Hayden Christensen Talks Anakin in Ahsoka

The major highlight from Star Wars Celebration was Hayden Christensen's return as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka Season 2. After the announcement, we caught up with Christensen to discuss reprising the role after two decades, his appreciation for Star Wars' darker themes, and even his favorite Anakin meme.

Our discussion opened with Christensen revealing his enthusiasm for exploring more Clone Wars-era Anakin stories, noting most existing material features Matt Lanter's voice performance rather than live-action portrayals. "I'd love to revisit that era," he shared, referencing his limited screen time portraying the character during that timeline.

"Ewan [McGregor] would definitely be on board too," Christensen added. "It's such a visually striking period with incredible storytelling potential. Maybe someday..." Though he acknowledged the practical challenges of depicting younger versions of the characters, his passion for continuing Anakin's journey remains undiminished.

The actor expressed particular interest in further exploring Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader. "This character means so much to me," Christensen explained. "I'd welcome any opportunity to delve deeper into his arc, especially during the Vader years."

As Revenge of the Sith approaches its 20th anniversary, Christensen reflected on the film's darker tone. "George Lucas made bold narrative choices while maintaining accessibility," he noted, specifically mentioning the infamous youngling scene's implied violence. "I appreciate when Star Wars embraces mature themes."

"Strangely, I feel more connected to Anakin now than during the original filming," Christensen mused. "Two decades of reflection have deepened my understanding of the character." Returning to the role presented unique creative challenges, requiring adjustment for perspective gained through life experience.

When discussing Star Wars viewing orders, Christensen remained diplomatically neutral. "There's merits to both chronological and release order approaches," he said, revealing he hasn't yet introduced his daughter to the saga. "She'll eventually see her father's... controversial moments."

The interview concluded with a lighthearted discussion about Anakin memes. While familiar with popular ones like the sand rant and Padmé meadow scenes, Christensen currently favors Palpatine's lightning reflection meme: "That one cleverly highlights the absurdity of the situation."