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Hayden Christensen became our very own Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones 18 years ago, in 2002. He reprised his role As Anakin/Darth Vader in the 2005 Revenge of the Sith.
After that, Hayden struggled to find any work due to the monumentally hated Prequel series, and ultimately, ended up living away and essentially retiring from acting.
Why though? From what I’ve heard from people I have had conversations with, it tends to be a slightly different response every time. His acting, the story/writing, he doesn’t portray Vader correctly, among more.
Every time I disagree. His acting was spot on. The writing was okay, understandably it could have been better, and he portrayed Vader perfectly. Slaughtering kids? How did he not? He was pure ruthless in Episode 3.
People complain about the love story between him, and Padme as well. Whilst I agree this aspect could have been better, but it was paramount to Anakin switching to the dark side. It was never meant to be a nice happy ending in this story, unfortunately.
We also saw Anakin go toe to toe with Obi-Wan in an incredible duel, and Hayden played the part great. The aggression, anger, the way he fuelled that fight, how can anyone say that’s poor acting?
We first saw Hayden in Episode 2, and everything went to plan. He was powerful, one of the most powerful Jedi to ever exist. He was taught later and had to experience the trauma of watching his own mother killed.
He also fell in love, forbidden by the Jedi Order at the time, and felt the same presence he did with Padme, as he did with his mother. It fell perfectly.
The build-up was slow, but you knew what was coming. The Prequels always hold a special place in my heart as I grew up with them. Every time I do a Star Wars run through, I look forward to Episode 3 more than any other Star Wars movie because it was just action-packed, intense, and everything it needed to be.
It is sad that people jumped and blamed Hayden for believing the Prequels were poor, you can’t blame Hayden for that. With the script he was given, I believe nobody else could have portrayed the character better.
He IS Anakin. Now, and forever. If you try to picture Anakin looking any differently you just can’t.
It was nice to see a lot of fans calling for him to reprise his role in the final Skywalker movie, Rise of Skywalker. He did to a degree, but only in voice work. Most fans were disappointed not to see him as a force-ghost.
But, can you blame him? After the pure backlash he received for his roles, it’s no surprise he was worried to come back. I can also bet Disney, and JJ originally had plans for him to appear as a force-ghost as well.
What do you think? Did you like Hayden as Anakin? If not, then let us know your thoughts down in the comments below.
