Hayden Christensen has a tragic theory on why Anakin lost to Obi-Wan

Star Wars prequel trilogy fans are living their best lives as actors Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor have made several joint appearances at different conventions.

Most recently, McGregor and Christensen were joined by Ahsoka actress Rosario Dawson at SPACECON San Antonio, where Christensen revealed his in-depth understanding of Anakin Skywalker as a character. The infamous "high ground" scene from Episode III - Revenge of the Sith's fiery duel between McGregor's Obi-Wan Kenobi and Christensen's Anakin Skywalker has been a hot topic of discussion recently.

Christensen was asked why he thought Anakin "tried it," despite Obi-Wan's warning, and jumped over his master, who was armed with a lightsaber. His answer may surprise you, and Inverse has an excellent analysis of what Christensen's interpretation of the scene means for Obi-Wan and Anakin's relationship.

Via Inverse, when Hayden was asked why Anakin jumped, despite Obi-Wan having a clear advantage, he explained that it's because he was well aware of how Obi-Wan had defeated Darth Maul:

"When Obi-Wan defeated Darth Maul, Darth Maul had the high ground, and [Obi-Wan] did this amazing flip,” Christensen said. Fans have assumed the duel between Obi-Wan and Maul later became legend in the Jedi Order, so it would make sense that Anakin grew up hearing the story time and again. By the time he’s fighting Obi-Wan on Mustafar, his Master’s past feats are well-known.

“So Anakin, in the back of his head, he hears Obi-Wan say, ‘I have the high ground,’ and he’s like, ‘I’m gonna show him!’"

Hayden Christensen.

Unfortunately for Anakin, as Hayden puts it, "It just didn’t play out the way he’d hoped.” While Hayden initially blamed Anakin's youth and arrogance for the bewildering idea, it also put the spotlight on his history with his Master. Anakin admired Obi-Wan, and deep down, he probably wanted to be like his master. After all, Kenobi was the first Jedi in eons to have apparently defeated a Sith. Even though Maul took out his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, it didn't take Kenobi long to avenge his Master's death. Stories of Obi-Wan's apparent victory must've become the stuff of legends for young Padawans of that era, including his own.

Anakin, who was attached to Obi-Wan and saw him as the closest thing he had to a father, probably grew up hoping to emulate him one day. Unfortunately for him, fate had something else in store. He became the next Sith Lord to be taken down by Obi-Wan, and though both Anakin and Maul received similar injuries, they survived due to their anger. The dark side sustained them, and they spent the rest of their lives contemplating the same man's destruction.

Additionally, according to Star Wars stunt coordinator Nick Gillard, the high ground scene was meant to play out differently if George Lucas hadn't agreed to change it on his friend Steven Spielberg's advice. Gillard believes Lucas had a better version of the scene filmed, and even though it would end the same way, the "high ground" stuff wouldn't have made it in Lucas's final cut.

Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith is streaming on Disney+.