James Earl Jones to read Declaration

The voice of Darth Vader will be the voice of the Declaration of Independence.

James Earl Jones, whose rich baritone gave life to the sinister villain of the "Star Wars" movies, will be in Philadelphia on Tuesday to help open an exhibit featuring the Magna Carta at the National Constitution Center.

The Broadway and movie actor who also was behind King Mufasa in "The Lion King" _ as well as countless Verizon commercials _ will recite the Declaration of Independence at the "Magna Carta: Foundation of Freedom" exhibit one day before the Fourth of July.

"Here's an opportunity to focus on the declaration itself _ besides the holiday, besides the great explosions and bombs bursting in air," Jones said in an interview that aired Sunday on ABC's "This Week."

The exhibit, presented by the National Education Association and sponsored by Verizon Communications, will run from July 4 to July 25. The Magna Carta is on loan from Great Britain's Lincoln Cathedral.

In addition to the Magna Carta, the 1215 document that helped inspire the Declaration of Independence, the center also features a signed Emancipation Proclamation and a printing of the U.S. Constitution.