Darth Vader costume elicits reactions on set

Three main men have worn the cape and mask of Darth Vader in George Lucas’ “Star Wars” saga.

Hayden Christensen, who dons the Vader costume for “Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith,” in theaters May 19, says he could almost feel a power emanating from the costume.

“You walk with a little more confidence,” he says. “You could see people on the set reacting to it.

“And George looked pretty happy to see Vader back. It’s hard to describe, but after a little while I thought, ‘I am Darth Vader.’ “

Not only is Vader powerful, he’s sexy, says David Prowse, who played the character in the first three films and has made thousands of appearances as Vader in costume.

“Women like him because of his black leather,” says Prowse. “It was quite strange. For a time, they were turning up on my doorstep.

“One woman from New York turns up at my gym and says, ‘You know, we were married in a previous life.’ All sorts of weird things.”