‘Is this actually the spirit of Anakin Skywalker?’

Summary

• Hayden Christensen praises the ambiguous nature of Anakin Skywalker’s return in Ahsoka, questioning if it was actually the Chosen One in the World Between Worlds.
• Christensen explores the new version of his character, an all-knowing Jedi master who wields both sides of the force, and the potential power to save Ahsoka’s life.
• Dave Filoni confirms it truly is Anakin Skywalker appearing as the Force ghost in the season finale, being proud of Ahsoka and serving as inspiration throughout her journey.

During the heyday of the original trilogy, there didn’t seem to be enough feng shui in that galaxy far, far away to make Darth Vader so likable. But after Luke (Mark Hamill) turns him back to the light in Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983), even Yoda must have been turning in his grave. Today, Hayden Christensen portrays the character — and most recently in Ahsoka. And Christensen praised the ambiguous nature of how both Anakin Skywalker and his evil alter ego, Lord Vader, were brought back in the streaming series. In fact, he debates whether it was actually the Chosen One in the World Between Worlds. Christensen said in an interview with Vanity Fair:

“That’s the beauty of how the episode is constructed, in my opinion. Inevitably, the audience has to question what it is they’re watching. Is this really the World Between Worlds? What is the World Between Worlds? Is this actually the spirit of Anakin Skywalker, or is this all in Ahsoka’s subconscious, and we’re just going down the yellow brick road as she’s drowning and fighting for her life? I think that the episode provides a few really good clues, but it doesn’t spell it out for you.”

21 years ago, Hayden Christensen basked in the glory of having portrayed Anakin Skywalker for the very first time in Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones (2002). Back then, as all Star Wars fans know, Christensen’s fate seemed to be sealed: He’d become Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005). End of story, right? Wrong!

Related: Ahsoka: Biggest Easter Eggs in the Star Wars Series

The Chosen One Returns

Ahsoka

Release Date 2023-08-00

Cast Rosario Dawson, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ray Stevenson, Wes Chatham, Lars Mikkelsen, Natasha Liu Bordizzo

Genres Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Franchise Star Wars

Hayden Christensen’s return as Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader lifted Ahsoka to an entirely different level when the iconic character first shows up at the conclusion of Part Four: Fallen Jedi. Most of Skywalker’s screentime came in Part Five: Shadow Warrior, and Star Wars fans were given the ultimate gifts: seeing Anakin interact with Young Ahsoka (Ariana Greenblatt), during the Clone Wars, and watching the newly knighted Sith Lord, Vader, wield a red lightsaber. Christensen delved further into his character’s return with Vanity Fair. The actor said in the same interview:

“There’s a lot there to unpack, potentially. I was getting to play a version of this character that I hadn’t before, and that was the all-knowing, all-powerful Jedi master who could wield both sides of the force —light and dark— at will, and maybe has the power to save Ahsoka’s life, which also is very interesting because that’s the power that he was trying to achieve when he pledged himself to the dark side.”

Star Wars’ most iconic character does return. And while it’s debatable whether Skywalker was truly present in the World Between Worlds with Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson), creator and showrunner Dave Filoni confirms the return of the Chosen One in the season finale. Yes, that Force ghost of Skywalker is the genuine article! Filoni also told Vanity Fair:

“Anakin… of course he’s there with her. He’s always been there with her, but she just couldn’t see it. She couldn’t feel it. She didn’t know. She had isolated herself and made herself alone because she was afraid. He has done a great deal to alleviate that fear in her. And so there’s a moment. I think he’s proud of her in the end.

He sees that she’s going to be a better mentor. I debate Force ghosts with people all the time. To me, what they are mainly is inspiration. You have people in your life that I’m sure have inspired you. And you feel that all the time. You feel that when you need it.”

All eight episodes of Ahsoka season one are available to stream or binge-watch on Disney+.

You can view the original article HERE.