Well, considering that a lot of folks out there are now into "offense archaeology" (digging for reasons to be offended), they'll whine about anything. I don't think they're really bothered by an "older design" so much as I think they just like to whine.
Does Darth Vader’s Costume Look “Dated”??
- Thread starter Captain Dunsel
- Start date
joberg
Legendary Member
I think that all of SW's costumes are iconic for sure 
As for transforming Darth's costume I would stick closely to RMcQ designs.
The first iterations of the helmet are sleeker, more elongated and aerodynamic in concept.
As for the chest box; make it part of the whole, letting a small amount protruding from the chest area.
As for transforming Darth's costume I would stick closely to RMcQ designs.The first iterations of the helmet are sleeker, more elongated and aerodynamic in concept.
As for the chest box; make it part of the whole, letting a small amount protruding from the chest area.
It should be noted that Vader’s suit was originally intended to be an armored spacesuit, rather than a life-support suit. Note also that his chestbox is similar to the Rebel and Imperial pilots’ chestboxes, which suggest the same technology for life-support out in space or when piloting a fighter. And his belt-boxes echo the much plainer belt-boxes of the Death Star troopers and officers like Admiral Motti.
So, there’s a subtle stylistic connection between the various Imperial officer and pilot uniforms.
So, there’s a subtle stylistic connection between the various Imperial officer and pilot uniforms.
This is not a costume issue really, but I always thought this one shot and the angle makes Vader's head look really big and his body too small.
Might be due to his cape not covering his one sholder.
Might be due to his cape not covering his one sholder.
I’ve long been convinced that this shot is either Bob Anderson or a stand-in wearing the hero suit, and not David Prowse. There’s no way it’s Prowse, because he absolutely filled in the suit and made Vader look properly massive. I mean, look at the gap between the arm and the shoulder bells! Whoever’s in the suit in that shot is of average build, at best.
Not to mention how close the components all sit together. On Prowse there's space between them and you can see the straps of the chestbox. Even at the low camera angle you'd still see those gaps, so I agree it's unlikely this shot is of Prowse in the suit.
If you look at behind the scenes photos, or pay attention to various shots in the film, it’s almost comical to see how big the helmet and armor look on Bob Anderson (who wasn’t a small guy, mind you), compared to Prowse. Prowse’s massive height, build, and body language were crucial to making Vader the character we know and love. No subsequent version has gotten it right, be it due to design, fit, actor, or lighting.
Prowse was massive, and his Vader looks great.
Hayden Christensen isn’t a small guy, but he still didn’t have the height or the mass to make Vader not look like a guy of average build, by comparison.
And while they got a couple of big guys for ROGUE ONE, the suit wasn’t fitted correctly, giving Vader a hunchback sort of look, while also lacking the sheer mass (and those crucially-broad shoulders) of Prowse.
Prowse was massive, and his Vader looks great.
Hayden Christensen isn’t a small guy, but he still didn’t have the height or the mass to make Vader not look like a guy of average build, by comparison.
And while they got a couple of big guys for ROGUE ONE, the suit wasn’t fitted correctly, giving Vader a hunchback sort of look, while also lacking the sheer mass (and those crucially-broad shoulders) of Prowse.
As big as Prowse was, the armor was a little bigger.
I thought that as well, but I know Prowse filmed those shots, but that was most likely a later pick up shot.
It does show, that the cape really helped fill out the rest.
This is not a costume issue really, but I always thought this one shot and the angle makes Vader's head look really big and his body too small.
Might be due to his cape not covering his one sholder.
Rick Moranis, perhaps?
That is not Prowse. It's just a fan costumer.
Nah, that looks perfectly fine. Lol
My rule of thumb is that when the pauldrons (shoulder bells) lay flush with the chest piece, that's a stunt man, and when it's sat under the chest armor, it's Prowse.
Prowse was built like a gorilla and his bulk alone fills the suit properly. Due to his size, most times you'll see his pauldrons clipped under the edge of the chest armor. The pauldrons are made flush to the armor to help fill the shoulders out for smaller guys in the suit.
Prowse was built like a gorilla and his bulk alone fills the suit properly. Due to his size, most times you'll see his pauldrons clipped under the edge of the chest armor. The pauldrons are made flush to the armor to help fill the shoulders out for smaller guys in the suit.
You are correct, I stand corrected.
Image came from here: **Empire Strikes Back** - 'Behind The Scenes / Making Of' **images** thread - Original Trilogy
But now doing some searches it appears to be 'Vaderbase': https://www.instagram.com/vaderbase/?hl=en
Theres some pictures I've not seen on that behind the scenes site.
Just when I'm sure I've seen them all, I find more, which is always fun.
Mr Mold Maker
Master Member
This is right on the money. A lot of the costume designers who dictate what these things look like seem to be lost in their own world.. adding intricate details on top of details down to a micron level, that when you step back, you don’t even see on screen.
Knowing what I know of todays costumes, Vader would have a screen printed texture on every millimeter of his suit. The cape would be some exotic looking fabric with a million little “V’s” screen printed inside of it. The tread of his boots would be custom made so he leaves the impression of a few dozen little Vader domes with every step. It’s a world I hope I don’t live long enough to see.
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