When serious meets silly....and silly gets a makeover....
Or
Why you never thought a black space diaper could be so cool.
Darth Vader's codpiece is obviously a sensitive topic --never to be openly discussed outside of the hyperbaric chamber! Truth be told, a poorly made codpiece can completely throw off an otherwise decent costume if is too small, too large, or its features are disproportionate.
Indeed, but well put! The codpiece is most definitely an anchor that helps balance the components.
Where did it come from?: Several of our friends who have worked in and around the industry are adamant that the original 1977 version was in fact a hand made piece. Yet David Prowse himself (actor who played Darth Vader) appears to have suggested he delivered a similar piece to the early LFL crew back in 1977. This story may be partially cooberated by several accounts claiming to have identified an original sports protector identical the the ANH (A New Hope) version; that may have been the inspiration for the actual costume part, or simply a modified as a test piece or prototype. So it appears both accounts could have some merit. What would be rather interesting to know is when Ralph McQuarrie first sketched Vader with a "codpiece."
Continued use: Some speculation also exists as to whether or not the A New Hope codpiece is the same as the Empire Strikes Back and finally in the Return of the Jedi version. This connection is supported by a striking similarity in weather details such as the wrinkling. The Empire and Jedi version clearly shows a lip around the bottom edge. A similar lip exists on the A New Hope version, yet it is curled upwards more, removing the lip from normal viewing angles (any attempt to look up Darth Vader's codpiece might result in inhumane punishment!). Given that the Empire Strikes Back codpiece appears to have also been unfurled, based on latent downward curvature towards the bottom, it is not impossible to rule out a single codpiece as having been refurbished and reused in all three fims. Nevertheless, some industry insiders claim the two were separate pieces; that is to say, the A New Hope codpiece is different from the one used in the two latter films, the Empire Strikes Back and the Return of the Jedi.
In any event, the overall look of the ANH and ESB/ROTJ codpieces show clear aesthetic differences, even if they are actually one piece that went through refurbishment.
"Vader's costume -what makes it work, why its so timeless- is because it is an artistic balancing act between the hard or cold mechanical and the roughly familiar, and merging the two with absolute respect to one another. ....the costume is very easy to throw off if pieces are disproportionate. A well made codpiece imparticular since it is often overlooked, helps distribute and blend the softer leather elements and material with the mechanical armor, balancing the costume .. vastly improving even the best costumes. This balance is true with all the components except that the codpiece as a proper anchor to the torso, although constantly ignored (I don't think I've evern expounded that much on the codpiece! )"
