Darth Vader Banned from Star Wars Conventions

Image Credit Flickr User VictorChapa

Some news of a sad nature. Dave Prowse, the 75 year old actor who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy has, it seems, been banned from any convention that has a connection with Lucasfilm. Can you really have a proper convention without Darth Vader?

On his website, Prowse states ‘I am not to be invited to C5 this year or any other Lucas Film (sic) associated events. After enquiring, the only thing I have been told is that I have "burnt too many bridges between Lucas Film and myself" - no other reason given.’ What the burnt bridges may be referring to is not exactly a secret.

Prowse has never hidden his chagrin that George Lucas originally agreed to allow the bodybuilding six foot six actor appear at the end of Return when Vader’s mask finally comes off. When the film was released it was another actor who appeared in place of Prowse.

Image Credit Flickr User Official Star Wars Blog

Celebration V, which takes place in August and which will be playing host this year to Luke Skywalker (aka Mark Hamill) will now, it seems be without Dave Prowse - pictured above at last year's convention. Ironic that on the Celebration V website, this is stated:

Star Wars Celebration is the official Lucasfilm event celebrating all things Star Wars, produced by fans for fans. Celebrations are the largest Star Wars parties, featuring cast and crew celebrities, fans, costumes, music, live entertainment, autographs, collectibles, and panels — but mainly friends who gather to have fun and celebrate their love for the saga.

Grrr.  If Dave Prowse is not all things Star Wars, then goodness only knows what is. However, Prowse states that he will be at other conventions across the globe.

To be frank, we at Kuriositas will always remember Mr Prowse as the original Darth Vader, but we recall him much more fondly for his role in the 1970s as the Green Cross Code Man (or, just simply Green Cross). This superhero saved as many lives as Darth Vader took away with his sensible advice about how to cross roads safely.

We will always warmly and with a smile recollect, as any British person of a certain age will, his safety mantra.

Always Use the Green Cross Code
Because I won't be there when you cross the road.


So, just for nostalgia's sake, here is one of those adverts.