Editing Darth Vader (section)

=== Anakin Skywalker ===
The films ''[[Swiss Family Robinson (1960 film)|Swiss Family Robinson]]'' (1960) and ''[[Battle of the Bulge (1965 film)|Battle of the Bulge]]'' (1965) influenced the original ''Star Wars'' trilogy, but Lucas's publicist has denied that Anakin Skywalker was named after [[Ken Annakin]], the director of those films.<ref>{{cite web |last=Young |first=Bryan |date=January 21, 2014 |title=The Cinema Behind Star Wars: Battle of the Bulge |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-cinema-behind-star-wars-battle-of-the-bulge |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921103135/https://www.starwars.com/news/the-cinema-behind-star-wars-battle-of-the-bulge |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |access-date=March 25, 2019 |website=[[StarWars.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-ken-annakin24-2009apr24,0,3633303.story |title=Ken Annakin dies at 94; British director of 'Swiss Family Robinson' and others |first=Dennis |last=McLellan |date=April 24, 2009 |access-date=March 15, 2019 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |location=Los Angeles, California|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427111703/http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-ken-annakin24-2009apr24,0,3633303.story |archive-date=April 27, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The original surname of Anakin and Luke was "Starkiller", and it remained in the script until a few months into filming ''Star Wars''. It was dropped due to what Lucas called "unpleasant connotations" with [[Charles Manson]], who became a "star killer" in 1969 when he murdered actress [[Sharon Tate]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serratore |first=Angela |date=July 25, 2019 |title=What You Need to Know About the Manson Family Murders |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/manson-family-murders-what-need-to-know-180972655/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818185908/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/manson-family-murders-what-need-to-know-180972655/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedash |first=Kara |date=2020-02-18 |title=Star Wars: Here's Why George Lucas Changed Luke Skywalker's Original Name |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-george-lucas-luke-starkiller-skywalker-name-change/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=November 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105023320/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-george-lucas-luke-starkiller-skywalker-name-change/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lucas replaced "Starkiller" with "Skywalker".{{Sfn|Rinzler|2008|p=191}}

''The Phantom Menace'' introduced the possibility that Anakin could be the [[Chosen One (Star Wars)|Chosen One]] of an ancient Jedi prophecy, who is destined to bring balance to the Force. Lucas stated in an interview that "Anakin is the Chosen One. Even when Anakin turns into Darth Vader, he is still the Chosen One." Hayden Christensen said of Anakin: "He believes that he's the Chosen One. He's not doing wrong things knowing that it's having a negative impact. So there's that sort of naivety to him{{nbsp}}...{{nbsp}}and it makes him more human in a lot of ways."<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=The Chosen One |type=Featurette on Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox |year=2005}}</ref> Lucas later clarified that the plot element of Anakin's [[Miraculous births|virgin birth]] was meant to align the character with heroes from mythology in general and not specifically [[Jesus]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pratik |date=2024-09-24 |title=George Lucas Destroyed All Anakin Skywalker-Jesus Christ Comparisons With a Simple Statement |url=https://fandomwire.com/george-lucas-destroyed-all-anakin-skywalker-jesus-christ-comparisons-with-a-simple-statement/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=FandomWire |language=en-US}}</ref>

After completing [[principal photography]] for ''Revenge of the Sith'' in 2003, Lucas made changes to Anakin's character by rewriting his turn to the dark side. He accomplished this through editing the principal footage and filming new scenes during [[Pick-up (filmmaking)|pickups]] in London in 2004. In previous versions of the script, Anakin had several reasons for turning to the dark side, including his sincere belief that the Jedi were plotting to seize control of the Republic. Although he retains this belief in the finished film, Lucas's changes emphasized his desire to rescue Padmé from death. Thus, in the theatrical version of ''Revenge of the Sith'', Anakin falls to the dark side primarily to save Padmé.<ref name="Within">"Within a Minute" (2005). ''Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge of the Sith'' DVD documentary.</ref>

Anakin's apprentice [[Ahsoka Tano]] was introduced in the 2008 animated film ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (film)|The Clone Wars]]''. Giving Anakin responsibility for a Padawan was meant to place the character in a role that forced him to become more cautious and responsible. After just a short time together, though, Anakin realized they shared many qualities, and she could benefit from a mentor similar to herself. Ahsoka was eager, reckless, and undisciplined, much like Anakin. However, those traits are among the reasons that Anakin was such a good Jedi and master to Ahsoka.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salvati |first=Tara |date=2023-08-19 |title=7 Star Wars Moments That Sum Up Ahsoka & Anakin Skywalker's Relationship |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-moments-sum-up-anakin-ahsoka-relationship/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> It was also meant to provide him with insight about his relationship with his own master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and show how their relationship matured. Anakin's relationship with Ahsoka was seen as an essential story arc spanning both the film and the 2008 television series ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|The Clone Wars]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minkel |first=JR |date=August 11, 2008 |title=When Clones Attack: Q&A with Clone Wars Director David Filoni |url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/star-wars-clone-wars-qa-david-filoni/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604225629/http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/star-wars-clone-wars-qa-david-filoni/ |archive-date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |website=Scientific American |publisher=[[Springer Nature]]}}</ref>