Second fan film about Vader released 8 years after the original, featuring Mace Windu

The second part of a fan-made Darth Vader short film dropped this week.

Work on the sequel took nearly a decade and came with constant delays. The film was originally titled "The Amethyst Blade," and over the years the channel released two cinematic teasers running about six minutes combined.

The story takes place eight months after the Galactic Empire proclamation. On Naboo, near Padme Amidala tomb, rumors spread about a powerful surviving Jedi, and Vader sets out with a squad of 501st Legion troopers to sweep the area. Beneath the armor, the shadow of Anakin Skywalker still stirs.

The Jedi in question turns out to be Mace Windu, who survived Order 66. Sidious himself gives Vader the assignment to track him down. A hint of this encounter was already planted in the finale of the first part.

For many fans, the biggest talking point was the voice casting. Mace Windu is voiced by Terrence Carson, known as the original voice of Kratos in every God of War game set in the Greek pantheon. He voiced the same character back in the 2008 "The Clone Wars" animated series, making this a return to the role after years away.

Funding projects like this runs into Lucasfilm rules, which allow fan films to exist but forbid making direct profit off them. The channel creator works around the restriction through his own merchandise line, including a replica of the Shatterpoint lightsaber in a gift edition signed by Terrence Carson.

Reactions have been split. Some viewers call the film an example of what Star Wars should be and demand Lucasfilm hire the creator. Others accuse the film of relying on generative technology.

One scene getting particular attention is the dialogue between Windu and Vader, where the Jedi reminds his opponent of his dead wife and mother.

A third installment continuing the series was mentioned early in development a few years back, but there's no timeline for it yet.