Hayden Christensen returned to Star Wars in 2022, reprising his role of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, with a gut-wrenching performance as the tormented Sith Lord in the series Obi-Wan Kenobi. The rematch of their Mustafar duel with his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), immediately made the list of the most iconic lightsaber battles. Vader's confession at the end, claiming to be the one who "killed" Anakin and thereby relieving Obi-Wan of the burden, was a work of art.
Following Obi-Wan Kenobi, Christensen also featured in Ahsoka. Anakin completes his padawan's, Ahsoka Tano, training while she is stuck in the World Between Worlds, and later appears as a Force Ghost.
On the occasion of Episode VI: Revenge of the Sith's 20th anniversary and theatrical re-release, Christensen explained in an interview with StarWars.com how different the comeback was from the prequels.
"It has really been a remarkable journey that I've had with this character," he said. "It is very unusual to get to return to a character this many times and after such a large passage of time. In some ways, each time it's a little bit different."
"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."
His focus during the prequels was to bring the character's anger, frustration, passion, fear, and eventual fall to the dark side. But in the TV shows, he got to play Darth Vader and explore the Sith Lord's personality
"That was really about trying to show how much change had taken place after years underneath the Darth Vader armor. There is a lot, but I think the emotional core is still the same, and Anakin is buried very deep down. He was never actually gone," he said about the character.
Christensen has now played Anakin for nearly 25 years. He first appeared in Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
He recently attended Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 and celebrated his birthday on stage. Dave Filoni confirmed at the event that Christensen will return in Ahsoka season 2, the filming of which is now officially underway.
The advice from George Lucas that stayed with Hayden Christensen
Christensen has long admired the creative minds behind Star Wars. In the interview, he said it was very meaningful for him to work with Filoni in Ahsoka. "It's another one of those full-circle moments for me because he was sort of George's protege."
George Lucas himself left a significant impact on the actor. Christensen recalled going on a walk with Lucas one evening while filming Revenge of the Sith. Lucas imparted some life advice to him that Christensen remembers and abides by to this day.
"George ended the conversation by saying to me, '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.' It was one of the most profound things that anyone's ever said to me, and it has really informed the way I live my life."