Death is an inevitable part of the circle of life, but knowing that doesn’t make it any easier. Yesterday, one of the most iconic voices in entertainment history became one with the Force. James Earl Jones, known far and wide as the legendary voice of Darth Vader, passed away at age 93.
And I AM NOT OKAY RIGHT NOW!
A King With a Golden Voice
James Earl Jones was one of the greatest actors in American history, both on-camera and with just the power of his voice. He had been acting in films since the 1960s, but it was his role as the voice of Darth Vader that made him a household name. While David Prowse physically played the role of Vader, Jones’ deep, baritone voice made the Dark Lord one of the greatest villains of all time. And more importantly, it ensured that he would be one of the most respected actors in the entertainment industry.
It’s not hard to see why people loved seeing Jones, though. Whether he was appearing on-camera in films like Red October or just lending his voice like in The Lion King, one thing remained consistent: his bearing. Jones had the bearing of a king in the way he played his roles and how he spoke. And I’m not saying that because he played Kings. I’m saying that because people naturally stopped and listened to him whenever he was in front of the camera or speaking. His voice just had that effect on people!
Maybe that’s why he decided to ensure that his voice would live on after he died.
The Voice of Darth Vader Will Live On
In 2022, Jones must have realized that he wasn’t going to keep acting for much longer. However, he also did not want his iconic voice as Darth Vader to die with him. Thus, he signed over the rights to his voice to the Ukrainian-based AI company Respeecher. In fact, they’ve already put it to good use: all of Vader’s lines in the Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries were created using AI. And I’m fine with that!
I know that many people see AI as a threat to the careers of actors and writers, and it is. Keep in mind, though, that a major part of the issue is that people are afraid their likeness and voice will be used without their consent or any form of payment. However, Jones chose to sign away the rights to his voice as Vader because he knew how important it was to Star Wars. Thanks to that, Disney and other companies can keep using his voice for Vader for as long as they want. And given how essential his voice was to making Vader such an effective villain, I think it’s the right call.
RIP, James Earl Jones
As reassuring as it may seem to know that Jones will live on as his most famous role, it still doesn’t make his passing any easier. Three years from now, when Star Wars celebrates its 50th birthday, I hoped to see James Earl Jones sitting alongside the remaining actors celebrating what they made together. Now that will never happen. But while he may be gone, James Earl Jones will live on as a legend in the movie industry.
Rest in peace, king. You are one with the Force now.
