James Earl Jones was officially replaced as Darth Vader's voice by AI (2022)

Nov 26, 2023 ·

James Earl Jones, the iconic actor who has been the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars since 1977, has officially retired from voicing the iconic villain. Jones announced his retirement during an interview with Entertainment Tonight on September 29, 2022.

Jones first made his mark on the Star Wars franchise as the voice of Darth Vader in 1977's A New Hope. His deep and powerful baritone instantly created a sense of dread whenever Vader was on screen. Jones reprised his role for The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He then returned to the role for the prequel trilogy, which began in 1999 with The Phantom Menace.

Jones' tenure as Darth Vader marked one of the most memorable performances in film history. With his deep and menacing voice, he brought to life one of cinema's greatest villains. Fans had grown accustomed to hearing him as Darth Vader over the years, and many of them were saddened to hear that he was stepping away from the character.

Despite retiring from voicing Darth Vader, Jones will still be remembered fondly by fans for years to come. The performances he gave as Vader shaped the character into one of the most iconic figures in movie history. Jones has also lent his voice to other iconic characters, such as Mufasa in The Lion King and even CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer.

Overall, James Earl Jones has left an indelible mark on the Star Wars franchise and the entertainment industry at large. Although he is stepping away from his role as Darth Vader, his legacy will live on for generations to come.