James Earl Jones Portrayed a Villain Even More Evil Than Darth Vader

The legendary James Earl Jones is best known for his iconic roles, particularly his voice work as Darth Vader in ‘Star Wars’ and Mufasa in ‘The Lion King’. However, beyond these famous characters, Jones also portrayed an equally menacing villain: Thulsa Doom in ‘Conan the Barbarian’. While the film is often remembered for launching Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career, Jones’ portrayal of Doom is what truly elevates the story, making him a terrifying and unforgettable foe.

From the opening scene, Thulsa Doom wreaks havoc on Conan’s life, brutally killing his parents and wiping out his tribe, leaving young Conan to endure a life of slavery and a burning desire for revenge. Even in Conan’s adulthood, Doom continues to torment him, crucifying Conan and killing Valeria, a woman Conan had grown to love. Doom’s commitment to mentally and physically breaking Conan apart sets him apart from Darth Vader, who mainly uses brute force and the Dark Side.

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Doom’s sinister powers also make him even more chilling. His ability to hypnotize people into committing horrific acts, such as commanding someone to jump off a cliff at his whim, demonstrates his terrifying psychological manipulation. One of the film’s most memorable moments is when Doom mocks Conan, stating that true strength lies in controlling others, not in physical power. Jones’ booming voice and commanding presence make this scene particularly haunting.

Despite the film’s tumultuous production, Jones’ casting was smooth, and he even helped Schwarzenegger improve his acting skills on set. In return, Schwarzenegger helped Jones with physical training. This dynamic benefitted both actors, contributing to ‘Conan the Barbarian’s success and cult status.

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James Earl Jones’ portrayal of Thulsa Doom gave the character a fearsome depth, helping solidify ‘Conan the Barbarian’ as a fantasy classic.

–Farheen Ali