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Hayden Christensen Said He Would Consider Reprising His Role As Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader

By Jinger Jarrett
Published on: 00:32 PST, Jun 12, 2016

With Star Wars Episode VIII in production, and Rogue One currently slated to have major reshoots, Hayden Christensen, who portrayed Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker in Episodes II and III, said that he would absolutely return to the Star Wars universe in a heartbeat if given the opportunity.

The A. V. Club reported that Star Wars: The Force Awakens was “a delightful space romp” after the disappointment of the first three movies in the franchise, all of which Hayden Christensen starred in. The Force Awakens reportedly cut a scene where Darth Vader was seen in ghostly form and hovering around Star War’s latest antagonist, Kylo Ren. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the first of three anthology movies is said to include the return of Darth Vader. In an interview with etalk Canada, Christensen gave a 90 minute interview wherein he said he would return to Star Wars if asked by Lucas Films.

As previously reported in Inquisitr, rumors surfaced that Hayden Christensen would be returning to Star Wars to reprise his role as Darth Vader in Episode VIII. Since Episode VIII takes place over 30 years after the end of The Return of the Jedi, the sixth installment, Darth Vader is already dead, so it would only be possible that he would return in flashbacks or as a ghost. A fully operational helmet and chest piece were made, and it was rumored that a team was traveling to the U. S. to train Christensen to reprise his role.

Disney has yet to confirm or deny whether he will return. Fans and critics alike have largely panned Hayden Christensen’s performance because many have said that he lacked emotion in his portrayal of both Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader.

Comic Book Resources reported that Hayden Christensen was ready to return to the Star Wars universe if Lucas Films asked. Christensen starred as Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader in Episodes II and III of the franchise. When asked about a return, which would mean return as Anakin Skywalker as either a ghost or a flashback, he said, “absolutely.”

“Absolutely. In a heartbeat, for sure. Being a part of that world was a huge deal for me, and was a good four/five years of my life. I have fond memories and good friendships from that whole time. But if they ever gave me the call, I would sign up in a heartbeat.”

Christensen said that he was excited to see the direction that the franchise was going. The idea of a return of Anakin Skywalker isn’t as far fetched as it sounds, either. The studio revealed in December that concept artist Iain McCaig actually pitched a scene where Anakin’s ghost was used in The Force Awakens. Ultimately, the scene was cut from the film.

The rumor is that Darth Vader will return in the anthology movie Star Wars: Rogue One. Rogue One is an anthology movie that takes place between the third and fourth episodes of the trilogy. The story that has been revealed is that the Rebels will attempt to steal the plans for the Death Star.

The studio hasn’t revealed the role that Darth Vader will play in the film, and there is no indication that Hayden Christensen will appear in the movie as the Vader, who is older in the movie and never seen without his mask. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story appears in movie theaters in December 2016 while the next episode of the trilogy appears in December 2017. Disney plans to release a new movie every year through 2020.

[Photo by Junko Kimura]

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