Warning! This article contains spoilers for Ahsoka episode 4.
In a pleasant surprise for Star Wars viewers, Hayden Christensen returns as Anakin Skywalker once again in Ahsoka, though his appearance reaffirms a controversial detail in Return of the Jedi. Darth Vader becomes Anakin Skywalker once again at the end of Return of the Jedi, turning on Emperor Palpatine and saving Luke Skywalker’s life. The heroic act, tragically, costs Anakin his life, though he appears as a Force ghost in the film’s celebratory finale. Anakin’s appearance in this scene, however, differs, depending on the edition of Return of the Jedi.
Return of the Jedi, as with all Star Wars films in the original trilogy, was rereleased in 1997 with a multitude of changes. This first special edition extended the film’s ending celebration to show other planets rejoicing in the Rebellion’s victory at Endor, but it was not until the 2004 DVD special edition that Anakin himself was changed. Sebastian Shaw, who played Anakin in both his death scene and reappearance as a Force ghost, was replaced in the latter instance by Christensen, a change that caused controversy among viewers. The change prompted an explanation for it by George Lucas that Dave Filoni appears to agree with, if Ahsoka is any indication.
Why George Lucas Inserted Hayden Christensen Into Return Of The Jedi
Many viewers took issue with the 2004 DVD special edition (and all subsequent editions) of Return of the Jedi replacing the late Sebastian Shaw with Christensen, even if it did further connect the original trilogy to the prequels. Lucas has stated that he made this change because a Jedi apparition of someone who had fallen to the dark side will appear as they did before their corruption. This explanation, among other things, resulted in Christensen’s return to the role in Ahsoka.
Ahsoka’s Anakin Skywalker Honors Lucas’ Return Of The Jedi Change
In Ahsoka episode 4 “Part Four: Fallen Jedi,” Ahsoka Tano somehow ends up in the World Between Worlds once again, following her previous visit to the realm in Star Wars Rebels. Ahsoka is greeted by Anakin Skywalker from behind, and when she turns to face him, she sees him in his Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith incarnation, with Christensen in the role once again. Christensen’s reprisal honors Lucas’s explanation for his controversial Return of the Jedi change, but it is also the best choice Ahsoka could have made when bringing back Skywalker.
Ahsoka’s situation at the end of Ahsoka’s fourth episode is unclear, as she does not appear to have been killed by Baylan Skoll, yet somehow ended up in the World Between Worlds, a realm that is notoriously difficult to visit. The realm allows one to travel through time and space, so not only is having Anakin reappear in his prequel-era form fitting, given Lucas’s explanation, but it also makes sense, due to his past with Ahsoka herself. In a place where time itself can be traversed, it makes sense for Anakin Skywalker to appear in the form most familiar to his former Padawan and friend in his Ahsoka reappearance.
Ahsoka releases new episodes Tuesday at 6 pm PT/9 pm ET on Disney+.
