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The world’s most famous villain, Darth Vader, was played by a bodybuilder. He even stood on the same stage as Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Nerdgasms
The chance that you are reading this article is small. I describe the target audience as: “Sci-fi nerds aged 35-55 with a passion for bodybuilding.” Not exactly clickbait. But I fall into the mentioned category and I have (just) enough reasons to post this on a fitness blog.
The only movies I’ve watched dozens of times are those of the Star Wars series. The original trilogy, of course. Soon I’ll even do a photoshoot with a model stepping into the role of Princess Leia. If I add that the model will wear the outfit of ‘Slave Leia’, the real fan will spontaneously have nerdgasms.
I also love history and bodybuilding. So, I felt a bit ashamed when I recently found out that a
bodybuilder was hiding in Darth Vader’s suit. Probably I wasn’t quite nerd enough. After all, I don’t attend conventions in a Yoda costume and don’t fight with a plastic lightsaber as a 40-year-old.
(update: Ok, that was yesterday. Today I received the props for the photoshoot and indeed stood there as a 40-year-old fighting with a plastic lightsaber.)
I also bet that almost no reader will now say, “You’re obviously talking about David Prowse!”
David Prowse
David Prowse, born in Bristol 1935, started bodybuilding like almost every other bodybuilder from the pre-internet era. “I walked past a kiosk and saw a magazine with muscular men. That’s how I wanted to look too.” At the age of sixteen, he had already had to give up a dreamed career in rugby due to a knee injury. For two years, he had to walk in a knee brace. Something he would later say prepared him for Vader’s suit.
He grew to over two meters in just a few years and gained almost 40 kilograms. In 1960, he competed in the Mr. Universe. Some say he also met Arnold Schwarzenegger there. However, Arnold first touched a barbell that year and would only be present at the Mr. Universe in London six years later.
It’s more likely that this friendship developed in the following years when David focused more on weightlifting. With success. From 1962, he became the British champion in the heavyweight class for three consecutive years.
“Luke, I’m an actor”
As a famous strongman, Prowse was offered a role as Frankenstein’s monster in
Casino Royal (1967). He liked acting, and like some other famous muscle men of the time, he hoped to conquer Hollywood. He played several roles afterward, some again in the guise of a monster.
In 1977, he auditioned for a role in a movie that didn’t expect much attention. A relatively small production for a film called
Star Wars (Episode IV – A New Hope). George Lucas gave him the choice between two roles. That of a hairy creature named ‘Chewbacca’ or that of the ultimate villain. The choice was quickly made.
“Luke, I’m screwed!”
Stepping into a role unknowingly that would turn out to be the most famous
bad guy ever. A dream for a budding actor. However, David would always have a bitter taste in his mouth from his adventure, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. Bit by bit, his share in the character of Darth Vader dwindled.
It soon became clear that David’s voice and accent were not what Lucas had in mind for Darth Vader. His lines were voiced by James Earl Jones (among others, Mufasa in The Lion King), which many know. The same James Earl Jones who played the villain opposite another bodybuilder/actor in
Conan the Barbarian during the same period.
David Prowse also couldn’t boast of his skill with a lightsaber. In the fight scenes, he was replaced by the experienced swordsman and stuntman Bob Anderson.
Two more parts would follow, and Darth Vader would become an iconic figure. In the third part, “Return of the Jedi,” David’s dedication in Vader’s suit would be rewarded. At the end of the original trilogy, we finally get to see Darth Vader’s face. However, the face we see is not David’s but that of Sebastian Shaw. George Lucas had chosen a more famous, more experienced actor. David didn’t even know that the scenes with Shaw had already been shot.
“Luke, I’m your father”
As mentioned, I knew nothing of the above story. I delved into it after watching the documentary “I’m your father” on Netflix. It’s cool to see Darth Vader and the Hulk meet each other as old friends at a convention, then handing out autographs to fans.
So, it’s a recommendation if you’re a die-hard Star Wars fan, a hardcore bodybuilding fan, or a bit of both.
