Revenge of the Sith’ Redeemed Hayden Christensen’s Anakin

Taking on the origin story of one of cinema’s greatest villains had to be a daunting task. Still, actor Hayden Christensen, relatively unknown at the time, had to take that on when he portrayed Anakin Skywalker, aka the man who would become Darth Vader, in the sequel to the prequel film, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Played as a little boy by Jake Lloyd in that movie, Christensen assumed the role of a 19-year-old Anakin in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, and with his arrival, came a flood of criticism.

Some believed he played the character more like a petulant child rather than showcasing a darkness that would leave the audience believing he could become the menacing villain he would turn into. While some of these criticisms are valid, Christensen more than proved himself worthy of the role in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, the conclusion of the prequel trilogy, and showcased that he found a place to rise above the clunky screenplay and direction of George Lucas.

Hayden Christensen Had To Overcome Subpar Writing and Direction From George Lucas

By the time Attack of the Clones was released, Christensen had received a lot of harsh responses from critics and fans, something that seemed to unfairly follow him into the darker finale of the prequel trilogy, Revenge of the Sith. The actor, even years after the release of Clones, took a lot of the brunt of the prequel trilogy criticism because he wasn’t as well-known as his co-stars, like Portman and Ewan McGregor, who portrayed the Jedi master to Anakin’s apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

It’s no secret that the Star Wars fandom is very critical, and they were very much in line with that description in how they perceived Christensen, repeatedly calling him flat and stilted while also expressing frustration that his portrayal of Anakin was that of a pouty child throwing a temper tantrum.

The problem with this performance assessment is that it took years for most to realize none of this was Christensen’s fault. Lucas wrote and directed Anakin to behave this way. Even the more seasoned actors in the cast fell victim to the director feeling more at home with world-building rather than garnering meaty performances from his cast.

The script for Clones is decidedly weak, delivering for Christensen and Portman a subpar beginning to their love story while not allowing the former to truly dial in on the hints of his dark nature (although some scenes ALMOST get there, particularly his enraged massacre of Tusken Raiders following Shmi Skywalker’s death). The screenplay for Revenge of the Sith, while still facing its issues, is stronger. The movie also benefits from Christensen feeling more comfortable in the role, likely happy to indulge in Anakin’s descent into the darker side of things.

Another benefit was his work in between films, most notably his turn in 2003’s Shattered Glass, based on the true story of journalist Stephen Glass, who fabricated numerous stories as a writer for The New Republic. It remains his best performance to date and a testament to what Christensen can do with a great script and solid direction. The actor received raves for his performance, likely making critics remember he was Golden Globe and SAG nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his breakthrough performance in Life as a House. For Christensen, it’s clear that he carried that confidence from the reception he received for Shattered Glass into what he would do in Revenge of the Sith.

In Revenge of the Sith, Christensen was free from dialogue like “I hate sand” and eye-rolling sentences such as “I’m haunted by the kiss you should have never given me,” and got to dive into something much deeper. Due to the trajectory of that third film, Christensen leans into his darker impulses, showcasing a confidence in the role that reaches a fever pitch once the character reaches the point of no return. By the time he’s shown to massacre a group of Jedi younglings who have grown to trust him, a mere look from Christensen displays a level of evil that gives audiences a glimpse of what’s to come once the character begins to don his iconic mask and is voiced by James Earl Jones.

Hayden Christensen Feels More Confident and at Ease in ‘Revenge of the Sith’

His performance in Revenge of the Sith also improves on the clunky chemistry and cringey exchanges he has with Portman. While their chemistry doesn’t hit highs in Attack of the Clones, his moments with the actress are much more at ease in the third installment as he portrays a character led by his love for her, even as it is weaponized by Palpatine/Darth Sidious (Ian McDiarmid) to complete his transition to the dark side of the Force.

Christensen portrays the conflicting emotions of what Padmé’s love does to Anakin in convincing equal measure. He makes the audience feel his deep affections for her while also showcasing how that love can be used against him. By the time he inflicts harm on her at the film’s climax, believing that she has betrayed him, Christensen is convincing in his pain and confusion.

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However, it’s his moments in battle with his Jedi Master Obi-Wan that Christensen truly shines. Even though that inevitable battle is an orgy of CGI special effects that plays out around them, the intensity is felt throughout. Perhaps it’s because Christensen is playing off McGregor’s impressive performance, one that also overcame the worst of Lucas’s screenwriting and direction. You’re essentially watching two brothers, who once had an unbreakable bond, have to engage in a fight that is heartbreaking for the audience because, despite some questionable choices made throughout the prequel trilogy, the bond between Anakin and Obi-Wan is something the films got right. Anakin’s rage, as portrayed by Christensen, is perfectly measured against McGregor’s depiction of Obi-Wan’s sadness and disappointment.

Thankfully, because of the passage of time, Christensen’s portrayal of Anakin, particularly in Revenge of the Sith, has been properly reevaluated, and the critical notices have improved. The tide changed so much over the years that, when Christensen returned to portray the role again in the Disney+ Star Wars series, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka, it was met with cheers rather than jeers.

The actor has been embraced by the fandom more positively and, because of his impressive turn on those shows, his turn in the prequel trilogy continued to receive reappraisal in a more positive light. Sometimes it takes distance away from something to give it a proper critical assessment, and 20 years later, it’s very clear that Christensen overcame many hurdles by the end to be worthy of bringing Darth Vader’s beginnings to life. Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith is back in theaters for a limited time.