Hayden Christensen’s return toStar Warsas Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader has been triumphant, and we have oneStar Warsdirector to thank for bringing him back to the franchise. When theStar Warsprequel trilogy films were first released, audiences and critics had a lot to say about Hayden Christensen’s performance as Anakin – most of it negative – despite his palpable dedication to the role and the raw emotion he brought to his performance.
Christensen, much like hisStar Warsprequel co-stars Jake Lloyd and Ahmed Best, didn’t deserve the hate hurled at him. That’s why his return toStar Warshas been so satisfying to watch; years later, people are finally appreciating what he brought to the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker, the character’s all-consuming need for love, andAnakin’s relationship with Obi-Wan Kenobi. Much of this newfound love for Christensen’s Anakin is due to his return toStar Warson Disney+, and that’s all down to one person: Deborah Chow.
Deborah Chow Personally Pitched Anakin’s Return To Hayden Christensen
Obi-Wan Kenobidirector Deborah Chow was no stranger toStar Wars– before directingObi-Wan Kenobi, she directed two episodes ofStar Wars’hit Disney+ show,The Mandalorian.Obi-Wan Kenobiwas a different challenge, though, not just because it was a miniseries, but because it revolved around some of the franchise’s most beloved and most important characters, includingObi-Wan Kenobihimself.
Of course, so much of Obi-Wan’s story involves Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader, so including him in Obi-Wan’s continued narrative, especially one set betweenStar Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sithand the originalStar Warsfilm, later retitledA New Hope, was a no-brainer. There was just one problem, though. After everything he’d experienced during the prequel trilogy, would Hayden Christensen truly want to return toStar Wars?
This 20-Year-Old Revenge Of The Sith Video Proves Just How Committed Hayden Christensen Really Is To Anakin (& Why He’s So Great)
This 20-year-old Star Wars video featuring Hayden Christensen proves that Christensen was brilliant as Anakin Skywalker from the very beginning.
Luckily for us, Chow took the time to sit down with Christensen and explain why his involvement inObi-Wan Kenobiwould be so pivotal. During aninterview withOut There’s Melissa DiMarco,Chow revealed that she’d met with Christensen personally on his farmand spoke to him about what his return would mean for the story.
“It was a really nice way to actually meet him because we were away from the business, we were away from everything. We just really talked about, you know, what we were trying to do with the series. I think the biggest thing for him was that we were doing these characters at a different point in their lives, so they weren’t the exact same characters that they played before.”
Christensen’s return inObi-Wan Kenobiopened the door for Anakin Skywalker to appear in other newStar Warsproductions. The response to his performance and his legacy as Anakin has been overwhelmingly positive. Where will we see him next?
It’s Been So Great To See Hayden Christensen Back In Star Wars
Christensen’s return toStar Warsis heartwarming. It’s been so great to see him back in a role he loves so much and to watch him get the love he deserves in return from the franchise’s fanbase. It’s long overdue, in my opinion, but that’s not the only reason it’s been interesting to see him back in live-actionStar Wars.I also love that he’s been getting to play a different side of Anakin, one that we’ve previously only seen in animated form.
Because of the time skip betweenStar Wars: Episode II – Attack of the ClonesandRevenge of the Sith, so much of Anakin’s characterization is missing from the live-action films. That context was later provided in the hit animated seriesStar Wars: The Clone Wars. Now, Hayden Christensen is getting to play that version of the character, like inAhsoka episode 5’s Clone Wars era flashbacks. We’ve never had a clearer picture of Anakin Skywalker as a character than we do now, and it’s all thanks to Christensen’s return.
Hayden Christensen’s return to Star Wars has only added to the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker, in all the best and most heartbreaking ways.
The same can be said forthe flashback scene inObi-Wan Kenobi, in which Anakin and Obi-Wan are sparring with one another. Anakin still has his Padawan braid, so it’s a pre-Attack of the Clonesflashback, but it’s the first time we’ve seen them train together, rather than just heading out on a mission. There’s so much nuance here, one that makes their relationship all the more painful. Hayden Christensen’s return toStar Warshas only added to the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker, in all the best and most heartbreaking ways.
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