For Hayden Christensen, the Star Wars prelogy is “aging well”

The interpreter of Anakin Skywalker looks back on his complicated relationship with the saga, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the prelogy.

Empire celebrates the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Menacefirst opus of the prequels of Star Wars. The opportunity to ask a few questions to the key members of this expansion of the George Lucas saga. Among the speakers, the British magazine for example interviewed Samuel L. Jackson, who would love to play Mace Windu again, why not in a series? As well as Hayden Christensencast very young in the role of the future big villain of Star WarsAnakin Skywalker/Darth Vader.

“It was an incredible experience, tells this key actor of the prelogy. My adventure with Star Wars started over 20 years ago…it was intense, but where we got to, it means a lot to me.”

Hayden Christensen finally got to “explore” Darth Vader in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series

His incarnation of this iconic cinema villain earned him a lot of negative feedback at the time of the theatrical release. Attack of the Clonesin 2002, but Christensen does not want to dwell on this negative memory.

“I find that these films age well, he considers. I feel like our work is finally being recognized. Everyone who worked on the prequel knew they were part of a very special experience. All we wanted was to give the best of ourselves, we cared about this saga. So to see the response from the fans today, it’s really cool.”

The actor, now 42 years old, is delighted to have been able to return to the series Obi-Wan Kenobi And Ahsokawhich allowed him to develop his anti-hero years later.

“Even though I was a little overwhelmed at the time, I was also a very confident young man, I wanted to leave my mark, he continues. In hindsight, I think if I had one piece of advice to give myself, it would be: ‘Be patient.’ Because my journey with Star Wars, with this particular character, has been eventful. But today, I am happy with what we have built around him. That’s why I would say (to my younger self) : ‘Patience.’“

“In 2024, there is undoubtedly a certain balance in the Force”having fun Empirewho suggested to the actor to remake during his photoshoot the famous teaser poster of the first opus (on which the very young Anakin was played by Jack Lloyd, with his shadow forming the appearance of Darth Vader).

Hayden Christensen continues by saying that he is still very surprised to have so many fans, especially children, despite the crimes that his character commits in Revenge of the Sith.

“We talked a lot about this scene (from the massacre of the Jedi schoolchildren) before shooting it, and I love how George brought that, finally says Hayden. It was daring. Really shocking. Yet the kids seem to forget that this scene exists when they meet me. They don’t feel afraid or intimidated by me, they’re just happy to meet Anakin.”

Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson and Ian McDiarmid are also interviewed in this special 25th anniversary issue of Star Wars.

Nicolas Cage thinks Hayden Christensen was really good in Star Wars