2. Darth Vader

Admittedly, I am a big Star Wars fan. However, let me interject here for a moment with a thought: my enjoyment of the series has had absolutely no bearing at all on my selection of Vader as the second most iconic character. None at all. Consider the promotional material for the prequel series and I think you’ll understand why:
For the release of Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace, George Lucas released a lovely one-sheet poster depicting a young Anakin Skywalker with the menacing shadow of Darth Vader looming behind him. Then, in 2001, Lucas released the very first teaser trailer for Star Wars, Episode II. It was a collection of images set to the tone of Darth Vader’s ominous breathing. Finally, for the last Star Wars film, Revenge of the Sith, the director established a trailer that once again revealed the classic villain in all his glory.
Even when we step away from the promotional material for the latest Star Wars film and consider the linage of the previous films we’re faced with a bombardment of the character. On cereal boxes, action figures, t-shirts, magazines and numerous other items, Vader’s insipid mask is proudly plastered.
Is this repeated use of Vader as a promotional tool purely a matter of coincidence? Absolutely not! It’s calculated and specific, intended for public consumption. Lucas and his marketing team know the impact of the character, and they’ve maximized the use of Vader’s image in every possible manner to profit from that impact. In fact, I doubt that the promotional material for the recent Star Wars films would have been as successful without Vader’s overbearing presence. It’s unfair to give you the impression that he’s the ultimate trump card however.
Vader’s iconic nature may have been used to a vast effect in promotional materials the world over, but he is primarily an iconic character because of the brilliance and creativity that went into establishing him. A number of people are to be applauded for this. First and foremost, the character’s design, a ghoulish concoction of black leather and blinking “life support”, can be attributed to the artistic influence of production designer Ralph Macquarie and Industrial Light and Magic. His skeletal mask, a death’s head of terror, was masterfully sculpted together by production artists and visual effect craftsmen. His haunting respiratory system, that deep hissing noise that emanates from whatever scene he happens to be occupying, is the offspring of Foley Artist Ben Burt. Last, but not least, his voice; a sinister tambour vile enough to be a character in and of itself, can be attributed to the vocal performance of James Earl Jones. Without any of these contributions in place the character would have failed. But, when put together, they give birth to a maniacal, devious character…one that has come to symbolize evil in film for several generations. And if Lucas’ use of Vader in promotional material stands as an indication of the future, it is likely that he’ll continue to symbolize cinema evil for many generations to come.
That is why I’ve selected Darth Vader as my second most iconic film character. He’s the reason why lists like these are created! Of course, it could be argued that his recent sullying at the hands of Lucas’ prequel saga diminishes the character’s resonance. Yet, it could just as easily be counter argued that the character’s original magnificence was never brought into question. A few actors have attempted to portray the man behind the mask, and have failed. But the original performance was never a failure. The group of people I mentioned created an icon, and no matter how many follies Lucas creates, that original iconic character can never be taken away.