Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker is one character that many Star Wars fans will always discuss. Whether the prequels were good or not is a debate that will go on forever. But no one can deny that Hayden gave his best as Anakin, as we see him eventually turn to the dark side.
Hayden debuted in George Lucas’ Star Wars prequel world with the 2002 film Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. The actor was just 19 when he shot for the film. Hayden revealed that at least 1500 actors were considered for the role. Christensen thought the role was too big and requested his agent to ask for some other part if possible. The actor thought he wouldn’t get the part because even Leonardo DiCaprio was considered for the role.
Yes, you read it right! Hayden Christensen revealed that the makers had met the Killers of the Flower Moon star along with some other actors. The Revenge of the Sith star told Empire, “I had heard that they’d met with Leonardo and a bunch of other actors. That just confirmed my thought that the role would go to another actor. Through the entire auditioning process I had told myself, from day one, that I wasn’t going to get the part. It just wasn’t a possibility. And I think that probably helped me a lot, because it freed me up in many ways. And so it really came as a surprise to me when I got the part.”
Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
Further, the Ahsoka actor talked about the negative criticism that came his way when the prequel trilogy was released. Hayden Christensen said that the character and his performance were criticised, and that sucked. The actor said that he had a context about his character and that it would be Darth Vader’s backstory. But his friends also didn’t understand why Anakin started as a young kid. But he loved the film. He said, “In a way, that sort of criticism, I think, comes from a certain failure of their own suspension of disbelief.”
Well, we love Hayden’s performance as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars movies. The actor also appeared in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka.
Do you think Leonardo DiCaprio would have been a good choice to play Anakin Skywalker, aka Darth Vader?
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