Darth Vader was created by an award-winning filmmaker.
Darth Vader . The character was created by George Lucas and has been portrayed by numerous actors . George Lucas . The film was critically and commercially successful , and received five Academy Award nominations including Best Picture . Lucas 's next film , an epic space opera titled Star Wars ( 1977 ) , went through a troubled production process ; however , it was a surprise hit , becoming the highest-grossing film at the time , as well as a winner of six Academy Awards and a cultural phenomenon .