Will Darth Vader Return for Disney’s Star Wars Sequels?
The rumor mill has been buzzing since Disney bought Lucasfilm for the bargain price of $4.05 billion earlier this month. And although there is little double the House of Mouse will turn a profit—Lucasfilm current earns an estimated $800 million a year on its catalog of films, merchandising and other entertainment holdings—much speculation has been made about Disney’s plans to release a new series of Star Wars films. Disney has not only promised a trilogy of sequels to the legendary tale of a galaxy far, far way, but an indefinite series of new Star Wars films. Some Star Wars fans are skeptical of their much-loved franchise receiving the Mickey-Mouse treatment, while others hope new writers and directors will artistically craft new tales true to Lucas’ extended universe canon.
The newest rumor gaining buzz comes from British tabloid site Express.co.uk. A new article quotes “industry insiders” who describe Disney’s plans to bring back Darth Vader for a significant role in the new trilogy. The infamous villain was killed at the end of “Return of the Jedi,” and many wonder how screenwriter Michael Arndt might handle his reincarnation.
Although Vader’s return is only a rumor from a less-than-reliable source, Disney has already demonstrated its emphasis on Vader in an ad for its Disneyland theme park. The ad, starring Vader, shows the super villain riding in a teacup, purchasing popcorn and watching a princess parade—not exactly Vader-like behaviors.
Media reports have speculated how a reemergence of Vader could be orchestrated. Would he be reincarnated in a new character, would his death be written out of the series or will he return from the other side?
“This is science fiction, remember…” the insider told Express UK, “Darth Vader will rise from the ashes.”
[Image via Rob Hainer/Shutterstock]
