter Mayhew, Gary Kurtz and Charles Lippincott, Anthony Daniels signing for the fans and Ralph McQuarrie.

Back in his Threepio costume, Anthony Daniels (with Artoo), and George Lucas toast and unveil the enormous Tenth Anniversary card signed by the fans for the event. Image: Dan Madsen

When Great Makers meet! STAR TREK creator Gene Roddenberry makes a surprise appearance on stage and congratulates Lucas on the creation of the STAR WARS universe. Image: Dan Madsen

Celebration 0: The Star Wars 10th Anniversary Convention | StarWars.com
Starlog Salutes Star Wars: A Look Back | StarWars.com