Best Villain Theme in Star Wars

John Williams has added many villain themes to the zeitgeist of film scores, but other composers have scored compelling villain themes for Star Wars cinema and TV as well. Here are some examples. Feel free to add more. Which is your favorite?

Moff Gideon - The Mandalorian - Ludwig Goransson

Darth Maul - Rebels and the Clone Wars - Kevin Kiner

Grand Admiral Thrawn - Rebels - Kevin Kiner

Agent Kallus - Rebels - Kevin Kiner

Grand Inquisitor - Rebels Kevin Kiner

Pre Vizsla - Death Watch - The Clone Wars - Kevin Kiner

Kylo Ren - TFA, TLJ and ROTS - John Williams

Supreme Leader Snoke - TFA and TLJ - John Williams

Darth Sidious - The Emperor's Throne Room - John Williams

Darth Vader- The Imperial March - John Williams

Boba Fett - Carbone Freeze / Darth Vaders Trap - John Williams

Count Dooku - "Obi-Wan Eavesdropping" - John Williams

General Grevious - Obi Wan vs Grevious - John Williams

Grand Moff Tarkin - When Has Become Now Michael Giacchino

Director Krennic - The Imperial Suite - Michael Giacchino

 

Imperial March, hands down.

 

Sure to be a popular opinion. It's iconic for sure, and very prevalent in the entire franchise, what do you think is its best usage?

My favorite use is when Vader trotted through Echo Base. I think it's the moment it became the most iconic leitmotif in cinematic history. It was first used in the opening sequence as a high pitched piccalo as a Star Destroyer blasted recon pods to remote worlds. Then it was played in full as Vader looked on at his fleet. This particular recurrence made Vader a terrifying presence just by walking though empty passageways. That's something else.

 

Imperial March and The Emperor’s Theme are both at the top for me.

The Imperial March gives off an ambience of such overwhelming military power and you know the Empire is here to do business when you hear it.

The Emperor’s theme sounds so ominous and anciently evil. Fits Sidious well.

I like Kylo’s theme as well. Snoke’s is kind of underwhelming to be honest.

 

Imperial March. It definitely got overused down the line; but in 1980 it was incredible.

 

Imperial March is a given. Crossing that off the list, I would choose the Emperor's Theme.

 

Some to add to the list
Darth Malak's Theme (KOTOR)
Darth Nihlus's Theme (KOTOR 2)
Darth Maul's motif (low woodwind motif that plays as over "He will find your lost ship" and as Maul's ship lands on Tatooine) (TPM)
Darth Vader's Theme (ANH)
Anthem of Evil (TROS)
Knights of Ren motif (TROS)

 

Anthem of Evil is sooooo good!

 

After the Imperial March I would have to choose Duel of the Fates. It was a perfect intro with the doors opening and Darth Maul standing there shrouded by the hood of his cloak. The way the music builds as he slowly looks up and removes the hood, one of my favorite things about TPM.

 

I loved the use of Duel of the Fates in Episode I, but also the brief use of it during a key sequence of Episode II. It tells you so much about what's going to happen, and what it will mean for Anakin.

 

I'm not really sure Dual of the Fates counts as a Villain theme... it's sort of the epic lightsaber theme, which always includes Jedi as well.

 

The March of Boba Fett is pretty amazing from ESB.

 

Can I shoutout to the Imperial Walker theme used in ESB and ROTJ?


Partly unused, it got reused in Rebels at least

 

I just tend to associate it with Maul even though it's used throughout.

 

Duel of the Fates is generally used during dark side scenes. Maul, Anakin riding his speeder towards the Tuskin camp, the Palpatine /Yoda fight.

 

Yeah, it's just that due to when the score was first introduced with Maul, he's the first thing that comes to mind.

 

I think the only time Duel of the Fates is used specifically as a theme for Maul and no-one else would be the brief use in Solo:

 

Is that so..

 

-0:39-


-2:39-

Nice little touches to Maul's theme.

And Vader Rogue One;

 

Nothing beats the Imperial March.

 

I didn't say it was used specifically for him. I did mention it was "used throughout."

 

Nope.

 

Yep.

 

1. Darth Sidious
2. Darth Vader
3. Kylo Ren