"None of it has really faded yet for me", says Hayden Christensen on his role as Anakin Skywalker after 20 Years of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Hayden Christensen is reminiscing on the two decades since he initially played Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. As the movie celebrates its 20th anniversary, Christensen explains,

"None of it has really faded yet for me"

The actor recently opened up about his time playing the Jedi Knight, later turned Sith Lord, reminiscing from his initial days on set to his latest return in Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. In 2005, Christensen starred in the final installment of George Lucas’s Star Wars prequel trilogy.

The movie is now in theaters for a limited re-release and has grossed approximately $42.2 million worldwide in opening weekend box office sales. Christensen indicates that he knew the job would precede him for many years.

From the lightsaber choreography lessons with Nick Gillard to working with Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, and Samuel L. Jackson, he can recall the whole experience perfectly. According to him,

"I was a 19-year-old kid living out my wildest dreams as an actor — making Star Wars with George Lucas."

As the character reappears in a new series, Christensen continues to delve into various layers of Anakin Skywalker, asserting that he is more attached to the character now than ever.

The early days: From casting call to Lightsaber duels in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Christensen recalls the time he was hired for Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. The day he received the call, he entered his living room with a dumbfounded look on his face. His roommate could tell that he had been selected. The two took it upon themselves to celebrate by simulating a duel with pretend lightsabers as The Phantom Menace soundtrack played in the background.

He states,

"I knew from the jump that something as big as Star Wars would follow me for a long time no matter what."

While in production, Christensen worked with stunt coordinator Nick Gillard to refine his lightsaber techniques. They also became best friends. While working on set in Australia, they had apartments on Bondi Beach. Christensen comments,

"Once we realized that our balconies were within throwing distance of each other, we had an ongoing water balloon war…so many great memories."

He shared scenes with cast members such as Natalie Portman and Ewan McGregor. Even to this day, he remembers everything vividly.

Returning to the role in Obi-Wan and Ahsoka

Over a decade later, Christensen reprised the role of Anakin Skywalker in the Obi-Wan series of 2022. He termed the chance as being part of an "extraordinary journey."

"It is very unusual to get to return to a character this many times and after such a large passage of time,"

he says.

"I feel even more connected to Anakin now than ever before. Just because I'm a little bit older and I've lived more, I can understand his struggles with more depth, perhaps."

In Obi-Wan, he delved into Anakin's evolution into Darth Vader. He explains,

"That was really about trying to show how much change had taken place after years underneath the Darth Vader armor."

Even after the transformation, Christensen states,

"Anakin is buried very deep down. He was never actually gone."

A few years later, Christensen again played the role in Ahsoka. He describes working with showrunner Dave Filoni as significant.

"It helped broaden our understanding of the character, getting to see Anakin sort of at different points in the timeline."

Christensen regards it as a circle-of-life moment, as Filoni collaborated closely with George Lucas during the creation of The Clone Wars.

A lasting impact and words of advice

Christensen mentions that being involved with Star Wars has left an everlasting impression on his life. In the process of filming Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, he once went on a walk with George Lucas. While chatting with him, he received a remark from Lucas, which stuck with him.

He remembers Lucas telling him,

"Hayden, you can't change the world. It's not possible. All you can do is try to make your own world and then invite other people to be a part of it."

This changed the way that he thinks about life even now. At Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, it was revealed that Christensen will be back as Anakin Skywalker once more in Ahsoka Season 2. This is another comeback for the actor to a character that has been at the core of his career.

"The affection that people have for Anakin means a lot to me,”

he says.

“Getting to play this character has been an incredible honor and a privilege."

He also recognizes the fan base for Jake Lloyd, the actor who portrayed young Anakin in The Phantom Menace.

"I want to thank George for making such an amazing world that is Star Wars, and then inviting us all to be a part of it,"

he further adds.

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Hayden Christensen's experience with Star Wars started more than 20 years ago, yet he still feels a strong affiliation with the character of Anakin Skywalker. From his initial lightsaber training to reprising the role of Vader in recent shows, he continues to delve into the depths of the character.

He has collaborated closely with creators such as George Lucas and Dave Filoni and appreciates the role's influence on both his professional and personal life. As Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith marks its 20th anniversary with a successful re-release, Christensen's words are clear: for him, the tale of Anakin Skywalker is far from over.

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