Well, but I imagined something like that. A young man in his twenties, when freedom is already there, and somehow still not very brains, went to war almost immediately from under the aisle. He and his wife, for sure, did not have time to get to know each other normally, but to build a relationship of trust. How many newlyweds have seen each other during the Clone Wars? Once a month? Two? Yes, some with mistresses met more often than Skywalker and his wife! And then there are the children. Who they are, what to do with them is not clear. So it came out what came out.

And if on the battlefield it turned out to improvise my father perfectly, then all kinds of garbage constantly came out in communication. As soon as he blurts out something, everyone around starts pissing and crying. No, I understand that it hurts him to speak and, in general, the mood is not to hell, but why aggravate? Let him hang the screen on his chest and display text messages there. He communicated with me mentally and mostly through his studies. After almost the last tour of the palace, the Emperor announced that he would not let me into the fleet. Bye. Until ten turns. According to all the teachers' calculations, by that moment I will be able, if not to fight off the danger, then at least hold out until the reinforcements arrive. And the Dark Side will help me with this.

Pondering when and from which side a gift from Palpatine, leading to the dark side, would arrive, I somehow had no idea that he would decide to give it to me personally. But as soon as I entered the Emperor's chambers and looked around, I was pierced with understanding - now! The Force responded immediately, preparing for something unknown, although there was no danger nearby. And then my gaze came across a small redhead, haughtily examining me. The first thought was a simple and short "Enrages!" The second was more constructive, it turns out I'm pretty squat. A girl about my age turned out to be five centimeters taller, a significant psychological advantage, especially when you consider that there are not so many of these centimeters in both of us.

This is Mara Jade. She is, let's say, an experiment.

IN recent times Vader thought a lot about the topic that he had successfully avoided before. About myself. This was inevitable when there is such an irritant in life as a son. Moreover, a son with a stabilized personality. At first, the Sith did not understand what this meant, or rather did not want to understand. As a result, it turned out that it was this line in the specification of biological object number 15-Bash-471 that would give him the most problems, and not the number of midichlorians, the influence of Palpatine or artificial origin.

Anyang didn't need a father. Moreover, he did not need anyone at all. An absolutely self-sufficient being without a single attachment graciously allowed teachers to lead the way of life solely for the sake of increasing the effectiveness of teaching. But if you leave him alone with the droids in that secret laboratory that still serves as a refuge, and not visit for a couple of years, nothing will change. A normal sane will go crazy after a while, while Anyang calmly continues to gut the library and plunge into the Force. Just as calmly and unconditionally, he accepted the leadership of Palpatine, Fett and Vader. Just as humbly, he accepted the paternity of the latter.

No, it wasn't bad at all. The child did not demand anything from the parent, accepting him as he is. It was relaxing. Vader did not need to change anything in life or work on himself. Anyang willingly maintained a cozy silence, kindly listened to rare avaricious revelations and was unobtrusively present in the Force, not closing, but at the same time vigilantly tracking the invasions of his territory. In his eyes it is impossible to fall because he did not idealize any of his teachers. But it was much more difficult to get a positive response.

This passive behavior was puzzling. How is it that Skywalker is not running anywhere and is not seething with emotions? Vader even carried out a paternity test just in case, receiving an approving gaze of blue eyes. But no, really my own son. Well, I had to moderate my temperament and engage in observation instead of actively moving through unfamiliar territories. The younger Sith, even for a moment, felt like not Vader, but a real Sidious, forever studying the enemy before knocking him down with one weak, but fatal blow. And this has borne fruit, although it is unlikely that it will be possible to decipher them without the help of a teacher.

Anyang left no trace of his stay. No personal knick-knacks in the room, just essentials. Each thing has its own place and this could be called neatness and cleanliness, if in the process the illusion was not created that no one lives here at all. Clothes folded in the same way down to microns, each time the folds on the made bed are the same as on the previous morning, the water level in the flower vase has frozen at one mark, as if someone is constantly refilling just as much liquid as has evaporated. Someone soulless and mechanical.

It was even more interesting if Anyang took something conditionally alien. It returned exactly to the same place, at the same angle, even if it was a stylus rolled under the table. Vader, by the way, was looking for this unfortunate cylinder for a long time! And then, slowly fucking, watched as his son came in and put the find where he took it, moved away, slightly adjusted the composition, nodded and left. Thank you for witnessing something like this before. Anyang took out a few datapads from their sloppy pile, and then spent about five minutes calculating the necessary positions to put everything back in place, and straightening the entire tower so that the instruments were sticking out at the same angles as before he arrived. The same thing happened with thrown in disorder or neatly folded papers, tools and even crockery on the table. Vader did not know where the ward had such an openly espionage habit, but he had to reckon with it. In fact, it is difficult to resist and not hit with the Force, when, after a hard day, being too lazy to turn on the light, you are preparing for a rest, without looking, you fall into your favorite chair and suddenly you find yourself sitting on someone. Considering the weight of an adult Sith in a suit, it wasn't funny at all.

However, certain shifts in relations took place. Basically, Vader looked for and found phenomena that evoke an emotional response from his son (it seems that he was in a hurry with passivity), and Anyang sought and found the limits of the parent's patience. It was the path of hasty retreats from the battlefield and compromises. The child agreed to no longer repaint the life support suit, scarring or tattooing until fourteen, and not to quote Palpatine's file on Anakin Skywalker. In response, the adult agreed to drink vitamin cocktail instead of him, when there is such an opportunity, and carry sweets from the outside. Both had the feeling that they were cheap, but a start was made.

Now it was already possible to say that the father and son influenced the friend either by their absence or by their presence ... Vader did not have time to think of such a thoughtful idea, feeling in the Force the disturbance of the object of his thoughts. For some reason, it had a reddish tint and curled into curls. The Sith sighed and began to round out with meditations. Recently, the son fell in love with wrapping himself in his father's cloak, becoming surprisingly similar to little Sidious in a hoodie. This could be considered normal - all children go to their parents for protection, if not for the events preceding the emergence of such a habit. Vader flew into his personal training hall in a rage and, giving free rein to emotions, literally in a couple of minutes smashed all the battle droids, which he should have had enough for three months, and only then noticed the spectator huddled in a far corner and not shining. But there was no fear in Anyang's emotions, rather a mixture of surprise and admiration. They then sat nicely, trying to assemble one working out of hundreds of broken droids. There were only enough spare parts for the cleaner ...

At the same time, another important change took place. Vader stopped, following the example of the teacher, throwing off exercises through the mental channel and going about his business, starting to personally teach the child even the simplest kata ...

Did you know Palpatine has another experiment?

Another?! Vader mentally clutched his head. He had no idea what to do with the first one, unlike the Teacher, who seemed to have thought of everything and was now slowly placing the pieces on the game board.

Mara Jade, - the small figure habitually made a nest for herself in her father's cloak, leaving only her mouth and chin visible. In the course of a conversation, the fabric will play the role of an absent facial expression.

And, this ... - something like that was shown to him, - Are you jealous?

Palpatine was in a rare state of elation for himself. The power sang under the fingers, the insights followed one after the other, and the world made me happy with the fulfillment of plans and an abundance of interesting tasks. The challenge thrown to oneself mobilized the mind, which began to plunge into the routine, and the body seemed to have thrown off twenty years, sensing a slight chill of danger. And she was, gliding in the shadows and stirring up the blood.

This Vader saw and did not understand, although he sat on the sly at books on psychology, which in itself was a disturbing sign. A student, after all, is stubborn, he can comprehend such a new direction for himself, becoming not stronger, but more resourceful. Either to rejoice at this dynamics, or to be upset ... But Anyang, too, was already beginning to expand the boundaries of his freedom, trying to his teeth the restrictions set by those around him. And it brought incomparable pleasure.

Palpatine walked along the edge of the abyss, enjoying both the process itself and its intermediate results. Each time, leaving the subject with a new heap of tasks, he did not know who he would find when he returned. Listening carefully and doing it in your own way is the most dangerous form of submission, in this family it was brought to the absolute. It took attention and skill in order to detect warning signs in time and stop unnecessary reactions, and over time this task will only get more complicated.

Every walk in nature with Fett, every book read, meditation or Vader's lesson brought something new to the child's mind. Something that was increasingly difficult to find in the increasingly complex mental imprint. It whirled in a whimsical way, sometimes changing beyond recognition before our eyes literally several times in an hour under the yoke of some reflections, apparently very important, in Anyang's opinion. On the other hand, the general direction was still quite clear. A born killer. It was ... mesmerizing.

It was funny to watch how the shadow of confusion runs through the Force of the ward, when he realizes that he has not been noticed or forgotten again. As Vader mentally fires himself, once again stumbling over his son. But the fact that Palpatine is also affected by this ability was not at all funny. Perhaps only Fett did not succumb to the glamor, most likely because he was a really good mercenary and was accustomed to keeping an equally focused eye on both the environment and the object of protection or hunting, even if he is strongly opposed and strives to escape. In fact, Anyang did not try to escape, as soon as he remembered how his eyes and the Force clearly indicated the location of the object, but the fact of the matter is that his existence wonderfully fell out of sight, it was only necessary to be distracted by his own thoughts or the affairs of the state ... While the child was under control and did not know about his little peculiarity, although the habit of covering his tracks was alarming, and what will happen next?

But Palpatine would not have destroyed the Order if he feared anything beyond his comprehension. Even now, Vader kept many mysteries and possibilities, after so many years of studying the Chosen One, there was still much to explore. But how it helped to penetrate more deeply into the essence of the Force! Another question is that, at the current level of knowledge and skills, Palpatine could not advance further, so a new anomaly, to observe which one does not even need to drag to the edge of the Galaxy, was very useful. And the fact that the method is not at all scientific, so in this area since ancient times, nothing has changed much for those who go their own way in search of power.

On the one hand, the effect was decomposed into its component parts, and everything became quite simple. First, by indirect evidence, it was possible to find out that the child does not perceive death as something final and irreparable. Rather, as a transition to a different state of aggregation. This was partly to blame for Palpatine himself, who too early accustomed the future instrument to the murder and torture of others. As a result, the personality from its very inception observed the process of death and did not consider it to be something unusual; on the contrary, it was surprised when it came across references to the value of life in the HoloNet. Indeed, there is no death - there is only Power.

Darth Vader is one of the most iconic villains in film history. His image is easily recognizable, and the phrase "Luke, I am your father" has firmly entered our life, becoming a meme and a reason for numerous parodies and jokes. Now the next film from the series " Star wars"-" Rogue One "and in it we will see Darth Vader again. Here are 15 interesting and little-known facts about the Dark Lord of the Sith for everyone who loves this saga. And may the Force be with you!

15. He had a military rank

Everyone knows that Darth Vader is right hand Emperor Palpatine, but not everyone is aware that especially for him was the creation of the title "emissary of the emperor." It gave him enormous military powers. That is why he had the right to assume command of the Death Star battle station, despite the fact that it already had a commander, Wilhuff Tarkin. As a disciple of the emperor and his emissary, Vader essentially became the second commander in chief of the empire, with titles like Dark Lord of the Sith and Warlord. And later, after taking control of the "Executioner" - the largest Imperial warship - he, apparently, officially became the Supreme Commander.

14. Imperial propaganda claims Anakin Skywalker died in the Jedi Temple

James Luceno's science fiction book Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader reveals that after the events of Episode 3 (Revenge of the Sith), everyone in the galaxy was convinced that Jedi Anakin Skywalker - the Chosen One - died heroically on Coruscant during time of the battle at the Jedi Temple. Imperial propaganda also supported this official story, and Vader spent the next twenty years trying to forget the past and erase his previous identity.

Most of the inhabitants of the galaxy, ruled by the new Galactic Empire, are also convinced that the Jedi Order not only rebelled against Counselor Palpatine, forcing him to take drastic measures and destroy the Jedi, but also had a hand in unleashing the clone wars. The truth that Anakin went over to the dark side and betrayed his comrades in the temple is practically unknown (only survivors like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda). This is how the situation looks at the beginning of the original trilogy.

13. Learning about his children, he planned to betray the emperor

Although fans know that Vader betrayed the emperor at the end of Episode 6 (Return of the Jedi), his motivation has never been explained. After the Battle of Yavin, Vader tasked bounty hunter Boba Fett to find out all about the rebel who destroyed the Death Star. It was then that he was informed that the man's name was Luke Skywalker. Realizing that Palpatine has lied to him all these years and that his children are alive, Vader becomes enraged. This explains his motivation for helping Luke topple the emperor in The Empire Strikes Back. Vader planned this in full accordance with the Sith code of conduct: the student will never rise higher until he gets rid of his teacher.

12. He had three teachers and many secret students

After Skywalker's transformation into Darth Vader, he also trained the Sith. So, according to the plot of video games " Star Wars: The Force Unleashed "Vader, plotting to overthrow Palpatine, secretly took several apprentices. The first of them was Galen Marek, nicknamed Starkiller, a descendant of the Jedi killed by Vader during the Great Purge. Vader taught Marek from childhood, but Marek died on To the Death Star, shortly before the Rebel Alliance was formed, Vader then created an ideal and much more powerful clone of Marek using his genetic makeup. This clone, the Dark Apprentice, was to take Marek's place. Tao, a former Padawan, was next. Jedi (this story is considered non-canonical today.) Then Vader took several more students - Haris, Lumiya, Flint, Rillao, Hethrir and Antinnis Tremaine.

11. He tried to learn to breathe without a protective helmet.

Many remember the scene from the episode "The Empire Strikes Back", when at some point Vader is shown in the meditation chamber - he is without a helmet and the wounded back of his head is visible. This special pressure chamber was often used by Vader to practice breathing without a protective helmet or breathing apparatus. During such sessions, he felt unbearable pain and used it to intensify his hatred and dark power. Vader's ultimate goal was to get enough power from the dark side to breathe without a mask.

But he could do without her for only a few minutes, since he was too happy to be able to breathe on his own, and this joy was not combined with dark power. This is also why he so wanted to unite with Luke, so that their common power would help him not only to throw off the power of the emperor, but also to free himself from his iron armor.

10. Even the actors during the filming did not know that Vader is the father of Luke Skywalker

An unexpected twist, in which Darth Vader turns out to be the father of Luke Skywalker, is perhaps one of the most famous in film history. During the filming of The Empire Strikes Back, this plot was kept in secret - only five people knew about it: director George Lucas, director Irwin Kershner, screenwriter Lawrence Kazdan, actor Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and actor James Earl Jones. voiced by Darth Vader.

Everyone else, including Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Harrison Ford (Han Solo), only learned the truth by attending the film's premiere. When the confession scene was filmed, actor David Prowse uttered a line given to him, which sounded like "Obi-Wan killed your father", and the text "I am your father" was overwritten later.

9.Darth Vader was played by seven actors

Voice actor James Earl Jones gave Darth Vader his famous deep, booming voice, but in the original Star Wars trilogy, Vader was played by David Prowse. The British weightlifting champion, almost two meters tall, was the best fit for the role, but he had to be re-voiced due to his strong Bristol accent (which made him furious). Bob Anderson acted as an understudy for combat stunts, as Prowse was constantly breaking lightsabers.

Vader without a mask in Return of the Jedi was played by Sebastian Shaw, the young Anakin in The Phantom Menace - Jake Lloyd, the matured Anakin in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith - Hayden Christensen. Spencer Wilding plays Darth Vader in the new Rogue One movie.

8. Initially, he had a different name and a different voice

Since Darth Vader is the central character of Star Wars, it is not surprising that this character was written first when creating the script. But first his name was Anakin Starkiller (this is the name, according to the plot of the video game "The Force Unleashed" by his secret student). The original trailer for Star Wars in 1976 was written by legendary director Orson Welles. It was with Wells' voice that George Lucas wanted to voice Darth Vader, but the producers did not approve of this idea - they thought that the voice would be too recognizable.

7. According to one theory, it was created by Palpatine and Darth Plagueis

Anakin Skywalker's mother, Shmi Skywalker, says in The Phantom Menace that she endured and gave birth to Anakin without a father. Qui-Gon is understandably puzzled by this statement, but after checking Anakin's blood for midi-chlorians, he is convinced that this is indeed the result of a virgin birth, solely under the influence of the Force. Then everything else is logical: the power of Vader, high level midi-chlorians in the blood and the status of the Chosen One - the one who must bring the Force into balance.

But one fan theory suggests a darker and more real possibility of Anakin being born. In Revenge of the Sith, Counselor Palpatine tells Anakin about the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise, who used midichlorians to create life. According to this theory, either Plagueis himself or his apprentice Palpatine could experiment and create Anakin in an attempt to obtain a powerful ruler of the Force.

6. A whole team worked on the costume and sound effects

According to Lucas' original design, Darth Vader did not have any helmet - instead, a black scarf was wrapped around his face. The helmet was supposed only as part of the military uniform - after all, you need to somehow move from one starship to another. In the end, it was decided that Vader would wear this helmet at all times. Both the helmet and the rest of the ammunition of Vader and the imperial military of Lucas were inspired by the Nazi uniforms and the helmets of the Japanese military leaders. Vader's famous heavy breathing was invented by sound producer Ben Burtt. He placed a small microphone in the mouthpiece of the scuba regulator and recorded the sound of his breathing.

5. Actor David Prowse and director George Lucas hate each other

The feud between Lucas and Prowse has become a legend among the Star Wars film crew. Firstly, Prowse thought that his voice was used for the film and was terribly upset by the voice acting. During the filming of episodes 5 and 6, Prowse ruined life for everyone on the set, not bothering to pronounce the lines that were spelled out in his role, and instead chatting some kind of nonsense. For example, it was necessary to say "Asteroids do not bother me, I need this ship", and he calmly said: "Hemorrhoids do not bother me, I need to give a shit."

Prowse was also saddened to be replaced by a stunt double in the fight scenes, despite the fact that he was physically quite prepared. But he was breaking lightsabers all the time. Lucas later accused Prowse of revealing classified information that Vader was Luke's father. The actor also really disliked the fact that viewers would not see his face on the screen: another actor played Vader without a mask. The strained relationship between Lucas and Prowse reached its final point when Prowse starred in the 2010 anti-Lucas film The People Against George Lucas. This overwhelmed the director and he struck Prowse out of all future Star Wars productions.

4. There was an alternative ending in which Luke becomes the new Vader

Return of the Jedi ends with the good guys winning and everyone is happy about it. But initially Lucas had a darker ending to his sci-fi saga. According to this alternate ending, the battle between Skywalker and Vader and the ensuing scene with Vader and the death of the emperor produces a different result. Vader also sacrifices himself to kill the emperor, and Luke helps him take off his helmet - and Vader dies. However, then Luke puts on his father's mask and helmet, says "Now I am Vader" and turns to the dark side of the Force. He defeats the rebels and becomes the new emperor. It was this ending that would be logical, according to Lucas and his screenwriter Kazdan, but in the end Lucas decided to make a happy ending, because the film was designed for a children's audience.

3. Alternative ending from the comics: Jedi again and all in white

Speaking of alternative endings, here's another one from the Star Wars comics. According to this version, both Luke and Leia stand in front of Palpatine, and the emperor orders Vader to kill Leia. Vader is stopped by Luke, they fight with lightsabers and as a result of the duel Vader is left without an arm, and Luke reveals to him the truth that he and Leia are his children, after which he boldly announces that he will no longer fight Vader.

Here the most interesting thing begins: Vader falls to his knees and asks for forgiveness, again returning to the bright side of the Force and becoming Anakin Skywalker. The Emperor escapes, the second Death Star collapses, but Leia, Luke and Vader manage to leave it together. They later meet aboard Headquarters Frigate Home One, and Anakin Skywalker is still dressed as Darth Vader, but all in white. The Skywalker family of Jedi decides to hunt down and kill the emperor, which they most likely succeed because they are a gang.

2. This is the most profitable character in Star Wars

The creators of "Star Wars" managed to make great money on their characters, selling related products, toys and the like. The army of fans of this saga is huge. On the Internet there is a special "Wookiepedia" (Wookiepedia) - an encyclopedia of "Star Wars", with detailed articles about everyone and everything that anyone can edit. But no matter how much the other heroes of the saga are loved, Darth Vader is the most popular, cult character and, of course, it is on this image that he manages to earn the most. Judging by the fact that revenues from merchandising, for example, amounted to more than $ 27 billion in 2015, it can be assumed that Darth Vader is worth billions - after all, he is a significant part of that pie.

1. On one of the cathedrals there is a chimera in the form of a helmet of Darth Vader

Believe it or not, one of the towers of Washington Cathedral is adorned with a gargoyle in the shape of Darth Vader's helmet. The sculpture is very high and difficult to see from the ground, but it is possible with binoculars. In the 1980s, the National Cathedral and National Geographic magazine announced children's competition for the best decorative chimera sculpture to decorate the northwest tower. A boy named Christopher Rader took third place in this competition with his drawing of Darth Vader. After all, a chimera must be evil. This sketch was brought to life by sculptor Jay Hall Carpenter and stone carver Patrick Jay Plunkett.

Darth Vader is one of the most iconic villains in film history. His image is easily recognizable, and the phrase "Luke, I am your father" has firmly entered our life, becoming a meme and a reason for numerous parodies and jokes. Now the next film from the "Star Wars" series has been released - "Rogue One" and in it we will see Darth Vader again. Here are 15 interesting and little-known facts about the Dark Lord of the Sith for everyone who loves this saga. And may the Force be with you!

15. He had a military rank

Everyone knows that Darth Vader is the right hand of Emperor Palpatine, but not everyone knows that the title "Emperor's Emissary" was created especially for him. It gave him enormous military powers. That is why he had the right to assume command of the Death Star battle station, despite the fact that it already had a commander, Wilhuff Tarkin. As a disciple of the emperor and his emissary, Vader essentially became the second commander in chief of the empire, with titles like Dark Lord of the Sith and Warlord. And later, after taking control of the "Executioner" - the largest Imperial warship - he, apparently, officially became the Supreme Commander.

14. Imperial propaganda claims Anakin Skywalker died in the Jedi Temple

James Luceno's science fiction book Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader reveals that after the events of Episode 3 (Revenge of the Sith), everyone in the galaxy was convinced that Jedi Anakin Skywalker - the Chosen One - died heroically on Coruscant during time of the battle at the Jedi Temple. Imperial propaganda also supported this official story, and Vader spent the next twenty years trying to forget the past and erase his previous identity. Most of the inhabitants of the galaxy, ruled by the new Galactic Empire, are also convinced that the Jedi Order not only rebelled against Counselor Palpatine, forcing him to take drastic measures and destroy the Jedi, but also had a hand in unleashing the clone wars. The truth that Anakin went over to the dark side and betrayed his comrades in the temple is practically unknown (only survivors like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda). This is how the situation looks at the beginning of the original trilogy.

13. Learning about his children, he planned to betray the emperor

Although fans know that Vader betrayed the emperor at the end of Episode 6 (Return of the Jedi), his motivation has never been explained. After the Battle of Yavin, Vader tasked bounty hunter Boba Fett to find out all about the rebel who destroyed the Death Star. It was then that he was informed that the man's name was Luke Skywalker. Realizing that Palpatine has lied to him all these years and that his children are alive, Vader becomes enraged. This explains his motivation for helping Luke topple the emperor in The Empire Strikes Back. Vader planned this in full accordance with the Sith code of conduct: the student will never rise higher until he gets rid of his teacher.

12. He had three teachers and many secret students

After Skywalker's transformation into Darth Vader, he also trained the Sith. So, according to the plot of the video games "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" Vader, planning a conspiracy to overthrow Palpatine, secretly took several students. The first of these was Galen Marek, nicknamed Starkiller, a descendant of the Jedi killed by Vader during the Great Purge. Vader taught Marek from childhood, but Marek died on the Death Star shortly before the Rebel Alliance was formed. After that, Vader created an ideal and much more powerful clone of Marek using his genetic sample. This clone - the Dark Apprentice - was to take Marek's place. The next apprentice after him was Tao, a former Jedi Padawan (this story is now considered non-canonical). Then Vader took on several more students - Haris, Lumiya, Flint, Rillao, Hethrir, and Antinnis Tremaine.

11. He tried to learn to breathe without a protective helmet.

Many remember the scene from the episode "The Empire Strikes Back", when at some point Vader is shown in the meditation chamber - he is without a helmet and the wounded back of his head is visible. This special pressure chamber was often used by Vader to practice breathing without a protective helmet or breathing apparatus. During such sessions, he felt unbearable pain and used it to intensify his hatred and dark power. Vader's ultimate goal was to get enough power from the dark side to breathe without a mask. But he could do without her for only a few minutes, since he was too happy to be able to breathe on his own, and this joy was not combined with dark power. This is also why he so wanted to unite with Luke, so that their common power would help him not only to throw off the power of the emperor, but also to free himself from his iron armor.

10. Even the actors during the filming did not know that Vader is the father of Luke Skywalker

An unexpected twist, in which Darth Vader turns out to be the father of Luke Skywalker, is perhaps one of the most famous in film history. During the filming of The Empire Strikes Back, this plot was kept in secret - only five people knew about it: director George Lucas, director Irwin Kershner, screenwriter Lawrence Kazdan, actor Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and actor James Earl Jones. voiced by Darth Vader. Everyone else, including Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Harrison Ford (Han Solo), only learned the truth by attending the film's premiere. When the confession scene was filmed, actor David Prowse uttered a line given to him, which sounded like "Obi-Wan killed your father", and the text "I am your father" was overwritten later.

9.Darth Vader was played by seven actors

Voice actor James Earl Jones gave Darth Vader his famous deep, booming voice, but in the original Star Wars trilogy, Vader was played by David Prowse. The British weightlifting champion, almost two meters tall, was the best fit for the role, but he had to be re-voiced due to his strong Bristol accent (which made him furious). Bob Anderson acted as an understudy for combat stunts, as Prowse was constantly breaking lightsabers. Vader without a mask in Return of the Jedi was played by Sebastian Shaw, the young Anakin in The Phantom Menace - Jake Lloyd, the matured Anakin in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith - Hayden Christensen. Spencer Wilding plays Darth Vader in the new Rogue One movie.

8. Initially, he had a different name and a different voice

Since Darth Vader is the central character of Star Wars, it is not surprising that this character was written first when creating the script. But first his name was Anakin Starkiller (this is the name, according to the plot of the video game "The Force Unleashed" by his secret student). The original trailer for Star Wars in 1976 was written by legendary director Orson Welles. It was with Wells' voice that George Lucas wanted to voice Darth Vader, but the producers did not approve of this idea - they thought that the voice would be too recognizable.

7. According to one theory, it was created by Palpatine and Darth Plagueis

Anakin Skywalker's mother, Shmi Skywalker, says in The Phantom Menace that she endured and gave birth to Anakin without a father. Qui-Gon is understandably puzzled by this statement, but after checking Anakin's blood for midi-chlorians, he is convinced that this is indeed the result of a virgin birth, solely under the influence of the Force. Then everything else is logical: the power of Vader, the high level of midichlorians in the blood and the status of the Chosen One - the one who must bring the Force into balance. But one fan theory suggests a darker and more real possibility of Anakin being born. In Revenge of the Sith, Counselor Palpatine tells Anakin about the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise, who used midichlorians to create life. According to this theory, either Plagueis himself or his apprentice Palpatine could experiment and create Anakin in an attempt to obtain a powerful ruler of the Force.

6. A whole team worked on the costume and sound effects

According to Lucas' original design, Darth Vader did not have any helmet - instead, a black scarf was wrapped around his face. The helmet was supposed only as part of the military uniform - after all, you need to somehow move from one starship to another. In the end, it was decided that Vader would wear this helmet at all times. Both the helmet and the rest of the ammunition of Vader and the imperial military of Lucas were inspired by the Nazi uniforms and the helmets of the Japanese military leaders. Vader's famous heavy breathing was invented by sound producer Ben Burtt. He placed a small microphone in the mouthpiece of the scuba regulator and recorded the sound of his breathing.

5. Actor David Prowse and director George Lucas hate each other

The feud between Lucas and Prowse has become a legend among the Star Wars film crew. Firstly, Prowse thought that his voice was used for the film and was terribly upset by the voice acting. During the filming of episodes 5 and 6, Prowse ruined life for everyone on the set, not bothering to pronounce the lines that were spelled out in his role, and instead chatting some kind of nonsense. For example, it was necessary to say "Asteroids do not bother me, I need this ship", and he calmly said: "Hemorrhoids do not bother me, I need to give a shit." Prowse was also saddened to be replaced by a stunt double in the fight scenes, despite the fact that he was physically quite prepared. But he was breaking lightsabers all the time. Lucas later accused Prowse of revealing classified information that Vader was Luke's father. The actor also really disliked the fact that viewers would not see his face on the screen: another actor played Vader without a mask. The strained relationship between Lucas and Prowse reached its final point when Prowse starred in the 2010 anti-Lucas film The People Against George Lucas. This overwhelmed the director and he struck Prowse out of all future Star Wars productions.

4. There was an alternative ending in which Luke becomes the new Vader

Return of the Jedi ends with the good guys winning and everyone is happy about it. But initially Lucas had a darker ending to his sci-fi saga. According to this alternate ending, the battle between Skywalker and Vader and the ensuing scene with Vader and the death of the emperor produces a different result. Vader also sacrifices himself to kill the emperor, and Luke helps him take off his helmet - and Vader dies. However, then Luke puts on his father's mask and helmet, says "Now I am Vader" and turns to the dark side of the Force. He defeats the rebels and becomes the new emperor. It was this ending that would be logical, according to Lucas and his screenwriter Kazdan, but in the end Lucas decided to make a happy ending, because the film was designed for a children's audience.

3. Alternative ending from the comics: Jedi again and all in white

Speaking of alternative endings, here's another one from the Star Wars comics. According to this version, both Luke and Leia stand in front of Palpatine, and the emperor orders Vader to kill Leia. Vader is stopped by Luke, they fight with lightsabers and as a result of the duel, Vader is left without an arm, and Luke reveals to him the truth that he and Leia are his children, after which he boldly announces that he will no longer fight Vader. Here the most interesting thing begins: Vader falls to his knees and asks for forgiveness, again returning to the bright side of the Force and becoming Anakin Skywalker. The Emperor manages to escape, the second Death Star collapses, but Leia, Luke and Vader manage to leave it together. They later meet aboard Headquarters Frigate Home One, and Anakin Skywalker is still dressed as Darth Vader, but all in white. The Skywalker family of Jedi decides to hunt down and kill the emperor, which they most likely succeed because they are a gang.

2. This is the most profitable character in Star Wars

The creators of "Star Wars" managed to make great money on their characters, selling related products, toys and the like. The army of fans of this saga is huge. On the Internet there is a special "Wookiepedia" (Wookiepedia) - an encyclopedia of "Star Wars", with detailed articles about everyone and everything that anyone can edit. But no matter how much the other heroes of the saga are loved, Darth Vader is the most popular, cult character and, of course, it is on this image that he manages to earn the most. Judging by the fact that merchandising revenues, for example, amounted to more than $ 27 billion in 2015, it can be assumed that Darth Vader is worth billions - after all, he is a significant part of that pie.

1. On one of the cathedrals there is a chimera in the form of a helmet of Darth Vader

Believe it or not, one of the towers of Washington Cathedral is adorned with a gargoyle in the shape of Darth Vader's helmet. The sculpture is very high and difficult to see from the ground, but it is possible with binoculars. In the 1980s, the National Cathedral and National Geographic magazine announced a children's competition for the best decorative chimera sculpture to decorate the northwest tower. A boy named Christopher Rader took third place in this competition with his drawing of Darth Vader. After all, a chimera must be evil. This sketch was brought to life by sculptor Jay Hall Carpenter and stone carver Patrick Jay Plunkett.

You're out of your mind, ”Leia said. They sat in a cafe on one of the middle levels, and an endless stream of employees flowed outside the transparisteel window. The working day in most of the offices was over. In every man who passed by, Luke fancied Kenobi. “You don't have to go unprotected,” Leia said. - And you? - And I, dear brother, can stand up for myself. "Better than the Chosen One of the Jedi Order?" Luke asked. They looked at each other. It was the most mysterious, most burning mystery of their childhood - why their father was so badly mutilated. That is, they understood, of course: he fought a lot, was wounded, but the simple "fought" and "wounded" in no way reflected in what strange, almost unnatural state their father managed to live. But they did not dare to ask their father, my mother burst into tears when Leia asked her, and there was no one else to ask. Few people knew about his injuries. In a galaxy where a bipedal humanoid is not necessarily a person, you will not surprise anyone with a breathing apparatus, but Darth Vader moved and fought in such a way that it was very difficult to suspect he was legless and armless. Then Luke guessed to ask the Emperor a question, and it was on the day when he was very out of sorts. He and Leia were then six years old. They learned a lot of Hutt curses that day, something that their father, a former Tatooine slave, would never have uttered in the presence of his children. At the same time, they learned that behind the simple story of the Jedi Order, which was trying to arrange coup d'état and to eliminate the legally elected chancellor that they do not like, there is a story much more sad and full of passions. Their father was formerly a Jedi. And not just Jedi. Chosen from some ancient prophecy. He was to become the most powerful of all and bring balance to the Force, and the Jedi for some reason believed that the word "balance" meant the destruction of their enemies. Luke, even at the age of six, understood that there would be no balance if one pan of the scales suddenly became empty, but the Jedi did not understand this. However, Luke was not interested in the Jedi. He was only interested in the story of his father, and his father did not fulfill any prophecies, but instead married their mother and sided with Palpatine when they came to kill him. - And they attacked him? - then asked little Leia. She was all full of indignation. “Rather, he’s on them,” Palpatine told her. “Your father was always good at what he did. As I am in mine. Now, as Luke remembered this, he was horrified by the businesslike truthfulness of the Emperor. They were really good. They became the Sith who, for the first time in centuries, were able to crush the Jedi Order and bring the Sith out of the shadows. - Then what happened to dad? “The Jedi were able to learn from their mistakes, that's what happened. Finally, they realized where your father's weakness lies. And they sent against him who he did not kill. He and Leia were now seventeen, sitting in a brightly lit cafe on one of the middle levels, where it never occurred to anyone that the puny blond boy and his serious dark-haired girlfriend were actually the children of one of the most powerful people in the galaxy. And certainly the most mysterious. "Chosen One of the Jedi Order, son of the Great Power ..." Who lost one serious battle a long time ago. “Dad didn't want to kill Kenobi, but I do,” Leia said. - Even if he is our father? - Luke asked seriously. - Wake up, Luke, he is a Jedi! Even if we were his children, he wouldn't give a damn. He has no right to get attached, forget? - No, - said Luke, - have not forgotten. - He wants to use you, as you do not understand! - Yes, I understand, - said Luke. - He's just ... There is still something normal, not perverted in him. He talked about mom like that, I think he really loved her. “Bail Organa loved her, too. The mouthpiece of the terrorists in the Senate, ”Leia snorted. - Go and kiss with him. - But what if it's true? What if he's really our father? Leia straightened up. “My father,” she said, “is the one who raised me. The man who hid in no one knows where while I was growing up, I am nobody. And if, unfortunately, I inherited the genes of this sadist, then I will make every effort so that they never appear either in me or in my children. - I feel sorry for him, - said Luke suddenly. - He has nothing left at all. - Yes, except for you - his last weapon. He wants to use you against daddy fools. He came to you because there is no dark side in you. - Yes, - said Luke sadly, - only Light. I don't think you should be afraid about genes. Maybe we are generally from different fathers, they say, it happens. Leia immediately patted his ear. Some of the visitors to the cafe laughed. Someone said: - Have pity on the gentleman, girl. Luke didn't get angry, just rubbed his ear. “Let's get out of here,” Leia said. They flew here in different speeders, but now they are in one. Leia let Luke take the pilot's seat, asked quietly: - Did you talk to your mother? - No. - Well, you have to make sure. - What will I tell her? How do you imagine it in general? Hi Mom, did you happen to sleep with everyone right and left while our dad was in the Clone Wars? - A close friend is not right and left. - She was married! - Yes, for the boy who was never there! Luke, don't you know your dad? It swoops in like a hurricane, you do not have time to come to your senses, as with all your life you are already carried somewhere, and you are unable to stop. Do you think it was different with mom? Do you think she even had the opportunity to understand how she really feels about him? “Are you saying that she didn’t love him?” Luke asked quietly. There was a bustle in the parking lot, someone flew in, someone flew away. Luke sat with his hands folded in his lap, and did not even try to touch the control panel. “She loved, of course, otherwise I wouldn't have stayed with him later,” Leia said. “But I don't think she had a chance to express her own desires or even realize them while he was around. Dad always gets what he wants. He seems to make reality bend under him. “I don't think he ever wanted to get lung failure, regular dialysis, and durastal limbs,” Luke said. - You know ... - Leia suddenly looked at him so strangely, as if she was going to cry. “I think Dad hated himself very much at the time. - Are you trying to say that he put it all on himself? “What I'm trying to say is that he always gets what he wants. Sooner or later, one way or another. But he does not always wish himself well. Like all living things, Luke thought. Maybe she's right. And yet - how bitter this thought was! Luke did not leave the feeling of a strange loss. He seemed to have lost something important, for the first time allowing himself to think of the Great Power not as something higher that guides and leads them, but as a simple energy field that does not have intelligence. If the son of the Great Power wished for himself pain and death, he received pain and death in full ... But the Power did not create him for this, not for the sake of suffering himself and tormenting others! And not for the sake of triviality like the destruction of one or another Order. But why then - it remained a mystery. Did their father ever think about it, did he ask such questions? Or for him, a consummate pragmatist, all philosophical reflections looked like a senseless waste of time? “But even if Dad is to blame for everything, that doesn't mean I don’t want to kill Kenobi,” Leia said. “It was not the Force that made him do what he did. - It seems to me that dad does not want to kill him. - I used to. - Yes, when I was young. IN last years he seems to have forgotten to think about him. - Dad is still young, a fool. He's only thirty-nine, it's not old age. Will we ever fly or not? If I'm late, the Emperor will warm me up. - I would like to see it, - Luke suddenly laughed. Sweet Palpatine - and warm up. Leia did have a rare gift for exaggerating everything. “For you, he is darling Palpatine,” Leia said as if in response to his thoughts, “and for me he is Darth Sidious. This is different people believe me. - Is he strict? Luke asked, still smiling. - Oh yeah. And very harmful. - Do you think he was strict with dad too? - asked Luke, finally turning on the engines. - When did you teach him? “I strongly doubt that the Emperor taught him anything at all, except for the history and culture of the Sith. The Pope knows more about the Force than all the masters of any Order. He just can't always translate his knowledge into words. Their speeder joined the busy traffic, and they flew farther and farther, each thinking about his own.