Some news of David Prowse recuperating following from the British newspaper, The Daily Express:

ACTOR David Prowse, best known as the man behind the mask of Darth Vader in Star Wars, will clearly take offence if George Lucas fails to let him don helmet and cape in the next Star Wars prequel. Prowse, also famed as the Green Cross Code Man, spoke from his hospital bed while recovering from a hip replacement operation after it dislocated three times.

He played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy although his voice was dubbed over by American actor James Earl Jones, who will return for Episode III due to be released in 2005.

Prowse said: "James Earl Jones called me the other night and said he's got seven minutes of dubbing in the new film. That's quite a juicy piece. "Having the operation now is a godsend. I can be fit again by Christmas, then get in the gym so I can be fit to play the role when it comes up later next year - fingers crossed.

"I think Lucasfilm is honour-bound. I've got such a fanatical following all around the world. Lucasfilm has just sent me a thousand plaques to sign for the launch of a new light-sabre toy. I'll understand if I'm not fit but otherwise I think Lucasfilm really is honour-bound."

Thanks to DARK_SCORE for the heads up.