Hayden Christensen WILL Return as Darth Vader in Disney+ Series

in Movies & TV, Star Wars

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Credit: Lucasfilm

At Disney’s Investors Day 2020 event on December 10, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy confirmed that Star Wars prequel actor Hayden Christensen will reprise his role as Darth Vader in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series on Disney+, calling it the “the rematch of the century.”

hayden christensen
Credit: Disney Investors Day Livestream

Related: Hayden Christensen Reportedly Returning as Anakin Skywalker in Kenobi Series

Previously, rumors had swirled that Christensen would reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker, who of course, eventually becomes Darth Vader. Christensen originally appeared in the Skywalker Saga prequel trilogy — Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002), and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005).

His appearance in the Obi-Wan series is not entirely surprising. Fans even created a grassroots social media campaign calling for his return.

Christensen’s Anakin was not altogether well-received when the prequel trilogy first released, with many referring to his portrayal as “corny” and “wooden.” George Lucas and Ewan McGregor have both defended the Star Wars movies and fan reception has seemed to improve in the intervening years.

The official Star Wars Twitter account also confirmed Christensen’s return, sharing these details:

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.

Related: Kenobi Series Filming to Start Sooner Than Expected!

While we know little about the details of the plot, the OBI-WAN KENOBI: The Original Series is set to feature Ewan McGregor reprising his role as the iconic Jedi and is rumored to feature live-action Aladdin (2019) actress Naomi Scott.

The official synopsis of the show reads:

Tatooine-a harsh desert world where farmers toil in the heat of two suns while trying to protect themselves and their loved ones from the marauding Tusken Raiders. A backwater planet on the edge of civilized space. And an unlikely place to find a Jedi Master in hiding, or an orphaned infant boy [Luke Skywalker] on whose tiny shoulders rests the future of a galaxy.

At this time, we do not know how precisely large of a role Christensen will play in the Obi-Wan Kenobi limited series, which will be directed by Deborah Chow (The Mandalorian). He may play a larger role than originally anticipated, given that today’s announcement specifically focused on his return.

It is also worth noting that the title of the standalone show has been altered from its last-known working title, Pilgrim.

Are you looking forward to OBI-WAN KENOBI: The Original Series?

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