James Earl Jones Plays Two of Cinema's Greatest Villains
We all know Darth Vader, yet there's also Conan: The Barbarian's Snake Lord, The Ruthless Reptile, Thulsa Doom
‘Flesh grows weak. Steel becomes brittle. The true steel must be within a man's heart, and that steel must be unbreakable.’ - Conan 1982
Firstly, let’s face fantastic facts, my super fabulous fantastical fans. The Star Wars universe gave us a super baddie for all times. Darth Vader is one super villain which nearly all of us dearly love - to hate. He thoroughly overshadows pretty much everybody. Yes, this means even you, Kylo-Ren. It’s a rare villain which gets close to his shadowy charms. Of course, sometimes in the wild world of sci-fi and fantasy, you’re forced to share the spotlight with someone nearly as cooly intimidating as your badass Jedi self.
The former Anakin Skywalker may be everyone’s favorite bad boy from classic Star Wars, but like the ever dueling immortals of Highlander say, There is another…. He’s one big bad which Vader would probably admire or perhaps even fear. Vader, please meet another - and ya better have the dark side humming powerfully to even remotely survive the meeting.
Vader, let me introduce you to the equally villainous Thulsa Doom.
Jones personified another incredibly powerful villainous figure - one that gives Vader a run for his monstrous money. James Earl Jones plays both, the politically corrupted, tortured Dark Lord Of The Sith, Darth Vader, and in director John Milius’ 1982 feature film classic Conan: The Barbarian, he is the enigmatic Thulsa Doom - the fear inducing snakehead of the village destroying, blood splattering snake cult.
For one actor during one respected career to embody two such legendary movie figures is quite a formidable feat for anyone to pull off. Oh, and don’t forget, we also have his non-villainous iconic role, that of legendary Simba’s Dad in the classic animated The Lion King, to savor.
Darth Vader
It’s the question Star Wars fans keep on asking year after year: Jedi gone bad or simply misunderstood political firebrand? Anakin Skywalker had a rough time of it for sure, and becoming Vader just seemed the natural course of things for the young, impressionable Padawan. Afterall, if you were burned beyond recognition by your friend and teacher, wouldn’t you want to hide away in a groovy getup like Vader’s?
Even the not so worshipful, non rabid Star Wars fans, or plain old folk who don’t enjoy watching installments beamed in from a galaxy far, far away know the character of Darth Vader. They recognize him immediately and probably have feelings about this iconic sci-fi bad boy, other than say dressing up like him or buying yet another official action figure with his light up lightsaber.
And though every praise and accolade bestowed upon David Prowse - who inhabited the actual costume - to Jones, who gave voice to Luke Skywalker’s dad is more than deserved, the malevolent Thulsa Doom seems to have been lost or nearly forgotten amid the celebratory Star Wars attention.
Clearly, this is a sad truth which must be remedied.
Conan Needed A Worthy Movie Opponent & He Got Him
Batman has his jolly Joker. Superman loves fighting loony Lex Luthor amid the mod Metropolis skyline. Kirk karate kills Klingons. Our heroes desperately need their opposite as much as they need their flashy costumes, cosmic powers and utility belts full of glorious gangbusting gadgets. Giving a muscle bound, mythic, sword wielding insanely strong warrior a worthy foe who can keep up with him on every level is never a small order.
When Conan fans read about his adventures in the pulp ages, it’s easier for writers and editors to construct an epic world. Fans can be notoriously patient readers who will allow the world building of a favored hero. I remember loyally collecting issues of Rom: Spaceknight from Marvel. And although naturally some issues were better than others, I faithfully kept buying the comic books week after week.
In a big budget movie, you’ve only one shot - the first shot, and you better make it count, that means giving fans a super villain to love to fear, to relish as one to properly inhabit their nightmares.
Famed director Oliver Stone had worked on a first draft version of the original screenplay, however when John Milius took on the project, he ditched Stone’s future setting of Conan fighting an army comprised of thousands of sci-fi powered mutants. Milius employed one of Conan creator Robert E. Howard’s characters for his film nemesis. Thulsa Doom is one of many undead wizards which populates Howard’s work, and then later made appearances in Marvel Comics adventures.
Thulsa Doom remains one of the most complex and unsettling movie villains in any movie production. He’s memorable thanks to the talents of the make-up artists, special FX techs, John Milius as passionate director, but most of all from the power which James Earl Jones brings to the character creation. If you’ve never seen the movie, he’s one of the real highlights of the experience. I think I’ll go watch it once more, and pretend my dream comes true. I’m waiting for that match up between Vader and Thulsa. I know Darth daddy has the seductive power of the force, but has he ever gone up against an undead wizard who can morph into a gigantic snake?
Lest we forget the late great Basil Poledouris, who’s exceptional soundtrack amplified the movie to a whole other level