In a recent interview with the American Film Institute, James Earl Jones, the renowned actor, disclosed that he was paid a meager sum of $7,000 by “Star Wars” creator George Lucas for lending his iconic voice to the infamous villain, Darth Vader.
While the late actor David Prowse portrayed the physical presence of Vader in the film “Star Wars: A New Hope,” Lucas desired a different voice for the character.
According to Jones, Lucas sought a voice that was dark and ominous.
In an unconventional move, he chose a man born in Mississippi and raised in Michigan, who also happened to have a stutter – James Earl Jones.
Reflecting on this decision, Jones remarked, “That's me.
I lucked out, from all these so-called handicaps, for a job that paid $7,000!
I thought that was good money.
And I got to be a voice on a movie!”
However, when it came to the sequel, “The Empire Strikes Back,” Jones and Lucas did not see eye to eye.
Jones wanted Vader's voice to be more subtle and psychologically oriented behind the mask, but Lucas had a distinct vision in mind.
According to Jones, Lucas insisted on maintaining a narrow band of inflection for Vader's voice because, as he put it, “he ain't human, really.”
Decades later, Jones returned to reprise the role of Vader in “Star Wars: Rogue One.”
His legendary deep voice loomed large in the film, as teased by producer Kathleen Kennedy.
However, in the upcoming Disney+ prequel series “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” set to premiere on May 27, Vader will make an appearance without Jones' voice.
Ewan McGregor will reprise his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi, while Hayden Christensen will once again portray Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader.
The series takes place a decade after the events of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” and follows Obi-Wan as he hides from Vader on Tatooine, training a young Luke Skywalker.
Despite being paid a modest sum for his iconic portrayal of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones remains an integral part of the Star Wars legacy.
His commanding voice brought
