Star Wars Theory Reveals The Real Reason Darth Vader Died In Return Of The Jedi (Not Palpatine)

This Star Wars Theory suggests that Darth Vader May have died for one main reason in Return of the Jedi— and this is not the lightning of Emperor Palpatine’s Force. Return of the Jedi Has long been considered one of Star Wars Best movies, and it continues to have a massive influence on those Star Wars Timeline. In fact, in many ways, Return of the Jedi laid the groundwork for many of these Star Wars Movies and TV shows that followed, as it established both the future of the Jedi and the New Republic and revealed even more about the Skywalker family tree.

especially, Return of the Jedi Shockingly revealed that Leia was Luke Skywalker’s sister, but it also confirmed that Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker truly still had good in him, just as Luke had suspected. Unfortunately, however, the revelation came right before Darth Vader died. so, Darth Vader’s death in Return of the Jedi May be more than it seems. In fact, one Star Wars Theory suggests that the very nature of Darth Vader’s death in the original trilogy may have been largely misunderstood.

Vader needs his mask to breathe

There were many Sith helmets inside Star WarsSome with immense power, however Darth Vader’s helmet was much more than a Sith mask. like Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith Revealed, Vader’s helmet was a key part of his life-sustaining suit; Without the helmet, Vader can’t breathe. This was precisely the reason for the iconic work breathing that is so heavily associated with Darth Vader in the franchise and outside it.

actually, Star Wars In recent years he has gone out of his way to reveal how necessary the helmet was. in Obi-Wan KenobiFor example, Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi engaged in an epic battle during which Vader’s helmet was broken, revealing half of his face underneath. Once the helmet broke, though, that was effectively the end of the fight. Vader was heard struggling to breathe, and Obi-Wan was able to simply walk away, even as Vader stood in front of him.

Vader sustained injuries, but he’d have survived worse

It is true that Vader was significantly injured in Return of the Jedi before his death. After all, he risked his own life to save Luke from Palpatine, stepping in and taking on the Force lightning Palpatine was trying to shoot at Luke. Undoubtedly, this caused considerable damage, especially since Vader was already subject to so much serious injury during his lifetime. however, Darth Vader has survived much worse before.

For one, Obi-Wan Kenobi had left Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader effectively for dead on Mustafar after their epic battle in Return of the Sith. Not only did Obi-Wan dismember Anakin, cutting off all of his remaining fleshy limbs, but he also watched as he was burned almost to death by lava. Presumably, Anakin/Vader only survived this because of his immense strength in the Force. Yes, Vader was about 20 years older and had already suffered other injuries Return of the JediBut it is nevertheless strange that Force Lightning would kill him after he survived all that happened on Mustafar.

moreover, Anakin has already survived being blasted with Force lightning. in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the ClonesAnakin took on Count Dooku for the first time, and, during the encounter, Dooku attacked him with Force Lightning. Palpatine’s Force Lightning is no doubt much more powerful than Dooku’s, but, again, it’s strange that Anakin would have survived the attack – in this case, relatively unscathed – but he died due to Force Lightning in Return of the Jedi.

Vader asked Luke to take his helmet off

Niha, Vader also immediately told Luke to remove his helmet for him Return of the Jedi. In part, it was a sweet moment between father and son. After all, Vader specifically said he wanted his helmet off so he could look at his son with his own eyes for the first (and last) time. Some even added to this scene by suggesting Anakin/Vader also wanted to see Padmé’s traits in their son with his own eyes in particular, to have that connection to her when he died.

However, Vader knew that Luke removing his helmet would kill him. As it is established, Vader needs his helmet to live; He would suffocate without it. Yes, Vader was likely seriously injured, but by asking Luke to remove his helmet, he knew he was sealing his fate. This raises questions about the true cause of Darth Vader’s death. Did Darth Vader really already die from the force flash, or is there another reason he asked Luke to remove his helmetBeyond just the desire to see his son without his helmet on?

Vader achieved what he needed to

This Star Wars Theory instead suggests that Darth Vader may be able to survive in Return of the JediBut he decided to die because he knew it was his time. Specifically, Darth Vader achieved everything he set out to accomplish, and he had a small role in the galaxy that would form after the fall of the Empire. For one, Vader saved his son’s life and returned to the light side of the Force. Furthermore, however, Anakin/Vader ultimately fulfills the chosen prophecy.

The prophecy said that the Chosen One would bring balance to the Force, and, by returning to the light side of the Force and destroying Palpatine (or so it seemed at the time), Anakin/Vader fulfilled the prophecy. While these were incredible victories, they don’t change the fact that Anakin/Vader wouldn’t really have a place in the new galaxy. Luke was perfectly positioned to rebuild the Jedi, and Leia was primed to help establish the New Republic.

Essentially, Anakin’s children are the future, and Even though he was redeemed, it wouldn’t make sense for him to be part of rebuilding the Jedi or the Republic.. Redemption could only go so far, and while Luke might be willing to forgive him, others—including Leia—wouldn’t be. Perhaps for this reason, Vader decided it was truly his time to go, leading him to let Luke remove his mask even though he could have lived longer without it.

Of course, this remains just a theory, but it certainly makes sense. As the chosen one, Anakin would succeed in the job he was born to do, and he secured the future of the galaxy through Luke and Leia. Although it would have been heartwarming to see father and son spend more time together and perhaps even father and daughter find some common ground, by the end of Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader / Anakin Skywalker’s Star Wars The story is truly over.