Darth Vader U.S. Patent and Trademark Office under Trademark #77419252 and is officially described in the documentation as ""The sound of rhythmic mechanical human breathing created by breathing through a scuba tank regulator."" Commentators have often pointed to the influence of Akira Kurosawa's films such as "The Hidden Fortress" (1958) on George Lucas, and Vader's Samurai-inspired costume design is held up as a significant example of the Japanese influences on "Star Wars". Darth Vader was portrayed by bodybuilder David Prowse in the original film trilogy, and by stunt performer Bob Anderson during the character's intense lightsaber fight scenes. Lucas originally intended for
Darth Maul 2017, Marvel released "Star Wars: Darth Maul" a 5-issue prequel series centered on Darth Maul before the events of "The Phantom Menace". Dark Horse Comics produced "" based on the scripts and storyboards of an unproduced 4-episode story arc intended for "The Clone Wars" Season 6. After killing Savage Opress, Darth Sidious takes Maul to a Separatist prison, where Count Dooku tortures him for information about the Shadow Collective. Prime Minister Almec arranges Maul's escape and the latter then heads back to Zanbar to command the Death Watch army. However, he is followed there by General Grievous and his droids,