Hayden Christensen’s path to embodying Anakin Skywalker is marked by intriguing twists. Initially, he believed the role might be destined for Leonardo DiCaprio, recalling meetings with various actors, including DiCaprio. Despite his desire to portray Anakin, Christensen never allowed himself to entertain the possibility of landing the role, convinced it would elude him.
Before Christensen’s casting, other ’90s stars like Devon Sawa, Ryan Phillippe, James Van Der Beek, and Paul Walker also vied for the part. However, DiCaprio felt the timing wasn’t right for him. Christensen eventually won the role, starring in both “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith.”
Reflecting on the mixed reception of the prequels, Christensen admitted to being blindsided by the criticism, particularly towards his performance and the character’s dialogue. Despite this, he remained committed to the role and recently returned for Disney+’s “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series alongside Ewan McGregor, as well as “Ahsoka” starring Rosario Dawson.
