The legendary Star Wars character, Darth Vader, is known for his powerful and menacing voice.
But did you know that James Earl Jones, the actor behind the iconic villain, was paid only $7,000 for his work in the first Star Wars film, “A New Hope”?
Despite the relatively low payment, Jones considers it a huge score.
In honor of Star Wars Day, The Hollywood Reporter revisited some interviews with Jones over the years, shedding light on his experience voicing one of the most iconic characters in film history.
Jones revealed that he was offered a meager sum of seven grand for his contribution to the 1977 blockbuster movie.
This groundbreaking film, written and directed by George Lucas, not only revolutionized moviemaking but also had a profound impact on pop culture worldwide.
During an interview with the American Film Institute, Jones explained how he landed the role of Darth Vader.
Although the late David Prowse portrayed the physical presence of the character, it was Jones' distinctive voice that brought the Sith Lord to life.
George Lucas specifically wanted a deep and dark voice for Darth Vader.
Surprisingly, he chose Jones, who was born in Mississippi, raised in Michigan, and had a stutter.
Jones humorously remarked, “I lucked out, from all these so-called handicaps, for a job that paid $7,000!
And I thought that was good money.
And I got to be a voice on a movie.”
In the same AFI interview, Jones mentioned that he had planned to give a different performance in “The Empire Strikes Back,” the sequel to “A New Hope.”
However, Lucas quickly rejected the idea and encouraged him to maintain the narrow band of inflection that made Vader's voice so unique.
According to Jones, Lucas believed that the character needed to sound less human and more psychologically oriented.
During a behind-the-scenes interview, Jones shared his initial reaction upon reading the script for “The Empire Strikes Back.”
He thought that Vader's claim of being Luke Skywalker's father was a lie.
He pondered how the filmmakers would play out this deception.
While James Earl Jones is known for his powerful portrayal of Darth Vader, he did have some fun with the character off-screen.
In an interview on The d–k Cavett Show, the actor revealed that he once used “Darth Vader” as his handle while driving across the country with a CB radio.
This unexpected use of the iconic name caused quite a stir among truckers and fellow travelers.
However, Jones decided to retire his alter ego after the buzz it created at a truck stop.
Despite receiving a relatively modest payment for his work, James Earl Jones' contribution to the Star Wars franchise as the voice
