Who is the Young Dark Vader in the New Star Wars?
Hayden Christensen reprises the role of Anakin Skywalker, also known as young Darth Vader, in the series Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) and Ahsoka (2023). He previously portrayed Anakin in the prequel trilogy, specifically in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.
During the casting process for the role of young Anakin in The Phantom Menace, hundreds of actors were auditioned before Jake Lloyd was selected to portray the character as a child.
Importantly, Hayden Christensen’s return as Darth Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi does not break Star Wars canon. In fact, his involvement is consistent with established lore. The timeline of Star Wars places the events of Obi-Wan Kenobi between Revenge of the Sith (2005) and A New Hope (1977).
After Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader at the end of Revenge of the Sith, he continues to serve the Emperor and hunt down the remaining Jedi, including Obi-Wan Kenobi. The series explores the aftermath of Anakin’s transformation and the consequences of his actions, fitting seamlessly into the overarching narrative of the Star Wars saga.
Moreover, Christensen’s portrayal of Vader—alongside Ewan McGregor’s return as Obi-Wan—allows for deeper character exploration and connection to their past, which enhances the storytelling without contradicting established events in the canon.
It’s crucial to note that Hayden Christensen is returning as Darth Vader, not as Anakin Skywalker. This detail marks a significant moment, especially since Christensen hasn’t had a notable role since 2005.
In Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, portrayed by Christensen, is referred to as the young Darth Vader. The series showcases the character in the years following his fall to the dark side, exploring the period after Revenge of the Sith when Anakin has fully transformed into Darth Vader.
Furthermore, Hayden Christensen portrays both Anakin and Vader in this 2022 miniseries, set a decade after Revenge of the Sith and 9 years before A New Hope. Notably, Obi-Wan believed his fallen apprentice to be dead for a decade after their duel on Mustafar.
Lastly, Obi-Wan Kenobi utilized James Earl Jones’ voice along with Christensen’s acting to portray young Vader. Additionally, George Lucas changed Anakin’s Force Ghost from Sebastian Shaw to Hayden Christensen in Return of the Jedi, attributing Christensen’s young Force Ghost to Anakin metaphorically dying as Darth Vader.
The Return of Anakin Skywalker: A Hero’s Journey
There is something incredibly unique about Anakin Skywalker as a character. This fascinating blend of hero, victim, and villain, highlights how the interplay of fate, destiny, character flaws, divided loyalties, tragic decisions, and the machinations of others leads to such great pain, loss, and evil for himself and for an entire galaxy.
Anakin’s tale is tragically compelling because he believes he is going from (literal) slavery to freedom. He fights for the (physical and ideological) freedom of others during the Clone Wars. However, in reality, he merely exchanges one set of chains for another, until he becomes fully imprisoned once more in the form of Vader.
Only Anakin/Vader had the power to stop Palpatine/Sidious. This is one of the reasons why Palpatine targeted and ‘groomed’ Anakin in the first place. Palpatine knew that Anakin was foretold to be the one who would ultimately destroy the Sith. What better than to bring him to the side of the Sith, instead?
The saga of Anakin Skywalker comes full circle in his eventual redemption. Through the unyielding love of his son, Luke Skywalker, Anakin finds a path back to the light. In a final act of selflessness, he destroys Emperor Palpatine and brings balance to the Force by eliminating the Sith.
Notably, Anakin is personally redeemed by returning to the light. He becomes one with the Force after fully realizing that his actions were heinous and evil. In fact, Anakin’s redemption forms the most crucial part of Luke’s hero’s journey.
Ultimately, he destroyed evil, i.e., the Sith. He accomplished this by killing Darth Sidious and sacrificing himself in the process. Vader sacrifices himself to save his son, thus bringing down the Empire, but it is an Empire that would not exist without him.
However, it’s distressing that TFA seems to convey the message that Vader’s redemption was pointless and maybe even unnecessary or ‘wrong’ somehow. This sentiment arises, particularly because it apparently has had little effect or made any difference whatsoever in the outcome of later events.
Vader, therefore, experiences a cyclical mindset, suspended in an almost carbonite-like stasis for decades, until his final act of free will, spurred on by his latent, powerful love for his son, sets him—and them all—free.
Dark Vader vs. Anakin Skywalker: Understanding the Duality
At the heart of the Star Wars saga lies an intricate web of emotions, decisions, and destinies. Perhaps no character encapsulates this complexity better than Anakin Skywalker and his alter ego, Darth Vader. Their duality represents a profound exploration of the human psyche, morality, and identity.
The Light: Anakin Skywalker
A buoyant optimism marked Anakin’s early years. His immense potential, loyalty, and moments of compassion earmarked him as a beacon of light. These attributes were evident in his commitment to his friends, his profound love for Padmé, and his desire to bring positive change to the galaxy. Anakin was the embodiment of hope, representing the quintessential hero eager to right the wrongs of the universe.
The Dark: Darth Vader
In stark contrast stands Darth Vader, a silhouette of dread, representing the antithesis of Anakin’s earlier self. This isn’t merely a change in allegiance but a profound character metamorphosis. Vader’s ruthlessness, epitomized by his iron grip and relentless pursuit of the Jedi, is a testament to the depths to which Anakin has plummeted.
Furthermore, Vader symbolizes how corruption and the desire for power and control can turn the nicest child into the most ruthless of authoritarians. He serves as a precautionary tale. A recent study found that Anakin Skywalker’s turn to the dark side was the result of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
Redemption and Hope
Anakin’s eventual redemption, brought about by his son’s unwavering belief, underscores the theme of hope that permeates the Star Wars narrative. It suggests that redemption remains within grasp no matter how profound the duality, the internal strife, or the magnitude of transgressions. Ultimately, Anakin’s essence, his core of goodness, proved indomitable, allowing him to transcend his darker self and find peace.
In addition, Anakin’s intentions are rooted in love and the desire to protect those he cares about, but his actions often lead him astray, blurring the line between hero and villain. Because mostly, Vader represents Anakin’s Dark Side, that’s why Anakin’s theme is a rearrangement of Vader’s theme. They’re the same, yet he feeds into the lies the Emperor tells him, that the dark side will bring peace to the galaxy, and that it will grant him a happy life.
What Makes Luke Skywalker the Iconic Hero of Star Wars?
Luke Skywalker (born 19 BBY – dies 34 ABY) is the main protagonist of the legendary Star Wars original trilogy. Additionally, he is one of the side protagonists in the sequel trilogy. He finds himself apprenticed to the Jedi Masters, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. Consequently, he becomes an important figure in the Rebel Alliance’s struggle against the Galactic Empire. In the sequel trilogy, he serves as the Grand Master of the New Jedi Order and is the sole existing Jedi until his new apprentice, Rey, assumes the mantle after his death.
In his youth, Luke is often described as curious, impatient, and looking ahead to the future with little regard for his present surroundings. He displays a bit of brashness. However, he experiences major character development, evolving from a whiny brat to a mature Jedi master later in life. He exhibits compassion and care for others; for instance, he immediately wants to rescue Leia from the Empire upon learning she’s on the Death Star and is willing to drop everything to help his friends in need.
Moreover, he believes in the possibility of redemption for Darth Vader, the right-hand man to the all-evil, sinister Darth Sidious. Despite everyone else, including Vader himself, having written him off as too far gone, Luke proves to be right. He is more than willing to sacrifice himself to save the galaxy and ultimately manages to indirectly defeat the Emperor with the Power of Love.
Interestingly, he defined the ‘main protagonist loses a limb in the heat of an intense battle with a foe’ trope. In the second season of The Mandalorian, Luke redeems his character by having a memorable scene where he defeats imperial droids in the hallway, reminiscent of his father’s actions against rebel soldiers.
Initially, Luke is a Tatooine farmboy who rises from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest Jedi the galaxy has ever known. Together with his friends Princess Leia and Han Solo, Luke battles the evil Empire, discovers the truth of his parentage, and ends the tyranny of the Sith. At the start, he is portrayed as arrogant, reckless, naive, and immature. However, over the course of the trilogy, he learns to be more mature and courageous, often rushing into danger if he believes it is for the right reasons.
His character flaw is his impetuosity. He can choose the wrong path because, although his motives are righteous, his impulsiveness makes all the difference. Based on MBTI and Enneagram, he is classified as an INFP personality type and a nine wing one Enneagram. This means he is a compassionate, supportive individual who prioritizes his values and beliefs.
The Legacy of David Prowse: First Dark Vader’s Impact
David Prowse played the physical form of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy. He spoke the dialogue during filming, but George Lucas wanted a ‘darker voice’ than Prowse’s relatively jovial West Country accent. Consequently, James Earl Jones provided a more sinister, malevolent voice for the character.
Prowse’s legacy as Darth Vader and his contributions to the world of cinema and beyond remain indelible. He made Vader leap off the page and onto the big screen, showcasing an imposing stature and movement performance that matched the intensity and undercurrent of Vader’s presence. George Lucas stated: “David brought a physicality to Darth Vader that was essential for the character.”
Despite his significant role, Prowse faced challenges in his career related to his portrayal of Vader. He felt sidelined during the making of Return of the Jedi, particularly regarding the iconic scene where Vader throws Emperor Palpatine down the shaft. He had to persuade director Richard Marquand to allow him to perform this scene. Moreover, he was not included in some reunions of the original cast, which left him feeling estranged from the franchise he helped to popularize.
Throughout his career, Prowse continued to associate himself with his role in the Star Wars films and was involved in the convention circuit. However, he was banned by Lucas from attending official Star Wars fan conventions in 2010, with no reason given other than stating that Prowse ‘burnt too many bridges’ between Lucasfilm and himself.
In the narrative of the saga, Vader served as Palpatine’s enforcer as the Empire ruthlessly asserted its control over more star systems. His mere presence terrified those who had incurred Palpatine’s wrath. While James Earl Jones provided the voice, Prowse’s portrayal physically defined the character, showcasing an essential collaboration that contributed to Darth Vader’s impact.
Exploring Dark Vader’s Evolution Across the Star Wars Saga
Another key player in the Star Wars universe is Darth Vader, a character who has become synonymous with evil and is perhaps the most iconic villain in cinematic history. As the former Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, Vader was once a promising young hero with great potential.
However, his ambition and fear of losing those he loved led him down a dark path, and he became seduced by the power of the dark side. Throughout the original trilogy, Vader is portrayed as a ruthless and cold-hearted antagonist. In contrast, the prequel trilogy allows for a deeper exploration of his character and his motivations. We see how he was manipulated and corrupted by the evil Emperor Palpatine, and how his love for Padmé Amidala ultimately led to his downfall.
Yet, despite his dark deeds, Vader’s character arc is ultimately one of redemption. In the final film of the original trilogy, he sacrifices himself to save his son Luke and finally redeems himself in the eyes of the Force. His relationship with Luke is a complex one, and their dynamic is a key part of the story.
Overall, the character development and relationships of key players in the Star Wars universe are a crucial part of what makes these stories so compelling and enduring. From Luke’s journey from farm boy to Jedi Knight, to Vader’s redemption, to Leia’s strength and leadership, these characters and their relationships have left a lasting impact on pop culture and continue to captivate audiences around the world.
Darth Vader’s character development in Star Wars is a journey from a good-hearted Jedi to a villainous Sith Lord. Anakin Skywalker’s transformation is a cautionary tale about how anyone can fall to the dark side. Initially, Anakin was a kind and generous Jedi who cared deeply for his loved ones. He was a hero in the Clone Wars and one of the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy.
Furthermore, Anakin’s fear of losing Padmé led him to seek the dark side for a way to prevent her death. Chancellor Palpatine, who later became the Emperor, manipulated Anakin into believing that the dark side could help him stop people from dying. Consequently, Anakin’s ambition and fear of losing his loved ones led him to embrace the dark side.
Interestingly, Vader represents the antithesis of the warmly human Ben Kenobi. While Kenobi is full of wisdom and slow to anger but quick to defend others, Vader lashes out casually at those who displease him. He does so as if motivated by a cool, almost rational anger, rather than a raging fury.
Ultimately, Vader’s redemption in Return of the Jedi is triggered by his conversation with Luke. This encounter forces him to remember his past and confront his uncomfortable memories. While Vader’s twisted mind initially sees his son as a chance to claim more power, Luke’s existence also reminds him of Padmé and the good in his life, giving him hope.
How Do New Characters Like Ahsoka Fit Into the Dark Vader Narrative?
Ahsoka’s journey in ‘Ahsoka’ episode 5 acts as a coda to her relationship with Anakin Skywalker. In a significant moment, Ahsoka, on the brink of death, visits the Force realm and encounters a Force ghost of Anakin. He guides her through key battles and hints at his transformation into Darth Vader. This encounter raises the question of whether Ahsoka knows that Anakin and Vader are the same person.
Yes, Ahsoka does know what became of her mentor, as suggested in ‘Ahsoka’ episode 5. Furthermore, her reluctance to train her Padawan, Sabine Wren, stems from her fear of perpetuating Vader’s dark legacy. However, reuniting with Anakin in the World Between Worlds brings her renewed purpose and clarity.
Ahsoka’s realization that Anakin is Darth Vader unfolds in ‘Star Wars Rebels.’ During season 2, she slowly comes to terms with this tragic truth. Her confrontation with Vader in the season 2 finale captures the emotional conflict, leading to a moment where Ahsoka hears Anakin’s voice and chooses compassion over revenge.
Although Luke was the one who brought Anakin Skywalker back to the light, was he the only one to do so? Ahsoka, while she failed to bring her former master back from the dark side, definitely left an influence on him. This influence would linger in Vader up until his son managed to finish what Ahsoka started.
Vader mentioned ‘Anakin Skywalker’ as a different individual, first to Sidious and later to Ahsoka directly. However, later on (Episode VI for Luke and for Ahsoka, when she revealed part of his face), he finally confessed himself as the former Anakin Skywalker. Even in Luke’s case, he did that before he turned back to the light.
Ahsoka was a living embodiment of Anakin. As long as she lived, something of Anakin lived on in her, and Vader can’t tolerate that. Influence-wise, she was momentarily connected with Anakin during a moment when Vader was stunned. Then Vader reasserted himself and kicked Anakin back into his mind-prison.
My point is that if Vader wants to kill everything that reminds him of Anakin, then he would surely want Luke dead. Luke is a reminder of the family he was supposed to have with Padme. It would be a reminder of the guilt, shame, and feelings of resentment to weakness that Vader has.
The return of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars’ new Ahsoka show suggests a reunion with Ahsoka. However, Darth Vader’s presence may bring a darker twist. The use of Darth Vader’s theme in the World Between Worlds hints that something is not right, despite the positivity on the surface.
Although they varied in whether the light or darkness in Anakin/Vader emerged in the end, the comparable results in Ahsoka’s interactions with Vader that would later be seen by Luke suggest something significant about who Ahsoka was to Vader even as a Sith Lord. The first point is that Vader would never bring up anything that had ties to his past.
In the Ahsoka novel, which takes place one year after Revenge of the Sith, Ahsoka cuts herself off from the Force. When she does tap into it again, the Force connection she shared with Anakin is gone. She takes this to mean he’s dead and never entertains the idea that he turned into Darth Vader, Sidious’ new apprentice, like Maul said he would.
In the very end of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Darth Vader went to the crash site of Ahsoka. He even picked up her lightsaber. It almost seemed touching (he cared after all). However, this illustrates the complex relationship they shared, highlighting the emotional remnants of their past connection amidst his transformation into a Sith Lord.
A New Era: How Hayden Christensen Revives the Famous Villain
Hayden Christensen is reprising his role as Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader for the upcoming Disney Plus series Ahsoka, starring Rosario Dawson. He first played Anakin in the 2002 prequel Star Wars: Episode 2 – Attack of the Clones.
In Star Wars: Episode 3 – Revenge of the Sith, his character succumbed to the Dark Side and became the series’ main antagonist, Darth Vader.
The Ahsoka series takes place five years after Star Wars: Episode 4 – Return of the Jedi, and therefore after Darth Vader suffers a mortal wound at the hands of the Emperor, Darth Sidious. As Ahsoka Tano, the titular star of the series, is Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan, it could be that the series brings back Christensen’s Anakin and/or Darth Vader in a flashback sequence.
However, sources suggest that it’s possible that Darth Vader could return for the series as a Force Ghost.
Christensen was previously confirmed to return to the Star Wars franchise in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series, playing Anakin’s more villainous alter ego, Darth Vader. It’s unclear what form he will take in the Ahsoka series, which Disney has said will be ‘set in the timeline of The Mandalorian,’ on which Dawson first appeared as Ahsoka. This presumably means it takes place after Anakin’s death in Return of the Jedi.
During a panel at SPACECON San Antonio, Hayden Christensen and Rosario Dawson spoke about Anakin Skywalker’s Star Wars return in the Ahsoka show, including what it felt like for Christensen to receive the call. The return of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the Ahsoka show was one of the most thrilling Star Wars moments in recent memory, and fan reactions perfectly capture how that massive reveal felt.
