Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith Hides a shock Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader Detail on Mustafar, the location of Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi’s iconic lightsaber duel and, eventually, Vader’s castle. Mustafar is a pivotal place in Star Wars Movies and TV shows. In fact, in a sense, Mustafar is responsible for Vader needing his iconic suit, as Vader sustained his life-threatening burns because of the molten planet. Even if Obi-Wan still divided Anakin, another planet would not have led to such severe suffering.
Furthermore, Mustafar is the last place Anakin ever saw Padmé alive, and, in many ways, was the place of the end of both their relationship and the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan. However, even in light of all this significance, There is more to Mustafar than initially meets the eye. Specifically, Mustafar’s name hides a pivotal connection to Anakin Skywalker—one that proves George Lucas’ subtle brilliance.
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The name of Mustafar ties perfectly to Anakin Skywalker’s fate
The name ‘Mustafar’ is derived from the Arabic word مصطفى, or ‘Mustafa’, which means chosen or appointed. In addition to this meaning, the name is one name used for the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Clearly, the choice of name for this planet was very intentional by Lucas, because it is directly tied to the identity of Anakin Skywalker as the chosen one.
This choice is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the planet of Mustafar and all that transpired on it was key to Anakin’s path as the Chosen One. This title/identity has been questioned over the years, as Anakin’s turn to the dark side and brutal slaughter of not only the Jedi (including the younglings) during Order 66, but also the Tusken Raiders previously were at odds with the man who would Destroy the Sith and bring balance to the force. However, Lucas’ choice of the name suggests that Anakin’s fall and suffering are essential to his path.
The “chosen” always had to suffer in order to one day be redeemed.
Lucas’ choice to use this name may be a controversial one because of its religious importance. so, This is far from the only instance of Lucas tapping into religion to build these Star Wars History. After all, even before Mustafar was named, there was always something very messianic about Anakin. In fact, the religious associations, perhaps more than anything else, reveal why Anakin’s complex, sometimes brutal way to bring balance to the Force really makes him the chosen one.
There was always something very messianic about Anakin.
The idea of the chosen one, in many religions, is associated with suffering. Certainly, this was the case for Anakin, although, again, his violence and destruction make this more complicated than the story of many messiahs. Even so, it is true that he suffered not only after his destruction and near-death experience on Mustafar, but also before, with a childhood enslaved on Tatooine and with the terrible loss of his mother in such a brutal way.
George Lucas’ prequel trilogy drew ideas from so many different religions
Anakin’s very origins are also proof of the extent to which George Lucas pulled from religion to develop the Star Wars story, especially in the prequels. Controversially, Lucas introduced Anakin as a young boy in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom MenaceWhich surprised many viewers after how menacing Darth Vader was in the original trilogy. However, what created even more backlash was Lucas’ decision to reveal this Anakin was basically immaculately conceived. That is, in The Phantom MenaceShami Skywalker said to Qui-Gon Jinn “There was no father,” Implying that Anakin was a virgin birth.
Of course, this immediately calls to mind the Christian story of Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary. In fact, this is yet another connection to Anakin Skywalker’s status as the Chosen One, as Anakin was meant to bring balance to the Force and destroy the Sith. In the end, he did so, but it cost him his life – a story not entirely different from the story of Jesus, who died for all sins. Again, there are massive disparities between the two, in that Anakin became one of Star Wars Most powerful Sith – a distant call from the story of Jesus.
Nevertheless, it is clear that Lucas drew direct inspiration from Christianity for Anakin’s origin story. In addition, Lucas clearly addressed the ways in which Buddhism influenced his concepts Star WarsWhich can be seen in the Jedi Order and their many practices focused on peace, selflessness and compassion. Clearly, religion played a shockingly major role in George Lucas’ Star Wars Plans. In particular, Mustafar was very deliberately named in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the SithRevealing even more ways Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader.