David Prowse, who played the guy inside the black armor in Star Wars Episodes IV-VI, weighs in on Episodes I-II. He has some good comments.
“Some of the acting was quite banal,” Prowse told The Examiner from his Croydon home, just outside of London. “I think that’s what you get when there is too much blue-screen filming.
“I think Star Wars was initially a really basic story — good over evil, relationships, a terrible villain. And people always referred to the characters as Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, not by Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher or Mark Hamill. Now, it’s more about Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson. It’s become earth-related and has lost the magic of the first three (films).”
He also hates Jar Jar, which puts him on the side of the majority of humans on the planet.
On the other hand, despite not having talked with Lucas since 1983, and not privy to what Episode III will end up having in it, he’s angling to reprise his armored role.
“I think the fans will object if it’s not me,” he said. “They’ll revolt. I’ve got a huge following over the years, and people are always saying they hope I’ll appear in Episode Three.”
Unfortunately, that’s the same tune voiced by a lot of actors when their roles are reprised by others. Fact is, there’s little to require that Prowse be the man inside the armor. Of course, there’s little that would prevent him from doing it (and the fans probably would be happy), but using a “revolt by the fans” as a threat is probably not going to be productive in negotiations …
(I just flashed on the closing scene of Ep. III, after all the “What happened to Padme and the kids?” is all answered. Anakin, having undergone still further injuries and cybernetization, is on the operating table, as the familiar black helm is locked down into place, and Darth Vader, the transformation complete, arises, the Emperor standing by, beaming in that wicked way he has at his new creation … Cue the DV Theme, and roll credits …)
(Via Quiddity)