30 Greatest Star Wars Characters

2. Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker)

Even though he hasn't made an appearance in the Sequel Trilogy (thank God), Star Wars is still Darth Vader's story. No other character has played as integral or influential a role as Anakin Skywalker, with each and every period of the canon bearing his imprint on one way or another.

At a base level, there is so much to love about Vader. He was tall and imposing - thanks to the work of David Prowse - and sounded absolutely terrifying, with James Earl Jones doing much to make the character such an imposing figure.

Yes, Hayden Christensen was pretty abject as Anakin in the Prequel Trilogy, but he only did the best with the material he had at hand. Besides, it detracts nothing away from the Vader we see in the Original Trilogy - or even Rogue One for that matter - who remains a provocative and tragic figure throughout.

Factor in all the various tie-in media Vader has starred in, along with the fact his legacy is still being felt 30 years on from his demise, and it's pretty obvious Vader is the most revered villain in the franchise's history.