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What's the beef with Prowse?

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So, this is something I've been wondering about for a while. What exactly did David Prowse do to incur Lucas' wrath? You guys are some of the most knowledgeable SW history fans I've seen online, so I thought I'd ask here. I heard about the BTS shenanigans going on at Celebration V, how he was banned from the event, how OfficialPix was told not to sell photos of Vader, etc.  Has he done something extra in recent years to piss Lucas off even more?

Anyway, here's what I've been able to gather off the top of my head... from various stuff I've heard about over the years.

- Annoyed that he was dubbed by James Earl Jones in ANH
- Took credit for much of the lightsaber stunt work in ESB? I've read interviews where Hamill was kind of bugged by that, when most of the stuff was done by Bob Anderson.
- Leaked ROTJ script details to the press in '82 or '83... the beginning of the end? lol.
- Signed "David Prowse is Darth Vader" on autographs for years and years. Recently, however, Lucas & Co. seemed to hear about this and told him to stop immediately.

..... Anything else? I also looked at this official site, and Lucasfilm told him that he was banned from appearing at Celebration V because had "burned too many bridges" with them.

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Told TFN on their forcecast that Lucas never paid him royalties for return of the jedi because the bean counters said it never turned a profit.

Then he participated in the people vs george.  Someone said here on these forums Mark Hamill was threatened with a similar banning as Prowse if he talked to them.

I think Lucas has someone who keeps tabs on people like TFN and filmakers like the guy who directed the people versus george.  Speaks of almost a galaxy sized ego and control of his personal image.  Remember he allededly tried to destroy Dale Pollock for telling the truth in Skywalking.

 

I would love for Lucas to try and ban Hamill.  You think oot fans are up in arms about their being no originals on the blu ray, you aint seen nothing if he threatens Luke Skywalker.  Every Lucas product would be boycotted, at least by me on principle alone.

“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.

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Didnt it all start in 1982 ? , Prowse was acussed of leaking the story of Return Of The Jedi to a U.K. newspaper by Lucas .Even though the newspaper told Lucas who their source was Lucas didnt believe the paper ,Prowse was never forgiven and to this day the fallout continues . Up until recently Dave Prowse had on his website a notice saying " it was his pleasure to  work with the master" , however that has gone of the site since he was told not to attend celebration V.

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He probably hasn't helped himself by publicly dissing the prequels.  And then he acts all bewildered that he wasn't asked to play Vader in ROTS? 

Dave Prowse is Darth Vader?  No, James Earl Jones is Darth Vader.  In fact, James always said that Dave was Darth Vader - the kind of humility that Prowse could learn a lot from.

That's some bad hat, Harry
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Easterhay said:   In fact, James always said that Dave was Darth Vader - the kind of humility that Prowse could learn a lot from.

I agree, but I have not heard Prowse say anything against Jones direct. 

edited - I found this interview in which Prowse seems very fair to Jones.

http://www.galaxiki.org/feature/darthvader.html

On the other hand I can understand his resentment toward Lucas, if, as Prowse claims, Lucas promised that his voice would be used, and then used Jones anyway.  I am not sure if this is true or not, but I can believe it of Lucas.  Much as I appreciate Prowse performance though, his accent really would not have worked for Vader. 

Does anyone have a link of Prowse criticising the prequels?

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I would've thought if anybody had been considered a loose cannon, it would've been Anthony Daniels following his "the storytelling always gets subsumed" remark. That couldn't have won him any points with LFL.

All I really want is each film as it was originally seen and heard in theaters; no fixes, corrections, "improvements" or modifications necessary.

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thecolorsblend said:

I would've thought if anybody had been considered a loose cannon, it would've been Anthony Daniels following his "the storytelling always gets subsumed" remark. That couldn't have won him any points with LFL.

I think Daniels is very close to LFL, without it he wouldn't be anything. He's been C-3PO in all things, cartoons, ads, Star Tours and all kinds of advertising things. And without him there really isn't 3PO at all so it's not like LFL has a choice. He's the only one in all the movies, too.

And in the time of greatest despair, there shall come a savior, and he shall be known as the Son of the Suns.

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Chewtobacca said:

Easterhay said:   In fact, James always said that Dave was Darth Vader - the kind of humility that Prowse could learn a lot from.

I agree, but I have not heard Prowse say anything against Jones direct. 

edited - I found this interview in which Prowse seems very fair to Jones.

http://www.galaxiki.org/feature/darthvader.html

On the other hand I can understand his resentment toward Lucas, if, as Prowse claims, Lucas promised that his voice would be used, and then used Jones anyway.  I am not sure if this is true or not, but I can believe it of Lucas.  Much as I appreciate Prowse performance though, his accent really would not have worked for Vader. 

Does anyone have a link of Prowse criticising the prequels?

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply his beef was with James Earl Jones.  I've never come across any remarks from either of them to suggest any animosity.  It's just the same that he doesn't display the same modesty as James Earl Jones - ergo, by returning the compliment in saying "James Earl Jones is Darth Vader".

 

I don't know what the upset is about Prowse's voice not being used.  It would never have worked and wasn't there some pressue on Lucas to have black actors in the film or something? 

 

I don't have links to Prowse's remarks about the prequels, but Empire magazine interviewed him around the time of the release of The Phantom Menace and he was openly critical of the film.  He was also miffed that he wasn't in Revenge Of The Sith.

 

How much is he charging for his autographs nowadays?  I think he's made a very healthy living out of Star Wars and has been ultimately stupid in biting the hand that feeds him.

 

Edit: Thanks for the link.  Prowse really is a mensch isn't he?  As for "all" the Star Wars fans being disappointed in not seeing his face when Vader was unmasked?  Umm, not me.  Not one bit; Sebastian Shaw is an actor...Prowse is not.  Simple as, I'm afraid.

 

It's known he didn't enjoy his time on the set of Return Of The Jedi.  Now, he might make disparaging remarks about the Ewoks now - because it's de rigeur to do so these days - but the truth of the matter is that he didn't get on with Richard Marquand.  Again, sorry I have no links; the magazines with these interviews are all tucked away in my loft.

That's some bad hat, Harry
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Mark and Tony never worked with Kubrick, Harryhausen, Woody Allen, Terry Gilliam, Terence Fisher or Benny Hill.

His Green Cross Man possibly saved more lives than any of Tony and Mark's PIFS.

Give the guy his money George for crying out loud.

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Oh, I think he's had plenty of money off the back of Lucas.

That's some bad hat, Harry
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Really?

His tiny bungalow in Newhall would suggest otherwise.

Prowse is more known for his charity work than his Hollywood lifestyle.

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Bingowings said:

Prowse is more known for his charity work than his Hollywood lifestyle.

 Agreed. When i met Dave Prowse last year he was at the event for two days , all money earned on the first day from photo signing was being donated to a local childrens hospital.

 

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That doesn't mean a thing.  Lucas is a multi-billionaire (soon to be "merely" a billionaire); is he known for a "Hollywood lifestyle"?  No.

 

Maybe Prowse doesn't hang out in Hollywood simply because he's quite a curmudgeon and doesn't get on with people?

 

And yes, bingowings, "really".  What, he turns up at conventions to sign photos of himself as The Green Cross Code Man?  He's known as the man who played Darth Vader.  And he exploits that to the very end.  That's his perogative.  But to publicly diss Lucas and then be so vocal with his negativity, he shouldn't really be surprised to have such a public snubbing from Lucas.

 

Anyway, what's the money that Lucas owes him? 

That's some bad hat, Harry
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Lucas has a den the size of Castle Dracula, Prowse has chronic Arthritis, Prostate Cancer and a bungalow and he still does all that work for multiple charities.

Incidentally he does still sign photographs as the Green Cross Man, you know I remember my first trip to Newcastle and there was a giant Green Cross Man and this was something like twenty years after the campaign.

I can't think of anywhere with a giant George Lucas.

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Lucas is giving over half of his wealth to charity.

 

Your play...

That's some bad hat, Harry
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Lucas has so much wealth over half doesn't touch the sides.

 

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Easterhay said:

Lucas is giving over half of his wealth to charity.

 

Your play...

 Lucas has only said that he's giving half his wealth to charity , what about the charities that are are desperate for help ?, will they just have to wait until the death of george lucas ?. Dave Prowse regulary does charity events even though he's an elderly man.

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Well, for one, your reply, bingowings was so predictable it doesn't warrant a reply.  Other than this: over half a man's wealth is over half a man's wealth.  It is academic how much wealth that man has.

 

Murry Sparkles, who is the arbiter of what charities a man gives his money to?  It should be enough that a man is charitable (in the real world, it is enough; on this forum - where the unmitigated hatred towards a man no-one here has met, or is ever likely to meet, is hysterical - it doesn't seem to meet approval).

That's some bad hat, Harry
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Easterhay, youve been a member of this site for 24 hours now , whats with all the hostility ?.

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I'm not being hostile.  Disagreement doesn't have to be hostile.  I do see hostility here, towards Lucas, but none from me, I assure you.

 

 

That's some bad hat, Harry
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Easterhay said:

Well, for one, your reply, bingowings was so predictable it doesn't warrant a reply.  Other than this: over half a man's wealth is over half a man's wealth.  It is academic how much wealth that man has.

The Widow's Mite is clearly something you have no agreement with.

Half of not much is clearly a greater sacrifice than half of quite a lot.

It's generous of Lucas to give what he does compared with many of the money hoarders in the industry but it is more generous to give the same proportion when you have much less to start with.

I don't hate Lucas, I don't even dislike him, without Lucas none of us would be on this forum for one thing but I do hate pettiness and stamping out Prowse's claims for residual payments and pulling stunts like banning the guy from conventions is petty for a company and a man as wealthy as Lucasfilm and Lucas.

As is not releasing a restored OT with every box set release of the films.

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Easterhay said:

That doesn't mean a thing.  Lucas is a multi-billionaire (soon to be "merely" a billionaire); is he known for a "Hollywood lifestyle"?  No.

 

Maybe Prowse doesn't hang out in Hollywood simply because he's quite a curmudgeon and doesn't get on with people?

 

And yes, bingowings, "really".  What, he turns up at conventions to sign photos of himself as The Green Cross Code Man?  He's known as the man who played Darth Vader.  And he exploits that to the very end.  That's his perogative.  But to publicly diss Lucas and then be so vocal with his negativity, he shouldn't really be surprised to have such a public snubbing from Lucas.

 

Anyway, what's the money that Lucas owes him? 

Well actually when i first met Dave Prowse was when he was doing the Green Cross code promotional tour early 80s. He was the one of the most genuine and nicest person i had ever met. He was dressed as the green cross code man and signing autographs (free). My Dad started talking to him mentioning how much of a huge star wars fan i was. Dave said that he was just about to go for his break and would we like to come back to his trailer and he will sign a Darth Vader picture for me (again for free). Now this was his own time when he was on a break. He chatted to us for ages, posed for photos and signed autographs for me and my brother. He was just about to start work on ROTJ and i asked him what it was going to be about and he said that he couldn't tell me anything. But he invited my whole family down to London for the day and treat us all to a meal and he will see if we could meet the cast. He gave us both his home address and his gym address so we could contact him. Now there was no ego with this guy at all. Unfortunately George Lucas put a stop to it, even though we wouldn't have been near the sets. He didn't give any reason apart from the security that surrounded the film. He couldn't apologise enough, but i completely understood that it was beyond his control. We conversed for the next couple of years but not once did he say anything bad against George Lucas. I saw the piece in the paper about the leaked information and asked him about it. Now his name was cleared but he did say that he wasn't enjoying the filming but said no more. He asked me to send my autograph book and that he would get the casts autographs at the premier as he wouldn't see them until then.

But he then wasn't invited to the Premier.

I really think that Jedi was the turning of GL. He has snubbed DP ever since and the reason he was banned from C5 was because GL himself was going to be there.Even though the reporter gave the true identity of the leak he just didn't back down and treated DP like crap.

Everytime i have met him since he has been the same person, even when he was so ill he couldn't walk, but came to the event because he didn't want to let the fans down.

Now he had always signed his Vader pics as "Dave Prowse is Darth Vader", the same as other actors did around that time , including non star wars. It seems this way of signing an autograph has been twisted to make it mean something it is not. Now if he had signed the pics as " Dave Prowse IS Darth Vader" then that would be different.

Now Anthony Daniels on the other hand is the most egotistical and arrogant ass i have ever met. He was at Memorabilia a few years ago and we went with my daughters young sister, who was about 8 at the time. She was memorised that she was seeing C-3P0 and she took her camera along with her.  Now i had met him a couple of years before and queued for a couple of hours to get his autograph and i asked him if i could get a picture taken with him and he agreed. Now the person that was taking the picture forgot to put the flash on and it didn't take (this was one of his PAs by the way) I said the flash didn't go off and can she take another one, but AD just said "oh that'll do. If you want another picture you'll have to buy another autograph". I couldn't belive it.

Now going back to the next time he was there, we couldn't afford an autograph but i got her to a good spot where she could take a picture of him that the queue didn't block sight of him. He looked over and spotted her trying to take a picture, he turned his back and signalled over to one of his PAs but continued to have his back turned to us. Next thing we know the PA came over and put her hand in front of the camera and said that he won't have any pictures taken of him unless we buy an autograph. Well screw that. She was so upset. That's no way to treat a little kid. But here's a guy that was talking to one of the fans about episode 2  and really slagging off GL because he had got strapped into a puppet harness for days to film "naked" 3P0 only to have the scenes cut from the film and have to re-film it in the grey costume.

Even when DP was asked about the snubbing by GL in "Bring Back Star Wars" he was very gracious about it and not once slagged off GL

I think it's a case of if GL falls out with you he holds a grudge for life.

ANH:REVISITED
ESB:REVISITED

DONATIONS TOWARDS MATERIALS FOR THE REVISITED SAGA

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Dave Prowse is Darth Vader, not Hayden Christensen, simple as that.  I will never consider the whiny emo bitch crybaby to be the badass that was Vader.

“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.

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Chewtobacca said:

There was a very similar thread before.

Ah, sorry about that. I had tried to do a search on the forum but it was giving me some problems. Either way, this thread has been enlightening. For example, I had no idea that Prowse was cleared in the ROTJ script leak situation, about his participation in The People vs George Lucas, and that he'd been annoyed that he wasn't asked to be in ROTS. I also didn't know the thing about Mark Hamill. Wow. lol.

Anyway, thanks for all the info, guys. Pretty interesting stuff.