Claim: Darth Vader was created by an award-winning filmmaker.
Evidence: The character was created by George Lucas and has been portrayed by numerous actors.
Lucas 's next film , an epic space opera titled Star Wars -LRB- 1977 -RRB- , went through a troubled production process ; however , it was a surprise hit , becoming the highest-grossing film at the time , as well as a winner of six Academy Awards and a cultural phenomenon.