James Earl Jones retires from Star Wars

According to Vanity Fair, James Earl Jones is retiring as the voice of Darth Vader.

The legendary actor, aged 91, has voiced one of pop culture's greatest villains since the original Star Wars in 1977.

Jones' unmistakable baritone will continue to be heard in the Star Wars franchise. He's given Lucasfilm express permission to use his voice via Respeecher.

The Ukrainian-based company's technology was used in The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and most recently in the Obi-Wan Kenobi spin-off series.

Listening to Jones' iconic voice helped with my speech therapy following a life-changing head injury 45 years ago, and I will be eternally grateful.

James Earl Jones in Disney's live-action The Lion King

Disney dropped the first live-action teaser trailer for The Lion King during the NFL's Thanksgiving primetime game.



James Earl Jones, best known to Star Wars fans as the voice of Darth Vader, reprises the role of king Mufasa from the original classic animated movie with director Jon Favreau (The Jungle Book) at the helm. Jones is joined by a stellar cast including Beyonce, Donald Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Seth Rogan.

The Mouse House resumes its live-action remakes beginning with Cinderella and continues next with Aladdin.

The Lion King will be in cinemas next summer.

Darth Vader rumoured to be in Star Wars: Rogue One

Not an entirely surprising Star Wars rumour.

The upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Felicity Jones, is set prior to events in A New Hope. Therefore an appearance by Darth Vader wouldn't be unexpected.

The Sith Lord has already made his presence known in Star Wars Rebels on Disney XD and James Earl Jones is rumoured to reprise voice over duties on the big screen, too.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is released in cinemas 16th December.

Darth Vader returns in Star Wars Rebels on ABC

James Earl Jones reprises his iconic role as the voice of Darth Vader in an alternate version of Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion on ABC this October! Impressive. Most impressive.

Here's the press release:

The critically-acclaimed epic adventure Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion will air on ABC on Sunday, October 26 (7:00 p.m. ET/PT). Executive Producer Dave Filoni states, "We wanted to do something special for the ABC broadcast. We've added a scene which gives audiences insight into the Inquisitor and includes a cameo by Darth Vader voiced by the distinguished actor James Earl Jones."

The television movie Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion delivered 6.5-million viewers in its premieres on Disney Channel and Disney XD around the world including the U.S. and 16 markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa and Canada. The Star Wars Rebels weekly series on Disney XD (Mondays 9:00 p.m. ET/PT), has been renewed for a second season.

Set between the events of Star Wars Episodes III and IV, the Star Wars Rebels story unfolds during a dark time when the evil Galactic Empire is tightening its grip of power on the galaxy. Imperial forces have occupied a remote planet and are ruining the lives of its people. The motley but clever crew of the starship Ghost – cowboy Jedi Kanan, ace pilot Hera, street-smart teenager Ezra, the "muscle" Zeb, warrior firebrand Sabine, and grumpy old astromech droid Chopper – will face threatening new villains, embark on thrilling adventures and become heroes with the power to ignite a rebellion.

The voice cast includes Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan, Vanessa Marshall as Hera, Steve Blum as Zeb, Tiya Sircar as Sabine, Taylor Gray as Ezra, David Oyelowo as Agent Kallus and Jason Isaacs as the Inquisitor.

Star Wars Rebels is created by Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Sherlock Holmes), and Carrie Beck. The Lucasfilm Animation production is also executive-produced by Filoni and Kinberg as well as Greg Weisman (Gargoyles).