I hate Messianic prophecies in general, or the very idea of a Messiah, because it encourages the idea that all hope for the future is dependent on one dude, instead of like, the group effort that is required in real life.
It’s inclusion in the story doesn’t change the fact that it took so many to save the galaxy. Anakin may have killed the Emperor, but if not for Luke, he would’ve stayed Vader for the rest of his life. It doesn’t change the contributions of Han, Leia, Lando, etc.
Granted, Star Wars doesn’t incorporate a true Messiah into the mythology. Vader is more like a very round-about Messiah who only saves the Universe after he fucks over the entire Universe. So it’s at least a twist on the idea of a Messiah, kind of like Dune. But I still don’t like it, because it shrinks the Universe by elevating one guy to cosmic significance. At one point, Luke was just a random farmboy and Vader was just a cyborg SS officer carrying out the will of his government. There was a backstory intertwining the two of them, but it was personal, not a matter of cosmic importance.
Darth Vader, even exclusively in the OT
Is the Emperor’s right hand
Was critical in wiping out the Jedi Order
Who’s power in the Force is notable enough that Yoda makes a point of it multiple times, both when he was a Jedi and as a Sith
He’s the father of the protagonist
Who killed the Emperor
Luke Skywalker was the one remaining son of the Jedi, that were otherwise entirely extinct besides Obi-Wan and Yoda. When they pass on, he’s the only Jedi left. He’s the only Force user in the Rebellion. And he’s just as critical in saving the galaxy as his father.
They were never just some dudes.
There’s a difference between something like Yoda and Chewbacca being best pals and attaching mythological undercurrents to what were already arguably the two most significant characters in the OT.
I think it’s worth noting too that Luke is my second favorite character after Vader, so I appreciate how it elevates him just as much as his father.