"As a director he was not that interested in Vader"
About this Quote
David Prowse's quote, "As a director he was not that interested in Vader", provides intriguing insight into the filmmaking and character focus priorities during the production of the original Star Wars movies. This declaration describes Prowse's understanding of how George Lucas, the director and mastermind behind the Star Wars legend, approached the character of Darth Vader during the initial filmmaking process.
To translate this declaration, it's important to think about a few key aspects. To Start With, George Lucas' vision for the original Star Wars (later on entitled * Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope *) was vast and ambitious. He had to stabilize a wide variety of characters and stories, focusing on the development of the total storyline, world-building, and introducing audiences to the relatively unidentified realm of the "Force", a term that has since ended up being iconic. In doing so, his main focus was likely centered on producing a captivating space opera that was available and thrilling for audiences, which may have led to certain characters not getting an extensive character expedition during the initial stages.
Darth Vader, played physically by David Prowse and voiced by James Earl Jones, was undoubtedly a critical character but initially served more as a threatening personification of wicked to contrast the heroes' journey. Lucas may not have had an interest in diving deeply into Vader's backstory or intricacies early on, rather prioritizing the character's function within the larger narrative structure. Vader worked as a sign of the Emperor's tyranny and as an enormous force for the lead character to confront.
Moreover, Lucas's storytelling technique evolved gradually. As the Star Wars legend continued, particularly in * The Empire Strikes Back * and * Return of the Jedi *, Vader's character unfolding ended up being pivotal, exposing deeper layers and intricacies. This evolution suggests that while Lucas may not have been at first focused on Vader's subtleties, the character's significance grew, ultimately culminating in a profound redemption arc.
In conclusion, Prowse's comment highlights an element of the filmmaking process where preliminary character interest may move over time due to narrative demands and evolving storytelling concerns. Lucas's early prospective undervaluing of Vader highlights the collaborative and dynamic nature of developing a legendary such as Star Wars, where characters can grow and their significance can transform as the legend advances.
About the Author