“I’ve been waiting for you Obi-wan. We meet again at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner, now I am the master.”
That was a blast from the past, the confrontation of Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi in the STAR WARS: EPISODE IV – A NEW HOPE.
Now comes the present. Star Wars social media posts confirmed that Hayden Christensen will reprise his role as Darth Vader in the Disney Plus series Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Hayden Christensen returns as Darth Vader, joining Ewan McGregor in OBI-WAN KENOBI. The Original Series begins 10 years after the dramatic events of Revenge of the Sith, and is coming to #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/9WR2npRUkk
— Star Wars (@starwars) December 10, 2020
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy announced two key pieces of the puzzle regarding the forthcoming Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi spinoff series starring Ewan McGregor reprising his role as the titular Jedi from the prequel trilogy.
One: It will canonically take place 10 years after Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.
And two, Hayden Christensen is back as Darth Vader.
Apparently, Anakin is the chosen one… again.
Fans just can’t get enough of this announcement.
Everyone who waited for the return of Anakin and Obi rn pic.twitter.com/N6DDb5yQxj
— Ann~ (@neogotexo) December 10, 2020
The Chosen One is back. #HaydenChristensen #StarWars pic.twitter.com/HA2q6qpKPp
— vader’s thoughts (@vaderthinks) December 10, 2020
Whether you loved or hated him as Anakin Skywalker-turned-Darth Vader in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, there’s no denying that Christensen made a huge impact playing one of pop culture’s greatest, most tragic villains.
The expectations are over the roof, thoughts like how will these two actors play off of each other after 10 years-in-universe and 15-ish years-meta-universe of distance, of stewing, of regret? Will we finally get to see Christensen play Vader himself? Will the two come to blows again? Will there be a sense of reconciliation?
There’s a lot going on and it’s too early to anticipate but what’s for sure is, at this moment, Anakin has the high ground.
“It was such an incredible journey playing Anakin Skywalker,” Hayden Christensen said in a press release.
“Of course, Anakin and Obi-Wan weren’t on the greatest of terms when we last saw them… It will be interesting to see what an amazing director like Deborah Chow has in store for us all. I’m excited to work with Ewan again. It feels good to be back.”
Production is set to reprise the Christensen’s role in March 2021.
