Full Series Official Darth Vader in Rebels Discussion Thread

i know they are using the concept Vader mask as his mask in Rebels, but i wish they'd use his ROTS look.

 

i like the ROTS mask. the cheeks slope down at the sides. gives it a sad look.

 

I like the red eye sockets. A nice feature.

 

Yeah, red eye sockets nice. ANH Vader has same red eye sockets, but it has changed in ESB and RotJ.

 

Just an impression: to me it looked like Kallus did not know who Vader was, when he stepped down the ramp. He was a biz afraid, but seemed mostly curious. Maybe I am interpreting too much into the animation of a low-budget 3D-show, but still...

Spoiler

It may be another indication that Vader is not yet the top Imperial he became later.

 

He has to know who Darth Vader is.

 

I think they're probably going to go with a more ANH-inspired characterization for Vader, as opposed to the other two films. That may explain why Kallus isn't instantly in awe/fear of Vader's mere presence. That wasn't the case with him in ANH.

 

i would think Vader's reputation would have gotten around considering he helped the Empire 'hunt down the jedi knights'

anyway, not to be argumentative

 

I dont like how he's so skinny like the old kenner action figure.

 

i think he actually is skinnier than he looks. He 's got the cloak tucked under his belt and shoulder armor which widens him. The whole think is to make him look larger. He's still Anakin under there. There were some stills made when ROTS came out of him swinging the lightsaber and he looked leaner with the cape pulled aside.

 

I don't know but Hayden was not built like David, maybe they went with the former over the latter's build but still is too thin.

 

Even in Empire when Vader and Luke are dueling right before the hand slice he's got the saber raised and you can see he looks less bulky in that position.

 

The way the helmet is much less rounded than in the films, how steep (and to a point) the bit of the helmet comes to a point just about the point of where Vader's nose is under the mask, and how flat the part of the mask that would be covering his cheek bones are make Vader's whole head look really narrow and elongated. It took me awhile to place what was bothering me about how different he looked to me. It really does look like they decided to go with the Hayden Christensen build though. All of this is actually pretty interesting considering how we are closing in on events and Vader's fist appearance in ANH.

 

I think he looks more like hybrid of the finale design and production phase Vader concepts for ANH in Rebels. Here's what I'm talking about:

http://www.fanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/darker-darth01.jpg

 

these cartoons give stylized versions of their movie counterparts, but still i don't know why they change the mask so much.

 

I hate to be a Debbie-downer, here, because I am really excited to see 'dark times' Vader on-screen in all of his glory.

But I'm just not feeling that McQuarrie mask. I know the whole look of the series is a nod to Ralph's work (and that's a fine thing), and I was okay with the mask when it was the only part of Vader to be seen during the pilot episode.

But taken all together, it just makes Vader look too slim; streamlined; not bulky enough.

And while I certainly appreciate the continuity with the red lenses, I'd actually prefer a darker red.

Meh, I can certainly live with it if it means more Vader, but it's a shame that every time I look at the guy, I'll have that little mental 'itch' thanks to his design. Honestly, just a slight change, making him look a tiny bit wider, might make all the difference to me:



Isn't that second version better?

No? Eh, maybe it's just me.

 

Maybe Vader is a pin-head like TCW Dooku.

 

That doesn't happen until he's head of the Imperial Navy in ESB.

 

"Darth Vader only you could be so bold"

Sounds like someone with a reputation there. But just having 1-note Vader is not interesting at all. Like I said before what makes Vader interesting is his inner conflict beneath the mask. Luke aside he still had power issues wanting to rule the galaxy but knowing he is not powerful enough to challenge Palpatine, while hating himself for what he is. While all the other Imperials either hate or fear him, with the exception of Tarkin who respects him but that's about it.
I mean the guy cannot exist without his mask except when he is in his Breathing Pod, the guy is a man apart.
Having him as just another Tarkin style guest appearance trying and failing to kill out hero's is pointless. They may as well have kept the Inquisitor around for that.

 

His physical weakness probably drives him nuts, I agree. Maybe his obsession with power is overcompensation for his physical weakness.

 

On the other hand, you have Leia saying things like "Governor Tarkin, I should have known that it was you holding Vader's leash." Or that Imperial guy on the DS openly mocking Vader's "sorcerer's ways" and his "sad devotion to that ancient religion." Also that other Imperial openly questioning Vader's decision to capture Leia at the beginning (whom Vader DID NOT punish noticeably, but rather explain his reasoning in a calm manner). So he also doesn't seem like a figure who's universally feared/respected, at least not in ANH. But then we get to ESB and now everyone's practically peeing themselves just by being in his mere presence.

 

I won't keep putting you guys through my 'fanwank' stuff (I promise), but it was far too late to edit my previous post.

And just for fun, I went and darkened Vader's eye lenses. Still red-tinted, but just darker (more in line with ANH, I think).

Now, as I mentioned before, I feel like something as simple as slightly darkening the lenses, along with widening Vader's character model just enough to give him a slightly bulkier look -- resulting in broader shoulders and a bit more screen-accurate mask (while still staying true to the McQuarrie aesthetic) -- might not only make the character look more true to the design we're so accustomed to seeing in the films, but more importantly, it actually makes Darth Vader appear more menacing, more weighty.

Put simply, I feel he has more of a presence.



So, for comparison's sake, first, here's the real-deal, original Rebels Vader:



And here's my only slightly wider, but bulkier Darth Vader -- now complete with darker red eye lenses:



If we like it, then who knows? Maybe the Rebels team might actually consider a tiny change like this for Vader? Surely they haven't finalized all of the animation for Season 2, yet?

I don't know... I guess I'm just saying that I think it could be a winner.

Either way, just to make it discuss-able, what do you guys think? Might a bulkier Vader work a little better ("You know, Sabreon, that might be cool...")? Or are you satisfied with Vader's look, as it is ("You're mad, Trebor! No changes required.")?

Again, sorry for pushing it, here, folks. I don't mean to be a bother; I'm just really excited to see Darth Vader again!

 

Filoni touched upon the notion that most people aren't going to know Vader. That maybe they've heard his name, but they are unfamiliar with him beyond that.

 

Not sure how this works. His looks aren't exactly inconspicuous and he runs around fixing things for the Empire, he should get a lot of attention.