Hayden Christensen strikes back as he returns to the Star Wars universe, but does his recent appearance pave the way for his iconic character to return long-term?
Christensen first showed command of the Force in 2002 when he debuted as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Now, 21 years later, he has appeared on the new Disney+ show Star Wars: Ahsoka, where fans were treated to a de-aged version of the actor, courtesy of some CGI wizardry.
He popped up at the end of Episode 4 and throughout Episode 5 of Ahsoka, where he met his old Padawan apprentice Ahsoka Tano, played by Rosario Dawson, in a mysterious realm known to Star Wars fans as the World Between Worlds.
Hayden Christensen's Star Wars Appearances to Date
Christensen's portrayal of Anakin Skywalker is pivotal to the Star Wars franchise. Fans were first introduced to a young Anakin, played by Jake Lloyd, in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace in 1999. Christensen then played an adult version of Anakin in Attack of the Clones and 2005's Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
Corrupted by the Force, Anakin eventually became the evil Darth Vader. However, he realized his mistakes in his final moments, leading to his redemption through his bond with his son, Luke Skywalker.
In recent years, Christensen has made multiple appearances in the franchise. With his CGI de-aged version in Ahsoka, fans have already begun expressing a desire for his version of Anakin to have his own spinoff series.
Not only does he reprise his role in Ahsoka, but he also voiced Anakin in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker in 2019 and appeared in multiple episodes of the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi last year, facing off against Ewan McGregor for the first time since their shared screen time in Revenge of the Sith.
When Does Ahsoka Take Place in the Star Wars Timeline?
Ahsoka takes place several years after the events of Return of the Jedi and the animated series Star Wars Rebels. The story likely unfolds around the same timeframe as the events of The Mandalorian Season 3. Ahsoka made her live-action debut in The Mandalorian Season 2 and then cameoed in The Book of Boba Fett, which continued Grogu and Din Djarin's storyline.
During this period, Darth Vader is dead, and Luke Skywalker has begun training Force-sensitive children in the ways of the Jedi. Princess Leia Organa serves as a senator alongside Mon Mothma, reflecting the New Republic's efforts to rebuild the galaxy.
So how does Hayden Christensen's version of Anakin appear in this timeline? Through the magic of the Force! Anakin manifests in a realm known as the World Between Worlds, allowing him and Ahsoka to revisit pivotal moments from her past as a test to see if she can overcome her fears and renew her purpose as a mentor.
By choosing not to strike Anakin down in anger during their lightsaber fight, Ahsoka demonstrates the heart of a true Jedi, even having renounced the Jedi Order during the Clone Wars. Anakin expresses pride in her growth, telling her, "There's hope for you yet."
Star Wars Fans Praise Hayden Christensen's Return as Anakin
Christensen's recent cameo in Ahsoka has become a major talking point on social media. Fans have expressed how his ability to convey both the warmth of Anakin and the rage of Darth Vader elevated the episodes significantly.
Many fans have noted a shift in opinion regarding Christensen's performance over the years, with some stating, "20 years ago, the Star Wars fandom hated Hayden Christensen. Now, he's so revered that they want a spinoff Vader series!" This reflects the evolving perception of his character.
Earlier this year, at the Star Wars Celebration event in London, he was left "emotional" by the outpouring of support and love from fans, even to the point of tears. He expressed gratitude for the love and dedication of the Star Wars community, highlighting the unique connection fans have with the franchise.
Variations of the Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader character appear in eight of the 11 live-action Star Wars films, as well as in the animated TV series The Clone Wars, Rebels, and more. Would you like to see Christensen reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker again? Let us know in the comments!
Update 09/18/23, 2:38 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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