Hayden Christensen Is Returning As Anakin Skywalker And Twitter Is Screaming
As though sensing a disturbance in the Force, millions of Twitter voices cried out at the announcement that Hayden Christensen would be returning to the part of Anakin Skywalker, a change in tone from a decade ago when the Canadian actor had been vilified in the role. Christensen had been blamed for portraying young Skywalker as whiny and petulant in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, but perhaps due to a backlash against the Disney Sequel Trilogy, fans have looked back on his performance more fondly and look forward to his appearance in both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka.
Animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars focused on the relationship between fledgling Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and his padawan Ahsoka Tano, conveying --in some fans' eyes-- a better bond than was shared between him and his own master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. After seeing Rosario Dawson debut as an older Ahsoka Tano in the live-action series The Mandalorian, fans are excited to see what Christensen can do with a part he played 15 years ago, and have already begun generating memes on Twitter to voice their support.
Some of Christensen's best movies don't concern Star Wars at all, such as independent films like Life As A House and bigger-budget sci-fi movies like Jumper, but he's most remembered for playing Anakin Skywalker in the Prequel Trilogy, and any movies not part of the tentpole franchise have never brought him the same recognition.
Perhaps that's why fans consider 2022 Hayden's year -- he's returning to the part that shot him to superstardom in two different series, each one allowing him to stretch his acting abilities and perhaps redeem himself in the eyes of fans who didn't view his original performance so favorably.
Christensen himself has already expressed excitement about returning to the part of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, but with the announcement of his appearance in the part in Ahsoka, fans can't help but share in his ebullience.
Using the title sequence for The Return of the King, the third installment in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, some fans are going so far as to compare him to the mighty Aragorn who helped save Middle Earth from Sauron. It's apropos, considering the third installment in the Prequel Trilogy, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, is considered Christensen's best portrayal of Anakin Skywalker, perhaps indicating fans look forward to a return to form.
Many fans have felt that Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker has been one of the only bright spots in the Disney era of Star Wars, particularly in The Mandalorian and to a lesser extent, as an older, grizzled Jedi Master in the Sequel Trilogy. Though he's had plenty of iconic roles outside of Star Wars, fans have felt he's saved the franchise by bringing a certain level of nobility from the Original Trilogy's old guard, even if they don't like all the creative decisions done to his character.
Perhaps that's why fans like this Twitter user feel that Hayden Christensen will do the same, and bring a certain gravitas to the new live-action series in the franchise as one of the old guards from the Prequel Trilogy.
No Star Wars fan could have predicted that Hayden Christensen would be everywhere these days, and certainly not returning to a role that received so much criticism in the early '00s. But 15 years later, the time seems right for the actor to have his due.
By using a clip of extremely likable actor Paul Rudd on an episode of Hot Ones, this fan seems to imply that not only is it exciting to have Christensen in two new Star Wars series, but he's also finally having his comeback, much like Rudd received when he starred in I Love You Man and became a household name again after years in smaller, underrated movies.
In The Clone Wars, neither master nor padawan was prepared to train together, causing Anakin and Ahsoka to develop a crackling, friction-filled dynamic much like the one shared between him and his own master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. She regularly referred to him as "Skyguy" and due to her snippy attitude, he often called her "Snips," but their sarcasm belied a strong affection and respect.
Using pictures of Christensen and Dawson from the 19th Annual IFP Independent Spirit Awards, this Twitter user shares Dawson's reaction to finding out the two actors would be starring together on Ahsoka, and fans can't wait to see what they bring to the live-action relationship between Skyguy and Snips.
A question on several fans' minds has been in what capacity will Christensen return; as Darth Vader, as Anakin Skywalker, or both. After seeing him in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, fans have been eager to see more of live-action Vader, especially if he gets to display combat skills similar to those featured in the last few scenes of the movie.
Since Ahsoka takes place five years after Return of the Jedi, it's likely Vader scenes will be flashbacks (though she might see Anakin Skywalker as a Force ghost). As for Kenobi, which takes place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, it's entirely possible that fans will get to see Vader as the Emperor's scourge, helping to bend the galaxy to his master's will.
Prior to his fall to the dark side and her turning her back on the Jedi Order, Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano were comrades in arms and true friends outside of their relationship as master and padawan. When he appears in Ahsoka, will the characters still have the same chemistry, especially since Ahsoka learned the fate of her former master in Star Wars: Rebels?
Using more snaps of Christensen and Dawson at the 19th Annual IFP Independent Spirit Awards, it's plain to see for this Twitter fan that the two actors have a great camaraderie together that will translate well to the screen. The actors have shared scenes together in the movie Shattered Glass, so fans can prepare for more great scenes between Anakin and Ahsoka.
For some fans, Anakin Skywalker will always be their favorite Star Wars character. With his tragic backstory, an exciting narrative that provides the foundation for two trilogies, and the conflict of his Chosen One prophecy, he's one complicated and engrossing character.
It's not hard to see why Anakin fans are so hyped right now -- he's one of the most important characters in the entire Star Wars universe, if not the most important, and his decisions shape the entire Skywalker bloodline, causing ripple effects to every major event in the Prequel, Original, and even Sequel trilogies. Who wouldn't want more Ani?
Hayden Christensen isn't the only popular character from a fictional franchise to return to the fold; Ewan McGregor is playing Obi-Wan Kenobi again for his own live-action series, and Tobey Maguire is rumored to don the spidey suit again in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The early '00s were a time of great change in the movie industry when Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy proved that superhero movies could be taken seriously (and earn big box office rewards), while the Prequel Trilogy was showing a franchise could be resurrected after being gone for almost two decades and make fans clamor for more.
Given how gracious and kind Christensen has been, even when fans placed many of the Prequel Trilogy's faults on his shoulders, it's about time he gets to enjoy being praised for his contributions. No doubt it feels good --and more than a little validating-- to be recognized for a job well done, even if it's over a decade after the fact.
Fans can only hope that he's been seeing the way his name's been trending on Twitter and across all of social media and basking in the love Star Wars fans are showing him. In a fandom that often turns to the dark side, and can become plagued with negativity, it's a welcome --and necessary-- change.