187
votes
Accepted
Since when has Darth Vader had a sense of humor?
Vader has quite a dry sense of humour and can often be found quipping at mildly inappropriate moments, especially when choking people, which he really seems to enjoy.
One assumes this is a habit he's ...
- 676k
147
votes
Accepted
Why was Darth Vader so careless?
That’s kind of his job. He’s Number One to the Emperor’s Picard, Luca Brasi to the Emperor’s Godfather. He’s there to put a bit of stick about, kick ass and take names, demonstrate strength and ...
- 32.2k
119
votes
Accepted
Is there a story behind the misquote, "Luke, I am your father"?
Contextualization matters more than words
In common speech, the quote is fairly vague, and likely only those who have seen the movie would understand the reference (at least, right away, to the ...
- 15.8k
111
votes
Accepted
Why didn't Yoda or Obi-Wan tell Luke the truth about his father?
People with long-lost parents tend to seek them out soon after finding out about them...
If either Obi-Wan or Yoda had told Luke the truth, then Luke would likely have sought out Vader at the first ...
- 111k
86
votes
How does Darth Vader sleep with his suit?
In 'Rogue One' we see him suspended in a bacta tank, entirely out of his suit. Presumably this is as close to restful sleep as he gets. Outside of that, there's his meditation chamber featured in 'The ...
- 5,168
80
votes
Accepted
How did Darth Vader know the rebel base was on Hoth?
Anomalous life readings
“I think we’ve got something, sir,” Piett informed him. “The report is
only a fragment from a probe droid in the Hoth system, but it’s the
best lead we’ve had.”
...
- 115k
78
votes
Accepted
Why did Palpatine pick 'Vader' as a name for Anakin?
Per the Matthew Stover novelization, the name "Vader" was plucked from the Force itself (emphasis mine):
Darth Sidious laid a pale hand on Anakin's brow. "Then it is done. You are now ...
- 163k
74
votes
Accepted
Did Vader ever learn that Sidious controlled both sides in the Clone Wars?
Vader must have known either before or immediately after he killed the Separatist leaders on Mustafar.
Nute Gunray welcomes him as "Lord Vader" when he arrives in the Mustafar control room:
...
Null♦
- 69.5k
73
votes
Accepted
Why is Vader suddenly a terrible fighter in Return of the Jedi?
Early in the fight, Vader is going very soft on Luke, specifically trying to direct the fight as he wishes.
From the novelization:
Vader was impressed with Luke's speed. Pleased, even. It was a pity, ...
- 134k
72
votes
Did Vader actually die in the original Star Wars movie, now known as A New Hope?
Vader's death wasn't canonically confirmed in the film, nor in the original novelisation which was released several weeks before the film came out (and which, in turn is based on the final draft ...
- 676k
70
votes
Accepted
Why didn't Obi-Wan refer to Darth Vader as Anakin during the Death Star duel?
It's a fairly major plot point that he didn't want Luke to know that Vader was his father.
Based on ROTJ, Obi-Wan considered Anakin to be dead. This was likely to help him fight with everything he had ...
- 51.4k
65
votes
Why was Darth Vader so careless?
First of all, Vader doesn't rush headlong into battle anymore like he used to as Anakin - and he survived that. These days, he sends expendable stormtroopers to overrun the enemy and secure the ground ...
- 34.1k
64
votes
Accepted
Did Darth Vader wear the same suit for 20+ years?
The Disney canon novel Thrawn: Alliances makes it clear Vader has more than one outfit in chapter 8:
Vader would need his armor cleaned in more time-consuming detail. Fortunately, he had another ...
- 3,012
64
votes
Why did Darth Vader need extra equipment (lenses) to clear his vision?
It's not clear if Vader actually needed the lenses on his helmet to see properly. Given that he had to cover his burned flesh anyway, the helmet lenses offered other benefits, such as viewing ...
- 4,653
63
votes
Accepted
Why did George Lucas ban David Prowse (actor of Darth Vader) from appearing at Star Wars conventions?
DAVE PROWSE GEORGE LUCAS FEUD EXPLAINED
(See "bold" text below for the answer)
Lucasfilm wished to keep the "I am your father" moment under wraps
ahead of and upon the sequel’s ...
- 12.2k
62
votes
Were Palpatine or Vader ever congratulatory or nice to any of their subordinates?
Vader
COMMANDER: He was armed only with this.
VADER:
Good work, Commander. Leave us. Conduct your search and bring his companions to me.
Return of the Jedi
Emperor
VADER: The Death Star will be ...
- 676k
61
votes
Accepted
What is Darth Vader holding on the cover of the original Star Wars novelization?
In the original John Berkey painting, it appears that Vader is holding his lightsaber, stylized in a similar manner to Luke's lightsaber. (In fact, it almost looks like a solid metal blade with light ...
- 8,422
61
votes
How did Obi-Wan know what Darth Vader looked like in Episode IV?
Because Vader was a well-known individual in the Empire.
Vader quickly became a highly visible symbol of the Empire, serving as Palpatine’s fearsome enforcer. He hunted down fugitive Jedi who had ...
- 32.5k
58
votes
Accepted
Why does Obi-wan tell Anakin not to jump?
He actually likes Anakin and doesn't want to kill him.
A Jedi that is not fueled by hate would not make that jump since it's obviously a bad idea, whereas a Sith lets his rage guide him into making ...
- 1,438
57
votes
Did Vader ever learn that Sidious controlled both sides in the Clone Wars?
Vader knew that Palpatine is not only A Sith Lord but THE Sith Lord. The one they'd spent years looking for. The one they knew was behind the Separatist movement. In fact, he says as much to Mace ...
- 13.4k
57
votes
Accepted
At the end of Return of the Jedi, did Darth Vader learn that Princess Leia was his daughter?
Luke's thoughts were dwelling on his friends, Han and Leia. He inadvertently labeled her as his twin sister in his mind just as Vader was scanning him. Note that Vader knows enough about her identity ...
- 676k
56
votes
Is there an in-universe explanation given to the senior Imperial Navy Officers as to why Darth Vader serves Emperor Palpatine?
While Star Wars revolves around The Force and its users, not everything is about the Force and its users. If my department is having problems with schedule and word is spread that we are going to be ...
- 629
55
votes
Accepted
When did Darth Vader get his red lightsaber?
Vader built his lightsaber within five years of his fall to the dark side
Cross-referencing Wookieepedia's timeline of canon media and article on Anakin Skywalker, I believe the canon source which ...
Null♦
- 69.5k
54
votes
Accepted
Did Captain Needa die in The Empire Strikes Back?
He's dead, Jim.
The script confirms his death.
Clutching desperately at his throat, Captain Needa slumps down, then
falls over on his back, at the feet of Darth Vader. Two stormtroopers
pick up the ...
- 134k
50
votes
Accepted
Why were the Imperials rude to Vader in the beginning of A New Hope?
Vader is outside the chain of command. He's not in charge of the military, even if he's a powerful member of Palpatine's inner circle.
Also, whether he's the second most powerful or not is kind of ...
- 341k
50
votes
Who invented Darth Vader? George Lucas or George McFly?
The book A Match Made in Space is introduced in the movie with this dialogue:
Biff: Mr. McFly, Mr. McFly, this just arrived, oh hi Marty. I think
it's your new book.
Lorraine: Ah, honey, ...
- 56.2k
50
votes
Has Darth Vader ever spoken of Anakin as "I", not in third person?
In general it is difficult to tell whether Vader is speaking of Anakin or Vader when he says "I...", even when he's talking about the past. For example, while dueling Obi-Wan on the Death Star Vader ...
Null♦
- 69.5k
50
votes
Pre-Disney, did Darth Vader express any opinions on slavery in the Empire?
This comes up in the 2006 Dark Times comic series, set shortly after Revenge of the Sith. In Issue 2, Vader learns that the Empire is selling civilians into slavery as part of their occupation of New ...
- 25.2k
49
votes
Accepted
Does Darth Vader eat?
Only certain things at certain times under certain circumstances, and rarely, if ever, without a significant amount of difficulty.
Wookieepedia's article on Vader's armor says:
The collar [of ...
- 69.4k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible