When George Lucas decided to move forward and produce the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, it was one of the biggest cinematic undertakings we’d ever seen. The three movies had a massive amount of hype that has rarely been matched since. So many people wanted to know what was going on on the set, and that apparently included Robert De Niro.

In a video posted of Hayden Christensen appearing at Fan Expo New Orleans, the Anakin Skywalker actor talks about the process of filming the final lightsaber battle with Ewan McGregor in Star Wars: The Revenge of the Sith. Apparently during the long process, which took over a week to film, according to the actor, De Niro stopped by to see what his friend George Lucas was up to. Christensen said…

Robert De Niro isn’t necessarily a name I would expect on a Star Wars movie set, but one can imagine Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor freaking out a little when one of the biggest movie stars ever happened to show up. Christensen says he’s a big fan, so the moment was an especially big deal.

However, the moment became even more special after a brief exchange between the two. Christensen revealed that he was in the habit of doing pushups before takes for the fight scene in order to get the proper physical feeling for the scene. This got the seal of approval from De Niro. The Anakin actor continued…

The tradition of big names visiting Star Wars sets would continue long after the Prequel Trilogy. Several celebrities ended up with cameos as stormtroopers during the Sequel Trilogy after visiting the production. More recently, director Shawn Levy revealed that Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise both visited the set of Star Wars: Starfighter.

While the reaction to the Prequel Trilogy was mixed at best when the movies were released, the films have been reevaluated in recent years, which is part of the reason fans have been so excited to see Hayden Christensen return to the franchise in Disney+ series like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka.

This past weekend, droves of Star Wars fans took themselves to theaters to relive the birth of Darth Vader with the 20-year anniversary re-release of Revenge of The Sith. (The movie remains so beloved that it opened at No. 2 behind Sinners’ fabulous second weekend!) Earlier this month, CinemaBlend actually had a quick moment with the Anakin Skywalker actor himself, Hayden Christensen, and he had a great reaction to our question about the ending of the famous villain’s arc in Star Wars.

In the Prequel Trilogy, fans watch as Anakin and Obi-Wan go from being partners and good friends to grave enemies. The whole story, of course, ends with Obi-Wan taking Anakin’s son, Luke, under his wing to learn the ways of the Force before he takes down his father, Darth Vader, and saves the galaxy. Return of the Jedi ends with the force ghost of Christensen’s Anakin and Alec Guinness’ Obi-Wan smiling on Luke in the afterlife side-by-side with Yoda. Check out what we asked Hayden Christensen at Star Wars Celebration:

I think he was amused by the idea, don’t you? Hayden Christensen chuckled at our question asking the actor what he thinks force ghost Anakin and Obi-Wan might talk about before sharing his thoughts. He simply told us he thinks the pair are “just gonna hug and make up”. It’s a wholesome response that speaks to the actor’s hope for the two characters to be on the same team, and you love to see it.

Now, the actor didn’t have a lot of time because he was taking a few questions before heading to the Ahsoka panel where he reunited with Rosario Dawson, but it does make one think about what the pair of old friends might think of each other when all it said and done after their lives led each of them to feel rather betrayed by the other. Christensen certainly has a positive outlook on the whole thing.

As the tragic villain origin story goes for Anakin in Revenge of the Sith, he clashes with his mentor and friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi, after he gets corrupted by the Dark Side. During a memorable duel, Obi-Wan severs one of Anakin’s arms and both legs, and then leaves him to be burned alive after deeming him too dangerous. Anakin ultimately becomes Darth Vader, while Obi-Wan works with Yoda to have Anakin and Padme’s twins safe from harm.

Many witnessed the birth of Darth Vader in theaters over the weekend (one lucky audience even got surprised by Hayden Christensen and Samuel L. Jackson) considering the re-release made $25 million in its first weekend back to theaters. Christensen has previously spoken about feeling “vindication” for the work on the Prequel Trilogy in recent years. Next, Christensen will be returning for Ahsoka Season 2! Oh, what a time it is for both him and Star Wars fans.

If you’ve watched all the Star Wars movies in order, you know Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is arguably the prequel era’s biggest installment. The Force was strong at El Capitan Theatre this week, where hundreds gathered for the film's 20th anniversary. It was there that fans received an unforgettable surprise when Mace Windu and Anakin Skywalker performers Samuel L. Jackson and Hayden Christensen, showed up, lightsabers in hand. Honestly, as a massive fan, I can't stop smiling about this.

The two actors -- who are still loved for playing two of Star Wars’ best characters stormed the stage in excellent fashion. They were decked out in casual, fan-friendly fits, as Jackson rocked a Darth Vader shirt. Christensen, for his part, sported a denim jacket and Revenge of the Sith ball cap. You can see the actors behind Anakin and Mace (which is one of Jackson's most memorable roles) in the image below:

The event was part of Disney’s 20th anniversary re-release of Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. This movie has grown on fans, arguably even some who used to bash the prequels. It stands as a vindication of Hayden Christensen’s Star Wars performance and has become one of those reasons why some people think the franchise's prequels are better than the sequel trilogy. Seeing the two actors back together wasn’t just for show; it felt like a nice nod to the fans who’ve stuck with the franchise through all the ups and downs.

And let's be real: Revenge of the Sith hits different two decades later. It’s the emotional anchor between the fall of Anakin and the rise of Darth Vader, and it’s stuffed with moments that still punch you in the gut. Knowing that the stars themselves wanted to celebrate it with the fans? That’s just pure magic.

What made the moment truly special was how genuinely excited both actors were. In a clip shared on the official Star Wars TikTok, Jackson cracked jokes and hyped up the crowd, even teasing about Mace Windu's epic (and possibly not final) fall from a window. (That's something he's long hinted could lead to a comeback.) Meanwhile, Christensen, who’s been on a bit of a victory lap lately with his return in both Ahsoka and Obi-Wan Kenobi, looked genuinely moved by the overwhelming support from the fans.

The return of these prequel castmates for a night like this says a lot about the lasting impact of the prequels. Even after all these years, and despite the early backlash those movies faced, the actors still clearly have a lot of love for the galaxy far, far away. They’re not alone, either. With stars like Ewan McGregor and Temuera Morrison also returning for Star Wars movies and shows universe in recent years, it’s clear the bond to this franchise runs deep.

If this is just the beginning of the Revenge of the Sith anniversary surprises, we’re in for an emotional ride and, honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way. You can catch up with both Mace Windu and Anakin’s adventures in the Galaxy Far, Far Away by streaming all the Star Wars movies and TV shows with a Disney+ subscription.

We are here at Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, Japan to report live on all the big news on upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows coming out of the convention! After Friday's festivities kicked things off with a panel for The Mandalorian & Grogu movie that officially announced Ryan Gosling's Star Wars movie and the Lucasfilm Animation panel revealed an upcoming Darth Maul series. Plus, earlier on Saturday we caught the Andor Season 2 panel.

This one is going to be all about Ahsoka just ahead of Ahsoka Season 2 filming. We don't have a premiere date yet for those with a Disney+ subscription, but we're betting on a 2026 release date. Anyways, here's all the updates from the panel:

We're seated at the Celebration Stage after briefly talking to Rosario Dawson and Hayden Christensen at Star Wars Celebration's press line! We can't wait to see fans react to this exciting look back at Season 1, and perhaps hear a little something about Season 2.

The panel has opened up with a video showcasing Ahsoka's viral success with a huge emphasis on fans. Dave Filoni, Jon Favreau and Rosario Dawson have made their way on stage to talk about the series. Dawson got a big standing ovation when she appeared.

Filoni has started the conversation by sharing how the series is inspired by Princess Mononoke. The markings on her face even have a reference to the Hayao Miyazaki movie. I had no idea, and I love this fun fact.

They are talking about George Lucas visiting the set of Ahsoka during a pivotal fight scene between her and Diana Lee Inosanto''s Morgan Elsbeth from late in Season 1 when it was filmed back in 2022. It stressed Filoni out big time because he only had one day to shoot it, but of course it was a huge honor for him to be there with them.

Dave Filoni is talking about how he made Ahsoka in a way where audiences can watch it without knowing her past in prior shows. He compared it to A New Hope, which started things off at Episode 4 Filoni recalled being a kid seeing the first Star Wars for the first time and being confused about there not yet being episodes 1-3, which we wouldn't get for thirty more years.

Hayden Christensen has made his way to the stage to an eruption of applause from audiences. He too got a standing ovation, and tons of fans were yelling their love for him in the audience.

The guests in the panel are taking about Ariana Greenblatt playing a young Ahsoka in Season 1. Her presence on set made Filoni "question" his "reality" because it really felt like he got to see young Ahsoka Tano in the flesh.

Christensen spoke to returning for Ahsoka being a really "compelling" time in his life, and he found it to be "too much fun" to return to the part in this era of his life. Christensten also really liked having a "new look" during his return. Filoni said "no one" swings like a lightsaber like him.

Rosario Dawson is talking about when she learned Sabine would be Ahsoka's padawan, and the importance of her character getting to pass on knowledge herself. She said the arc on the series makes her reflect more on Ahsoka's time on Clone Wars, and the trend of "spunky" padawans in other Star Wars mentorship dynamics,

Hayden Christensen says he always has George Lucas voice in the back of his head telling him things about his character like "faster, more intense". He also gushed about working with Dave Filoni after they both went the "school of George Lucas." It was so fun to see the pair geek out about working together.

Now they are moving on to talking about the upcoming Season 2 of Ahsoka, Rosario Dawson shared they are going to shoot the series next week.

Filoni getting a little teary-eyed talking about the loss of Ray Stevenson, and how his loss made the process of developing Season 2 very challenging. After speaking to Stevenson's family, Filoni said he's "very confident" Stevenson would be "happy" with the direction they went with Baylan. He said the "character was meant to be important" and the "parallel to Ahsoka in every way." They are excited to welcome the new actor Rory McCann!

Filoni has announced Admiral Akbar is going to be part of Season 2, and he'll go head-to-head with General Thrawn. He also showed pictures of some new Star Wars cute creatures called Loth Kittens. They are adorable!

Filoni has shared that General Thrawn is absolutely going to be a big part of Season 2. He called him the "right villain" for this era of Star Wars.

Last, but not least: Hayden Christensen says there's "not much he can share" but Anakin will indeed be back for Season 2 of Ahsoka. But wait, there's one more thing! Filoni is showing a "retro look" at Season 2, even though filming has not started. We are being asked to put our phones away.

And, that's a wrap!

If you know one thing about Anakin Skywalker, it’s that he turns to the Dark Side. If you know two things about Anakin Skywalker it’s that he turns to the Dark Side and he really doesn’t like sand. His feelings on sand are well known, and endlessly meme-able, but it turns out actor Hayden Christensen doesn’t feel that differently, and honestly, I get it.

A clip from a few years ago of an interview Hayden Christensen did at Star Wars Celebration has recently gone viral on TikTok once again which reveals the actor's views on sand. Anakin Skywalker’s lines about how he hated sand in Attack of the Clones have been the butt of jokes over the years, but the actor says he gets why his character hated the sand, saying…

Honestly, I get it. Most of our experience with sand comes from going to the beach, and while a lot of people love the beach, does anybody really love sand? It is rough and it does get everywhere. At least we get to enjoy an ocean as part of dealing with sand, but that’s something Anakin Skywalker never got to enjoy on Tatooine. Imagine a planet that was just endless beach, but no ocean. Who would still like sand if they had to live there for any length of time.

While this video is a few years old, it’s great to see Hayden Christensen and the fans actually enjoying Star Wars together, finally. The prequels were widely criticized when they were first released, and Hayden Christensen, being the key character in two of them, received a good portion of that criticism. Ahmed Best, who played Jar Jar Binks, has admitted he contemplated suicide considering the hate his character received.

More recently however, the prequels have been re-evaluated and now the movies are seen as, at best, pretty good, and at worst, not worth getting upset about. Hayden Christensen has said it's been heartwarming to see the prequels embraced, and the actor has gone on to reprise his role in two different Star Wars series for Disney+ and appear at conventions where crowds, like this one, welcome him warmly. Check out the full clip below.

What the future holds for Hayden Christensen in the galaxy far, far away is anybody’s guess but it's a good bet he'll continue to appear both in and out of character in the world of Star Wars. And keep an eye out the next time you’re visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, because he’s been seen there too.

The NBA season is underway, and an upcoming Star Wars project is near as well. While we wait for the arrival of the TV show Skeleton Crew amid the 2024 TV schedule, readers might be interested to know that Hayden Christensen and other SW vets recently rubbed shoulders with one of the elite players in professional basketball. The star in question is young player Victor Wembanyama, who is a massive fan of the franchise. And, after seeing them link up, I'd love to see Wembanyama appear in the galaxy far, far away.

For anyone who's more so up on science fiction and less on sports, Victor Wembanyama is the same player whose security detail stopped Britney Spears from approaching him. Those who follow the NBA may not even know that he's a huge fan of the prequel movies, and had a chance to make his dream come true, thanks to the stars aligning.

How Victor Wembanyama Met The Star Wars Actors

A picture posted by @_TheFailedJedi on X (via @Wemby_Muse) showed "Wemby" with not just Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, but also Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka Tano). Before anyone starts speculating about plans for Ahsoka Season 2, I should note there's a reason for this.

As reported by KENS5, Spacecon 2024 recently took place in San Antonio. It was there that the three actors were guests of the convention. Seeing as Victor Wembanyama is the star of the San Antonio Spurs, it was likely easy to arrange for him to meet the trio, even with the NBA season going on. What might be harder, however, would be getting him into a Star Wars production, but I still think it would be worth the trouble.

Why Victor Wembanyama Would Be Great For Star Wars

I'm always a fan of surprising athlete cameos in movies, but there's a specific reason why Victor Wembanyama lends himself to Star Wars in a way even other basketball players couldn't. He stands at seven feet, four inches tall, and has a wingspan of eight feet. So he's not only incredibly tall, but his arms are also incredibly long.

His physique has likened comparisons to the creepy character Slenderman, who the France native actually dressed as last Halloween. Take a look:

Star Wars is a franchise with tons of different species and aliens of different shapes and sizes. Surely, there's room for him to appear as one of them. I'd say maybe cast him as a young Jedi but, given how The Acolyte and other shows have been about the brutal murder of those Force-users, I'm not sure he'd want that role. (Though I could be wrong in that assumption.)

He could be the tallest Wookiee to ever appear in Star Wars, which would be fitting given his recent custom Nike shoes themed after the franchise. These just have to be seen to be believed, so without further comment, check out the "Wookiee of the Year":

I should also note that Star Wars has used professional basketball players before to play Wookiees in the universe. Joonas Suotomo, who ultimately took over the role of Chewbacca for Peter Mayhew, was on the Finnish national basketball team. It's also been noted several times over the years that Lucasfilm hired several Australian basketball players to portray Wookiees when they were filming for Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (via @NBL).

All in all, I'm just saying that the opportunity could be there for Victor Wembanyama if he can talk to the right people. Whether he spoke to Hayden Christensen and co. about that during their meet-up is unclear. Nevertheless, I remain hopeful that something can be worked out.

Catch the premiere of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew using a Disney+ subscription when it premieres on December 3. I wouldn't expect Victor Wembanyama to be a part of the fun, but I hope we see him appear in the franchise down the way!

In an era where even series from major franchises like Star Wars are having a hard time finding an audience, getting a second season of anything is seemingly like a long shot. The Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+ was only ever presented as a limited series, indicating that a second season wasn’t specifically planned, but Ewan McGregor is up for returning, and he even has an idea of what he wants to do with it.

While there are no specific plans for another season of the Star Wars Disney+ series as far as we know, Ewan McGregor has been more than open about the fact that he would like to return to the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi at some point in the future. Speaking with Comicbook.com, McGregor revealed some specific things he would love to do if he had the chance. Interestingly, one of them involves taking the character back in time and doing a live-action story set during The Clone Wars. The actor said…

Seeing The Clone Wars in live-action certainly has appeal. We only ever saw the events depicted in animation, so seeing Ewan McGregor decked out in armor in live-action would surely be fun to see for fans.

And it certainly wouldn’t be the first time we’d seen the animated universe of Star Wars appear in live-action. Rosario Dawson, of course, has appeared as Ahsoka Tano in live-action, her character was originally introduced in The Clone Wars series as well. The Ahsoka series brought several characters from the animated Rebels series into live-action as well.

It’s an interesting idea if for no other reason than such an idea would set a new live-action Obi-Wan story before the events of the series we already have. Part of the reason that the DIsney+ series worked chronologically was that it had been so long since prequel trilogy that Ewan McGregor was the right age for a story set about a decade prior to iStar Wars: A New Hope.

A story set earlier would likely mean de-aging McGregor via CGI. The actor says he’s more than willing to do that, but it would mean one of the most extensive uses of the technology we’ve seen to date. Traditionally that sort of CGI is used for only a few scenes or is limited to secondary characters. De-aging which would be in essentially every shot of a series or movie would be a first.

One thing that a live-action Clone Wars story would do, that Ewan McGregor also seems excited about, is that it would bring Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan together again. Christensen returned for flashback scenes in the Obi-Wan series and donned the Darth Vader mask as well, but seeing them be Jedi together again would be great.

That’s certainly something that a lot of fans would get behind. At this point, more live-action Obi-Wan is nothing more than theoretical. Still considering the first series was a success, it’s hard to imagine that another adventure for Obi-Wan isn’t at least being considered.

Composer Kevin Kiner knows his way around the Star Wars franchise quite well, with this portion of his filmography including the animated shows The Clone Wars, Rebels, The Bad Batch and Star Wars: Tales. And then there’s Ahsoka, which marked his first time scoring music for a live-action Star Wars series. Kevin Kiner will be back for Ahsoka Season 2, one of the handful of details that’s been shared with the public, but looking back on Season 1, the composer told CinemaBlend what some of his favorite music moments were, and Hayden Christensen fans will appreciate what he mentioned.

Anakin And Ahsoka’s Clone Wars Flashback

During my recent conversation with Kiner, which included him explaining why it’s difficult to score for Grand Admiral Thrawn and teasing how Dave Filoni has started preparing him for Ahsoka Season 2, Kiner also told me which scenes and moments from the finalized Ahsoka Season 1 episodes he was most happy with how they matched up with his music. Starting off, after reaffirming his satisfaction with the end credits, he highlighted a major moment in the episode “Part Five: Shadow Warrior”:

At the end of the prior episode, “Part Four: Fallen Jedi,” Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka Tano came face to face with Anakin Skywalker, her former master in the World Between Worlds. Then in “Shadow Warrior,” she found herself re-experiencing some memories from the Clone Wars, with the teenaged Ahsoka being played by Avengers: Infinity War’s Ariana Greenblatt. But rather than unfolding like traditional flashbacks, Hayden Christensen’s Anakin was helping her work through her issues, which ultimately required the firm hand of him lightsaber-dueling her and knocking her back to the World Between Worlds. It was a unique transition between scenes, and Kevin Kiner was pleased with how the music matched with it.

Ahsoka Communicating With The Purrgil

Keeping our eyes planted firmly on Ahsoka’s eponymous protagonist, Kevin Kiner (who worked on the series with his children Sean and Deana) then pivoted his attention to a moment she had with the purrgil, those gigantic space whales capable of naturally traveling through hyperspace that were introduced in Star Wars Rebels. As the composer recalled:

After cameoing in The Mandalorian Season 3, the purrgil made their full live-action debut in Ahsoka, with Ahsoka Tano and Huyang landing their ship in the mouth of a purrgil to hitch a ride to Peridea, where Morgan Elsbeth, Baylan Skoll, Shin Hati and the captured Sabine Wren had gone, and where Ezra Bridger and Thrawn had spent years exiled. It was a fitting form of transportation considering that the purrgil took Ezra and Thrawn to that planet at the end of Rebels too, even though we didn’t know their destination at the time.

Baylan Skoll And Morgan Elsbeth’s Themes

Finally, Kevin Kiner spent a little time talking about how pleased he was how the themes for Baylan Skoll and Morgan Elsbeth, two of the chief antagonists in Ahsoka Season 1, turned out. In his words:

Unfortunately, given that Ahsoka killed Morgan in the Ahsoka Season 1 finale, we won’t be hearing that music on the show again, although you can learn more about the latter’s origins in three of Star Wars: Tales of the Empire’s episodes. As for Baylan Skoll, Ray Stevenson passed away shortly before Season 1 premiered. So although the end of “Part Eight: The Jedi, the Witch, and the Warlord” indicated Baylan’s story was far from over, it hasn’t been announced yet if the character will be recast or retired, at least in an onscreen capacity.

As always, CinemaBlend will continue passing along news on Ahsoka Season 2 and the other upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows. For the Hayden Christensen fans reading, remember that he also appeared in the Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries, and also check out the congratulatory message he recorded for The Acolyte’s Amandla Stenberg ahead of that show’s premiere.

The next of the upcoming Star Wars TV shows is almost here, with The Acolyte exploring the end of the High Republic era, i.e. roughly 100 years before The Phantom Menace. Leading The Acolyte’s cast is The Hunger Games’ Amandla Stenberg, who’s playing Force-sensitive twins Osha and Mae. Ahead of the show’s premiere to Disney+ subscription holders, Stenberg got a congratulatory message from Hayden Christensen, and her reaction to it is so sweet.

Christensen, of course, played Anakin Skywalker in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, with the latter marking the character’s transformation into Darth Vader. Yet while his character ultimately embraced the Dark Side from that point forward until saving Luke Skywalker shortly before his death, Christensen gave off nothing but Light Side vibes with his message to Stenberg shared on Instagram and other social media platforms, as seen below:

Although Hayden Christensen’s initial Star Wars tenure ended nearly 20 years ago (let’s also not forget he took Sebastian Shaw’s place as Anakin’s Force Ghost at the end of Return of the Jedi), like Amandla Stenberg, he’s been looped into the Disney era of this franchise set in a galaxy far, far away. In addition to making a vocal cameo in The Rise of Skywalker, he starred as Anakin/Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka Season 1. Now he’s passed along the following kind words to Amandla Stenberg right before the public gets to see The Acolyte:

Initially Stenberg paused the video because she was surprised in the best way to see Christensen on screen, and after the video was over, she admitted she was “shaking” and couldn’t believe that the Star Wars folks had arranged this message for her. She then responded:

Amandla Stenberg’s costars on The Acolyte include Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Daphne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Jones Suotamo and Carrie-Anne Moss. The series follows Jung-jae’s character, Jedi Master Sol, investigating a series of crimes that will see him crossing paths again with Osha, was his apprentice before leaving the Jedi Order. Russian Doll’s Leslye Headland developed the show.

The Acolyte’s first two episodes premiere tomorrow on Disney+, and remember to stay on the Mouse House’s streaming platform if you’d also like to watch all of the Star Wars movies in order and other tie-in TV shows. After The Acolyte’s run, Skeleton Crew will follow sometime later this year.

There are some actors whose entire careers are defined by their most iconic role or by their best performance (which are not always one and the same). There are also some actors who really only have one well-known role or acclaimed performance to their name, while the majority of their career continues to live in obscurity or even ridicule. The following are some notable examples of actors who never really got to shine beyond that movie or TV show that clicked.

Sam Worthington (The Avatar Movies)

Sam Worthington's performance as Jake Sully in 2009's Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water from 2022 is not exactly "acclaimed." However, James Cameron's blockbuster sci-fi franchise is the only thing on the actor's resume that has managed to make a substantial connection with audiences and can be called a rousing success.

Hayden Christensen (Shattered Glass)

Playing Anakin Skywalker in the two latter installments of George Lucas' Star Wars prequel trilogy has earned Hayden Christensen equal amounts of fame and ridicule that has haunted him most of his career. That is because not enough people know about 2003's intense journalism drama Shattered Glass, in which he gives his best performance as real-life fraudulent reporter Stephen Glass.

Tom Arnold (True Lies)

For years, Tom Arnold's claim to fame was his marriage to Roseanne Barr and, when reviewing his filmography, it remains what he is best known for to this day. Yet, he does have the honor of playing Arnold Schwarzenegger's right-hand man in True Lies, a role he almost did not get, if not for the insistence of writer and director James Cameron.

Brandon Routh (Superman Returns)

Brandon Routh was relatively unknown when he was cast as Clark Kent in 2006’s Superman Returns — a role that should have earned immediate entry to the A-list. While he does have an amusing reputation for playing multiple comic book characters — including Todd Ingram in the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World cast — his one-time donning the old red and blues remains the peak of his fame.

Linda Blair (The Exorcist)

One of the top horror movie Scream Queens of all time is undeniably Linda Blair for her Academy Award-nominated role as Regan MacNeil in 1973’s The Exorcist. However, the demonically possessed 12-year-old is still the only character most mainstream audiences associate with the actor.

Stephen Baldwin (The Usual Suspects)

Stephen Baldwin has a scene-stealing turn as Michael McManus in the classic 1995 crime thriller, The Usual Suspects. However, because his remaining credits have never quite lived up to that performance — or the film itself — most would call him an unusual suspect for mainstream success these days.

Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense)

Haley Joel Osment is still a steadily working actor, appearing in notable films like Kevin Smith’s Tusk and hit TV shows like The Boys. Yet, any time he does show up onscreen, we would not be surprised if he still regularly identified as “the kid who saw dead people in 1999’s The Sixth Sense.”

Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls)

You could argue that Lacey Chabert really did come close to making “fetch” happen with her standout role in 2004’s Mean Girls as Gretchen Wieners. While she has made a name for herself elsewhere with voice acting and leading several Hallmark Channel originals, the gossipy plastic is still the singular defining moment of her career.

Steven Seagal (Under Siege)

Even most of the fans who consider Steven Seagal to be one of the top action movie stars of the ‘90s might agree that he really only has one true quality film to his name: Under Siege. Both a critical and commercial success, director Andrew Davis’ Oscar-nominated 1992 thriller stars Seagal as a former Navy SEAL serving as a cook on a battleship taken over by terrorists.

Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee)

Can you name another character played by Paul Hogan who is not the title character from the 1986 fish-out-of-water movie classic, Crocodile Dundee? The eponymous Outback hunter was also the brainchild of the Australian actor, whose career has been almost completely overshadowed by the role.

Roddy Piper (They Live)

To be fair, the late “Rowdy” Roddy Piper’s main claim to fame was professional wrestling, but his subsequent film career was nowhere near close to on par with, say, Dwayne Johnson or John Cena. At least he can say that he was the star of one of John Carpenter’s best movies, They Live, in the memorable role of an impromptu alien hunter, John Nada.

Alicia Silverstone (Clueless)

Had 1997’s Batman & Robin been a hit, Alicia Silverstone could have been one of the best Batgirl actors ever and her career could have flourished from it. Instead, her breakthrough film role as Cher Horowitz in 1995’s Clueless is the single performance she is most acclaimed and recognized for.

Macaulay Culkin (Home Alone)

Macaulay Culkin’s career beyond child stardom has certainly had its highlights, such as his role in Party Monster, his appearance on American Horror Story Season 10, and his podcast, The Bunny Ears Podcast. However, after all these years, it is still difficult to see him as anyone other than the young, mischievous Kevin McCallister from the Home Alone movies.

Rupert Grint (The Harry Potter Movies)

We do not mean to discredit Rupert Grint’s performances in the Snatch TV show, M. Night Shyamalan’s Servant, or anything else he has done outside of the Harry Potter movies. However, the British actor will always be Ron Weasley in our hearts.

Jessica Alba (Sin City)

Anyone who does not love actor and entrepreneur Jessica Alba probably has not seen her performance as exotic dancer Nancy Callahan in 2005’s Sin City, which is the single most acclaimed title in her filmography. She did earn a Golden Globe nomination for a breakthrough role in Dark Angel, but that short-lived sci-fi series is largely forgotten these days.

Robert Englund (A Nightmare On Elm Street)

Playing Freddy Krueger in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise made Robert Englund a horror movie icon and earned him a long career of countless other spooky roles. Yet, have any of his subsequent credits — horror or otherwise — been nearly as popular as the grotesque, razor-glove-wielding boogeyman? Maybe in his dreams.

Edward Furlong (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

Edward Furlong made a stunning acting debut in the pivotal role of a teenage John Connor in one of the greatest action movies of all time, 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Unfortunately, his career never reached the same level of prowess or popularity again, which can be partially attributed to his history of substance abuse.

Rachael Leigh Cook (She's All That)

Actor and model Rachael Leigh Cook has had a steady career all her life. However, none of her credits have quite stood the test of time like the 1999 teen movie favorite, She’s All That, which spawned a Netflix original gender-swapped remake, He’s All That, in which she appeared in a new role.

Anthony Perkins (Psycho)

Anthony Perkins is considered one the biggest Hollywood stars of his time, but only for one role in particular: Norman Bates in one of the greatest horror movies of all time — Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 classic, Psycho. He would actually reprise the murderous momma’s boy and motel manager twice more in 1983’s Psycho II and Psycho III, the latter of which he also directed three years later.

David Schwimmer (Friends)

Much of the Friends cast managed to outlive their roles on the hit sitcom with versatile projects that helped them avoid being typecast. We cannot quite say the same about David Schwimmer, whose distinct portrayal of Ross Gellar seems to follow him everywhere he goes.

Jaden Smith (The Pursuit Of Happyness)

Seven-year-old Jaden Smith made a promising debut as the onscreen son of his real-life father, Will Smith, in 2006’s The Pursuit of Happyness, but very few of his roles since have made a genuine impression on critics and audiences. That being said, the older he got, his acting roles became less frequent as he focused more on his music career.

Carrie Henn (Aliens)

If you ever wondered what happened to Newt from Aliens, she became one of the many child stars who walked away from Hollywood, but did so quicker than most, as the 1986 sci-fi classic is her only acting credit. So, in this case, we can call Carrie Henn — who went on to become a teacher — an acting “one-hit-wonder” by choice.

Alex Winter (The Bill & Ted Movies)

Alex Winter had such astonishing chemistry with Keanu Reeves as the dim-witted, titular heroes of the Bill & Ted movies. Yet, while Reeves climbed up the A-list, Winter never really found a role as popular as Bill S. Preston, Esq. He would find some success working as director in film and TV, however.

Fran Drescher (The Nanny)

Actor and comedian Fran Drescher earned rousing success when she co-created the hit sitcom The Nanny, in which she also starred as Fran Fine. The boisterous character remains her most famous role to date, as Drescher is better known today for being elected President of SAG-AFTRA in 2021.

Adam West (Batman)

The late Adam West is, undeniably, one of the most legendary live-action Batman actors, having played Bruce Wayne in the classic 1960s TV show, its feature-length spin-off, and two animated films decades later. However, he is really the only one in that club so far who can say that playing Batman is the singular defining role of his career.

Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite)

As the title hero of 2004’s Napoleon Dynamite, Jon Heder gave one of the most legendarily bizarre and uniquely funny performances in a comedy movie for its time, if not all time. The success of the indie sleeper hit would garner more roles for the actor, but none that earned nearly the same acclaim or notoriety.

Frankie Muniz (Malcolm In The Middle)

Playing the fourth-wall-breaking title role of Malcolm in the Middle in the early 2000s made Frankie Muniz one of the top child stars of his time, but his subsequent success later in life was decidedly hit or miss. He still acts to this day but has also taken up a career in NASCAR racing.

Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous)

Whatever happened to Patrick Fugit — the actor who launched his career in 2000 by leading the Almost Famous cast as young, aspiring music reporter William Miller? There’s a good chance you have seen him in one of his many credits over the years — such as Gone Girl or 2022’s Babylon — but just failed to recognize him. 

Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy)

Katherine Heigl had a relatively successful run in movies, especially as the female lead of 2007’s Knocked Up, which she famously spoke negatively of. Said comments would actually have a negative impact on her career and, thus, her Emmy-winning role on in the Grey’s Anatomy cast as Dr. Izzie Stevens in the mid-2000s is still her most famous and commendable role.

Peter Ostrum (Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory)

At the end of 1971’s Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, poor Charlie Bucket becomes wealthy after the titular chocolatier (Gene Wilder) gives his factory to him. As for the actor who plays the lucky boy, Peter Ostrum, he immediately abandoned his acting career in favor of becoming a veterinarian.

Bo Derek (10)

Bo Derek is an undisputed legend in the modeling industry, but we cannot quite say the same about her acting career. She did have one acclaimed hit to her name, however, in the form of Blake Edwards’ Oscar-nominated, 1979 rom-com, 10, opposite Dudley Moore.

Justin Chatwin (War Of The Worlds)

If you are not sure who Justin Chatwin is, there are two movies we could name that could help you identify him. There is Steven Spielberg’s 2005 adaptation of War of the Worlds, in which he plays Tom Cruise’s onscreen son, and there is also 2009’s universally reviled live-action anime adaptation, Dragonball: Evolution, in which he was grossly miscast as Goku.

For the actors above who are still with us and are still interested in the craft, we hope to see them in another surefire hit soon enough.

The Star Wars franchise is making exciting announcements for its Imperial March holiday month and rolling out the red carpet for what might be the biggest announcement yet. Those who were excited when Disney took blue milk from theaters to the Disney theme parks will be ecstatic to learn they're coming to grocery stores nationwide. Hayden Christensen was in New York to promote the announcement, and he did it in style with a big event. Meanwhile, I'm still fantasizing about incorporating this milk with food. 

Christensen went to the Empire State Building to promote the Star Wars partnership with TrueMoo, and low-fat vanilla blue-colored milk will launch in grocery stores beginning April 17th. He was also there to flip the switch on a wild visual display, which adorned the face of the iconic New York City building on Thursday evening. Take a look at some of the highlights below, via Star Wars' Instagram. 

It's awesome as a Star Wars fan to see Hayden Christensen continue to feel that vindication for his work in the franchise. Of course, his return as Anakin Skywalker is a big part of that, as he has transitioned into the role of Darth Vader for shows like Ahsoka and Obi-Wan Kenobi, which are available with a Disney+ subscription. It feels weird to be emotional about an actor promoting a launch of blue milk, but it means so much more than that. 

Also, the blue milk is super cool. Think about all the things you can make using milk and how different they'll look with a little blue injected into them. Granted, I'm not sure if the vanilla flavoring will mess up any recipes people have in mind, so they may want to taste test before whipping up a cake or pancakes with them. I'm really hoping this milk lives up to the hype, considering the original made Mark Hamill gag. The good news is that TrueMoo's milk is likely better than that, though it's not the same recipe as what they serve at Galaxy's Edge. 

Regardless of how the milk does in grocery stores, it's fair to say the event promoting it and other Star Wars projects was cool as hell. Not all readers had the chance to see it displayed on the Empire State Building, but the official YouTube channel put up a full display for all to see. Can we just do this on every major building around the United States?

Imperial March has come packaged with other big announcements, as the Skywalker Saga is headed back to theaters. Right now, it sounds like the definitive way to watch Star Wars movies in chronological order. With so much coming in the next couple of months this feels like a big time for the franchise again, so I'm hoping for every initiative to do well so we can get the superior green milk in stores, too. 

Star Wars is going all-out with announcements right now, so be sure to keep with CinemaBlend as we sus out all the highlights and fanfare that comes along with it. Get in on the fun by watching the movies and shows on Disney+ and get pumped for more upcoming Star Wars movies and shows on the horizon. 

It’s hard to set up a discussion about that point where, in watching the Star Wars movies in order, we truly see Hayden Christensen break bad. Even if you didn’t have the headline above to go by, you’d almost certainly know that phrase is invoking Anakin Skywalker’s slaughter of innocent younglings in Revenge of the Sith. 

Apparently it took a lot of effort to get the desired effect from the child actors, something thar Christensen has actually apologized for after the fact.  As part of Empire’s big Star Wars issue, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first prequel The Phantom Menace, the stories have been coming out in force. 

So any interviewer worth their credits that has Hayden Christensen on their docket kind of has to talk about “that scene.” As it turns out, the legacy of that chilling moment hasn’t phased children too much, as Hayden revealed through these remarks: 

“Shocking” is putting it mildly, as writer/director George Lucas pulled one hell of a rug pull on Star Wars fans. While we all knew that Anakin was heading to the Dark Side and completing his transformation into Darth Vader, his wholesale murder of children wasn’t expected in the slightest. 

You have to remember, we sat through The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones in theaters, which had only mere hints of the darkness ahead. When Revenge of the Sith played this card, it hurt so bad, it’s probably one of the reasons the Star Wars prequels are better than the Sequel Trilogy entries. 

In fact, it still hurts, while at the same time being a vindication of Hayden Christensen’s Star Wars performance. So if you’re particularly Force sensitive to even the overt suggestion of child death, you’ve been warned to skip this next video:

It’s a damned gut punch every single time, a fact that’s further undermined by the process the Star Wars prequel’s shoot had to take on to get just the right reaction. Sure enough, actor Ross Beadman, a.k.a. the only Youngling with a speaking part in the scene above, confirmed Christensen had to scare him on set.

Which takes us to the second part of this Hayden Christensen story, where he names the various ways he tried to get that reaction, and the apology he would eventually give young Ross: 

All's well that ends well, I suppose. So while Star Wars still has its ebbs and flows of happiness for all Disney+ subscription holders to see, at least the real life story has a more humorous and cheerful ending. Though good luck trying to pull a moment like this in any upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows, as there really hasn’t been anything this dark in a while. Although, we do have The Acolyte to look forward to, and that could be our next best hope for something truly dark in that galaxy far, far away! 

If you can believe it, this May marks 25 years since the Star Wars prequel film trilogy began. At the time, Hollywood hadn’t seen a movie set in a galaxy far, far away in almost two decades when the original trilogy ended with Return of the Jedi in 1983. At the center of the trilogy was, of course, Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in Episodes II and III. After recently returning to the role in Obi-Wan Kenobi and reprising it again as a member of the Ahsoka cast, Christensen spoke about how he feels “vindication” these days in regard to his original work as the iconic character. 

While it seemed for many years the prequel trilogy was the butt of many jokes regarding the Star Wars franchise, more and more people are looking at those movies with fondness. That's a major reason why Hayden Christensen was welcomed back to the franchise with open arms. On the heels of his well-received performances on the recent shows, here’s what he had to say about his thoughts on the prequels now: 

Hayden Christensen is truly feeling the love nowadays from Star Wars fans regarding his place in the franchise! While speaking to Empire, he also shared that he thinks of his journey in the fictional world as both “remarkable” and “very heartwarming.” While he admits there was a time when the ride has “been a bumpy one,” he’s in a “good place with it now.” 

During the interview, the Shattered Glass star -- who recently reunited with Ewan McGregor -- also talked about his work reaching a new generation of fans, especially now that one can watch Anakin Skywalker’s turn to the Dark Side along with his recent appearances on Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka using a Disney+ subscription. While one might think kids would steer clear of the face behind the character who murdered Jedi younglings in Revenge of the Sith, that’s not the case. In the star's words: 

Previously, Hayden Christensen shared that doing new SW projects without George Lucas initially made him feel like he was “cheating on him a little bit." But he also realizes the franchise is in a “different time” and feels excited over the notion that so many new storytellers are coming into the fold to keep the universe thriving. When it comes to upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows, there’s plenty to be excited about, and one hopes that Christensen will be a part of it somehow.

While we don’t know if Anakin Skywalker will show up in future Star Wars stories, it’s great to hear the actor feels “vindication” for his years of work in the franchise as one of the most iconic villains of all time.

The Star Wars family includes a number of beloved stars, from Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford to Katee Sackhoff and Daisy Ridley. Those fans of the prequel films seem to have a particularly high level of affection for Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor, who played Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, respectively. That’s why so many were thrilled when they appeared together on screen in the latter character’s eponymous limited series (which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription) back in 2022. More recently, the two actors reunited while appearing at a recent convention, and there are some sweet photos from the event that capture their meet-up. 

Many notable actors were present at MEGACON Orlando 2024 last week and were able to interact with their various fans. While those interactions (many of which were chronicled on social media) were certainly lovely, I can’t get over the reunion between Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor. Both appeared at a Q&A session that was held during the Con, and there were plenty of fans present to see them. Check out the image below, which shows the two men warmly embracing each other while on stage:

I mean, why couldn’t Revenge of the Sith end like that? Well, as someone who’s watched the Star Wars movies in order, I guess I know why it couldn’t conclude in such a manner. That aside though, the photo above definitely gets me in my feelings, and I imagine those who were actually in attendance also felt a way upon seeing the actors together. Check out another image of them from the panel: 

Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen first started working together within the galaxy far, far away in 2002's Episode II – Attack of the Clones. They would then reprise their respective roles in the 2005 follow-up flick, the aforementioned Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. While a number of people may have their critiques when it comes to the prequels, many seem to enjoy the camaraderie between Christensen’s Anakin and McGregor’s Obi-Wan. That was probably helped along by the fact that the stars themselves forged a firm bond off camera. 

So they were both excited when they reunited for Obi-Wan Kenobi, and that reaction actually left Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy “surprised.” Based on sentiments they shared during the show’s run and afterwards, the actors seemed to relish their time working together again. Hayden Christensen found it cool to wear his Anakin costume again and, after some very light hesitation, got used to working on a Star Wars production without George Lucas. Christensen was also returned as Skywalker for Ahsoka, which brought him back together with Rosario Dawson, with whom he has a personal connection.

As for whether the Anakin actor or Ewan McGregor will return to the storied sci-fi franchise, that remains to be seen. One would hope that they might reprise their famous characters at some point in the future. And, if that doesn’t happen, I’ll certainly relish any moment in which they lovingly reunite at a public event like this latest Con.

You can see the two actors don their lightsabers by streaming the Skywalker Saga films on Disney+ Also, be sure you stay in the know when it comes to upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows.

Ever since Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s ending teased the arrival of Shadow the Hedgehog, myself and the rest of the Sega franchise fandom have been wondering who would voice this notable baddie. As we get closer to director Jeff Fowler’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 being released as a holiday present on the 2024 movie schedule, that speculation is already heating up. That’s thanks to a new tease for the film stoking the fires surrounding the potential casting of a famous Star Wars actor, as well as a big ticket action star, as the anti-heroic hedgehog.

This is where the fun begins, as Paramount Pictures’ title treatment reveal for Sonic 3 has caused reports of Hayden Christensen’s supposed casting to resurface. First reported as a rumored hot tip from scooper DanielRPK (via Gaming Bible), that notion has been circulating once more. 

But there are others that still think John Wick himself, Keanu Reeves, might be the new franchise villain. Reeves has been discussed as an option between fans for some time now, probably because of Speed being included in Sonic 1, and people just really wanting Keanu to be a part of gaming movie history. 

It all comes down to a mysterious laugh, which you can hear at the end of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 title treatment reveal. So feel free to judge for yourself, or come up with your own answers as to who’s laughing now, as you watch below: 

I’m sorry for what I’m about to say, as this isn’t going to make the debate any easier. Maybe this is just me hearing what I want to hear, but hear me out. I don’t think Sonic 3’s Shadow is either Hayden Christensen or Keanu Reeves; while also fully acknowledging that this quick laugh does have the potential to come from either actor. That being said, I’m still going with my original theory/hope for Ben Schwartz’s potential voicing of Shadow.

I know some people probably think I’m crazy for even suggesting that, especially after all of the stellar Sonic the Hedgehog 2 cast suggestions that came from that movie’s press day. I don’t care, because I personally think it’d be interesting to hear Schwartz continuing his potential villain era after Renfield, with a character that’s basically a dark mirror of the heroic role he currently holds. 

Go back and listen to that villainous chuckle, and tell me you can 150% discredit my theory! I'm really convinced that the Shadow laugh we're hearing is Ben Schwartz doing his best, most sincere evil villain laugh. While it's a gut feeling, that's basically the same place that most of the guesses of fans are coming from. 

Which is why, at the same time, I can’t be mad at Hayden Christensen or Keanu Reeves’ potential casting. Both men have played the anti-hero before, and to winning results. Also with Christensen’s star rising once again after returning to the world of Star Wars, Shadow the Hedgehog is a role that could put him over the top and in full renaissance mode. 

One other detail of note has been revealed through this Sonic the Hedgehog 3 tease. Fans have taken note of the fact that the Sonic Adventure 2 track “Live and Learn” was used, in a slowed down/orchestrated context, in this very video. That right there doubles down on the game’s implied importance to the story ahead, so you’re probably going to want to keep that game in mind if you’re replaying through the Sega classics in preparation. 

Speaking of preparation, 2024 is going to be a fantastic year for Sonic fans that love antagonists of past and present. In addition to Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s December 20th release date, there’s also the streaming series centered around Idris Elba’s Knuckles to look forward to! 

Also, there are still two fantastic Sonic the Hedgehog movies for everyone to revisit. And to take in almost all things related to the Blue Blur’s modern TV and movie popularity, you should be sure to have a Paramount+ subscription handy. I think I can speak for everyone when I saw we'll all wanna go to that source fast whenever the release date for that companion piece is announced. 

Hayden Christensen has made a real comeback in the Star Wars universe, with key roles both in last year's Obi-Wan Kenobi and the 2023 TV schedule's Ahsoka. It was a big return for the actor, who hadn't appeared in a project associated with the franchise since 2005's Revenge of the Sith. Back then, George Lucas was running the show, and seeing as that's no longer the case, some might be curious about how the actor felt returning without the creator in charge. Now, he's opened up about what it was like reprising his role as Anakin without Lucas.

Is working for Dave Filoni similar to working with George Lucas? Hayden Christensen is one of the few people who could speak to that, and he sat down with EW to talk about what it was like returning without the Star Wars creator at the helm. The actor gave his honest thoughts on the transition and how it felt a bit odd at first: 

If it wasn't evident by the fact that George Lucas showed up on the set of The Mandalorian, the creator's influence and input will forever be with Star Wars. As long as Dave Filoni is making Star Wars shows for those with a Disney+ subscription, one would imagine that's how it's going to be for a long time. Lucas effectively handed down his knowledge to Filoni about the universe, so it's not surprising that Hayden Christensen had this perception while filming Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka.

It's also evident that George Lucas' influence is felt in Ahsoka, given the moments Hayden Christensen shared with others while on the set. Director Peter Ramsey reportedly gave the actor a sweet note regarding Anakin and Ahsoka's reunion, and the video of the actor practicing the lightsaber battle with Ariana Greenblatt is just awesome. Hopefully, there's room for more of Christensen in upcoming Star Wars projects, assuming it makes sense because clearly, he loves working on them. 

There are patches of uncharted territory in Star Wars where Hayden Christensen could return as Darth Vader, but it's unclear whether or not they'll be adapted to live-action. Dave Filoni did say his Star Wars movie would have Revenge of the Sith vibes, but I doubt he meant anything like resurrecting Vader was in his plans. Then again, this is the same franchise that brought Emperor Palpatine back, so anything is possible.

We'll have to wait and see what the plans are, if any, for Hayden Christensen and Star Wars going forward. In the meantime, check out all the movies and shows he's been in -- including Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka -- over on Disney+, and look forward to the next project on the way!

Charlie Hunnam has had quite the career and has carved out a solid lane for himself within the entertainment industry. While he’s been able to take on some great roles, he – like many other actors – has a few notable gigs that got away. He even turned down DC's Green Arrow. the latest he recalled was that of Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars movies and possibly beyond. Hunnam apparently got close to landing the part, which eventually went to Hayden Christensen. So close that he actually had the opportunity to meet with George Lucas but, as the actor recalled, he ended up having a “very awkward” meeting with the sci-fi guru. 

George Lucas was actually looking at a few notable stars before he tapped Canadian actor Hayden Christsensen to play the Jedi destined to become Darth Vader. Leonardo DiCaprio and Paul Walker were reportedly a couple of the big names the filmmaker had on his list. One would think that at the time, Charlie Hunnam may have been anxious to be in the running for such a massive job. Today, however, he admitted that he can’t remember all that much about the casting process: 

That’s understandable, given it was so long ago, and the Pacific Rim star has had various casting experiences since then. While his memory is somewhat fuzzy on a lot of the specific details, he does remember sitting down with George Lucas to discuss the part. The leading man explained during his interview with ET that it was a “very awkward” meeting. With that, it seems like he knew even at the time that he wouldn’t get the opportunity to wield a lightsaber on camera: 

“Vibes” can definitely be important when it comes to situations like that. While it’s interesting to wonder how Charlie Hunnam would’ve performed as Skywalker, I think everything turned out just fine. Years later, he landed the role of Jax Teller on the acclaimed FX drama Sons of Anarchy. He also has notable flicks like Children of Men, Crimson Peak, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and The Gentlemen under his belt. On the other hand, while Hayden Christensen’s performance as Anakin was originally met with tepid responses, his work has been better received by contemporary audiences. Fans even wished Christensen a happy birthday ahead of his return as Darth Vader on 2022’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. All in all, I don’t think Hunnam can really complain over his good fortune.

The British star is currently part of the Rebel Moon cast and, with that, he actually gets to enter the world of science fiction as seen through the lens of filmmaker Zack Snyder. The actor explained that he relished the opportunity to join Snyder’s budding franchise. He may not get to wield the Force, thanks to that awkward meeting with George Lucas, he’ll at least get in on some serious action through this entry on the schedule of 2023 new movie releases. 

Rebel Moon: Part One - A Child of Fire will be available for Netflix subscribers starting on December 22. Fans of Star Wars can also check out Hayden Christensen’s work as Anakin Skywalker using a Disney+ subscription.

Ahsoka proved to be an entertaining addition to the Star Wars canon, as it featured a number of compelling moments and even some surprises. A moment that fits into both of those boxes was a flashback that featured a glimpse of the main character’s past. During that sequence, she isn’t played by lead actress Rosario Dawson but by rising star Ariana Greenblatt. The tense scene also includes a lightsaber duel between Greenblatt’s young Jedi and her master, Anakin Skywalker, who’s played by the returning Hayden Christensen. The young actress has been geeking out about her role and just dropped a cool BTS video of her and Christensen prepping for their fight. 

The lightsaber battles featured throughout the franchise’s shows and movies are impressive, and they’re the result of a considerable amount of training. Fight choreographers have to make their important contributions and, of course, the actors must do their work as well. Hayden Christensen and Ariana Greenblatt certainly weren’t messing around when it came to their own preparation. At least, that’s the feeling one gets when seeing the clip the actress posted to X (formerly known as Twitter). You can see it for yourself: 

This particular duel occurs during the fifth episode of Ahsoka, “Part Five: Shadow Warrior,” which sees the titular protagonist wandering the World Between Worlds. While there, she runs into an un-aged Anakin, who takes her on a journey through her past. Ahsoka is shocked when she relives the Battle of Ryloth and later the Siege of Mandalore (which were both flashbacks from The Clone Wars). Following the latter, the two characters get into a discussion about legacy, which initiates the tussle glimpsed above.

I don’t know about all of you, but this fan thought the actors truly crushed the choreography, and it’s not hard to see why based on how they seemingly trained. Their movements had to effectively convey the struggle between the two characters in the moment, and that shone through. And of course, their dialogue-driven moments were also impactful. Kudos to them for pulling it all off in tremendous fashion.

One of the most delightful elements of this era in Star Wars history has been the return of Hayden Christensen. The actor has been fully embraced by the franchise and has seemed incredibly enthusiastic about being back in the fold. Before this live-action show, he also appeared as both Anakin and Darth Vader on 2022’s Obi-Wan Kenobi. Ahead of his work on that, Christensen even prepared for the show by watching all of The Clone Wars, which fans likely appreciated. The joy he seems to have for the franchise that made him a star is palpable – even in through moment he says “blam” while fake kicking his co-star amid their prep. 

Speaking of Ariana Greenblatt, she’s certainly been on the come up recently, and 2023 alone has been a major year for her. Aside from appearing in the sci-fi show, she starred in the critically acclaimed Barbie and co-lead 65 alongside Adam Driver. Greenblatt is certainly going places and, whether or not she appears as a young Tano again, I’m glad she appears to have relished her time playing the role.

A second season of the Rosario Dawson-headed series has yet to be confirmed for Disney+ subscribers, and many are anxiously awaiting an update on that front. I’m also curious as to whether Season 2 might happen, especially considering that ending and those conversation-starting statues. In the meantime though, I’ll just revel in all of the neat behind-the-scenes tidbits like Ariana Greenblatt’s video.

All eight episodes of Ahsoka can be streamed now, and be sure to stay in the know when it comes to upcoming Star Wars shows and movies. You can also plot out your future small screen-related engagements by reading over the 2024 TV schedule.

The last episode of Ahsoka was a big deal for fans because it brought together the title character with Anakin Skywalker in live-action, with Hayden Christensen returning in a big way. For the characters, it was a case of two people who used to be close to seeing each other again after a long absence. But it turns out that the same was largely true for the actors as well.

In Star Wars: The Clone Wars Ahsoka Tano was voiced by Ashley Eckstein, but Anakin Skywalker was voiced by Matt Lanter, and not Hayden Christensen. In live-action, Christensen is back in the role allowing his Anakin to work alongside Ahsoka, now played by Rosario Dawson, for the first time. It was a big deal for fans to see this moment. And in a video posted to the Star Wars YouTube account, Dawson says that she once spent time in acting school with Hayden Christensen. So for her, like Ahsoka, this was a case of seeing an old friend again. She explained… 

Rosario Dawson is just two years older than Hayden Christensen, so it’s easy to see the two young actors studying together, trying to hone their craft in search of success. Both would fine work as teens in the mid to late ‘90s, with Hayden Christensen of course becoming an overnight star when he was cast in the Star Wars prequels as the older Anakin Skywalker for Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. Dawson would take a longer road, but would eventually become no less the star. 

The episode saw a near-death Ahsoka find herself standing with her former Master, whose spirit took her on a journey through their life together. We even saw a version of Ahsoka as we would have seen her in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, played by Ariana Greenblatt, who is making a career of playing the younger versions of popular franchise characters.

It’s hard to undersell just how big a deal Ahsoka and Anakin together in live-action was for fans. As popular, and important, as the animated series has been to Star Wars on the whole, the movies are still the core part of the story, and so Hayden Christensen’s portrayal of Anakin Skywalker is the definitive one. The Disney+ Star Wars series has been all about recreating that cinematic experience on the small screen.

If there was a little bit of reality that made its way into the scenes between Rosario Dawson and Hayden Christensen, then it almost certainly helped make those moments better. While we’ve likely seen the last of Christensen in Ahsoka the chances of another appearance are not impossible, and the possibility of seeing Christensen appear in the Star Wars galaxy again seems quite likely.

Anakin Skywalker appeared once again in the Star Wars universe via a cameo in Ahsoka, but there's still a lot of debate surrounding what it actually was. The complicated nature of the "World Between Worlds" opened the door to a lot of possibilities regarding the character's status going forward, though I think the past movies explain his appearance rather easily. 

Following the release of "Part 5: Shadow Warrior" and lots of speculation about Anakin Skywalker, I'm throwing my hat in the ring into what I think went on in this episode. Granted, I am as in the dark as everyone else as to what the true intentions and meaning of the episode were, but I think there's evidence from the movies that could make it clearer. 

There Are Many Theories About Anakin's Appearance

Anakin Skywalker is confirmed to be a Force Ghost in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, so I wouldn't be surprised if the gut instinct of many is to assume he was a ghost in Ahsoka. One wrench in the theory is that Anakin is not blue like most Force Ghosts we've seen, and he does much more than we've seen Force Ghosts do. Others, like The Nerdist have theorized he's something beyond that, which is basically just calling him a Force Ghost with more powers.

Star Wars Rebels fans will point out that Ezra Bridger saved Ahsoka from dying in her battle with Vader during the series by ripping her through the portal before the temple collapsed. In fairness, if that happened then time travel rules would say that Ahsoka never actually died because Ezra did that the first time we saw it happen. Plus, when Ahsoka was pulled through she didn't magically get mystical powers. I doubt Anakin somehow found his way to the World Between Worlds while alive, and I highly doubt he is back from the dead like some do. 

How The Star Wars Movies Could Explain Anakin's Presence

The Ahsoka scene reminded me of when Luke Skywalker entered the cave attuned to the Dark Side in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. When Luke asked Yoda what was in that cave, he said, "Only what you take with you." Luke then went on to face what he believed was Darth Vader, only to kill him and see his own face behind the mask. 

A moment similar to the cave scene happened again in Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker when Rey battled a darker version of herself amidst the wreckage of the Death Star. Ultimately, Dark Rey was not real, and just like with Luke, Rey was struggling internally with herself and what her place was in the universe.  

I believe that both of these scenes speak to what happened to Ahsoka and that the Jedi manifested a vision of Anakin that tied to specific points in her life. Like the cave on Dagobah or the wreckage of the Death Star, the World Between Worlds is a place where The Force has a significant presence and one that is capable of manifesting challenges for those in its presence. 

With Sabine back in her life, Ahsoka is clearly thinking back to her own unfinished Jedi training with Anakin. It's no surprise that he would manifest in a vision and help her come to terms with the conflict in her mind about feelings regarding him. Perhaps Ahsoka felt that in abandoning Sabine's training, she was no better than Anakin? 

Obviously, I'm just out here theorizing with the rest of the world, but I think there's a good enough track record to suggest that Anakin Skywalker was never physically actually in Ahsoka in any form.  However, there's still enough show left for me to be proven wrong. So we'll see how the rest of this series plays out. In the meantime, perhaps I should binge Star Wars Rebels all over again with my Disney+ subscription. 

Ahsoka premieres new episodes on Disney+ on Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. ET per the 2023 TV schedule. Tune in for the eventual reveal of Grand Admiral Thrawn and Ezra Bridger, and stick around for whatever excitement comes next. 

Spoilers for the Ahsoka episode, “Part Four: Fallen Jedi,” lie ahead, so read at your own discretion.

After much speculation regarding his supposed role on the show, Hayden Christensen made his return as Anakin Skywalker at the tail end of Ahsoka’s fourth episode. It was there that he greeted his former padawan (the titular Jedi) when she woke up in the “World Between Worlds." While their encounter was brief, it was also lovely and well executed by the installment’s director, Peter Ramsey. The veteran filmmaker shared that he actually gave Christensen a key note for that scene, and I love just how sweet it is. 

Peter Ramsey is definitely not unfamiliar with having to stage scenes that are meant to be emotionally-affecting. After all, this is the man who co-directed the Oscar-winning film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The Anakin/Ahsoka scene he directed is only the tip of the iceberg, as it’ll surely continue in the latest episode. However, Ramsey solidly set the table for the meet-up and seemed to enjoy his time working with Hayden Christensen and Rosario Dawson. The helmer had some particular praise for Christensen – who played Anakin and Darth Vader in last year’s Obi-Wan Kenobi – as a performer and person. Ramsey also explained that he gave the actor a specific piece of direction to inform his approach to the on-screen reunion: 

My heart melted just a tad upon reading that tidbit. Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker arguably have one of the loveliest relationships in the entire Star Wars franchise. (It’s a bond that’s even been highlighted through sweet fan art.) While the master and apprentice initially don’t know what to make of each other but eventually forge a father/daughter relationship. So the Rise of the Guardians director’s note is very perfect in that regard, and it’s sweet to think of Tano as a college student returning home to meet her father after having been away for a long time.

Fans were absolutely head over heels upon Hayden Christensen’s return, and Rosario Dawson was pumped to work with him as well. Back when Christensen’s casting was reported in 2021, Dawson shared an A+ response that conveyed her hype. Though she's a fan, she’s also a professional, and Peter Ramsey further explained to IGN that she understood the importance of the reunion: 

At this point in the Star Wars timeline, the two Jedi have been through a lot since the last time they saw each other. Anakin turned to the dark side of the Force and was ultimately transformed into the terrifying Darth Vader. But he’d eventually find redemption by saving his son, Luke, before passing away during the events of Return of the Jedi. Ahsoka, for her part, mostly remained in hiding during the days of the Galactic Empire but worked – from the shadows – to maintain order in the galaxy. 

That’s why she’s aiming to prevent the return of Grand Admiral Thrawn, and that goal is ultimately what landed her back in the World Between Worlds. I’m intrigued to see what she and Skywalker end up discussing while they’re together and, hopefully, there are some more sweet exchanges on the way.

New episodes of Ahsoka drop on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT as part of the 2023 TV schedule and can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription.

 The following contains major spoilers for Episode 4 of Ahsoka. 

Generally speaking, fans, especially fans of Star Wars: Rebels, have been having a lot of fun with Ahsoka on Disney+. The show continues the long-running story that Dave Filoni started with Star Wars: The Clone Wars in a live-action setting, which, in the newest episode of the new series meant that Ahsoka had a moment fans have been waiting the entire series to experience.

In the final moments of the new episode, Ahsoka Tano wakes up in a mysterious place, after being defeated in battle against Baylon. Then, from behind her, she hears a voice she almost certainly wasn’t expecting that said two simple words. “Hello Snips.” With those words, a fan base has exploded, as Ahsoka Tano finds herself standing in front of not Darth Vader, but Anakin Skywalker, as performed by Hayden Christensen. Slightly wonky CGI effects notwithstanding, fans are here for it…

Those fans of Ahsoka who aren’t well-versed in the world of Dave Filoni’s animated Star Wars shows are likely more than a bit confused. While not specified yet, it appears that Ahsoka has found herself in the World Between Worlds. It’s a place inside the Force that exists outside of space and time. How exactly Anakin is there we don’t yet know, but it does explain how a younger version of Anakin may be there to see his old padawan. Fans don’t care. 

It had been reported that Hayden Christensen would appear in Ahsoka so his appearance isn’t entirely a shock on its own, but of course, there was no clear idea of how it would happen. It could have been done as a flashback, or, as was done in Obi-Wan, via an appearance by Darth Vader himself. But the moment shook people. 

Snips, is a nickname that Anakin gives to Ahsoka early in The Clone Wars, due to her tendency to get snippy with him. Of course, Christensen didn’t voice Anakin himself in that animated series, so the actor we all think of as Anakin Skywalker had never “said the thing” during a canon Star Wars production until now. Needless to say, everybody is loving it. 

References and cameos are great, but the real test is going to come in a week when we see just where this story is going. This version of Anakin may not even realize what he becomes, but the final notes of the music, playing the Imperial March, surely want fans to remember.   

Ahsoka Tano is making her big return to live-action for her own series, naturally titled Ahsoka, and she's not the only familiar character we can expect. In addition to a number of heroes from Star Wars Rebels like Ezra Bridger and Sabine Wren, it's looking continually likely that we'll even see Hayden Christensen reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker once more. That last bit makes me a tad concerned, even though it isn't the first time we've seen Anakin pre-Vader in this new era. 

Anakin Skywalker was a big part of Ahsoka Tano's formative years as a Jedi, so it's not at all wrong for Ahsoka to lean into that. At the same time, there seems something mildly discomforting about featuring more Anakin scenes these days, especially if they're going to play out the way I imagine. 

Anakin Skywalker's Relationship With Ahsoka Differs From Others

When it comes to Ahsoka Tano's memories with Anakin Skywalker, a vast majority of them from the Clone Wars era are going to be positive. The relationship between a Jedi Master (in the training sense, not actual rank) and their Padawan is always a close bond, and we saw a lot of that in the Prequel Trilogy between Anakin and Obi-Wan. They had a brotherhood that was shattered over time thanks to the influence of Palpatine and the Dark Side. Obi-Wan saw what Anakin became, and as his master, he took great shame that his former pupil went down that path. 

Now to flip that perspective, imagine being a pupil and how much you'd idolize your master. Anakin and Ahsoka Tano had a relationship akin to siblings, and when she finally learned of his transition into Darth Vader, she was devastated. Even when she knew what he became, Ahsoka still attempted to protect him and prevented both of their deaths during their battle on Malachor during Star Wars Rebels' "Twilight of the Apprentice." The episode is certainly worth watching ahead of the premiere, provided you have a Disney+ subscription. 

Even at his absolute worst, Ahsoka Tano cared for Anakin. As such, it's hard to imagine any memory we see of the two of them together being anything but warm and positive. I can't knock it for being true to the character and being lore accurate, but is this really a message to send in 2023? 

Continually Humanizing Anakin Skywalker Feels Odd

I'll confess I've always had a bias toward finding Darth Vader irredeemable. Saving one Jedi, even with just the context of events that happened in Star Wars Episodes IV-VI, was not enough to grant him a Force Ghost. Though he didn't give the explicit order for its destruction, he was a key factor in the deaths of two billion people on Alderaan alone, and saving his own son for his selfish desires negated that? I don't think so.

In the time since the Original Trilogy, we've read and seen countless other misdeeds Darth Vader did throughout his time as the Emperor's right hand. These events have helped further explain the character, but they certainly didn't make him more likable. If anything, they could make the argument that Vader's desire to save Luke was only second to his need for revenge against Palpatine. 

While we still don't even have official confirmation that Anakin Skywalker will appear in Ahsoka via flashbacks or otherwise, I feel weird about further humanizing the character. I find it hard to believe that whatever portrayal we see of him will be anything less than positive given their relationship, though I think it could ultimately come down to how it's framed. If it's framed in such a way that Ahsoka is heartbroken her master became an unrecognizable monster like in Star Wars Rebels, then I'm ultimately ok with it because it speaks more to her than me.  There is a rumor such a scene could happen, but in the interest of spoilers, I'll avoid talking about it here. 

Should We Continue To Sympathize With Anakin Skywalker?

I think the Prequel Trilogy and related works did a phenomenal job of showcasing the good in Anakin Skywalker, as well as his fall. I don't see a need for Ahsoka, Obi-Wan Kenobi and other shows to continue to portray him in a sympathetic light. At the end of the day, he was a child murderer before he was officially Darth Vader, and we should be reminded of that more than how he used to be a human being with feelings. 

Does Qui-Gon Jinn shoulder some blame for insisting on training Anakin despite the advisement from the Jedi Council? Absolutely. Are there questions of whether it was truly necessary that Jedi lived lives with no attachments, be isolated from family and carry out any romances they had in secret? I agree with that too. The rest of the world gave Anakin Skywalker every reason to turn on it, but at the end of the day, it was his decision to turn to the Dark Side. 

Star Wars continuing to sympathize with Anakin Skywalker in 2023 broadcasts a message that I think is confusing both to me as an adult and I'd have to imagine anyone much younger than me. In continuing to reinforce Anakin's humanity and knowing what he becomes, are we sending the wrong message to the more impressionable minds in the fandom? 

It's a question I didn't have to wrestle with as a child, and by the time the Prequels were released, I was old enough to understand the nuance of it all. I don't know if a child today, with all that is out there, would be able to draw the same conclusions and may walk away with an entirely different belief.  

The simple response to this would likely be that Ahsoka was not a series developed with children in mind, and I think that's largely true. This is a show for those who loved Star Wars Rebels and The Clone Wars, and a way for Dave Filoni to bridge the gap between the Original Trilogy and Sequel Trilogy the same way he did from the Prequels to the Original Trilogy. I acknowledge that I am potentially thinking too deeply about all of this, but with the thought crossing my mind that the franchise is at risk of broadcasting the wrong messages about Anakin Skywalker, I suspect others feel the same. 

Ahsoka starts premiering new episodes on Disney+ this coming Tuesday. Concerns aside, I am thrilled to see what this series has to offer and the opportunity to see more adventures with some beloved Star Wars characters. 

Up until last year, there were only two times that Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader battled each other in the Star Wars timeline: on Mustafar in Revenge of the Sith, and then aboard the first Death Star in A New Hope. Then the Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries arrived, and Disney+ subscribers got to see them lock lightsabers two more times in the ‘present day’ storyline. Additionally, “Part V” showed a flashback of Anakin and Obi-Wan sparring prior to Attack of the Clones, and Hayden Christensen recalled the sweet and unexpected his daughter had to watching his character and his former Jedi Master take each other on.

Outside of a vocal cameo in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi marked Christensen’s first time reprising Anakin since Revenge of the Sith was released in 2005. The actor reflected on his return to a galaxy far, far away while chatting with fellow Star Wars actor Diego Luna, who appeared in Rogue One and currently leads the prequel series Andor, for Variety. After the former informed the latter that his eight-year-old daughter not only hasn’t seen him in the Darth Vader suit yet, she hasn’t even properly delved into the Star Wars franchise, he said this:

Since Hayden Christensen’s daughter hasn’t gone through the Star Wars movies in order, let alone seen any of the TV shows, needless to say she didn’t have the proper context for seeing him and Ewan McGregor act out a lightsaber practice session. Still, one can’t fault her for being concerned about her dad, because even if she’s old enough to realize that her dad is acting something out rather than actually fighting, there’s still the chance  someone could get hurt. Kyber crystal-powered blades are VFX-creations, but those practical on-set lightsabers can still pack quite a wallop if something goes wrong while choreographing.

While Obi-Wan Kenobi’s flashback duel was just practice between the title character and Anakin Skywalker back when they still had the Master/Padawan dynamic, it did show how Anakin’s need to prove himself and be victorious blinds him. This portion of “Part V” also gave us a welcome glimpse back to a time when Anakin and Obi-Wan were still on good terms one another, which would change in just a few short years with the conclusion of the Clone Wars and the rise of the Empire.

Obi-Wan Kenobi’s main story took place 10 years after Revenge of the Sith, and when Obi-Wan and Darth Vader finally crossed paths in the series, it’s clear the latter still held quite the grudge against the former for defeating him on Mustafar. While the fight in “Part III” nearly resulted in Obi-Wan’s death, their rematch in “Part VI” ended with him incapacitating and realizing that the man he once knew as his apprentice and friend was truly gone. We know how their story together ultimately ends, but it still remains to be seen if Obi-Wan Kenobi will remain a one-and-done affair, or if it could return for a second season someday. For his part, Ewan McGregor has said he’d be “happy” if he “could do one of these every now and again.”

We’ll soon see Hayden Christensen back in the Star Wars universe, as Anakin Skywalker is expected to appear in Ahsoka, which we now know will premiere August 23 on Disney+. As always, keep visiting CinemaBlend for all the biggest updates concerning upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows.

Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker go together like peanut butter and jelly. The former started her Star Wars journey as a padawan to the latter, and they fought together during the Clone Wars… then against each other on the animated series Star Wars Rebels. There have been reports, and seeming confirmations, that Hayden Christensen was set to reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker in the upcoming Ahsoka series, available with your Disney+ subscription. And most of us attending Star Wars Celebration 2023 expected to see Christensen come out on stage during the Ahsoka panel, given that he definitely was in town, and participated in a panel for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Alas, Christensen was a no-show, and when I tried to ask Ahsoka creator Dave Filoni about Anakin’s possible role in the series, he played all sorts of Jedi mind tricks on me. Watch for yourself.

Given Dave Filoni’s reaction to my Hayden Christensen inquiry at the start of that clip, I’m going to assume that we’re getting live-action Anakin Skywalker in some form during Ahsoka, which is set to stream on Disney+ in August. Given the fact that, in the time frame that we believe Ahsoka takes place, Anakin Skywalker has died (seen in the conclusion of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi), this likely means that Christensen will reprise his famous role in a flashback of sorts. Possibly to a time when Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano were training, or fighting side-by-side. 

It was earlier when fans got a chance to see Hayden Christensen back in his darker form of Anakin, aka Darth Vader. Lord Vader returned for the six-part limited series Obi-Wan Kenobi, and was last seen (in that show) scheming with the Emperor and complaining about how Obi-Wan managed to evade him. And the Emperor turns the knife a little by asking if Vader’s feelings for his old teacher prevented him from completing his task. But that story is set between Episodes 3 and 4, and shouldn’t have a direct affect on Ahsoka … unless that story’s timeline bounces around more than we expect. 

So far, the stories being told in the “current” Star Wars timeline include The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka. This is a stretch that occurs between Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. And we are under the impression that the Dave Filoni-directed movie that recently was announced will tie together plot threads from those shows into one cinematic experience. Though when I tried to ask Filoni for details on that movie, he did a similar dance. Filoni is as slick as Kevin Feige when it comes to avoiding details. 

There’s a lot of exciting Star Wars content on the way, and a lot of it is dedicated to television shows. So bookmark our upcoming Star Wars guide to stay up to date on all future projects, while keeping your Disney+ subscription activated.

After Rosario Dawson’s epic live-action debut as Ahsoka Tano in The Mandalorian Season 2, the fan-favorite character is getting ready to have her own self-titled spin-off show, which will follow the Force-sensitive Jedi on a whole new adventure. The upcoming Star Wars title is set to become available to stream with a Disney+ subscription on August 23, 2023. While specific plot details for the series are being kept under wraps, here are the actors who have either been announced or been reported to appear in the Ahsoka cast from reputable sources.

Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka Tano)

Portraying the aforementioned title character of Ahsoka on her third Star Wars series so far is Rosario Dawson. The acclaimed actor was initially cast in the role – first introduced on Star Wars: The Clone Wars as voiced by Ashley Eckstein – for The Mandalorian, years after a fan tweeted at the actress in 2017 to play the animated character in live action, and she responded with, “yes, please.” 

The Jedi is only the latest character in Dawson’s repertoire that has earned her “Geek Goddess” status, such as a few animated DC movie roles (including Wonder Woman in several titles and Barbara Gordon in The LEGO Batman Movie), a Marvel character (nurse to the vigilantes, Claire Temple), and her role in the Sin City cast as Gail. She also earned praise for her performances in 2005’s Rent, Kevin Smith’s Clerks movies, and Hulu’s Dopesick cast, to name just a few notable examples.

Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker)

Ahsoka Tano will presumably be reunited with her Jedi teacher, Anakin Skywalker, since it’s been announced that Hayden Christensen would return to the role in Ahsoka, as Rosario Dawson confirmed on social media before Disney asked her to take down the news. Given the series’ expected timeline, Anakin should no longer be alive, so he’ll more likely be depicted in flashbacks or as a Force Ghost. 

Christensen most recently reprised his Star Wars prequel trilogy role in Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi cast in 2022. Before that, he gave many eclectic performances in several notable movies like the fact-based Shattered Glass (also starring Dawson) and the 2010 thriller, Vanishing on 7th Street.

Natasha Liu Bordizzo (Sabine Wren)

Australian actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo -- who was part of Netflix’s Day Shift cast, along with starring as Helena Wu in the streamer’s abruptly-canceled series The Society -- stars as the live-action Sabine Wren on Ahsoka. Sabine debuted in animated form on Star Wars Rebels and was a main character throughout all four seasons, as voiced by Tiya Sicar. 

Sabine is a Mandalorian artist who becomes a warrior leader of the Rebellion against the Galactic Empire as the series progresses. The last time Star Wars fans saw the character was when she and Ahsoka set off to find their missing friend, Ezra Bridger, who'd disappeared in the final Rebels episode with Grand Admiral Thrawn as an unwilling companion. When we pick up with these characters in Ahsoka, fans expect that it will continue this storyline and give them closure following where Rebels left off.

Eman Esfandi (Ezra Bridger)

Ahsoka has found its live-action Ezra Bridger in Eman Esfandi, who has previous credits in Red 11, King Richard, and the acclaimed 2022 drama, The Inspection. The actor succeeds Taylor Gray’s voice acting role as the Force-sensitive Jedi Padawan and freedom fighter. The character was key to Star Wars Rebels, where the orphan and con artist joined the Ghost crew, which included Sabine Wren.  

As previously mentioned, Bridger becomes lost at the end of Rebels when, in an effort to face their enemies, he sacrifices himself by creating a protecting air pocket for himself and General Thrawn to both be taken by a Purrgil. It looks as though we’ll get to see Ezra’s next chapter in live action with Esfandi’s performance. 

Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Hera Syndulla)

Also joining the Ahsoka cast is Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla – a Twi'lek female revolutionary leader from Rebels. The series will mark the actress’ first time in the Star Wars universe following her roles in various action franchises, from DC’s Birds of Prey as The Huntress in 2020 to Live Free or Die Hard as John McClane’s daughter, Lucy, back in 2007. The actor is also well-known as Ramona Flowers in 2010’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World cast, for starring in the 2016 Cloverfield spinoff, 10 Cloverfield Lane, and playing the title role of the Netflix's ass-kicking action movie from 2021, Kate.

In a cute connection, Winstead is the real-life partner of Obi-Wan Kenobi actor Ewan McGregor, whom she first collaborated with on Fargo Season 3 before starring in Birds of Prey together. Not to mention, Ahsoka will mark the actor’s reunion with Dawson since they last shared the screen in Quentin Tarantino’s half of 2007’s Grindhouse (and self-proclaimed “worst movie”), Death Proof. 

Ray Stevenson (Baylan Skoll)

Ray Stevenson also stars on Ahsoka as a new character named Baylan Skoll – an orange-red lightsaber-wielding, Force-sensitive mercenary who appears to be working for Thrawn, based on the series’ trailer. However, this was not his first time in the Star Wars universe, having previously voiced Gar Saxon in Rebels and The Clone Wars. 

Stevenson was known for his role as Titus Pullo in the HBO series Rome, a recurring stint as one of the best main antagonists on Dexter, and for portraying a couple of Marvel characters – namely Frank Castle in 2008’s Punisher: War Zone, as well as Volstagg in three Thor movies. Unfortunately, before he could see the premiere of Ahsoka, the Irish actor passed away on May 22, 2023, at the age of 58.

Ivanna Sakhno (Shin Hati)

Also among the confirmed cast is Ivanna Sakno, who is reportedly playing a brand-new role made for the upcoming series, named Shin Hati. Sakhno is a Ukranian-American actress who has previously been seen in 2018’s Pacific Rim: Uprising and The Spy Who Dumped Me, along with appearing in a couple of episodes of Hulu’s High Fidelity alongside Zoë Kravitz. 

Diana Lee Inosanto (Morgan Elsbeth)

Diana Lee Inosanto will appear in the cast to reprise her role as an agent of Thrawn named Morgan Elsbeth, which she originated on The Mandalorian Season 2 episode, “The Jedi.” Inosanto is also known for her work as a stunt performer on movies like Blade and Face/Off and TV shows like Walker, Texas Ranger and Lucifer. Her additional acting credits include a small part in the Pamela Anderson-led comic book flick, Barb Wire, and the lead of 2008’s The Sensei, which she also wrote and directed.  

Wes Chatham (Captain Enoch)

Additionally, Wes Chatham, who is best known for playing Amos Burton in another space-set series, Amazon’s The Expanse, along with portraying Castor in The Hunger Games franchise, is part of Ahsoka as well. The actor, per Deadline, will reportedly be playing Captain Enoch, who is the right-hand man to Grand Admiral Thrawn. 

David Tennant (Huyang)

Reprising the role of Huyang – a droid known for overseeing the construction of lightsabers for centuries – is the actor who voiced him on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, David Tennant. The British actor is part of a few other beloved franchises – having played the title role of Doctor Who for years, appeared in the Harry Potter movies as Barty Crouch, Jr., and starred alongside Dawson in the Marvel series, Jessica Jones, as Kilgrave, most notably. Some of Tennant’s most revered work outside of the fantasy genre includes the acclaimed crime drama, Broadchurch, and leading the Inside Man cast for Netflix.

Lars Mikkelsen (Grand Admiral Thrawn)

As it was announced during Star Wars Celebration Europe in 2023, the live-action Grand Admiral Thrawn is coming to Ahsoka and will be played by Lars Mikkelsen, the same actor who gave voice to the villain in Star Wars: Rebels. The brother of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story actor Mads Mikkelsen (according to Fandom) is also known for Forbrydelsen – the Danish series that inspired Netflix’s The Killing – and recurring roles on Sherlock and The Witcher. 

Genevieve O’Reilly (Mon Mothma)

Yet another franchise veteran reprising her role in the upcoming drama is Genevieve O’Reilly as Mon Mothma, as we know from her appearance in the trailer. She became the second actor to play the Rebel Alliance leader (after Caroline Blakiston) when she was cast in Revenge of the Sith and would return to the character in Rogue One, and then again as part of the Andor cast on Disney+. Her most notable credits outside the franchise include the Matrix movies as Officer Wirtz, Amazon’s crime drama series Tin Star, and the Overwatch video games.

Those are all the actors, and the characters they play, that we could confirm are in the Ahsoka cast. Who knows what other iconic figures from a galaxy far, far away might show up in the highly anticipated Star Wars series? Find out when it premieres on Disney+ in August 2023!

There are popular movie franchises, and then there’s Star Wars. Generations were brought up on the galaxy far far away, thanks to the three separate trilogies that have arrived in theaters over the years. Hayen Christensen reprised his role as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, and recently reacted to the Star Wars rumor that Mace Windu is still alive.

The great Samuel L. Jackson made his Star Wars debut in the prequel trilogy, bringing Mace Windu to life complete with a fancy purple lightsaber. While he was seemingly killed by Palpatine in Revenge of the Sith, Jackson has theorized he might still be alive; we never did see his body. Hayden Christensen was asked by MTV News about Mace Windu’s fate, hilariously responded with:

Honestly, same. Hayden Christensen worked with the great Samuel L. Jackson for two separate Star Wars movies, and he seemingly supports his colleague in all endeavors. That includes the theory that Mace Windu survived being electrocuted and thrown out of Palpatine’s room back in Revenge of the Sith. And with the franchise expanding on both the small and silver screens, it certainly seems like anything is possible in George Lucas’ beloved space opera.

Hayden Christensen’s comments about Mace Windu come as he was promoting his role in Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Fans were absolutely thrilled when it was revealed that he’d be reunited with Ewan McGregor, with the pair of actors reprising their roles from the prequels for the first time. And with the time between the prequels and original trilogy continuing to be an important part of the franchise, perhaps Samuel L. Jackson will get the chance to return Master Windu sometime in the future. Fingers crossed.

For those who don’t remember, you can re-watch Mace Windu’s final appearance in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith below. While he got the upper hand on Palpatine and could have ended the Emperor's reign before it started, Anakin Skywalker ultimately betrayed the Jedi Master. Windu went flying out the window, but his corpse was never seen. 

As previously mentioned, the Star Wars franchise has been growing thanks to both movies like the sequel trilogy and original live-action shows on Disney+. This trend started with The Mandalorian, which became a sensation with fans new and old. Lucasfilm has continued this trend with The Book of Boba Fett and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and there’s plenty more shows coming down the line. Hopefully that opens the door for Samuel L. Jackson’s signature Jedi to return.

It’s currently unclear when the Star Wars franchise will return to theaters, but more shows are coming like Andor and Ahsoka. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

The long awaited return of Ewan McGregor to Star Wars has now concluded with the final episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi arriving on Disney+ this week. The show has been called a “limited series” rather than “Season 1” by Disney, implying that there won’t be anymore of the show, but it sounds like most of the key players, including McGregor and Hayden Christensen, are interested in doing more.

While the Obi-Wan Kenobi series tells a complete story, those that enjoyed that story would certainly like to see more, and they’re not the only ones. Speaking with the GQ, Ewan McGregor very clearly states that he would like to play Obi-Wan again, saying…  

Ewan McGregor has never been shy about his willingness to play Obi-Wan again following the prequels. He was asked that question countless times and he always said yes, even if it turns out he had already said yes to Disney long before the series was ever confirmed.

And McGregor isn’t the only actor willing to come back. Hayden Christensen tells the Radio Times, that he thinks there’s more to explore as Darth Vader, so while he knows this show was only meant to be limited, if asked, it sounds like he’s up for coming back. Christensen said…

Of course, if there was a second season of Obi-Wan Kenobi, the first conversation about it would likely be between Disney and Deborah Chow, who was the showrunner and director of the series. For her part, while she doesn’t completely shut down the idea, she says she hasn’t had a chance to even think about it. She explained…

Chow’s comment came before Obi-Wan Kenobi was actually done, and now it is, so perhaps she will now start to think about it. If somebody has an idea for a story it would seem like more of Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan is likely, the fans want it, the actors are interested, and Disney probably isn’t against it either.  The studio seems to be doing much better with Star Wars on the small screen than the big one. Assuming that enough people watched the limited series, it seems obvious Disney would just fine with making it a bit less limited.

Star Wars gave fans even more reasons to be excited about the Obi-Wan Kenobi series when the news broke that Hayden Christensen was reprising his role as Darth Vader opposite Ewan McGregor, but the big question was how much of Hayden Christensen the series would actually show in light of Vader’s iconic black suit at this point in the Star Wars timeline. The bacta tank scenes gave Christensen the opportunity to act without the suit in the present of the show, and the actor opened up about performing in the tank. 

Although the third episode featured a vision of pre-Mustafar Anakin (and was the first scene that Christensen filmed for the series) and the fifth episode delivered a flashback sequence to the Attack of the Clones era, the bacta tanks revealed Vader’s state ten years after Mustafar. The actor was underwater with some extensive makeup for the tank scenes, and he shared how he actually approached his performance:

While Ewan McGregor was evidently getting the oxygen he needed as Obi-Wan, Hayden Christensen didn’t have the same luck with his regulator. Healing as best he could from being left to burn on Mustafar all those years ago clearly wasn’t exactly peaceful for Vader, but that’s not the case for the actor. Even though he had to hold his breath while fully submerged! 

Vader and Obi-Wan both healing in bacta tanks delivered a parallel between the characters, with Obi-Wan bailing on the tank as soon as he was conscious and pretty spry for a guy who was just dragged through a fire by his former best friend. Vader stayed in the tank to continue the imperfect healing from something that had happened to him a decade ago. According to Christensen, it was a good experience for him as an actor, and he managed to hold his breath for a pretty long time:

Two and a half minutes is a pretty impressive length of time to hold breath, especially in front of a camera while also delivering a performance. Christensen made the most of his time on screen without the black suit, although it was a very big deal on set when he first walked out looking like the Vader of Rogue One and the original trilogy. Seeing the burned and dismembered body of the Sith lord also provided a terrifying contrast to Darth Vader wreaking havoc and taking lives when outside of the tank. 

All things considered, Obi-Wan Kenobi shed new light on Darth Vader even though the series is centered on Ewan McGregor’s character, and has filled in some blanks for their characters in the almost two decades between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Director and executive producer Deborah Chow acknowledged that connecting the films without contradicting canon was tricky, and the show has made the most of the wiggle room in the stories of Obi-Wan, Darth Vader, and Princess Leia. 

See how Obi-Wan Kenobi wraps the latest chapter of the Star Wars saga with the limited series finale on Wednesday, June 22 at 12:01 a.m. PT with a Disney+ subscription. The platform is packed full of Star Wars content to help pass the time until the next project set in the galaxy far, far away premieres, with Diego Luna’s Andor in August. 

There are some movie characters so iconic and so strongly tied to the actor who plays them that to recast them with anyone else would be sacrilege. Although many examples of this kind of role exist in the Star Wars universe, that has not prevented such an event to happen to its most beloved characters many times.

However, luckily, many of the Star Wars characters who have been recast have been blessed with people of tremendous talent to carry the weight -- and sometimes to even greater heights than ever before. See for yourself with our favorite examples of live-action characters from a galaxy far, far away who are credited to more than one actor, starting with one who is making a huge comeback with his own series.

Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness, Ewan McGregor)

We first met Obi-Wan Kenobi years after the fall of the Jedi Order in the original Star Wars: A New Hope from 1977, in which he was played brilliantly by Academy Award winner Alec Guinness. Playing his younger self from padawan to master would be Ewan McGregor, whom fans would cite as one of the best reasons to watch the Prequel Trilogy and later welcome his return on the Disney+ original series Obi-Wan Kenobi with open arms.

Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher, Vivian Lyra Blair)

One of Ewan McGregor’s most impressive co-stars on Obi-Wan Kenobi is Bird Box’s “Girl” actor Vivien Lyra Blair, who gives a surprisingly entertaining and heartfelt performance as 10-year-old Leia Organa, who has been kidnapped by the Empire in order to lure the titular Jedi out of hiding. Star Wars fans are very familiar with the character, originally portrayed by the late Carrie Fisher, who portrayed Leia starting from the beginning of the Star Wars saga, up until her final performance in 2017’s The Last Jedi.

Owen Lars (Phil Brown, Joel Edgerton)

Another Star Wars prequel trilogy veteran reprising his role alongside Ewan McGregor on Obi-Wan Kenobi is Australian actor and filmmaker Joel Edgerton as Luke Skywalker’s uncle, Owen Lars. The Tatooine moisture farmer would meet a devastating end at the hands of the Empire in the 1977 original film, in which he was portrayed - opposite Mark Hamill - by Phil Brown. Brown also starred in franchises like the Superman movies and one of the Pink Panther sequels, but would always be best known as Uncle Owen.

Beru Lars (Shelagh Fraser, Bonnie Piesse)

Playing Owen Lars’ wife, Beru, was English actress Shelagh Fraser, who gives one of the most heartfelt performances in Star Wars: A New Hope despite her modest amount of screen time. Of course, Bonnie Piesse had even less screen time and less to say as a teenage Beru, but is still a memorable presence in the prequels due to the importance of her role, which is why she has also makes a return on Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Mon Mothma (Caroline Blakiston, Genevieve O’Reilly)

Another actress with a modest amount of screen time in the Prequel Trilogy (namely 2005’s Revenge of the Sith) is Genevieve O’Reilly as the future leader of the Rebel Alliance, Mon Mothma, whom she would reprise in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Originating the role was Caroline Blakiston, whose screen time was also quite brief in 1983’s Return of the Jedi, but still memorable and iconic enough inspire such an enduring legacy.

Boba Fett (Jeremy Bulloch, Daniel Logan, Temuera Morrison)

A character whose legendary status vastly outweighs his screen time is the mysterious bounty hunter Boba Fett, who was first physically played by the late Jeremy Bulloch in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and voiced by Jason Wingreen in the former movie. We met Boba as a young boy in 2002’s Attack of the Clones, as played by New Zealand-born actor Daniel Logan, and his father, Jango, played by fellow New Zealander Temuera Morrison, who would go on to assume the fan-favorite role himself on The Mandalorian and on his own Disney+ miniseries, The Book of Boba Fett. Morrison's Boba has also been heard in Empire instead of Wingreen's since the 2004 edits to the Original Trilogy.

Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader (James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Sebastian Shaw, Jake Lloyd, Hayden Christensen, Spencer Wilding)

A Star Wars veteran making, arguably, the most exciting return on the Obi-Wan Kenobi cast is Hayden Christensen as the Sith Lord formerly known as Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader - a role he also shares on the series with James Earl Jones, who has voiced the iconic villain since the beginning. David Prowse would usually wear the suit, save when Sebastian Shaw played a reformed, unhelmeted Anakin at the end of Return of the Jedi and when Spencer Wilding donned the costume in Rogue One. Jake Lloyd played a very young, uncorrupted Anakin in 1999’s The Phantom Menace before Christensen took over the role to play him as a Padawan and, later, a Jedi Knight in the final two prequels.

Emperor Palpatine (Clive Revill, Marjorie Eaton, Ian McDiarmid)

Younger Star Wars fans likely just know Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine, but those who experienced the original trilogy in its prime remember how different Darth Vader’s boss first looked and sounded in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back when his holographic image was physically portrayed by Marjorie Eaton and voiced by Clive Revill. The role was recast for 1983’s Return of the Jedi with McDiarmid, who went on to reprise him in the prequel trilogy and 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker and was added into the 2004 re-release of Empire.

Han Solo (Harrison Ford, Alden Ehrenreich)

To Star Wars fans of any generation, Han Solo is and always will be Harrison Ford, who was still working as a carpenter when his American Graffiti director George Lucas cast him as the captain of the Millennium Falcon in the first Star Wars. However, the Academy Award nominee himself was said to be very impressed by Alden Ehrenreich’s performance in the title role of 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, which traces the outlaw’s origins from serving the Imperial Army to winning his famed ship in a poker game from another familiar face.

Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams, Donald Glover)

One would assume that no one else could ever play Lando Calrissian - the mayor of the Cloud City and old friend of Han Solo (despite pronouncing his name wrong) - with as much charm and charisma as Emmy nominee Billy Dee Williams. However, Emmy and Grammy winner Donald Glover proved that was not the case by absolutely nailing his portrayal of the smuggler-turned-resistance leader while he still owned the Millennium Falcon in Solo. 

Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew, Joonas Suotamo)

Another actor who would portray a legendary original Star Wars character was Joonas Suotamo, whose tenure as Han Solo’s Wookiee friend and co-pilot, Chewbacca, began when he shared the role with its originator, the 7’3” Peter Mayhew, in 2015’s The Force Awakens. The Finnish basketball player took over the role completely for 2017’s The Last Jedi and reprised him in Solo and The Rise of Skywalker, but the first name fans still associate Chewie with is Mayhew, who sadly passed away at the age of 74 in 2019.

On second thought, there could come a day when Joonas Suotamo is celebrated for his portrayal of Chewbacca just as strongly as Peter Mayhew, just like how Ewan McGregor and Alec Guinness are equally praised for their respective performances as Obi-Wan Kenobi. In a franchise as endurable as Star Wars, a dizzying rotation of different people in the same part eventually becomes a necessity, so each actor should be held to the same fair standard. Therefore, in my book, there is not just one Lando, or one Boba Fett, or even one Han Solo (and I say that as a huge Harrison Ford fan), but a wonderful assortment of different depictions to revisit time and time again. 

Hayden Christensen is back in a big way as Darth Vader in Disney+'s “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and CinemaBlend got the chance to Talk down with the Sith Lord. Watch as he dives into what he’s enjoying most about the Star Wars series, including some cool behind-the-scenes details.

Video Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

00:15 - Wearing The Anakin Costume Again And Ewan McGregor’s ‘Sweet’ Gesture On Set

01:12 - Performing As Darth Vader In The Bacta Tank… While Holding His Breath

02:14 - How ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Is Shedding A ‘New Light’ On Darth Vader

02:48 - Outro

Obi-Wan Kenobi brought back both Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen to reprise their roles as Obi-Wan and Darth Vader from the Star Wars prequel trilogy, but there was no guarantee that Christensen would actually show much of his face for the Disney+ limited series. After all, Vader wears the mask for a reason after the battle on Mustafar. The third episode delivered the show’s first look at the actor back in his Anakin Skywalker costume, and Christensen opened up to CinemaBlend about suiting up as Anakin again opposite Ewan McGregor. 

The news that Hayden Christensen was returning naturally had fans wondering if the show would deliver some flashbacks to the era of the prequel films to actually show the actor’s face, or if it would all be Vader in the suit. It was Obi-Wan’s vision of his former student in the third episode that first featured Christensen back in his Anakin costume. He shared how it felt to wear the Jedi robes again for Obi-Wan Kenobi: 

Not only did that ghostly vision of Obi-Wan’s give Hayden Christensen the first chance to wear the Anakin costume again, but it was also the very first scene that he filmed in his return to the galaxy far, far away. It makes sense that Obi-Wan’s vision would be of a version of Anakin looking like he did in Revenge of the Sith, and the timing worked out for this to be the actor’s earliest scene for the show. (Christensen also shared his thoughts on the show shedding “new light” on his iconic character.)

In the third episode, Anakin obviously wasn’t really there in the flesh when Obi-Wan had his vision while trying to evade the Empire with young Leia, but it turns out that Ewan McGregor was there for his co-star even though their characters didn’t appear in the same shot. When asked if he filmed the scene on location opposite McGregor, Christensen said: 

Considering that neither Vader nor Obi-Wan are going to be doing anything “sweet” for each other at the TV show’s point in the Star Wars timeline, it’s nice to hear about Ewan McGregor going the extra mile to be there for Hayden Christensen in his first scene back. The third episode also delivered the first lightsaber clash between Obi-Wan and Vader following Revenge of the Sith, and Vader certainly wasn’t letting his former master get the high ground this time. 

Of course, Obi-Wan did still escape with his life, and it remains to be seen if Vader will ever definitively defeat him in a lightsaber duel. His desperation to get his revenge on Obi-Wan may be the fatal flaw in his chase in this series, since fans know that they’ll both survive to fight again in A New Hope. 

Reva has been the main foe actually putting in the legwork of chasing Obi-Wan in the series, and she has been a wild card since her fate hasn't already been decided by a film or different TV show. Actress Moses Ingram even spoke about the perks of playing a new Star Wars character, and a lot has happened since that third episode. As for whether or not Hayden Christensen will wear the Jedi robes again before the final credits roll on Obi-Wan Kenobi... well, only the series finale is left at this point, so time is running out. 

Watch the series finale of Obi-Wan Kenobi on Wednesday, June 22 at 12:01 a.m. PT on Disney+. There are plenty of offerings set in that galaxy far, far away available streaming as well, so be sure to check out a Disney+ subscription if you haven’t already for all the Star Wars action any fan could hope for. 

Obi-Wan Kenobi debuted on Disney+ to fill in some blanks in the Star Wars saga between the end of Revenge of the Sith and the beginning of A New Hope. Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen both reprised their roles for the limited series, which is shedding more light on these legendary characters at a previously unexplored point in the Star Wars timeline. Speaking with CinemaBlend, Hayden Christensen opened up about how he feels the show is handling the characters’ stories. 

Hayden Christensen has actually only appeared without some serious makeup effects and/or the iconic Darth Vader suit for a few moments in one episode when Obi-Wan thought he saw Anakin from afar, but Vader on the whole has been arguably scarier than ever before. When the actor spoke with CinemaBlend, he weighed in on what it’s like to watch the show compared to what he read in the scripts and performed on the day as Vader, saying: 

Christensen is a fan of how Obi-Wan Kenobi is presenting the characters in “a new light,” although he of course didn’t drop spoilers about what’s coming for Darth Vader in the final two episodes of the show. This is a limited series, so the next two episodes could be the final chapters in the Vader vs. Obi-Wan saga until their fateful duel in A New Hope. 

The show certainly is showing characters in a new light, and Vader himself is still many years away from finding any kind of redemption, so it seems likely that his single-minded focus on getting Obi-Wan is only going to cause more problems. The Vader of the original trilogy was a little calmer and cooler than this version of the character. Considering that he quite literally roasted Obi-Wan as vengeance for Mustafar the last time that he had his former master at his mercy, we can only hope that Obi-Wan puts up more of a fight if they have a rematch in the series. 

As for Obi-Wan, he’s a far cry both from who he was at the end of Revenge of the Sith and the kindly hermit who encounters Luke early in A New Hope. The show is addressing all of the trauma that he’d naturally feel after Order 66, the rise of the Empire, and dismembering his former student and brother-in-arms. He was falling back into some of his old Jedi habits while rescuing Leia; if the confrontation with Vader in Episode 3 wasn’t what Kathleen Kennedy previewed as the “rematch of the century,” then he seems likely to at least be handier with his lightsaber and Force mastery. 

Only two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi are left to reveal whether or not Vader and Obi-Wan do face off one more time before the beginning of the original trilogy. Reva saved her own life by planting a tracker on Lola and then supporting Vader by declaring that “Kenobi is all that matters,” so the heroes still have her to contend with as well. Keep using your Disney+ subscription to see what comes next and whether Hayden Christensen will appear without bacta tank prosthetics and/or without the mask before the end. 

New episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi release on Wednesdays at 12:01 a.m. PT on Disney+. You can also find plenty of other Star Wars options on the Disney streaming service, and Hayden Christensen himself has said that he binge-watched both Star Wars Rebels and The Clone Wars before reprising his role as Darth Vader. You can do the same! 

Following Jake Lloyd’s time as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Hayden Christensen was brought in to play the character as a young adult for the remaining two movies in the Prequel Trilogy, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. We only got to see Christensen don the Darth Vader armor briefly at the end of the latter Star Wars movie, but now Obi-Wan Kenobi has come along, allowing him to play an integral role as the Sith Lord in his cyborg form. And as Ewan McGregor explained, the crew of the latest Star Wars series were just as pumped to see Christensen back as Vader as the fans were.

Although Darth Vader’s voice is once again provided by James Earl Jones in Obi-Wan Kenobi (with aid from Respeecher), Hayden Christensen was brought back to physically portray the character, his first time doing so in nearly two decades. While chatting with ET, Ewan McGregor, who’s of course reprising Obi-Wan Kenobi, recalled the reaction on set when Christensen walked out on set for the first time wearing the Darth Vader suit:

Hayden Christensen added that many of the crew members on Obi-Wan Kenobi were “proper Star Wars fans,” and as a result were “really excited to be there.” So it’s no wonder so many people turned out to see Christensen walk out onto the set in the Darth Vader suit. Ewan McGregor has plenty of people fond of his Obi-Wan Kenobi performance, to be sure, but when the opportunity comes along to see the Prequel Trilogy’s older Anakin Skywalker encased in that black armor, no Star Wars fan would pass that up. As far as the general public goes, Christensen’s involvement in Obi-Wan Kenobi was announced back in December 2020, and now people with a Disney+ subscription are finally able to see him back in action as Vader roughly 10 years after the events of Revenge of the Sith, when he’s not as “fully formed.”

Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS for Obi-Wan Kenobi are ahead!

Hayden Christensen first appeared in Obi-Wan Kenobi at the end of the second episode, when Darth Vader was shown awakening in his bacta tank on Mustafar right after the title protagonist learned that his former apprentice was still alive. In this week’s episode, after getting back in the suit that helps keep him alive, he instructed Reva, one of his Inquistors, to find Obi-Wan, promising he’d make her the new Grand Inquisitor is she succeeded, and would  punish her if she failed him. Eventually she tracked the Jedi Master and young Leia Organa to Maputo, and upon arriving, Vader started murdering civilians to draw Obi-Wan out into the open.

From there, these two locked lightsaber blades for the first time in a decade, but because Obi-Wan Kenobi was rusty with using the Force, Darth Vader quickly overpowered him and went so far as to set him on fire. Luckily, Tala, an Imperial officer who helped out Obi-Wan and Leia earlier in the episode, came back to bail the Jedi out of his predicament. Vader may have won this round, but per concept art that’s been released, we know that these two will face off against each other again before the Obi-Wan Kenobi series is over.

New episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi premiere Wednesdays on Disney+, and for the Hayden Christensen fans out there, he’s also lined up to reprise Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka, which will debut sometime in 2023. Keep checking in with CinemaBlend for updates on other upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows.

In a strange and exciting twist for Star Wars fans, Hayden Christensen is back as Anakin... err Darth Vader, as he goes by after the fallout of Revenge of the Sith, for the new Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, also starring Ewan McGregor. Ahead of seeing how the series plays out, Christensen spoke about Obi-Wan’s decisions following Revenge of the Sith, the Prequel Trilogy's concluding chapter. 

CinemaBlend spoke to Hayden Christensen on the red carpet during Star Wars Celebration at the Anaheim Convention Center. During the interview, our own Law Sharma asked how Anakin’s history on Tatooine influences his performance as Darth Vader in the new Obi-Wan Kenobi series. In the Star Wars actor’s words: 

Of course, Hayden Christensen is keeping information thin so we can go into the new series without having all the Obi-Wan Kenobi surprises spoiled, especially regarding the return of Anakin Skywalker, now known as Darth Vader. At the end of Revenge of the Sith, a charred Anakin placed the mask on and became the villain who terrorizes the galaxy in the Original Trilogy. Obi-Wan Kenobi will tell a story in-between the events of both trilogies. 

Although there's conflicting information over whether Anakin Skywalker was actually born on the desert planet of Tatooine, he grew up there before leaving his homeworld to join the Jedi Order at the age of 9 in The Phantom Menace. As an adult, Anakin returned to Tatooine (in Attack of the Clones) to find that his mother has been abducted by Tusken Raiders. When he found her, she died in his arms, and while consumed by grief and rage, Anakin slaughtered the entire village of Tusken Raiders. So yeah, “not-so-great memories” is about right. 

The Obi-Wan Kenobi series, directed by Deborah Chow, seeks to tell a “new” and “original” story about Ben Kenobi, per Chow’s recent words to CinemaBlend. The filmmaker shared that it was tricky to tell a story in between the Prequel and Original trilogies, but it was a great way to tell a “second act” for the beloved characters. Over the years, there’s been a lot of hate toward the prequel films, but as of late, there’s more nostalgia and love toward them. Hayden Christensen said it's been “heartwarming” to see the Prequel Trilogy gain more appreciation.

Obi-Wan Kenobi begins on Tatooine, where Ewan McGregor’s character is living a decade after the events of Revenge of the Sith, and he is watching over Anakin’s son, Luke. You can check out the first two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi now with a Disney+ subscription, and new episodes will be released weekly on Wednesdays for the next month. You should also check out what other exciting upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows are on their way next. 

There are popular movie franchises, and then there’s Star Wars. Generations of moviegoers were brought up on the galaxy far, far away, and it remains a vital part of the pop culture landscape. But the franchise isn’t without its faults, and the fans previously threw a ton of shade at the prequel Star Wars movies. And now Hayden Christensen is defending George Lucas’ prequel dialogue.

Hayden Christensen made his Star Wars debut back in 2002’s Attack of The Clones, playing Anakin Skywalker. Fans can’t wait to see what he’ll bring to Darth Vader in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi show, and the 41 year-old actor has been reminiscing about the prequels while promoting the Disney+ series. When speaking with The Guardian about his role, Christensen addressed the dialogue in the prequels, saying:  

He’s got a point. The Star Wars franchise isn’t exactly set in reality, which is why the space opera’s script can sometimes be out there. Hayden Christensen seems to think this is par for the course, and doesn’t agree with the criticism that has come George Lucas’ way since the prequels hit theaters in the early 2000’s. Indeed, the prequels have been getting way more love lately, especially in the wake of the sequel trilogy.

While Hayden Christensen has been the butt of countless Star Wars jokes over the last two decades, it’s sweet to hear how much the franchise and his relationship with George Lucas continue to be. And enough time has passed that the Jumper actor was finally able to return to the galaxy far, far away for his mysterious role in Obi-Wan Kenobi. We’ll just have to see what type of dialogue he gets this time, especially since he’ll be playing Darth Vader in all his evil glory.

As previously mentioned, the Star Wars prequels have been more appreciated in recent years than when they first hit theaters in the early aughts. Still, there are some scenes/dialogue that continue to live in infamy. One big example is Anakin’s lines about hating sand in Attack of the Clones, which were uttered by Hayden Christensen himself. As a reminder, you can check out that quick scene below,

Since Anakin grew up on Tatooine, this dialogue has always turned heads, and has been turned into countless memes over the years. Regardless, Hayden Christensen is back in the galaxy far, far away with the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. That new show debuts on Disney+ May 27th. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

The future appears to be bright for the Star Wars franchise, as the galaxy far, far away will be expanding with a plethora of television shows (available with a Disney+ subscription). That slate includes Ahsoka, a series centered on the fan-favorite Jedi who first appeared in animated form in Star Wars: The Clone Wars before being played in live action by Rosario Dawson on The Mandalorian. Dawson reprises her role for the spinoff and is super hyped. As a matter of fact, she was so excited at one point that she seemingly confirmed a major rumor on her social media and apparently got into a bit of trouble for it. 

So far, Disney and Lucasfilm haven’t revealed too much official information on Ahsoka, though reports from the trades have dropped details here and there. One of the biggest tidbits was the news that Hayden Christesen had signed on to reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker on the show. After the story broke, Rosario Dawson posted an A+ response to the purported casting on Instagram. When reflecting on the move during a cover story for Vanity Fair, Dawson explained that entertainment company behind the show reached out to her:

If there’s one thing both fans and those involved with the Star Wars franchise know, it’s that there’s a lot of scrutiny when it comes to what’s revealed about upcoming projects. This has been true for the films over the past several decades, and it remains the case for the cavalcade of TV fare. Based on the actress’ comments, it’s clear that Disney was firm when responding to her post, though at least she can find a bit of humor in the situation now.

In the same VF story, Lucasfilm would neither confirm nor deny if Hayden Christensen will actually appear in Ahsoka Tano’s solo series. His inclusion would make sense, though, considering Anakin Skywalker’s relationship with Tano. Tano was trained by the “SkyGuy” during the bulk of The Clone Wars and, in the process, he and “Snips” forged an endearing relationship. Given where the new series takes place within the franchise’s timeline, Skywalker could either appear in flashbacks or as a Force ghost.

There are also practical behind-the-scenes reasons as to why Hayden Christensen could easily reprise the role. He’s already starring in Obi-Wan Kenobi this year yet, as far as we know, he’ll only be playing Darth Vader there. Also, while this doesn’t have true bearing on his casting, it’s worth mentioning that Christensen prepared for his Kenobi role by binging all of The Clone Wars and Rebels. If you ask me, he’s a shoo in, but we’ll just have to wait for more details. 

If reports are to be believed, Ahsoka (which recently kicked off production with a BTS photo) is assembling quite a roster of talent. This includes Rebels alum Ray Stevensen and Bird of Prey star Mary Elizabeth Winstead, whose casting was confirmed by her partner, Ewan McGregor, in VF’s story.) Rumors suggest that the show has also cast a live-action Ezra Bridger actor and has tapped a star to play the real Thrawn. As filming continues more news will undoubtedly break, and I’m certain Rosario Dawson will act with caution when deciding what to share on social media.

Ahsoka is set to arrive sometime in 2023 but, in the meantime, you can officially see Hayden Christensen return in Obi-Wan Kenobi, which premieres on May 27th. You’re not going to want to miss either of these Star Wars shows.

There are popular franchises, and then there’s Star Wars. George Lucas’ colorful galaxy far, far away has entertained audiences for decades, with entire generations brought up on the beloved sci-fi romp. The space opera’s story has been expanded recently in live-action TV shows on Disney+, to the delight of fans. Anakin Skywalker actor Hayden Christensen will be back in his role for the Obi-Wan Kenobi show, and recently reacted to the prequels being more appreciated in the last few years.

George Lucas had his own big shoes to fill when bringing the Star Wars prequel trilogy to theaters in the early 2000’s. Over the years the prequels have been the butt of countless jokes, although they’ve recently become more and more important to the overall franchise’s story. Hayden Christensen is returning to Star Wars for the first time since 2005’s Revenge of the Sith in Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi, and was asked by The Cutaway about his reaction to the love that’s been thrown the prequels’ way in recent years. The 41 year-old actor responded honestly, saying:

While his feelings about the prequel resurgence might be difficult to put into words, it’s clear that Hayden Christensen is feeling the love from Star Wars fans out there. Considering how much crap he’s likely gotten/heard about his two appearances as Anakin Skywalker, it feels right that he’s being properly celebrated nowadays. And there’s no telling what he’ll be bringing to the table as Darth Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi. 

Given just how much the original Star Wars franchise means to moviegoing audiences, they had a strong reaction when the prequels started being released in theaters. Fans took umbrage with the extensive use of green screen sets, the childish antics of The Phantom Menace (sorry, Jar Jar), and certain lines of dialogue like the infamous “I hate sand” speech from Attack of the Clones. But over time this sentiment has changed, especially once the sequel trilogy started hitting theaters and eventually wrapping up the Skywalker Saga completely.

As previously mentioned, Hayden Christensen is back in the galaxy far, far away for a role in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series which debuts on Disney+ later this month. While he was noticeably missing from the trailer seen above, Christensen will get to play a vastly different version of his signature character in the series, as Anakin has become Darth Vader and is hunting Jedi. It’ll be particularly thrilling to see him reunite with Ewan McGregor all these years later.

Obi-Wan Kenobi hits Disney+ on May 27th. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

For years, Star Wars fans have hoped to see Ewan McGregor return to the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and that became a reality when Lucasfilm announced a limited series centered on the beloved character. The show is less than a month away, and the anticipation is only building. The public has already seen some sweet footage (which even utilized “Duel of the Fates”). But now, on May the Fourth, fans have been gifted with a new trailer, which not only promises more trouble for McGregor’s character but also teases the return of Hayden Christensen’s Darth Vader. 

This new trailer from Disney+ provides a greater sense of urgency, as it emphasizes the fact that Obi-Wan, being a Jedi, is in grave danger due to the rise of the Empire’s Order of Inquisitors. With this, there are new shots of the Grand Inquisitor (played by heroic hype man Rupert Friend) as well as Moses Ingram’s Reva a.k.a. Third Sister. There are also a few additional peaks at Sung Kang’s dangerous Fifth Brother. 

And with the Empire present, you know Darth Vader isn’t too far behind. Near the end of the trailer, we get a few small glimpses of the Dark Lord of the Sith, as he suits up in his iconic armor. That’s enough to get one excited but, when you hear that heavy breathing, you’ll really get chills. It’s hard to say if that final shot of Kenobi is from the exact moment he reunites with his former pupil yet, even if it’s not, it’s more than effective here. Though the teases are brief, Vader’s presence looms large over the proceedings. You really get the feeling that what Reva yells to Obi-Wan is true. You can’t escape him.

These things all contribute to the grim reality in which the titular Jedi finds himself, and it appears he’ll have to contend with other threats as well. Ewan McGregor’s character can be seen taking on a droid and throwing down with goons in an unknown location. And interestingly enough, he’s doing this all without the Force or a lightsaber. Considering his circumstances, he’s likely refraining from using either, as he could end up outing himself. Needless to say, this is going to be the challenge of Obi-Wan’s life, and the whole ordeal could amount to the bleakest Star Wars story yet.

This trailer also provides some other interesting tidbits, including a bit of dialogue from Owen Lars, played by the returning Joel Edgerton. Those who’ve read Star Wars comics more than likely know that there was friction between Lars and Kenobi regarding young Luke Skywalker’s future. It’s great to see that series creator Deborah Chow is keeping that intact here. Elsewhere, we also get a brief glimpse at franchise newcomer Kumail Nanjiani, who has an undisclosed role in the project. I’m curious as to how this new face will figure into the story.

Based on this latest trailer, fans are in for a truly epic and emotional ride when it comes to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Emmy winner Ewan McGregor seems to have slipped back into the role with ease and should be more than game for what lies ahead.

Obi-Wan Kenobi will have its two-episode premiere on May 27, so be sure you have a Disney+ subscription so that you can tune in.

When we last saw Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, the corrupted and mutilated Jedi Knight was being outfitted with his Darth Vader armor so that he could continue serving as Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious’ apprentice. Nearly two decades later, Christensen is stepping back into Anakin/Vader’s boots for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, which is set 10 years after the final entry in the Prequel Trilogy. Matt Lanter, who voiced Anakin in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels, is among the fans who are looking forward to seeing Christensen’s return, and he’s particularly interested in how Christensen’s performance this time around will draw from those two animated series.

During my interview with Matt Lanter about having voiced Ted Kord in the DC Showcase animated short Blue Beetle, I asked what he thought about Hayden Christensen having watched Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels as part of his preparation process, and also what he was looking forward to seeing in the next live-action Star Wars TV show that, just like The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, will be accessible with a Disney+ subscription. Here’s what Lanter had to say:

Not to be confused with the Star Wars: Clone Wars microseries that aired in between the releases of Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: The Clone Wars launched  in August 2008 with a theatrically-released backdoor pilot movie, and the TV series itself debuted the following October. Matt Lanter voiced Anakin for the entirety of The Clone Wars’ run (including the seventh and final season that premiered on Disney+ six years after the show originally ended).  And while James Earl Jones voiced Darth Vader in Star Wars Rebels’ opening two-parter and throughout Season 2, we also heard Lanter as Anakin during two episodes of that sophomore season.

Because Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels fleshed out Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader so much (particularly through having him train Ahsoka Tano as the war raged on in the former series), it’s understandable why Matt Lanter is pleased that Hayden Christensen turned to those shows for inspiration in the lead-up to working on Obi-Wan Kenobi. As Lanter mentioned, he was already aware that Christensen had already seen at least some of The Clone Wars, but it’s still a big deal when the guy who played Anakin on film for two movies goes back to check out the entirety of your TV voicework as the same character. Beyond that, Lanter is looking forward to seeing if any specific aspects of The Clone Wars end up influencing Obi-Wan Kenobi. As far as Rebels’ influence goes, we already know Rupert Friend and Sung Kang are respectively playing The Grand Inquisitor and Fifth Brother, two antagonists from that series, so that base is already well covered.  

The first two episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi debut May 27 on Disney+, with additional episodes following every Wednesday afterwards. Keep your eyes peeled on CinemaBlend for more news about Star Wars movies and TV shows, and check out Matt Lanter’s performance as Blue Beetle when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases the DC Showcase — Constantine: The House of Mystery compilation on Blu-ray and 4K May 3.

After more than a decade away from the Star Wars franchise, Hayden Christensen is finally headed back to the galaxy far, far away through Obi-Wan Kenobi (which will be available with a Disney+ subscription). Fans have been excited ever since Lucasfilm announced that Christensen would reprise the role of Darth Vader and, with the show’s premiere inching closer, his return feels all the more real. It’ll be a glorious moment but, ahead of that, the actor marked another momentous occasion. Christensen celebrated his 41st birthday this week, and fans showed him some serious love.

Hayden Christensen’s big day was on Tuesday, April 19, and it wasn’t surprising to see that the Internet was loving it. Star Wars devotees marked the occasion with gifs, memes and videos featuring Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker. One Twitter user sweetly paid tribute to him with a “fun” post: 

The Shattered Glass star played the role of Anakin Skywalker during the Prequel Trilogy, starting with 2002’s Attack of the Clones. At the time, many fans expressed lukewarm thoughts about his portrayal of the powerful Jedi, though the actor did manage to endear himself to a number of fans during that period. Another well-wisher from Twitter made note of his journey as Skywalker while celebrating:

It’s been a joy to see just how much people have warmed up to his performance as Skywalker. While some still have their critiques, many can’t seem to picture anyone else playing the role of the fallen warrior. This appeared to be the sentiment shared by one fan: 

Within the sci-fi franchise, Anakin Skywalker is thought to be “The Chosen One,” the person who would bring balance to the Force. And to many lovers of the franchise, that title extends to the person playing him:

Hayden Christensen’s return to Star Wars is special for a few reasons. Not only does it allow fans the opportunity to see his take on Darth Vader once more, it also allows the star himself to join forces with co-star Ewan McGregor again. The on-set reunion is said to have been an “emotional” one and, apparently, it surprised Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy. It’s a full circle moment, and I’d imagine Christensen is relishing every minute of it. 

And Obi-Wan Kenobi won’t be the final time the actor suits up for a project set in the George Lucas-birthed universe. He’s also set to reprise his role as Anakin on Ahsoka, which is headed by Mandalorian alum Rosario Dawson. After his casting was reported, the actress took to social media to send an A+ message to her “SkyGuy.” 

Hayden Christensen should be up for both tasks, especially considering the great way that he prepared for his return. These projects and the love from across the interwebs are proof that the Christensen renaissance has arrived. I’m hoping he had a lovely day and that the Force (and some birthday cake) were with him.

Obi-Wan Kenobi arrives on Disney+ with a two-episode premiere on Friday, May 27. In the meantime, you can check out Hayden Christensen’s past performances as Skywalker by checking out the prequels, which are on the streamer.

There’s a lot for fans to be excited about when it comes to Obi-Wan Kenobi. The limited series (which will be accessible with a Disney+ subscription) brings back one of the franchise’s most beloved characters and thrusts him into a dangerous new adventure. The on-screen reunion between Ewan McGregor, who returns as Obi-Wan and Hayden Christensen, who reprises his role as Darth Vader, is also an exciting prospect. This has been a long time coming for both actors, and they seem to have taken their role reprisals very seriously. As a matter of fact, they both found great ways to prepare for their roles, which fans are sure to appreciate.

What makes Obi-Wan Kenobi’s story so unique is that it not only brings in characters and themes from the Prequel Trilogy but also utilizes concepts from the animated shows Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Rebels. Both series have added a considerable amount of content to the canon since the final prequel film, Revenge of the Sith, was released in 2005. That’s why Hayden Christensen opted to binge both programs before he started work on the upcoming live-action show, and it sounds like he found them to be relatively helpful:

Clone Wars, in particular, spent a great deal of time further fleshing out the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan. While the films mostly painted them as teacher and student, the animated show (overseen by producer Dave Filoni) drove home the brotherhood aspect of their bond. At this point, there’s been no official indication as to whether Hayden Christensen will also appear as Skywalker though, given the actor’s method of research, I’d say there’s a chance fans could see him play the role in a flashback or two. Regardless, I just admire the star’s diligence.

Ewan McGregor has been just as sharp when it comes to his own preparation. Sure, the actor reunited with his Jedi robes ahead of time and has pretended to be a Force-user in real life, but he did much more than that. Like his co-star, he spoke to EW, explaining that he revisited the prequel films . And of course, he looked to his iconic Obi-Wan predecessor for guidance: 

The Scottish actor has previously discussed how his work was influenced by Alec Guinness, who he studied before filming 1999’s The Phantom Menace. When it comes to this new project, the Down with Love alum hopes to maintain the qualities of his Obi-Wan while channeling elements of Guinness’. 

The reunion between Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen is certainly a treat (and apparently even surprised Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy). As special as it’ll be to see them share the screen, the experience should be even more satisfying for fans now that they have a better understanding of how much work the stars put in. In short, we’re here for passionate performers!

Obi-Wan Kenobi’s two-episode premiere hits Disney+ on Friday, May 27.

Although the majority of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’s starring characters were brand new to a galaxy far, far away, there were a handful of familiar faces who had notable roles in the 2016 movie. Among them was Darth Vader, who was first seen berating Ben Mendelsohn’s Orson Krennic on Mustafar, and later memorably massacred a group of Rebel troops in an effort to seize back the stolen Death Star plans. More than half a decade later, Hayden Christensen, who brought Anakin Skywalker to life in two of the Star Wars movies, has broken his silence on Vader’s brutal Rogue One scene.

Rather than approach Hayden Christensen to suit back up as Darth Vader for Rogue One, like he did at the end of Revenge of the Sith, the Star Wars movie’s team instead had Spencer Wilding physically play Vader for the Krennic meeting, and Daniel Naprous donned the black armor for when the time came for the Sith Lord to cut down some Rebel scum. Here’s what Christensen had to say about that latter moment to EW:

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy explained that Hayden Christensen wasn’t considered for Rogue One because "that was just such a specific action sequence,” and it sounds like he’s understanding about this. Keep in mind that along with Christensen having mostly scaled back on acting following his time in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, the big Darth Vader sequence was the last thing shot during Rogue One’s reshoots period; it was even kept secret from the main cast. So even if the crew had wanted to bring Christensen back that might have been difficult to make happen given how last minute this all came together. 

Fortunately for Hayden Christensen, after more than a decade and a half away from the Star Wars universe, he’s reprising Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader on two fronts. First, he’ll appear in Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series, which is set 10 years after the events of Revenge of the Sith. Along with this show seeing Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan and Christensen’s Darth Vader cross paths for the first time since their epic duel on Mustafar, there’s also a chance we could get Clone Wars-era flashbacks of the two, though that’s by no means official.

Hayden Christensen is also on deck for the Ahsoka series starring Rosario Dawson. In this instance though, it’s unclear if we’ll be seeing Anakin Skywalker through flashbacks to the Clone Wars, or if he’ll appear in Force Ghost form since this show is set half a decade after Return of the Jedi. Either way, the future is bright for fans of Christensen’s Star Wars character, who was previously played by Jake Lloyd in The Phantom Menace and was voiced by Matt Lanter in The Clone Wars animated series.

Obi-Wan Kenobi will premiere on May 25, while Ahsoka doesn’t have a release date set yet. If you’re interested in re-watching Rogue One or any of the other Star Wars movies, they can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription.

While The Book of Boba Fett is just over a month away from its Disney+ premiere, it seems that most Star Wars fans are really focused on next year and the release of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series that will star Ewan McGregor in his return to the role originated by Sir Alec Guinness. It will also, even more surprisingly, see the return of Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader. Fans are going to be thrilled to see this but Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy says she was surprised at just how much it meant to the actors themselves.

In a new interview with Empire Magazine Kathleen Kennedy says that both Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen were quite excited to get to work on the new Disney+ series, but that it was also an emotional experience for them both. It’s not necessarily something that you think about, but the prequels were big movies not only for Star Wars but for the careers of these two actors. Kennedy explained... 

I feel like saying the Star Wars prequels were the beginning of Ewan McGregor’s career is selling the actor a bit short. He’d been in several significant movies prior to The Phantom Menace. Having said that, the first prequel film was certainly the biggest movie he’d ever been in to that point in his career and it turned him from being an actor into a movie star. It’s a bit more true for Hayden Christensen, whose filmography is mostly made up on TV guest appearances prior to Star Wars: The Attack of the Clones. 

And considering how the reception to the prequels has been mixed over the years, it wouldn’t be that surprising if these actors did not have the strongest connection to the films. But whatever the fans happen to think of the films, it seems these actors truly had an emotional reaction to being back in the galaxy far, far away. 

Of course, in the new series the relationship between the characters will be quite different. In the prequels, they were mostly allies, but now they will be enemies as Hayden Christensen isn’t playing Anakin Skywalker, but instead Darth Vader. Although, how that will work, what with Darth Vader being covered in armor and, one assumes, sounding more like James Earl Jones that Hayden Christensen, is anybody’s guess.  

The Star Wars franchise has been expanding in interesting ways over the past few years, especially on the small screen. The Mandalorian kicked things off in a major way, and its success has now paved the way for a slew of spinoffs. One of these is Ahsoka, which will mark the return of Rosario Dawson in the role of the titular Jedi. While details on the show are scarce, it was recently reported that Hayden Christensen will reprise his role of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader for the Disney+ show. And after the news broke, Dawson shared an A+ reaction that’s sure to make fans excited. 

Lucasfilm productions are typically shrouded in secrecy, so it’s no surprise that the Daredevil alum deleted her Instagram reaction to the big news. However, things on the Internet can always be preserved, and The Direct captured the post. In it, the star reacted to the news of Anakin’s return with some sweet nods to Star Wars: The Clone Wars:

Fans of the show likely know that “Skyguy” was Ahsoka Tano’s sweet nickname for her master. And “Snips” was the playful name he gave her when he took her on as a padawan. Rosario Dawson’s post indicates that she’s ready to play out the complex relationship between the two Jedi, and the new series could depict it in some compelling ways. 

It’s not clear as to how Anakin Skywalker returns for the show, though there are two ways in which it could likely happen. On the one hand, he could return in flashbacks that show him training a younger Tano during the days of the Clone Wars. Some may also believe the fallen warrior could return in the form of a Force ghost, who communes with the older iteration of his apprentice in the present day. Of course, he could appear in both capacities.

Hayden Christensen is making quite the return to the Star Wars franchise. Ahead of his work on the Mandalorian spinoff, the actor will also be reprising his famous role in Obi-Wan Kenobi. Given how much he’s being used now, one has to wonder if there are even more plans for the actor in the galaxy far, far away moving forward. 

When it comes to Ahsoka, a number of major casting rumors have been floating around. Aladdin star Mena Massoud has been linked to the role of Star Wars Rebels alum Ezra Bridger over the past year. Meanwhile, Lars Mikkelsen has been reported to be bringing his animated role of Grand Admiral Thrawn to life for the upcoming series. 

Rumors aside, though, Rosario Dawson’s post indicates that Anakin Skywalker is making his way to the series, and it’ll be cool to see what the writers do with him. Ahsoka doesn’t currently have a release date but, in the meantime, you can look forward to fellow Mandalorian spinoff The Book of Boba Fett, which hits Disney+ on December 29.

Hayden Christensen made big news on the Star Wars front back in late 2020 with the confirmation that he would return to his role as Darth Vader for a rematch with Obi-Wan in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Now, the star who joined the galaxy far, far away in the prequel trilogy is reportedly set to return to Star Wars yet again with another series: Ahsoka. 

The actor is set to reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader for the upcoming series centered on fan-favorite Ahsoka Tano, according to THR. Ahsoka made her live-action debut in Season 2 of The Mandalorian played by Rosario Dawson, but Star Wars: The Clone Wars fans know the deep history between Ahsoka and Anakin courtesy of animation, making Christensen's addition to the show a likely perfect fit. 

At the time of writing, Disney has not commented on reports that Hayden Christensen will appear in Ahsoka, but production on the series is set to begin early in 2022. The Obi-Wan Kenobi series finished filming back in September, with few details available about Christensen's role in that series as well, although the initial announcement of his involvement in Ewan McGregor's series referred to him as Darth Vader, indicating that Christensen won't be appearing via flashback as Anakin. At least, not exclusively. There is plenty of secrecy around the Obi-Wan show as well!

There are currently no details available regarding how much Hayden Christensen will factor into the plot of Ahsoka, as it's not confirmed one way or the other if he'll be playing Anakin Skywalker or Darth Vader. The Rosario Dawson series is set after her appearance in The Mandalorian's second season, so neither Anakin nor Vader should be around in the present, making it likely that Christensen's role will involve flashbacks. 

Then again, a Jedi who dies in the Star Wars universe is never necessarily gone for good, and Return of the Jedi proved that Anakin redeemed himself enough from his Vader identity to return as a Force Ghost. After the special editions of the original trilogy inserted Hayden Christensen's version of Anakin in the Force Ghost scene at the end of Return of the Jedi, that could certainly make sense. 

The last time that Ahsoka crossed paths with Vader in Star Wars canon was seemingly in the Season 2 finale fight of Star Wars Rebels, and her last meeting with Anakin in the flesh was toward the end of The Clone Wars. So whatever happens with Ahsoka will be uncharted territory in canon, unless Hayden Christensen is on board to film a live-action flashback version of the Vader/Ahsoka duel from Rebels. 

The timing of Ahsoka set concurrently to The Mandalorian and presumably The Book of Boba Fett indicates that it will likely follow her on her ongoing journey to track down Thrawn, as she was when she made her Mandalorian debut. That plot alone seemed likely to feature other familiar Star Wars characters, but reports of Hayden Christensen on board eclipse pretty much all other news for the series since it was announced.

Unfortunately, the wait to see Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka and Hayden Christensen's Anakin/Vader isn't going to end any time too soon, as production on Ahsoka won't begin until next year. The good news is that Star Wars fans will get to see Christensen himself back in the galaxy far, far away with Obi-Wan Kenobi, which is set to premiere its six episodes at some point in 2022. For now, we can just hope that it'll be earlier rather than later in 2022! And you can pass the time by revisiting Star Wars TV and movies streaming on Disney+ now.

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Never has the involvement of Hayden Christensen in the Star Wars movies (and TV shows) been as exciting as when he was cast in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ show to return to the role of Darth Vader. Of course, the Sith Lord once known as Anakin Skywalker remains the most famous role of the now 40-year-old Canadian actor, even though he has actually given really good performances in some interesting films over the years to follow. Therefore, I think we should take the time we have before this new series set in a galaxy far, far away premieres to revisit (or even discover) some other notable Hayden Christensen movies on streaming, starting with one that actually came out in between Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of Sith, but should not unnoticed.

Shattered Glass (2003)

The newly appointed Editor-in-Chief (Peter Sarsgaard) for The New Republic magazine begins to suspect that one of his most successful reporters (Hayden Christensen) has not been completely honest about the sources behind his most notable stories or even the whole stories themselves.

Why it’s a Hayden Christensen movie worth watching: Anyone who has ever doubted Hayden Christensen’s acting ability needs to see his performance as Stephen Glass in Shattered Glass, an engrossing retelling of the astonishing true story of how the disgraced journalist faked his way through most of his writing career.

Stream Shattered Glass on Tubi.

Rent Shattered Glass on Amazon.

Factory Girl (2006)

A wealthy socialite (Sienna Miller) is torn between her friendship with pop art revolutionary Andy Warhol (Guy Pearce) and her romance with a popular folk music singer (Hayden Christensen) in 1960s New York City.

Why it’s a Hayden Christensen movie worth watching: While also inspired by true events, it should be noted that any allusions to Bob Dylan in Hayden Christensen’s performance as “Musician” in Factory Girl should not be taken as completely factual in this otherwise raw, striking vision of the tragic life of actress and model Edie Sedgwick.

Stream Factory Girl on Amazon Prime.

Rent Factory Girl on Amazon.

Awake (2007)

A wealthy man (Hayden Christensen) finds himself conscious and fully sensitive, but unable to respond, while undergoing a risky heart transplant that turns out to be more threatening than he had initially anticipated.

Why it’s a Hayden Christensen movie worth watching: Not to be confused with the entirely different sci-fi, 2021 Netflix movie of the same title, Awake is a clever little thriller driven by Hayden Christensen’s performance (predominantly a voice over) that many would argue was misunderstood by most critics when it was first released, including the late Roger Ebert, even.

Stream Awake on Amazon Prime.

Rent Awake on Amazon.

Virgin Territory (2007)

A retelling of The Decameron, Giovanni Boccaccio’s 14th-Century anthology, but instead of young women seeking refuge from the Black Plague through storytelling, they turn to the physical act of love.

Why it’s a Hayden Christensen movie worth watching: If you are intrigued by the idea of a sex comedy in the vein of American Pie spliced with a period piece set in feudal Europe and featuring Hayden Christensen trading in lightsaber duels for traditional swordplay, Virgin Territory is the film for you.

Stream Virgin Territory on Tubi.

Rent Virgin Territory on Amazon.

Jumper (2008)

A young man (Hayden Christensen) with the ability to teleport wherever he wants becomes the target of a secret society that has been hunting people with his gift for centuries.

Why it’s a Hayden Christensen movie worth watching: Hayden Christensen trades in his Sith powers for a new kind of power that puts him at odds with Samuel L. Jackson once again in Jumper - a fast-paced sci-fi thriller from director Doug Liman that was also, arguably, misunderstood for its time, but has since received a cult following.

Rent Jumper on Amazon.

New York, I Love You (2008)

A pair of jewelers (Irrfan Khan and Natalie Portman) bond over more than diamonds, a music editor (Orlando Bloom) falling for a video director’s assistant (Christina Ricci) over the phone, and a couple (Eli Wallach and Cloris Leachman) trying to enjoy their 63rd anniversary are just three of the eleven stories featured in this romantic anthology set in the Big Apple.

Why it’s a Hayden Christensen movie worth watching: Hayden Christensen is reunited with his Jumper co-star and real-life romantic partner Rachel Bilson to play a pickpocket and the married woman he falls for in the first segment of New York, I Love You - a star-studded, Americanized counterpart to 2006’s Paris, je t’aime.

Stream New York, I Love You on Tubi.

Stream New York, I Love You on Kanopy.

Stream New York, I Love You on Pluto TV.

Stream New York, I Love You on Vudu.

Rent New York, I Love You on Amazon.

Takers (2010)

A seasoned group of professional thieves find their latest plans for a multi-million dollar bank heist threatened by the relentless efforts of a veteran detective (Matt Dillon) in Los Angeles.

Why it’s a Hayden Christensen movie worth watching: Hayden Christensen is part of an impressive all-star cast (including Golden Globe winner Idris Elba, rapper turned Marvel movies star Tip “T.I.” Harris, and the late Paul Walker) in Takers - an old school heist film from the director of Texas Chainsaw 3D.

Stream Takers on Amazon Prime.

Rent Takers on Amazon.

Vanishing On 7th Street (2010)

A married man (Hayden Christensen) wakes up to find that he is one of the few remaining souls on Earth to not mysteriously disappear after Detroit suffers a massive blackout.

Why it’s a Hayden Christensen movie worth watching: Hayden Christensen once again joins an impressive cast (including Emmy winning Westworld cast member Thandiwe Newton and John Wick’s John Leguizamo) in Vanishing on 7th Street - a strange, apocalyptic thriller that feels like if I Am Legend had its DNA spliced with Darkness Falls.

Stream Vanishing On 7th Street on Amazon Prime.

Stream Vanishing On 7th Street on Tubi.

Stream Vanishing On 7th Street on Pluto TV.

Stream Vanishing On 7th Street on Crackle.

Stream Vanishing On 7th Street on YouTube.

Stream Vanishing On 7th Street on Vudu.

Rent Vanishing On 7th Street on Amazon.

American Heist (2014)

A reformed criminal (Hayden Christensen) is lured back into his old habits by his desperate older brother (Adrien Brody), who was recently released from prison after taking the blame for a job the siblings committed together years earlier.

Why it’s a Hayden Christensen movie worth watching: Hayden Christensen has the honor of sharing the screen with Academy Award winner Adrien Brody in American Heist - a more serious crime drama from Russian director Sarik Andreasyan.

Stream American Heist on Plex.

Stream American Heist on Vudu.

Rent American Heist on Amazon.

Outcast (2014)

A mysterious, young warrior (Hayden Christensen) enlists the help of his ally-turned-rival (Nicolas Cage) to help protect a brother and sister from their uncle, who wishes to see them dead in order to inherit the throne in 12th-Century China.

Why it’s a Hayden Christensen movie worth watching: Hayden Christensen has the honor of sharing the screen with Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage in Outcast - a more serious period piece directed by veteran stuntman Nick Powell.

Stream Outcast on Amazon Prime.

Stream Outcast on Tubi.

Stream Outcast on Pluto TV.

Stream Outcast on Vudu.

Rent Outcast on Amazon.

First Kill (2017)

A Wall Street stockbroker (Hayden Christensen) is forced to betray the trust of a police chief he has known since childhood (Bruce Willis) in order to retrieve his son from vicious criminals after a hunting trip in his hometown goes horribly wrong.

Why it’s a Hayden Christensen movie worth watching: Hayden Christensen has the honor of sharing the screen with Bruce Willis in First Kill - another intense crime drama from director Steven C. Miller, who has actually worked with the Die Hard star on several other small budget action films.

Stream First Kill on Netflix.

Rent First Kill on Amazon.

Little Italy (2018)

The son of a pizzeria owner (Hayden Christensen) falls in love with the daughter (Emma Roberts) of another family who own their longtime rival restaurant in Canada.

Why it’s a Hayden Christensen movie worth watching: Hayden Christensen has the honor of sharing the screen with American Horror Story cast alum Emma Roberts in Little Italy - a modern take on the story of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet from Mystic Pizza director Donald Petrie.

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You know, when the Obi-Wan Kenobi series premieres on Disney+ (possibly sometime in 2022), it will actually not be the first time that Hayden Christensen will have reprised Anakin Skywalker since 2005’s Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of Sith. The actor had a very brief cameo 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as the voice of the former Darth Vader from beyond the grave. I guess that and the thematically diverse titles available to stream above prove that you never really can expect where the actor will appear next.

The Star Wars franchise may be between movies at the moment, but the saga of the galaxy far, far away is going strong on the small screen with some Disney+ series that have already released and more on the way. One of the most highly-anticipated of the upcoming Star Wars series is Obi-Wan Kenobi, which will see Ewan McGregor reprise his prequel trilogy role as Obi-Wan in the flesh for the first time since Revenge of the Sith in 2005. Now, a star who will share the screen with McGregor has opened up about seeing some iconic Star Wars elements on set.

Sung Kang of F9 is making the jump from the Fast & Furious franchise for a role in Obi-Wan Kenobi. While he didn't drop details about the plot of the new show, his description to Rotten Tomatoes of the feeling of being on set is enough to make me more than a little jealous. Here's what Kang had to say:

Casting news already confirmed that Hayden Christensen is returning as Darth Vader for Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the series is obviously going to feature at least one (but possibly more) Jedi with Ewan McGregor's character in the title role, but Sung Kang's description just makes me want to camp out on the set of the new show. I can't say that I used to wear Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker costumes like Sung Kang, but I'd be lying if I said I never in my life tried out a Princess Leia hairstyle!

It's fun to learn that so many people working on Obi-Wan Kenobi are big fans of the franchise for many years, ranging from the people hard at work behind the scenes to one of the stars himself. Unfortunately, that star didn't dish on what kind of character he'll be playing, as Sung Kang's role in the show is currently shrouded in secrecy. In fact, fans may not want to count on any details about his character leaking until Disney is good and ready for word to get out. I can't be the only one who still isn't over the fact that the Baby Yoda secret somehow went unspoiled, right?

The Obi-Wan Kenobi series is expected to premiere at some point in 2022, but that doesn't mean that Star Wars fans are going to have to wait until next year to see more live-action content from that galaxy far, far away. The Book of Boba Fett that was confirmed at the very end of The Mandalorian Season 2 is on the way before the end of 2021, so that is definitely something for fans to look forward to. For now, there is always plenty of Star Wars content available streaming on Disney+.

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At this point it seems like basically everyone knows what happens in the first two Star Wars trilogies. In fact, unless you caught the film's during their original runs, you probably knew that Darth Vader was Luke Skywalker's father before you ever actually saw The Empire Strikes Back. It's just one of those stories that is part of our cultural memory. Yet, there had to be a point in time before you knew how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader, and apparently that's the point where Hayden Christensen's daughter currently is. It turns out that she currently has no idea that her dad played Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels, and her mom is in no hurry to change that.

Rachel Bilson, who has a 6-year-old daughter with Hayden Christensen, recently appeared on the Betches Moms podcast where she discussed the trials of fame and being a mother. She also explained that so far the young girl doesn't really have a handle on what it is her parents do for a living. The girl seems to have a general idea of what Star Wars and acting is, even at six, but she's never actually seen the popular films, and thus, has no understanding of the role her father plays in those films. Bilson explained...

While all parents are going to look at things a little differently, the Star Wars prequels, especially The Revenge of the Sith, can get pretty dark, and six is probably a bit young to dive in and watch them anyway. The fact that Anakin Skywalker murders a bunch of children is pretty terrible, and one of those moments that sticks with you after you've seen the film. It's a scene that everybody remembers, and watching it when your dad is the one in the scene doing the deed has to give it added weight.

Unfortunately for Rachel Bilson, keeping the truth from the young girl much longer likely isn't going to be in the cards. Even if she doesn't sit down to watch the prequel trilogy with her dad anytime soon, others her age will, and you know somebody is going to ask her about Hayden Christensen killing kids in that movie. She'll know, even if she doesn't see it.

Being able to show my daughter all my favorite movies, Star Wars included, is one thing I'm really looking forward to, but waiting until she's old enough for some of them is going to be a trial. I'm certainly not going to show her Star Wars anytime soon, as she's even younger than Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen's daughter, but she'll be watching them as soon as is possible, perhaps earlier than she should just because I don't want to wait.

Being cast in a Star Wars film, no matter how big or small the role is, has to be an overwhelming experience because, hello, you’re in Star Wars. It sounds like it was even more exhilarating for one young actor in Revenge of the Sith, though. That’s because Hayden Christensen ended up scaring him while they were filming a scene together.

Ross Beadman played Jedi youngling Sors Bandeam in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. His time on screen is short but still memorable because it marks yet another dark turning point in Anakin Skywalker’s journey to the dark side. When newly christened future Darth Vader visits a group of younglings, Sors Bandeam tells him that they are being overpowered. The Sith Lord's response is to pull out his lightsaber, causing Sors to take a frightened step back. Though we don’t see him murder the Jedi younglings, the implication is clear -- he has become a merciless killer of children.

In a recent Reddit AMA, Ross Beadman answered fans’ questions about his experience with Star Wars. When one fan asked what caused his character to “tumble back” in the scene and whether it was an accident or something that George Lucas directed him to do. Beadman gave an interesting answer:

So if his memory is correct, that means Hayden Christensen was fully committed to embodying the villainous side of Anakin Skywalker. He was also a really good scene partner -- he knew exactly what it would take to get a genuine reaction out of an actor as young as Ross Beadman was at the time.

Ross Beadman’s AMA also gave him a chance to answer questions about everything from how his role in the movie affected his personal life to what he feels like having his one line in the film -- “Master Skywalker, there are too many of them. What are we going to do?” -- turned into an Internet meme.

Truth be told, a lot of Revenge of the Sith was taken less-than-seriously when the movie first hit theaters in 2005. In the years since, George Lucas’ prequel trilogy has enjoyed a more positive reappraisal. That’s helped revive interest in more prequel-adjacent stories -- which means Hayden Christensen, who took a break from acting, will be reprising his role as Darth Vader in the Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi series.

In the meantime, it appears he’s taking a completely different approach to Anakin Skywalker as far as children are concerned. He has reportedly held off on telling his own daughter he plays one of the most famous movie villains of all time. Given how well he scared Ross Beadman when he was playing Anakin, it’s easy to see why.