Will Hayden Christensen return to the Star Wars Universe to reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader? For months now, the rumor has circulated the Internet that Christensen will return in Episode 8. Further rumors claim that Darth Vader will make an appearance in Star Wars: Rogue One . It takes place between the events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: A New Hope , Episodes 3 and 4 of the franchise. Rogue One is the first movie in an anthology series of standalone movies that tells additional stories about the Star Wars Universe.
RT morgandersfan “Star Wars Rumor says Hayden Christenson as Anakin Skywalker to return to Star Wars episode 8 https://t.co/EjXaU8AM4h ”
— Anakin Skywalker (@A_Skywalker) December 3, 2015
Youth Health Magreported that Hollywood Lifereleased a report confirming Hayden Christensen’s returnto Star Warswith an appearance in Episode 8. The original report states that Hayden is only allegedly set to return, and revealed that Christensen’s return came after a series of barely there movies. MakingStarWarsadded credence to the report by stating that the people behind the franchise reached out to Christensen and began negotiations and preparations for the next Star Wars installment.
“Vader will reportedly appear in an upcoming ‘Star Wars’ movie and the person behind the iconic mask will allegedly be the former Anakin Skywalker, Hayden Christensen.”
If Hayden does return to the Star Wars franchise, it is yet to be revealed the extent of his role in Episode 8. Disney has yet to comment on whether or not Hayden Christensen will return, and fan reaction to the rumors of his return has been mixed.
was i the only one who had a huge crush to hayden christensen bec of his role as anakin skywalker in star wars pic.twitter.com/7pTRFNCwKu — chloe (@klowigeee) November 30, 2015
Hayden Christensen as Anakin? One of the best performances in #StarWars @empiremagazine https://t.co/gR3UfHp55F pic.twitter.com/VMztixt6Ao
— William Altoft (@WilliamAltoft) November 26, 2015
That Star Wars Special Edition Newsweek magazine would be 1000 times better if they didn’t totally exclude Hayden Christensen from it.
— B(rittany)B(arnim)-8 (@xobrittanylorna) November 22, 2015
Jeez.. I forgot how bad Hayden Christensen is in the second Star Wars movie… I’m cringing so badly. — Christina LaCasse (@chriss_n_cross) November 21, 2015
Speculation about Hayden Christensen’s return in Episode 8 is that he could appear as either the ghost of Darth Vader, or there might be a flashback that somehow relates to the story. Darth Vader, or at least his mask, does make a brief appearance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens , the seventh installment of the series. Antagonist Kylo Ren promises to complete what Darth Vader started and bring balance to the Force. After Christensen’s appearance in the first trilogy, he was edited into The Return of the Jedi , Episode 6, which included a cameo of Anakin Skywalker’s ghost alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Christensen was panned for his portrayal of both Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader.
“Christensen’s performance as both Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader in the second and third Star Wars movies has been largely panned by many because of his lack of emotion in playing these characters.”
Fans will have to wait until 2018 for the release of the eighth installment to find out if Hayden Christensen does return. The latest installment, Star Wars: The Force Awakens , premieres in the United States on December 18, while its European premiere takes place in France on December 16 and in Great Britain on December 17. No word has been given yet as to when the movie will appear in China and Japan, although a trailer was previously released.
What do you think about the return of Hayden Christensen to Star Wars? What part do you think he may play in the next Star Wars movie?
[Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images Entertainment]
