In a recent interview with Empire Magazine, Hayden Christensen, who has portrayed Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader for multiple Star Wars projects, originally thought he wouldn’t get the part at all. Given that Christensen has now appeared as Anakin/Vader not only in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith but also in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka, it’s difficult to imagine another actor in his place. At first, though, Christensen never believed he would be offered the role.
When Hayden Christensen received the role of Anakin Skywalker, he was young and new to acting, which made him doubt the likelihood of getting the job. In the latest issue of Empire Magazine, Christensen explained:
“I was 18, and I got a call from my agent saying that they were casting for Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars and I thought, ‘Wow, how cool.’ But it just seemed too big. And I remember asking my agent, ‘Is there maybe another role that they’re also casting right now that you can put me up for? Because Anakin sort of seems unattainable.’ And there was not. So I threw my name in the hat like everyone else.”
Christensen went on to explain that when he heard big-name actors like Leonardo DiCaprio were being considered, he was sure that was the end of the line. Luckily for Star Wars, it wasn’t.
Hayden Christensen Was The Perfect Anakin Skywalker
Hayden Christensen was truly the perfect actor to play Anakin Skywalker, and he has now proven that across decades. The prequel trilogy was originally heavily criticized, but hate for the Star Wars prequels has died down. At first, audiences found Christensen’s portrayal too emotional; in actuality, Christensen played Anakin exactly as George Lucas wanted, and he perfectly represented the character.
Hayden Christensen had a massive uphill battle in his portrayal of Anakin Skywalker. Not only did he have to portray how Anakin went from the sweet little boy of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace to a terrifying Sith Lord, but he also was coming on the heels of serious criticism in response to The Phantom Menace and Jake Lloyd’s portrayal of young Anakin. In spite of that, Christensen delivered a performance of Anakin that has become beloved by Star Wars audiences.
Given Hayden Christensen’s reappearance in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka, to great acclaim, it’s clear that Christensen was truly made for the role. He has now brought the character into a new era, even embodying the Darth Vader of the original Star Wars trilogy masterfully. While it’s understandable that, at the time, Christensen doubted his odds, it’s clear now that there could not have been a more perfect Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
