Darth Vader will be resurrected in the upcoming trilogy of new Star Wars films, a report says.
Plans to shoot the trio of new Star Wars movies were announced by Disney after it bought Lucasfilms Ltd for $4 billion last month.
They are predicted to carry the story of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia beyond 1983's Return of the Jedi, the third film released and the sixth in the saga.
Despite the death of the series' iconic supervillain Vader in Return of the Jedi, film industry insiders say he will be brought back for the new movies, Britain's Daily Express reports.
"He's an integral part of the franchise. Replacing him is virtually impossible...
"The plan is for him to return and play a significant role in the new films," the insider said.
Vader's death in Return of the Jedi would not be an obstacle to his comeback, the report said.
"This is science fiction remember. Darth Vader will rise from the ashes."
The first new Star Wars film, with a working title of Episode 7, is marked for release in 2015.
Its release date is a decade after that of the last Star Wars film Revenge of the Sith.
Other new Star Wars films are expected to follow every two to three years after Episode 7.
- Herald Online