Anakin Skywalker, Return of The Prequels
Imagine if you will. It’s 2005, Star Wars Revenge of the Sith has rolled credits thus wrapping up what was one of the most electric and satisfying trilogies of all time. The prequels were a box office hit that delighted fans everywhere. People on the streets are being quoted, “I think I love them more than the original trilogy!” Everything is rainbows and lightsabers, fans are eager for more and more Star Wars. People rave over Anakin Skywalker and the performance. And then you wake up from your afternoon nap at your desk. Tis but a dream that things played out in such away. Like it or not, according to some recent findings we might already be set for a dose of a prequel in the final film of the Skywalker saga.
I enjoyed the prequels, were they the best? No. Was there some damsddsddsdsn cringe moments and dialogue? Yes. Were they as bad as everyone says they were? No. Overall Hayden did a pretty good job with what he had to work with. Look no further than George Lucas and others on the writing team that struggled to articulate dialogue between characters, especially romantic ones. The portrayal of a nine to twenty-four-year-old who started training and discipline far later than he was supposed to while being “guided” and or nudged in the wrong direction by a sith lord, kind of makes some of the Anakin Skywalker character fairly believable.
Disney Hiding Lord Vader & Sidious Pairing?
With so many reports of seeing Hayden Christensen out with Ian McDiarmid in public, there have been many rumors that Hayden will appear in the next movie. Darth Sidious is returning as announced in a huge way at Star Wars 2019 celebration. Meanwhile, both Ian and Hayden have been seen out in public together several times. Recently they visited patients at a children’s hospital. That’s not so strange of course, but Disney forcing the cancellation of a Star Wars panel with the two together at FanX? Months before the movie is to release? I would say there is a disturbance in the force, especially when you consider the two did a panel together back in 2017 no problem. Could Anakin appear as a Force ghost to Rey? Maybe to Kylo? Or something else entirely?
You hate the prequels, you hate Hayden Christensen and the Anakin Skywalker character. Fair enough. One quick argument though, I dare you to find an actor, that can say this line with conviction: “From the moment I met you, all those years ago, not a day has gone by when I haven’t thought of you. And now that I’m with you again, I’m in agony. The closer I get to you, the worse it gets. The thought of not being with you- I can’t breathe. I’m haunted by the kiss that you should never have given me. My heart is beating, hoping that kiss will not become a scar. You are in my very soul, tormenting me. What can I do? I will do anything that you ask…”
Hayden Portrayed Anakin Perfectly
Despite plenty of terrible lines scattered throughout Episode II & III, there was a solid performance in there. Let’s take a look at Anakin’s point of view growing up. He and his mother are both slaves, there was never a father. Through circumstances, he’s been whisked away, but leaves the only family he’s ever known behind. The minute he’s gone a feeling of guilt and longing hangs over him. The order he joins demands no attachments, he has nothing but attachments. The Jedi order dictates everything he does from the time he’s a child into adulthood. He loses his mentor and then while in full-on hormone mode loses his mother. Anakin has so much power and yet, he’s powerless to save those closest to him. He’s full of emotional outbursts, anger, resentment, and aggressive behavior.
The Kid Can’t Catch A Break
Fast forward, Anakin has grown more powerful. The galaxy has erupted into a full-blown war. He has more attachment than ever with a secret pregnant wife. The Jedi Order invites Anakin to be the youngest Master on the council. This grand promotion is short-lived though when the main reason is revealed for such an honor. Spy on the man that is a confidant for Anakin and a mentor, Senator Palpatine. Now the title that he so desperately wanted, feels empty. The order he’s trusted his entire life feels like it’s compromising on their own values. Values he was instilled with since he was a boy.
Hayden Christensen portrayed a young adult that struggled with internal emotional conflict his entire life. Someone who couldn’t keep himself in check, yet despite that, just wanted to do the right thing and keep those close to him safe. In the end, he was being groomed to become Darth Vader, just unknowingly so. Angry, inner conflict, the desire to do the right thing, combined with being pulled at both ends. Friends on the light side and “friends” on the dark side.
Skywalker Saga Wrap Up
Anyone that can take the brute force of the oftentimes overly cruel and bordering on a downright cynical fan base that oftentimes is the Star Wars fans, deserves a damn medal. What’s even more, is he’s done it with grace. The man has not been one to take the role that garnered him fame and spat on it. He’s seemed fairly grateful and humbled by it all. Hayden has even attended some Star Wars events in recent years knowing full well he might not be the most well-received person there. A shining light to the fandom as well, more often than not, he’s been received with applause and admiration at such events.
There are good and kind Star Wars fans out there that are aware that he is a person and probably believe as I do, that the writing was terrible. Just another reason to see a Star Wars story wrapped up, while also a real-life redemption story. One thing is clear, Anakin Skywalker back in Star Wars for a movie called The Rise of Skywalker fits perfectly. What better way to end a 9 episode saga than to have the two Skywalkers that have been the center of this Scifi Universe spanning over 40 years?
