James Earl Jones Won't Be Involved In Any Future STAR WARS Projects

James Earl Jones Won't Be Involved In Any Future STAR WARS Projects

The legendary voice of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy comments on the reemergence of the saga, and confirms that he won't be returning to voice the iconic villain in the new trilogy or any of the planned spin-offs. More past the jump.

By MarkCassidy - Jun 04, 2014 05:06 PM EST
Filed Under: Star Wars
Source: Variety
We all know that Darth Vader died at the end of Return Of The Jedi after sacrificing himself to save his son Luke and put an end to the Emperor, but we also know that death isn't always the end in this universe. Granted it was always very unlikely that we'd see the helmeted version of the dark lord of the Sith in the new trilogy, but what about one of the planned spin-offs? Well, if Vader is to be a part of any future Star Wars projects (and there were rumors of a tv special at one point), it appears that he'll be lacking the distinctive vocal chords of James Earl Jones. Variety asked the actor is there was any chance he'd return.


"Oh no, I’ve got no illusions that I will or even hankerings to be in them, but I’m very proud to have been part of the original. I have no idea where they’ll go with it, but I hope they sustain the success of the first ones and do it well."

Like I said, it was always a stretch that Vader would pop up in the movies, but his visage is definitely the most recognizable and iconic image associated with the series so don't be surprised if something is done with him in the future. Star Wars: Episode VII is filming now, and is slated to hit theaters December 18, 2015..
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WinterSoldier33
WinterSoldier33 - 6/4/2014, 5:31 PM
wait, was he in the suit to
WinterSoldier33
WinterSoldier33 - 6/4/2014, 5:33 PM
and first
TheAstoundingMan
TheAstoundingMan - 6/4/2014, 5:37 PM
Just like Indiana Jones yesterday, I think the character is best left as is. Much like the fourth Jones' film, the prequels failed to do anything compelling with Vader, and they would most likely be better off trying to expand the universe itself, now that all of the novels etc are non-canon.

I'm not a huge fan of the series, but you didn't need to be to feel insulted by the prequels.
Highflyer
Highflyer - 6/4/2014, 5:40 PM
staypuffed
staypuffed - 6/4/2014, 5:41 PM
Don't bring back Vader.

WinterSoldier33
No. He only did the voice. And [frick] off with your "first."
supermarioworldE
supermarioworldE - 6/4/2014, 5:42 PM
Would've been awesome if he played Anakin too.
continuezero
continuezero - 6/4/2014, 5:42 PM
@WinterSoldier33 No the guy in the suit was actually replaced vocally by Jones last minute. The guy in the suit had no idea it wasn't his voice until it came out.
continuezero
continuezero - 6/4/2014, 5:43 PM
Vader is too marketable to be completely left out. As long as there are toys to be made Vader will exist somehow.
ManofSteel23
ManofSteel23 - 6/4/2014, 5:44 PM
you could probably voice vader from a computer these days, don't need jej
blackandyellow
blackandyellow - 6/4/2014, 5:45 PM
I thought Vader was dead.

Totes McGotes
DrVenkman
DrVenkman - 6/4/2014, 5:46 PM
NOOOO!!!

DrVenkman
DrVenkman - 6/4/2014, 5:47 PM
SpiderFraud
SpiderFraud - 6/4/2014, 5:47 PM
I was never expecting him to come back...leave Vader dead and come up with new stuff.
RexDartEskimoSpy
RexDartEskimoSpy - 6/4/2014, 5:48 PM
If they do need him to lend his voice to the movie (or TV series, videogames, or whatever), it won't be until postproduction anyway. He can literally play the part over the phone.
blackandyellow
blackandyellow - 6/4/2014, 5:48 PM
I think nail is mocking the people who overreact to every piece of news on CBM.
Lozzy
Lozzy - 6/4/2014, 5:50 PM
damm, I was hoping Vader would be in the Boba Fett spin-off.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 6/4/2014, 5:50 PM
Gotta love James Earl Jones. What a great guy.

One time he helped my grandmother cross a busy street. He just jumped right out in from of traffic and made everyone stop so she could cross. He even put his jacket on the ground to cover a puddle so she wouldn't get her shoes wet.

This other time........he cured Smallpox.

When the Leaning Tower of Piza was falling, he's the one that held it in place for 3 months straight so that it wouldn't fall over. It also saved the lives of many kids and puppies.
blackandyellow
blackandyellow - 6/4/2014, 5:50 PM
The only way Vader should come back to life is if Freddie Mercury is riding on his shoulders wearing a Flash Gordon shirt.

freddie mercury and darth vader.
DaVinci31
DaVinci31 - 6/4/2014, 5:50 PM
SpiderFraud
SpiderFraud - 6/4/2014, 5:51 PM
Damn, now I want to go watch Highlander.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 6/4/2014, 5:53 PM
"You may dispense with the pleasantries, Disney, I will not return as Vader in your new films!"
blackandyellow
blackandyellow - 6/4/2014, 5:54 PM
As someone who's not very knowledgeable about Star Wars, am I missing something? Is he dead or did he come back to life? Why would he be involved in any sequels?
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 6/4/2014, 5:55 PM
In all seriousness though, he seems like an extremely humble guy. You've gotta be able to respect that.
RobtimusPrime
RobtimusPrime - 6/4/2014, 5:55 PM
"I'm very proud to have been in the original"

"They kidnapped my puppy. That's Why I was in episode 3!" was heard tearfully saying later after a few drinks.

Would have been an awesome, Thanos. sigh.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 6/4/2014, 5:56 PM
B&Y

In Star Wars, its pretty much common practice for dead Jedi or Force users to show up as ghosts. So they could have had him guiding Solo's children, kind of like the way Obi-Wan guided Luke when he was learning to be a Jedi.

Thats about the only way.
kong
kong - 6/4/2014, 5:57 PM
Who actually thought he would be?
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 6/4/2014, 5:57 PM
@ B&Y

Or possibly to have conversations with Luke.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 6/4/2014, 5:59 PM
Also, I hate to use the "C" word, but he could have always been brought back as a clone, as clones have been used a lot in the movies as well as the expanded universe.
blackandyellow
blackandyellow - 6/4/2014, 6:00 PM
CDB

Ahh I see, thanks. I remember that now actually from seeing it on TV. I thought his ghost was of Hayden Christensen though.

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