In 1982, Shaw was chosen for the small but crucial role of redeemed, unmasked and dying Anakin Skywalker in "Return of the Jedi", the third and final film in the original "Star Wars" trilogy. As in the previous films, David Prowse and Bob Anderson played the costumed scenes, while James Earl Jones and Ben Burtt provided the voice and breaths of Darth Vader. Shaw was cast in a single scene with Mark Hamill, during the moment aboard the second Death Star when Luke Skywalker unmasks his dying father. Since the scene was unquestionably the emotional climax of the film, the casting crew sought an experienced actor for the role. Contrary to popular belief, Shaw was familiar with the previous two "Star Wars" films and enjoyed them particularly for the visual effects, which he described in an interview with science-fiction film magazine "Starlog" as "brilliant techniques which, in many ways, were revolutionary, something quite new."