'Star Wars: Episode 7' Plot Spoilers: Could Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker Return as Force Ghost?

Rumors are circulating that Yoda may play a role in "Star Wars: Episode VII." According to some reports, the venerated Jedi master will appear in the film as a force ghost and will help Luke Skywalker understand a disturbance in the force.

Yoda is one of the most iconic characters in the franchise, but the top slot goes to Darth Vader. Could he make a return in some way or form as well?

Nostalgia for Vader has always played a factor in the "Star Wars" universe. The entire prequels were designed to showcase his rise. Entire video games have been devoted to his actions between "Episode III" and "IV." How could he not be included in the new film?

But how? That is the question. He died at the end of "Episode VI." While Vader is no longer alive, Anakin was showcased at the end of "Episode VII" as a force ghost alongside Obi-Wan and Yoda.

But this also presents a major issue. Sebastian Shaw, the actor who was the older Anakin, is dead and there is no way of actually bringing him back for one more go with the franchise. In the DVD and Blu-Ray releases of the original trilogy, franchise creator George Lucas decided to change Shaw's ghost to Hayden Christensen, the actor who played Anakin in the prequels. This was done presumably to bring the whole saga full circle and showcase Anakin when he was still an uncorrupted Jedi.

This would likely be the best option for director J.J. Abrams but would he ever go for it. It is essential to know that the alteration in "Jedi" was received terribly by fans. But that is not where the problems lies. Fans absolutely hated Christensen's work in the prequel films. His acting was ridiculed by fans and critics alike. His career, which was promising prior to his turn in "Star Wars," went down the drain afterward.

So is there anyway that Vader or Anakin make an appearance in the new franchise? It is unfortunately unlikely that Abrams will go for this. Maybe some flashbacks or dream sequences, but it is not a major possibility.