WWE’s Sheamus To Play Darth Vader In ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’?
An article in The Irish Mirror today claims that WWE wrestler Sheamus may have been tapped to play Darth Vader in J.J. Abrams’ upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII, but as io9 points out, there may be a few problems with that particular rumor.
The Irish Mirror’s claims that Sheamus may have taken on the Darth Vader role hinge on the fact that he recently visited a remote Irish isle called Skellig Michael, while additionally, he has worn a Darth Vader costume in the past for “various Star Wars promotional tours.” As The Inquisitr has previously reported, part of Star Wars: Episode VII is being filmed on Skellig Michael. Sheamus had previously tweeted a picture of himself, revealing that he was headed to the island.
On way to #skelligmichael today stopped off at the #cliffsofmoher #ireland pic.twitter.com/bAXVIkmeqd
— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) July 29, 2014
Sheamus responded to the story by tweeting a picture of the column, claiming he “can’t confirm he won’t not” be taking the Darth Vader role:
I cant confirm that i wont not be reprising role of Darth Vader in #StarWars… I hope that’s clear @IrishMirror ? pic.twitter.com/hj0JNigkYm — Sheamus (@WWESheamus) July 30, 2014
While Brandon Stroud at Uproxx makes the point that a WWE wrestler playing Darth Vader doesn’t seem far-fetched in a current movie climate in which “Batista is Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy, former wrestler Kurrgan is piloting mechs in Pacific Rim and The Rock is playing everyone from Hercules to the Tooth Fairy,” Rob Bricken at io9 points out that there are several good reasons the rumor may not be true:
“1) Sheamus is Irish, meaning he has several other reasons for visiting the country other than secretly appearing in a Star Wars movie, and 2) Darth Vader is @$%ing dead. The movie being made is Episode VII. It’s set 30 years after the movie where Vader bought it. The Dark Lord of the Sith’s presence is not required.”
Making Star Wars takes the discussion one step further, positing that if Darth Vader is indeed returning in Episode VII, there are several ways in which the Sith Lord, or at least his image, could legitimately be brought back:
“I don’t like to speculate that there will be flashbacks, as Star Wars has never done them before in a film. Past tumors have said that Adam Driver’s character is obsessed with Darth Vader and other rumors have stated Darth Vader does return but who is under the helmet is a huge mystery with a reveal.”
Only time will tell if Sheamus’ trip to Skellig Michael really does mean we will get another chance to see Darth Vader face off against the Rebel Alliance.
[Image via io9 and Star Wars Underworld]
