Following last month’s correct report on who Scoot McNairy was really playing in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (spoilers: it wasn’t Jimmy Olsen or Metallo), we’ve now got a Star Wars exclusive for you this morning on the casting of Darth Vader.
It was reported last year that the Sith Lord would feature in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and that Hayden Christensen would be reprising the role for the movie. We teased last month that the rumour was correct, but Christensen would not be playing the part. That’s because our sources are telling us that in fact British actor Spencer Wilding has been cast to play the body of Darth Vader in Rogue One.
Wilding is mostly a stunt actor and has had bit parts in Guardians of the Galaxy, Batman Begins, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and Wrath of the Titans. We first heard of his casting last year, but waited for more confirmation on the story before running it.
Our source also confirms that Wilding has been running lines while on set, so Darth Vader will have a speaking role in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. However he will likely be dubbed by James Earl Jones just as David Prowse was when he played Vader in the Original Trilogy. We sadly don’t have confirmation that Jones will be coming back to reprise his role, but it seems rather likely (Making Star Wars were very sure though, and they’re a good source to trust).
SEE ALSO: 4 Reasons to Be Excited About Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Oli Davis and I will discuss this further on the Flickering Myth Podcast this coming Wednesday.
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, is the first film in the new standalone movies from Lucasfilm. It tells the story of how a group of unlikely heroes unite to undertake a daring and seemingly impossible mission to steal the plans for the Death Star.
SEE ALSO: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Trailer – Flickering Myth Reaction
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is set for release on December 16th 2016, with a cast that includes Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything), Diego Luna (Milk), Ben Mendelsohn (The Dark Knight Rises), Donnie Yen (Ip Man), Jiang Wen (Let the Bullets Fly), Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland), Alan Tudyk (Con Man) and Riz Ahmed (Nightcrawler).
Vos_L says
You can take it to the bank that James Earl Jones will be voicing Darth Vader. He’s been voicing Vader in the animated Rebels series. Certainly they have him for this movie.
Gary@FlickeringMyth says
Yeah, it will definitely be him. No doubt about it.
THGhost says
Don’t be so sure. They could always get the voice actor Matt Sloan to voice him, he did a great job in the Force Unleashed games.
TUD says
They’re talking about the guy who’s gonna be in the suit.
Peterus Yelch says
Yes, and about the voice as well. Read the article.
TUD says
The voice is James Early Jones, as always. This is common sense.
THGhost says
Matt Sloan from the Force Unleashed games, they could always use him.
TUD says
I guess. But considering that they got JEJ for Rebels, I’m betting they’ll get him for an actual feature film.
THGhost says
Yeah, that is most likely. If, God forbid, Jones were to die, Sloan could replace him.
Andy says
Anybody know who the guy was who voiced the added Vader scene in the ‘Special Edition’ of ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (when Vader’s leaving Cloud City to return to his Super-Star Destroyer)?
MikeDK says
I am psyched at going to see Vader again.
Valentin Boulan says
He’s back! Woohoo great news 🙂
Varz says
You know what, I wouldn’t be surprised if they wouldn’t cast James Earl Jones for Vader. Sometimes scheduling complications have a major influence on whether certain actors/voice actors make it on a role. I wouldn’t be sad if they didn’t cast him though, since many other voice actors have nailed the Vader voice, especially his younger more enforcing voice from A New Hope.
Dijei Zasin says
This makes sense. Hayden only wore the Darth Vader costume for two scenes
in Episode 3, and even though he’s not a major actor anymore,
he’s not going to return for a non-speaking role. Better to save him for
the Jedi/Sith ghost thing they planned to do, and might still do in
Episode 8.
Andy says
If they’re smart, they won’t do ANYthing to remind us of the prequels.