Hayden Christensen will return in Ahsoka season 2, as confirmed at Star Wars Celebration 2025. The return of Anakin Skywalker was one of the most exciting aspects of Ahsoka’s first season, which bridged the animated and live-action worlds of Star Wars like none other. Ahsoka was created by Dave Filoni, who helped originate the character alongside George Lucas for 2008’s Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated movie and its subsequent series.
Christensen’s inclusion in Ahsoka season 2 was announced as Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith celebrates its 20th anniversary. Arguably the best George Lucas-directed Star Wars movie, the prequel trilogy capper featured a younger Hayden Christensen at his best. Decades after the prequels’ divisive critical reception, Christensen has earned his elevated Star Wars community status, and has been excitedly received in Ahsoka as well as 2022’s Obi-Wan Kenobi spinoff.
ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan spoke with Hayden Christensen shortly after the announcement that he’d be reprising his most iconic acting role in Ahsoka season 2. While the actor wasn’t able to give anything away about the series, he did reflect on his relationships with Dave Filoni and George Lucas, and what it meant for him to be welcomed so warmly back into the Star Wars universe. Plus, Christensen revealed why he’s the most connected to Anakin that he’s ever been.
“It’s Been Amazing”
Before his return to Star Wars Celebration in 2017, Hayden Christensen hadn’t attended the convention since 2002. “I had kind of taken a little break from Star Wars,” Christensen said about his decision to return, “and then was asked to come to that Celebration. [I] was told that George was going to be there and I wanted to see him.” Although he didn’t know what to expect, the actor revealed “That was a really special time for me. It was quite the reception we got when we went out on stage.”
This year, “It’s been amazing,” Christensen said. “It’s an incredible event that Star Wars does and it’s all about the fans, so to get to come out and sort of have this shared experience with them is really nice.”
Christensen Talks 20 Years Of Revenge Of The Sith & Being Inspired By Jake Lloyd
“We All Really Gave It Our All”
Looking back at the Star Wars prequel era, it’s almost surprising to realize Hayden Christensen appeared in only two films. He was preceded by Jake Lloyd, who played Anakin in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. “I loved what he did in Episode I,” Christensen said, “He was kind of the foundation on which I was able to build off. I thought he did an amazing job, and I would love to see him out at one of these things.”
Regarding his own performances, Christen shared that “It’s just been really nice to get to see the love that people have for the prequels now, especially Episode III. We all really gave it our all, and we wanted to make the best films possible. To get to see how those films continue to live on and are passed down from generation to generation… even though it makes me feel old, it’s a really beautiful thing.”
On Anakin’s Ahsoka Season 2 Return & Collaboration With Dave Filoni
Filoni “Gets It Like No One Else Does”
The announcement of Hayden Christensen’s return for Ahsoka season 2 was a clear highlight of Star Wars Celebration–and it’s about all the information we’re going to get about Anakin’s role in the season for the moment. “I wish I could share more, but we like our secrets in Star Wars,” Christensen said. “I’m very excited to get to return for season 2 and to get to continue with this character.”
The actor did share his experience working with Ahsoka showrunner Dave Filoni: “It’s awesome. I love working with Dave. Aside from being just a tremendously nice guy, he’s just such an authority on all things Star Wars. He spent so much time with George Lucas doing The Clone Wars [that] he just gets it like no one else does. That just makes things really easy–when you’re working with someone that you can trust and that you really enjoy being with. I’m looking forward to getting to do more with him.”
Whatever Anakin’s role turns out to be in Ahsoka season 2, expect to see a Hayden Christensen fully settled into his role. “In some ways I feel even more connected to Anakin now than I ever have,” Christensen shared, “Just because I’m older and I can understand his struggles in a deeper way. It’s a character that I really love and I’m thrilled to get to continue with.”
Ahsoka season 2 begins filming in April 2025.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
