Disney has a huge task on its hands with the upcoming Star Wars Episode VII. Not only must it reinvigorate the Star Wars trilogy, but a new story would require Disney do it without the most iconic villain in cinema: Darth Vader.
However, it seems that this is not the plan at all. According to Express UK, the dark lord might make his return in the next Star Wars movie.
"He's an integral part of the franchise. Replacing him is virtually impossible," says Express UK's source. "The plan is for him to return and play a significant role in the new films."
Michael Arndt was recently hired to write the screenplay and has been working on a treatment that is widely believed to be based off George Lucas' story ideas. Rumors have surfaced that the movie will be a completely new story, but other rumors have it being a continuation of the original trilogy with original cast members Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford returning.
On first glance, Darth Vader would make no sense in any context. His death in Return of the Jedi brought his fall and redemption full circle and bringing him back in a follow up to the originals could ruin this storyline. In an original story, the return of Vader would likely come off as a lack of originality and could potentially damage the films' reception and harm Vader's image. When Lucas had Vader utter "No!" at the end of Revenge of the Sith, critics claimed that it had made the powerful villain and into a weak character. Imagine what would happen if Vader is misused in antoher Star Wars film.
However, there is one thing to consider. Vader is in many ways the face of the franchise and who knows what is to come of Star Wars without him. His presence dominated the original trilogy and many felt that his lack of appearances in the prequel trilogy was one of the reasons that it suffered.
There is no proof for the rumor, but time will tell if Vader returns in the next Star Wars movie.
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