Darth Vader

Disney kept Star Wars Rebels out of Comic-Con 2015 and only had so much to offer at D23, but us New Yorkers are in for a treat come NYCC in October. Not only will New York Comic-Con screen the first two episodes of Star Wars Rebels Season 2, but so too have we intercepted the Empire’s panel plans.

We’ve known since Star Wars Rebels’ first season finale that Darth Vader would put in a more significant Season 2 appearance than James Earl Jones’ early cameo, but this Saturday’s premiere can’t help showing off the original Star Wars baddie. Vader again shows his skill in a new clip from Season 2, while a cast featurette shows off the significance of his return.

Star Wars Rebels will continue the fight for Season 2 as early as this coming Saturday, but “The Siege of Lothal” will hardly prove the greatest challenge. Darth Vader himself, again voiced by the legendary James Earl Jones, decimates our titular Rebels in the first clip of the new season.

Thanks to computer animation’s relatively quick turnaround, Star Wars Rebels will already bring us “The Siege of Lothal” on June 20, picking up Season 2 with Darth Vader (James Earl freakin’ Jones!) firmly on the hunt for the titular Ghost crew. The latest trailer for Season 2 has arrived, along with a new character piece exploring the return of Ahsoka Tano.

When Disney acquired Lucasfilm and systematically eradicated most of the ‘Star Wars’ Expanded Universe, the most hardcore fans of the most popular genre franchise on the planet made their displeasure known, but to no avail. To paraphrase one of the greatest Jedi Knights, millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced. Disney didn’t buy ‘Star Wars’ so it could navigate a labyrinth of pre-existing novels, comics, and video games. More specifically, Disney didn’t buy ‘Star Wars’ so it could appease the niche group of fans who have kept up with the increasingly complicated Expanded Universe; it bought ‘Star Wars’ to please the much larger audience of everyone else.

Some weeks back we heard the incredible news that 'Star Wars Rebels' would return James Earl Jones to the voice of Darth Vader, ostensibly a sign of a more involved return to the franchise. Now, you can watch Jones' return to the dulcet tones of Darth for yourself, and ignite a lightsaber at new rumors that suggest some 'Star Wars' favorites will return for 'Rebels' as well!

'Star Wars Rebels' officially premiered its "Spark of Rebellion" last week to great fanfare, with the series proper to continue on Disney XD this Monday, but already the animated prequel series is making a major link to the 'Star Wars' movies. Not only will Darth Vader cameo in a newly-added premiere scene, but so too will James Earl Jones return to the role!

This past weekend at New York Comic-Con lifted the veil on 'Star Wars' next TV iteration 'Star Wars Rebels' quite a bit, though Lucasfilm may be plotting even more phantom content than we might have realized. A new report suggests the company has begun plotting for two Darth Vader-themed TV specials potentially connected to the series, but what would they be about?

Imagine a world where Darth Vader of 'Star Wars' was never voiced by James Earl Jones. You can't do it, right? Well we're here to help you with this behind the scenes footage featuring Darth Vader as voiced by the guy behind the mask -- David Prowse.