- "Vader is played by three people, we all worked together to create the best Darth Vader in cinematic history. It's me, it's Hayden , It's Tom. We are a symbiosis. We all contributed our strengths to create the best representation of the character."
- ―Dmitrious Bistrevsky on Instagram
Dmitrious Bistrevsky (born October 27, 1987) is a Ukrainian-American actor and circus artist[1] who portrayed a Quarren trawler in the debut episode of the Disney+ live-action TV series The Mandalorian.[3] He also served as one of three actors playing Darth Vader in the live-action series Obi-Wan Kenobi, with Bistrevsky, credited as "Performance artist – Darth Vader",[4] doubling for Hayden Christensen in full body shots where Vader is wearing his helmet; and stunt double Tom O'Connell doing the fight scenes.[2]
Star Wars biography[]
Because of Bistrevsky being 6'7" tall, he was used to bring Vader to life in full body-shots because it looked better having an actual actor, as opposed to a CGI creation. The actor spent five months of training ten hours a day for the role. The first scene that he shot, was the street scene on Mapuzo, which was also his favorite scene to film. Some scenes required switching back and forth between multiple actors. At one point, all three of Vader's actors were present at the same time.[2]
Although the character is voiced by James Earl Jones,[4] Bistrevsky still learned all of Vader's lines for the shooting. However, if he spoke with anger, Vader's helmet would shake, so a voice actor named Dorian was present during filming and voice acted the scenes on set, with Bistrevsky moving in accordance with the lines. At the same time, a movement coach/consultant named Olga Sokolova would give him instructions via hand signals. Bistrevsky used meditation to stay in Vader's state of mind on set. According to the actor, "It was dark and heavy playing the character, it tore me up from the inside."[2]
Star Wars credits[]
- The Mandalorian (Quarren trawler)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (Darth Vader)
Obi-Wan Kenobi – "Part III"- Obi-Wan Kenobi – "Part IV"
- Obi-Wan Kenobi – "Part V"
- Obi-Wan Kenobi – "Part VI"
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3
Dmitrious Bistrevsky (@demeet2k) on Instagram: Profile: "Dmitrious is a Ukrainian/American actor and circus artist." (backup link)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Dmitrious Bistrevsky (@demeet2k) on Instagram: The Cats out of the bag. I LIKE CATS 🐈⬛: "It was dark and heavy playing the character, it tore me up from the inside. But you've already seen my favorite scene of filming "street scene". It was my introduction to set, and my first day of filming and meeting everyone after 5 months of training 10hrs a day for the role (...) On set I was usually in meditation, staying the headspace of the character, so I honestly don't know what was going on around me. (...) Some scenes required switch back and forth between multiple people. It took a village. (...) I learned all my lines like everyone else. But we found out earlier on that when I spoke with anger it shook the helmet. So we had a voice actor on set, my friend Dorian, he would voice act the scene, and I would act to his intensity while adding my own character choices. We danced together to create the performance alongside my movement coach/consultant Olga Sokolova. Her and I have a secret hand language so she would be giving me notes in real time as well. It was a great big dance, it shouldn't have worked, but it worked out beautifully. (...) Yes, There was. It happened once, there was a tremor. (...) Vader is played by three people, we all worked together to create the best Darth Vader in cinematic history. It's me, it's Hayden , It's Tom. We are a symbiosis. We all contributed our strengths to create the best representation of the character. (...) Hayden and I both act in the Darth Vader scenes, we bring the character and the emotions (and the pain, suffering, anger) I'm 6'7 so when you see a full body shot it looks better having an actor, vs a CGI creation. Tom specializes in the fighting. The fights are Tom. Full body with Helmet On is me, Hayden carries the heaviest burden of all, the pain and betrayal of his best friend and once mentor. (...) Hayden wore the suit, I wore the suit, Tom wore the suit. We all worked together to create the best character we possibly can. We are a team." (backup link)
- ↑
The Mandalorian – "Chapter 1: The Mandalorian"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Obi-Wan Kenobi – "Part III"
External links[]
- Dmitrious Bistrevsky at the Internet Movie Database
- Dmitrious Bistrevsky (@demeet2k) on Facebook
- Dmitrious Bistrevsky (@demeet2k) on Instagram
- Dmitrious Bistrevsky (@demeet2k) on Twitter
