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.