Hayden Christensen isn’t done exploring Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader in Star Wars. Plenty of exciting news has come out of this year’s Star Wars Celebration in Japan, including updates on Star Wars’ upcoming live-action TV shows like Andor and Ahsoka. One big piece of news concerning Ahsoka season 2 is the long-rumored and now confirmed return of Hayden Christensen as Ahsoka Tano’s former Jedi Master.

Screen Rant’s Ash Crossan spoke to Christensen at Star Wars Celebration 2025 and asked the actor what it meant to him to reprise the role after an extended break. Christensen responded thoughtfully, explaining how his connection to the iconic character has changed over the last few years.

Screen Rant: “How has your relationship with Anakin changed? I mean, you mentioned taking a break, and now you’re also portraying him again and learning more about this character, and especially with the animated stuff, they really peel back a lot of layers there.”

Christensen: “Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, in some ways, I feel even more connected to Anakin now than I ever have, just because I’m older, and I can sort of understand his struggles in a deeper way, and it’s a character that I really love, and I’m thrilled to get to continue with.”

Christensen’s continued dedication to the role is inspiring. His portrayal of Anakin and Darth Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka season 1 provided an exciting new side to the character and his interpretation that we’ve never seen before. We’re excited to see what he’ll do next.

How Anakin Skywalker’s Character Changed After Revenge Of The Sith

In the grand scheme of Star Wars, Hayden Christensen only portrayed Anakin Skywalker for a short period of the character’s life in the Star Wars prequels. In Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Anakin was still a Padawan, the first signs of the darkness brewing within him as he lost himself to his pᴀssion for Padmé Amidala and his grief over his mother. There was a significant time jump between Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, and by then, Anakin’s transformation was almost complete.

So much of Anakin Skywalker’s characterization occurred in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the movie and animated series set between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Not only did The Clone Wars introduce audiences to Anakin’s Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, who had a major impact on his journey as a Jedi, but it also revealed more about his relationships with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padmé, the Jedi Order, Palpatine, and more. Matt Lanter’s voice performance was fantastic, but it’s interesting to see Hayden Christensen marry the two versions of Anakin in Star Wars’ live-action shows.

What Role Could Hayden Christensen Have In Ahsoka Season 2?

In Ahsoka season 1, Anakin returned as a Force ghost, appearing to Ahsoka as an apparition in the World Between Worlds. He helped Ahsoka overcome her fear and guilt over leaving him behind, which set her free and allowed her to become the guiding light she was, perhaps, always destined to be. This was when we first truly saw a new side of Christensen’s Anakin, with the live-action flashbacks to the Clone Wars allowing the actor to approach the character in a new yet familiar way.

In Ahsoka season 2, Christensen will presumably return as a Force ghost. This will be our first chance to see what became of Anakin after being redeemed by Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi. Dark forces are at play on Peridea, where Ahsoka Tano and her apprentice, Sabine Wren, are trapped. Hopefully, Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker will be able to help them navigate their new reality as they try to figure out a way to return to Star Wars’ primary galaxy.

Check out more of our Star Wars Celebration coverage:

• Star Wars Celebration: All Panels & Times
• Star Wars Celebration: Live Blog Day 1 – The Mandalorian & Grogu and Lucasfilm Animation Updates
• All 8 Things We Just Learned About The Next Star Wars Movie, The Mandalorian & Grogu
• Star Wars Starfighter Announced: Next Star Wars Movie Releases In 2027, Five Years After Rise Of Skywalker & Stars Ryan Gosling
• Darth Maul Returns In First Look At Maul: Shadow Lord, New TV Show That Fulfills George Lucas’ Sequel Trilogy Plans