Hayden Christensen on Anakin's Return in Ahsoka at SW Celebration

One of the major reveals from Star Wars Celebration was Hayden Christensen's confirmed return as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka Season 2. After this exciting announcement, we spoke exclusively with Christensen about reprising his iconic role after nearly two decades, his appreciation for Star Wars' darker themes, and even which Anakin meme resonates most with him.

Our conversation opened with Christensen sharing his enthusiasm for exploring more Clone Wars-era stories featuring Anakin. "I'd love to revisit that period," he revealed. While fans have seen brief live-action glimpses (like Ahsoka's standout scene), most Clone Wars-era Anakin has been portrayed by Matt Lanter through animation.

"Ewan [McGregor] would absolutely be on board too," Christensen added with enthusiasm. "The Clone Wars represent such an exciting chapter in Star Wars lore. The visual aesthetic is incredible, and there are so many compelling stories waiting to be told." Though he acknowledges they'd need "some de-aging technology," his passion shines through: "I cherish this character and would jump at any opportunity to explore Anakin's journey further—especially delving deeper into his Darth Vader transformation."

As we discussed Revenge of the Sith's upcoming 20th anniversary (May 2025), Christensen praised George Lucas' bold storytelling choices: "George wasn't afraid to tackle dark themes while maintaining accessibility. Take Anakin killing younglings—the horror is implied rather than shown. Those mature tones resonate strongly with me."

Reflecting on returning after 20 years, Christensen shared profound insights: "Naturally, I've evolved as a person—those life experiences inform my interpretation. Paradoxically, I feel closer to Anakin than ever before. Having years to reflect has deepened my understanding of his complexities." He described the experience as "a rare acting challenge—bridging two decades while staying true to the character's core."

When pressed about the eternal "watch order" debate, Christensen remained diplomatic: "There's merit to both chronological and release order approaches. Personally, I'm still deciding how to introduce my daughter to the saga—she'll be seeing her dad do some pretty intense things!"

Finally, regarding Anakin's meme legacy, Christensen admitted: "The sand rant will always be classic, and I adore the Naboo meadow scene. But currently, my favorite shows Palpatine pleading for help against Mace Windu, with Anakin responding: 'He's just reflecting your lightning back... maybe stop shooting lightning?'"