Following their characters’ acclaimed encounter in the Disney+ Star Wars show, Hayden Christensen and Rosario Dawson reflect on Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka’s live-action reunion in Ahsoka. While Christensen played the fabled Jedi Chosen One-tuned-Sith Lord in 2002’s Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones and 2005’s Episode III — Revenge of the Sith, Rosario took on the role of the Jedi Knight’s apprentice in 2020’s The Mandalorian season 2 episode, “The Jedi”. As Rosario’s lost Padawan found herself between life and death in Ahsoka episode 5 “Shadow Warrior”, Anakin came to her aid to help complete her training.

Just over eight months after Ahsoka wrapped, both Christensen and Dawson took the opportunity to reflect on their character’s highly-anticipated live-action meeting with Entertainment Weekly. While the pair had long been friends off-screen, both embraced the chance to work together on the series, bringing their real-world history into their performance with what Christensen described as a “very special experience“. Check out what Dawson said below:

Rosario Dawson: It’s so beautiful and so special. I was just elated when I saw Hayden in Obi-Wan Kenobi and just hoped, fingers crossed, that that would happen with him on our show. I don’t want to put anyone in the crew out there, but I will say there were some tears shed when we got to see that lightsaber in his hand again. It’s pretty remarkable and very special.

Though not training for their duel together led to some mishaps, both actors enjoyed the experience and commended each other’s skill both in performance and swordsmanship. While Christensen and Dawson avoided confirming whether Anakin could return, they teased the possibility for their Star Wars future. Check out what they said below:

Dawson: Between Ray Stevenson and Hayden, I don’t know who was more heavy-handed. There would definitely be moments where I’m like, “We’re pretending to kill me — right, guys?”

Christensen: You had some force behind your swings too, though. We had a good go of each other, but there were no major mishaps, as I recall.

Dawson: We had a lot of fun, actually. It really was very special. That was definitely a major highlight of the production, and one of those pinch-me moments for myself of just going, “Is this work?” There’s plenty of times on a project where you feel the intensity of it and this one, I would’ve paid to have been there.

Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker Return Was Everything We Could’ve Wanted

Christensen’s long-awaited return to the galaxy far, far away was a perfect revisit to the character 19 years after he made his Star Wars debut. After being lambasted by critics upon the prequel trilogy’s initial release and the welcome reappraisal of his performance’s stronger physical moments in the years following, Christensen’s reprisal of Anakin allowed those who grew up watching his performance to share their appreciation. The actor’s return across Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka allowed the actor to revisit the character with a fresh new take that took into account all of his character’s canonical development since.

With his return in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Christensen was finally able to portray Vader for a significant period of screentime, encapsulating an angry, vengeful Anakin through both his performance and a chilling exchange that showed little of the Clone Wars’ fabled Jedi hero remained, much to Obi-Wan’s (Ewan McGregor) horror. Ahsoka, on the other hand, offered a perfect epilogue to Anakin’s journey, as being redeemed and one with the Force saw a wiser Anakin finally impart important lessons to his apprentice after their tragic parting in life. As such, Christensen’s return provided key moments for Anakin’s overall arc.

With the actor’s real-world history and over 15 years of development between the two characters, Anakin and Ahsoka’s reunion in Ahsoka remains a highlight of the series. Despite joining the franchise over 17 years apart, Christensen and Dawson were immediately able to capture the emotional, complex bond between the master and apprentice, bringing beautiful closure to their distraught dynamic. And with both stars teasing a potential return for Anakin in Ahsoka season 2, viewers may be keen to see if there are any more lessons to be learned.

Source: EW