Let's say I wanted to create my own space opera. (A PT re-write)

PT Rewrite (Have scriptments written for all)
My own edit of the OT (I’ve made a list of everything I’d like changed)

The projects are piling up, but this one is more hypothetical than anything. Someday I’d like to tackle my own space opera somewhat inspired by Star Wars.

Here’s my question…

if I borrowed heavily from Darth Vader concept art for a villain, would I run into any copyright issues?

Almost without a doubt.

Remember, George even sued over Battlestar Galactica... which while stylistically similar to Star Wars, really didn't borrow that much from it.

The problem is the concept art is still very recongnizably Darth Vader. And then there is the issue of the character himself, is he a dilapidated old man who has to wear the suit to keep him alive?

If you don't ever plan to publish your story, then you really have nothing to worry about though.

I wouldn't have him as a crippled man inside life-support armor.

My villain would probably be a seasoned military commander that wears the armor when going into battle.

What I need is a talented artist that can put some of my character design ideas to paper. My younger brother is a phenomenal artist, but he's occupied right now.

Hate to say it, but TheBoost is right. A single menacing villian in black armor of any short is already going to sound like a Darth Vader rip off. If you have him drawn/described even in the vaguest way like Vader or even some of the early concept art of him, it is going to be undeniably a Darth Vader rip off. And very clearly, that is what he is. If you are honest with yourself, the inclusion of such a character in your own story is essentially because you want a Darth Vader rip off in your story.

It is very hard to come up with original stories these days. We live in a world so rich with media and entertainment, our minds are saturated with unoriginal story idea after unoriginal story idea. You can rack your brain trying to come up with something original, and in the end, the very best you do is try to make your rip offs as obscure and as vague as possible.

Or, you openly admit your work is based off of someone elses work, and the critics may just label your work as an inspired retelling of the original. How many times have people riped off Shakespeare and been applauded for it? If that man were alive to day, just imagine how rich he could become from lawsuits! He'd have Bill Gates looking like a beggar in no time with all the money he'd be owed.

Lucas suing over BSG is really kooky, when you realize Ralph McQuarrie did concept art for it, and a lot of the original ILM crew did the FX! Of course there would be similarities!

As for Darth Vader, Lucas is lucky the people who made the 1938 Republic movie serial "Fighting Devil Dogs" weren't around to sue him! ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqj0F52FjaQ

I want the villain whose true identity is unknown to most, his past as masked as his face, and who evokes fear in his enemies and ally subordinates alike. The main differences between my idea and the character of Darth Vader, are that he can survive without his suit, there's no relation to the hero, nor ever any redeemable factor to him, and I'm not going to give him any magical powers.

Then I still have the hero, the princess, and the rogue. Thinking about combining the hero with the rogue to create something of an anti-hero (cross between Luke and Han... if you can imagine that).

Octorox said:

DarkFather said:

I wouldn't have him as a crippled man inside life-support armor.

My villain would probably be a seasoned military commander that wears the armor when going into battle.

What I need is a talented artist that can put some of my character design ideas to paper. My younger brother is a phenomenal artist, but he's occupied right now.

 

I'd say it depends on how close it is to the art, and to the final Vader design. Plenty of characters in games and movies have similar design elements. You just have to be able to set your universe apart. There should be fundamental differences and new twists to the Star Wars formula.

The Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comes to mind.

You're right about that, too, there does need to be fundemental differences. I think my villain's story is going to be different enough, now I have to think about his appearance: what do I want to keep that's inspired by Darth Vader, and what do I need to change to separate them? That's what I'm asking myself here.

Does anyone know any highly talented artists who would be willing to work with me in creating the villain's appearance? Preferably someone who isn't professional. Because my pocket is wanting of some green right now.

DarkFather said:

I want the villain whose true identity is unknown to most, his past as masked as his face, and who evokes fear in his enemies and ally subordinates alike. The main differences between my idea and the character of Darth Vader, are that he can survive without his suit, there's no relation to the hero, nor ever any redeemable factor to him, and I'm not going to give him any magical powers.

Then I still have the hero, the princess, and the rogue. Thinking about combining the hero with the rogue to create something of an anti-hero (cross between Luke and Han... if you can imagine that).

For the villain, maybe a cross between Darth Vader and Dr. Doom (the comics version, not the horrific movie version).

For the hero, sounds like Sawyer from Lost.

Best,

Kevin

I could make it a space western. And make the villain similar to the sheriff from O Brother Where Art Thou. Have him dress in black like Johnny Cash, wear a wide-brimmed black cowboy hat with a flat top, and have his face is wrapped in bandages.

I once saw a drawing on DeviantArt of a western Darth Vader similar to what I described. It was awesome.

Kaiju Eiga said:

DarkFather said:

I want the villain whose true identity is unknown to most, his past as masked as his face, and who evokes fear in his enemies and ally subordinates alike. The main differences between my idea and the character of Darth Vader, are that he can survive without his suit, there's no relation to the hero, nor ever any redeemable factor to him, and I'm not going to give him any magical powers.

Then I still have the hero, the princess, and the rogue. Thinking about combining the hero with the rogue to create something of an anti-hero (cross between Luke and Han... if you can imagine that).

 

For the villain, maybe a cross between Darth Vader and Dr. Doom (the comics version, not the horrific movie version).

 

For the hero, sounds like Sawyer from Lost.

Best,

Kevin

That's a possibility. Thanks for the suggestion.