Star Wars is undoubtedly one of the biggest film franchises of all time. When the first installment released in 1977, it instantly became an iconic part of movie history. While it had a great story and an excellent cast of relatively unknown actors, perhaps the most important aspect was Darth Vader. The villain was imposing, mysterious, and terrifying all at once. As the series continued, we learned more about the Sith Lord and this only increased the status of the character.
His sheer popularity has led to all kinds of merchandise and spin-offs based on him. You can buy toys, games, books, and comics based on Darth Vader. Yet, despite all of this material on the villain, there is still so much that makes no sense.
15 Darth Vader’s Actual Job
Darth Vader’s job in the original trilogy is never really made clear. Yes, he is a Sith Lord and seems to do the bidding of the Emperor, but his exact role is never really specified. He also seems to be subordinate to the likes of Grand Moff Tarkin.
14 Vader Was Little More Than A Henchman In The First Film
In the original film, despite being a hugely powerful Sith Lord, Darth Vader acts like little more than a henchman. He is used to terrify the Empire’s enemies and essentially do the dirty work. But he does so under the command of people like Grand Moff Tarkin, who orders him around and seems to be in charge more than Darth Vader.
13 Shouldn’t He Have Been Able To Capture The Death Star Plans?
The ending of Rogue One sees Darth Vader attacking a rebel ship as he attempts to recapture the Death Star plans that have been stolen. He makes his way through dozens of enemies as he chases the individual with the plans. However, it seems like he is more interested in killing the rebels rather than capturing the most important one, who he should have easily been able to reach.
12 Why Do People Still Underestimate His Force Abilities?
Darth Vader is a hugely powerful Sith Lord, who has demonstrated his ability with the Force all throughout his life. Yet, people continue to underestimate his abilities. This is particularly evident in the first film when an official questions the Sith Lord’s powers, leading to Vader choking him using the Force.
11 How He Was Able To Keep His Relationship With Padme Secret?
Throughout the prequel trilogy, Anakin falls in love with and starts a relationship with Padme. However, they also manage to keep this romance a secret from everyone for much of that time. This is despite both of them being in the public eye and well-known figures. It makes no sense that no one discovered the secret, especially when Anakin’s friends were powerful Force users.
10 His Force Ghost Reverting To His Young Self
At the end of Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader dies and becomes one with the Force. Part of this process means he can return as a Force ghost. But when he does, he doesn’t come back in the same form as when he died as both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yod did. Instead, he returns to his younger self, someone that Luke won’t even recognize.
9 What Happened To Vader After Han Shot His Ship At The Death Star?
It is never explained in the movies what happens to Darth Vader after he is shot by Han Solo while he is hunting down Luke at the Death Star. The space station is destroyed and the last we see of the Sith Lord is him tumbling into space. How long was he trapped in his fighter when all of his nearby reinforcements were destroyed?
8 Why Did He Slaughter The Younglings So Soon After Becoming Darth Vader?
After betraying the Jedi and helping to kill Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker submits to Palpatine. He joins the dark side of the Force and takes on the name Darth Vader. Almost straight after this event he goes to the Jedi Temple and slaughters the children there. Although he has turned to the dark side, he surely should not have become such an evil monster so quickly.
7 How Come He Did Not Know That Leia Was His Daughter?
Darth Vader is an immensely powerful Force user and so is able to sense the life forms around him. Yet, he completely fails to realize that Princess Leia is his own daughter. This is despite the fact he spends a significant amount of time right next to her in the first movie.
6 He Missed All The Weaknesses In The Death Star
The rebels manage to blow up the Death Star thanks to a weakness in the build that allows them to shoot a missile directly into the exhaust port. Although he is not an engineer, Darth Vader has a lot of experience in building ships and droids and should have recognized such a notable flaw. Especially with his Force powers to aid him.
