10 Iconic Villains Who Were Barely In The Movie
2. Darth Vader - Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977): 12 Minutes
Though we all now know Darth Vader as the tragic final form of the emotionally-troubled and vulnerable Anakin Skywalker by the time A New Hope kicks off, audiences back in 1977 only knew Vader as the epitome of evil and a mysterious foe constantly looming over our heroes from the shadows wherever they went.
His very first scene in the original Star Wars film is a true work of art and remains hugely, hugely iconic amongst film nerds around the world. Everything from the black mechanical suit, menacing mask and the powerful breathing in-between that dominating James Earl Jones voice, as well as the fact that he literally towers over everyone around him, makes this a seriously intimidating opening enemy.
We may only see him for a measly 12 minutes in Episode IV, but whether it's force choking one of his own men, cutting down our beloved Ben Kenobi in the very first lightsaber duel, or proving his worth as the galaxy's greatest pilot during the Death Star trench run, Darth Vader ensures that every second of his screen time is amongst the best in the film.