Anakin Skywalker, the protagonist of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, became Darth Vader, one of the most iconic villains in film history, towards the end of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The exact age at which he became Vader is not specified in the movies, but based on the timeline of the Star Wars universe, it’s possible to estimate his age at the time of his transformation.
According to the Star Wars timeline, Revenge of the Sith takes place about 19 years before the events of Episode IV: A New Hope, which is the first film to feature Darth Vader as a main character. In Revenge of the Sith, Anakin Skywalker is depicted as a young adult in his late twenties or early thirties, based on actor Hayden Christensen’s age at the time of filming. It’s unclear exactly how much time passes between the events of Revenge of the Sith and the moment when Anakin fully embraces his new identity as Darth Vader, but it’s likely to be a matter of weeks or months rather than years.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that Anakin Skywalker was in his late twenties or early thirties when he became Darth Vader. This is supported by the fact that Vader is depicted as a relatively young man in the original Star Wars trilogy, which takes place several years after his transformation. In A New Hope, Vader is estimated to be in his forties, which would put him in his late twenties or early thirties at the time of Revenge of the Sith.
It’s worth noting that Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader was not a sudden event, but rather a gradual process that took place over the course of the prequel trilogy. Anakin was initially a Jedi Knight, trained in the ways of the Force and loyal to the Jedi Order. However, his allegiance was tested when he began to fear for the safety of his loved ones, particularly his wife Padme Amidala, and became increasingly disillusioned with the Jedi Council.
In Revenge of the Sith, Anakin is seduced to the dark side of the Force by the Sith Lord Palpatine, who promises to help him save Padme’s life and gain power over the galaxy. Anakin is ultimately convinced to betray the Jedi Order and pledge his allegiance to Palpatine, taking on the name Darth Vader and donning the iconic black armor that has become synonymous with the character.
Overall, Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader at a relatively young age, likely in his late twenties or early thirties. His transformation was a gradual process that took place over the course of the prequel trilogy, culminating in his decision to betray the Jedi Order and embrace the dark side of the Force. The character of Darth Vader has become one of the most recognizable and beloved villains in film history, and his journey from a young Jedi to a fearsome Sith Lord continues to captivate audiences to this day.