Summary
- Hayden Christensen believes the
Star Wars
prequels have held up well over time. - Christensen finds the journey he’s been on with
Star Wars
over the last 20+ years to be remarkable and meaningful. - Despite the heartbreaking moment when Darth Vader killed the younglings in
Episode III
, kids still approach Christensen with excitement and admiration.
Bringing balance to the Force didn’t exactly go according to the prophecy. Nevertheless, the first step had to be taken at some point. And 25 years ago this summer, Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace introduced a nine-year old Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) to the fans. But it was Hayden Christensen’s portrayal of the grown-up Jedi and Sith lord in Episode II and Episode III that entrenched the actor in that galaxy far, far away for all time. And Christensen believes the prequels all hold up remarkably well all these years later. Christensen said in a brand-new interview with Empire magazine:
“I think that those movies have held up well over time. It feels like vindication for the work that we did. Everyone that worked on those movies thought that we were part of something special. We all wanted to do our very best work, and we cared a lot about it. And so, to see the response from the fans now, it’s very cool.”
Christensen said in the same interview:
It’s been a remarkable experience. And just a very heartwarming one. The journey that I’ve been on with Star Wars over the last 20 plus years… it’s been a wild ride, and where we’re at now is really meaningful to me.
Star Wars: The 11 Best Moments in the Prequel Trilogy
The Star Wars prequels have provided some of the best moments from any story in the galaxy far, far away.
Darth Vader & the Younglings
Darth Vader (Christensen) killing the younglings, even though it happens off-screen in Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith, remains one of the most heartbreaking and unforgettable moments in all of Star Wars history. And, as it turns out, Christensen salutes creator George Lucas for having the courage to actually include that horrifying moment in the film. Christensen said in the same interview with Empire:
There was a lot of talk about us doing that scene, and I love that George did it. It was a bold move. And it’s shocking.
However, when Christensen attends conventions and meets young kids who love the Star Wars movies, they don’t flinch like that frightened youngling did right before Vader carries out his orders from the Emperor (Ian McDiarmid). Christensen said of meeting those particular fans in person:
Kids seem to forget about that scene when they meet me! There’s not any fear or intimidation. They’re just excited to meet Anakin.
17 years after Revenge of the Sith made $868.4 million worldwide, at the box office, Christensen returned to reprise the roles of both Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker in the streaming series, Obi-Wan Kenobi. And in 2023, fans were delighted to see the actor teaming up with Rosario Dawson in several episodes of Ahsoka. And now that Ahsoka season two is officially greenlit, there’s a good chance Christensen will wield his lightsaber once again.
