Original Darth Vader cancels on Texas Comicon [updated]

English actor David Prowse (L), who played the character of Darth Vader in the first "Star Wars" trilogy poses with a fan dressed up in a Darth Vader costume during a Star Wars convention on April 27, 2013 in Cusset. AFP PHOTO THIERRY ZOCCOLAN (Photo credit should read THIERRY ZOCCOLAN/AFP/Getty Images) English actor David Prowse (L), who played the character of Darth Vader (Dark Vador in French) in the first Star Wars trilogy poses with a fan dressed up in a Darth Vader costume during a Star Wars convention on April 27, 2013 in Cusset. AFP PHOTO THIERRY ZOCCOLAN (Photo credit should read THIERRY ZOCCOLAN/AFP/Getty Images) less English actor David Prowse (L), who played the character of Darth Vader in the first "Star Wars" trilogy poses with a fan dressed up in a Darth Vader costume during a Star Wars convention on April 27, 2013 in ... more Photo: THIERRY ZOCCOLAN /AFP /Getty Images Photo: THIERRY ZOCCOLAN /AFP /Getty Images Image 1 of / 78 Caption Close Original Darth Vader cancels on Texas Comicon [updated] 1 / 78 Back to Gallery

Talk about your grave disturbance in the Force.

Texas Comicon has announced David Prowse, the imposing English actor who portrayed Darth Vader in the original “Star Wars” trilogy films, has canceled his appearance for the comic/pop culture convention. Paul Blake, who played Greedo in the original first "Star Wars” film, also canceled. Texas Comicon runs Friday through Sunday at San Antonio Shrine Auditorium.

Comicon founder Kris Kidd said he received word Monday morning that Prowse and Blake canceled due to flight accommodations. Kidd said he had upgraded them accordingly, but to no avail.

“We of course are disappointed beyond belief because we are fans, too,” Kidd said. “And it was a shock that it was so close to the show. But we’re trying to come up with some other ‘Star Wars’ celebrities that might be able to come. So we haven’t given up on our ‘Star Wars’ fans.”

Kidd later pointed out Prowse and Blake were both announced as guests for Nerdageddon this very Saturday in the United Kingdom. The Facebook announcements for the two (here and here) appear to have been posted soon after Kidd got word of their Comicon cancellations.

Nerdageddon co-founder Dave Penny said they have no comment. We’re seeking comment from Prowse and Blake and will update should we receive any reply.

UPDATE: Prowse issued the following statement on Facebook:

Regrettably I have had to cancel my appearance at this weekend's Texas Comicon in San Antonio. I feel it is important that the fans know exactly why I have had to take this action.

This booking has been in place and contracted for many months, but only recently has the promoter started to organize my flights and travel. I gave specific instructions as to how I need to be accommodated on a long flight. I always travel in Business Class as I need plenty of room due to the fact I am very immobile and use 2 crutches. Even short flights I find very uncomfortable. I had also requested that any layover be long enough for me to easily make any connections. I was sent a flight proposal that was exactly what I had requested. We were told that this would be booked, yet some time later the promoter chose to book with a different airline involving a very tight connection in Detroit. This was done without any consultation. With this ticket I had been booked in a lower class than that in my contract. My assistant repeatedly emailed the promoter over several days asking for changes to be made to the ticket. We were all assured that the ticket class would be upgraded and the connection changed for an earlier flight. A warning had been given that we were running out of time to get everything organised. On Friday we were informed that everything would be adjusted and confirmed by the end of Saturday. By Monday morning this still hadn't been actioned by the promoter. With only 3 days until my trip I was very concerned and worried as it appeared that the promoter had left everything to the last minute. I therefore instructed my assistant to cancel me out of Texas Comicon.

This is also the same reason why Paul Blake has cancelled.

A local convention here in the UK had already contacted me asking me to attend their show on Saturday. I had told them I was scheduled to appear in Texas, but once I had cancelled my trip to America I saw no harm in agreeing to attending their event. There was no double booking!

I am very sorry not to be meeting with my fans in San Antonio. I was originally very much looking forward to coming. I hope you will understand why I will not be there. It is purely down to the promoter's lack of organisation which resulted in a breach of my contract. I will be appearing at other conventions in America soon.

Dave Prowse M.B.E.

Prowse’s assistant Julian Owen said via email Prowse and Blake canceled for “breach to their contracts involving their flight requirements and travel arrangements.”

Prowse portrayed Vader in body while James Earl Jones voiced the character in 1977’s “Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope,” 1980’s “Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back,” and 1983’s “Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.” Prowse also played a bodyguard in 1971’s “A Clockwork Orange” and the Minotaur in a couple of 1972 “Doctor Who” episodes.

Texas Comicon will still welcome a colorful army of celebrities and comic book talents — not to mention costumed convention goers — with more comics, action figures and other geeky goods than you can shake a lightsaber at.

“Power Rangers” fans can look forward to stars Catherine Sutherland (the second Pink Power Ranger), Blake Foster (the Blue Turbo Ranger), Robert Axelrod (voice of the villainous Lord Zedd) and Barbara Goodson (voice of the wicked Rita Repulsa).

Other celebrity guests include the voices behind the most famous of Transformers — Peter Cullen, voice of the noble Optimus Prime from the Transformers movies and cartoons, and Frank Welker, voice of Prime’s arch-enemy Megatron. And the Flash himself also zips into town with an appearance by John Wesley Shipp√, title star of “The Flash” 1990 live-action TV series.

Putting the comic in Comicon, look for legendary artist George Pérez, whose super-heroic work has graced both DC Comics with the classic limited series “Crisis on Infinite Earths” and Marvel Comics with a lauded run on “The Avengers.” Pérez gave fans the best of both those worlds with the miniseries “JLA/Avengers,” which featured the likes of Superman, Batman, Captain America and Iron Man in one titanic tale.

Other sequential art talents include artists Ethan Van Sciver and New Mutants co-creator Bob McLeod.

rguzman@express-news.net

Twitter: @reneguz