ThisStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithvideo from 20 years ago proves beyond a doubt that Hayden Christensen is the perfectAnakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. Anakin Skywalker is one ofStar Wars’best characters, and while the iconic status of Darth Vader was established before Christensen adopted the role, he brought so much to the character. Christensen has returned toStar Warsmovies and TV showsnumerous times, butthis video confirms that even during the prequels, he was absolutely the man for the job.
This video, posted byretneysholocronon TikTok, shows Christensen providing the lightsaber fighting moves as a reference for theRevenge of the Sithvideo game. More than just acting out the choreography, though, this video confirms thatit was Christensen himself who was giving advice on how Anakin would realistically move.
As the text of the TikTok video reads,Hayden Christensen really is Anakin Skywalker, as much as anyone ever could be, and we are lucky to have him.
What Hayden Christensen’s Portrayal Of Anakin Skywalker Has Meant To Star Wars
Christensen Made This Character So Much More Dynamic
Prior to the prequel trilogy,Anakin Skywalker’sStar Warstimelinewas only minimally fleshed out. The original trilogy had revealed that Anakin/Darth Vader had once been a brilliant Jedi before he turned to evil and that, in the end, he made the right decision. There was still plenty to explore, though, from his time as a Jedi fighting alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi to the events that led him to turn to the dark side.
All 15 Defining Moments In Anakin Skywalker’s Fall To The Dark Side
Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side of the Force is a pivotal event in Star Wars, and 15 key moments defined how that turn happened over time.
This work began inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, before Christensen took up the mantle as Anakin. That movie had its own merits—despite the terrible treatment of Jake Lloyd by critics and audiences alike—and Christensen picked up Anakin’s story brilliantly from there. Even with the criticism that was hurled at Christensen from the beginning of his time inStar Wars,Christensen brought so much to Anakin, revealing how human and flawed he had been but also makingthe Chosen Oneso much more sympathetic.
Our Take On Hayden Christensen As Anakin Skywalker
Christensen Is Finally Getting The Love He Always Deserved
The truth is,Hayden Christensen never deserved the hate he got. Many have critiqued the dialogue of the prequel trilogy, but there’s also plenty of criticism about Christensen’s performance. Yet, this video makes clear that Christensen truly understands Anakin as a character and he embodies him in a way that makes Anakin feel more authentic not only in the movies but in games and other mediums as well.
Yes, Christensen’s portrayal of Anakin was an emotional one, but that is because Anakin was an emotional character. From the very beginning, Anakin was battling inner demons, and he continually struggled with anger, ego, and feelings of inferiority (a complex combination). Clearly, though, Hayden Christensen understands Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vaderon a deeper level, and this 20-year-oldStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithvideo proves it.
