Star Wars fans unite over our new Darth Vader

It’s been a difficult few days for Star Wars fans.

It was announced that the great James Earl Jones has sadly passed away at the age of 93.

The actor had an illustrious career but was perhaps known to many as the voice of the iconic Darth Vader.

It’s not a character who’s ever been portrayed by Earl Jones on set though.

In the original trilogy, it was David Prowse who provided the physical performance of Vader, with Prowse briefly passing the baton to Hayden Christensen in Revenge of the Sith.

Last year’s Obi-Wan Kenobi very excitingly allowed Christensen to reprise his role as Vader and in a much more expanded capacity.

Fair to say, Christensen did a fantastic job - with ever-reliable dubbing from Earl Jones.

It also helps that Christensen has become somewhat of a darling of the Star Wars fandom.

His passion for the franchise shines through, and fans repay that with support and devotion.

That’s why fans are thrilled that Christensen revealed that he’s fully committed and eager to portray Vader once more.

ICYMI: Take a look at our interview with the cast of The Acolyte.

Obi-Wan Kenobi actor Ewan McGregor was recently awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with Christensen in attendance supporting his co-star.

When asked if he’d return to the franchise, Christensen told Variety, “If it means that I got to do more with Ewan, then that’s a no-brainer, but I really hope that he continues with the character.”

Last year, the actor told Entertainment Weekly that working on Obi-Wan Kenobi had “reignited a spark” after he spent many years away from the industry.

While no set plans have been confirmed by Lucasfilm or Disney, fans are thrilled at the prospect of Christensen returning.

“Hayden Christensen delivered one of the best and most heartfelt performances I’ve ever seen in Star Wars as Darth Vader. The guy is an absolute legend so I ain’t passing up the idea to not see him play Darth Vader again,” wrote Twitter user RoGuesOne77.

“Exactly - this is what I want when I say I want a Vader series. I want to see the psychological/spiritual aspect of him through the years,” added spaced_cherry.

If The Acolyte’s unfortunate cancellation has taught us anything, it’s that Star Wars is going to skew away from original ideas to more familiar territory so fans may be getting just what they’re after.