Will Darth Vader Be Resurrected for the New 'Star Wars' Trilogy?

OK, this is completely a rumor, but it's an interesting rumor. British tabloid the Daily Express is reporting that Darth Vader will be resurrected for the new Star Wars trilogy. Citing a "film mole," the Express has this to say about the possibility of Vader's return from the dead:

“He’s an integral part of the franchise. Replacing him is virtually impossible,” explains a film mole. “The plan is for him to return and play a significant role in the new films. ... This is science fiction remember,” we’re told. “Darth Vader will rise from the ashes.”

It's funny that this rumor should pop up online on Tuesday, since offering the theory of Vader being brought back for the new trilogy to a coworker on Monday night. It may sound ridiculous, but hear me out for a second.

There are few characters more iconic than Darth Vader, and now he's the property of Disney. They would be foolish to not capitalize on that. As the Prequel Trilogy was all about Anakin Skywalker's transformation into Vader, those movies were unable to use the villain in the way that the Original Trilogy did. We got Darth Maul, Count Dooku, General Grievous and Palpatine instead. Maul was the only villain who came close to equaling what Vader brought to the table, and George Lucas killed him off after one movie.

Star Wars: Episode VII and the additional two movies that make up the Sequel Trilogy will need something that anchors them to the original Star Wars movies. Vader could be that anchor. I'm not sure how you pull that off, but it would have to be cooler than Hayden Christensen in Force ghost form.