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 enfranchisement . 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 tangible dedication to the role and the cutting emotion he brought to his functioning .

Christensen , much like hisStar Warsprequel carbon monoxide - stars Jake Lloyd and Ahmed Best , did n’t deserve the hate hurled at him . That ’s why his return toStar Warshas been so comforting to determine ; days later on , masses are finally appreciating what he bring to the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker , the character ’s all - consuming indigence for lovemaking , andAnakin ’s relationship with Obi - Wan Kenobi . Much of this newfound honey 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 state of war – before directingObi - Wan Kenobi , she directed two sequence 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 write up involves Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader , so admit him in Obi - Wan ’s continued tale , especially one set betweenStar warfare : Episode III – retaliation of the Sithand the originalStar Warsfilm , later retitledA New Hope , was a no - brainer . There was just one problem , though . After everything he ’d have during the prequel trilogy , would Hayden Christensen truly want to return toStar Wars ?

This 20 - yr - honest-to-goodness Star Wars telecasting featuring Hayden Christensen rise that Christensen was brilliant as Anakin Skywalker from the very beginning .

Anakin Skywalker in Revenge of the Sith to the left and Darth Vader to the right in a combined image in front of a red background image with lightning

Luckily for us , Chow took the time to sit down with Christensen and explicate why his interest inObi - Wan Kenobiwould be so pivotal . During aninterview withOut There ’s Melissa DiMarco , Chow revealed that she ’d take on with Christensen personally on his farmand talk to him about what his return would mean for the narration .

" It was a really nice way to in reality fit him because we were away from the business , we were aside from everything . We just really verbalise about , you know , what we were judge to do with the series . I think the gravid thing for him was that we were doing these fiber at a unlike pointedness in their life , so they were n’t the precise same characters that they play before . "

Christensen ’s return inObi - Wan Kenobiopened the threshold for Anakin Skywalker to appear in other newStar Warsproductions . The response to his performance and his legacy as Anakin has been overpoweringly electropositive . Where will we see him next ?

Palpatine, Vader, and Momin

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 sleep with so much and to watch him get the lovemaking he deserves in return from the franchise ’s fanbase . It ’s long overdue , in my public opinion , but that ’s not the only ground it ’s been interesting to see him back in live - actionStar war . I also love that he ’s been getting to play a different side of Anakin , one that we ’ve antecedently only seen in animated form .

Because of the time omission 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 ply in the hit animize seriesStar Wars : The Clone Wars . Now , Hayden Christensen is get to wager that version of the reference , like inAhsoka installment 5 ’s Clone Wars epoch 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 disaster of Anakin Skywalker , in all the good and most heartbreaking ways .

A closeup of Nathan Fillion as John Nolan from the Rookie season 7

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 - onset of the Clonesflashback , but it ’s the first time we ’ve seen them train together , rather than just head out on a commission . There ’s so much nuance here , one that make their kinship all the more afflictive . Hayden Christensen ’s coming back toStar Warshas only added to the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker , in all the best and most grievous ways .

UpcomingStar WarsTV Shows

Release Date

Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in Revenge of the Sith and Obi-Wan Kenobi

Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic

Andorseason 2

April 22 , 2025

Star war : Visionsvolume 3

Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader Split By a Lightning Bolt

2025

Ahsokaseason 2

TBD

Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader

Hayden Christensen

Star Wars