Credit: LucasfilmThe brutal return of Darth Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi has been the series highlight for virtually every Star Wars fan, but his latest appearance at the end of episode four is blowing away fans.
Much like Bruce the Shark in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws (1975) or even the Alien in Alien (1979), viewers are barely seeing any of Sith Lord Darth Vader. Keeping the anticipation high and adding a level of intensity every time he appears on screen, Lucasfilm is nailing the mysticism behind Darth Vader and his rage.
The brutality of Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) shines brightly throughout the Skywalker saga. Still, in the new Star Wars story Obi-Wan Kenobi just featured one of the most intimidating moments in Vader’s live-action history yet:
Vader is back! Every Star Wars fan couldn’t be happier that Sith Lord Darth Vader is gracing the Star Wars screen again, even if it’s on the streaming screen.
Having Hayden Christensen under the Vader suit is a dream of countless fans, and many can’t believe that it’s happening:
vader being FULL of rage when he entered the room was so terrifying i jumped
// #kenobi spoilers
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vader being FULL of rage when he entered the room was so terrifying i jumped— kennedy (@darthsokas) June 8, 2022
Another fan writes:
hayden christensen as darth vader . that’s it. that’s the tweet .
#KENOBI SPOILERS
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hayden christensen as darth vader . that’s it. that’s the tweet . pic.twitter.com/Lhf4Uc0ICy— valentine⁵⁰¹ KENOBI SPOILERS (@W4NDAS) June 8, 2022
Another fan writes:
hayden christensen coming back as darth vader was one of the best things that has ever happen in our present culture he truly is the goat
hayden christensen coming back as darth vader was one of the best things that has ever happen in our present culture he truly is the goat
— inês 🌙 KENOBI ERA (@anakintstark) June 6, 2022
Nonetheless, is that Hayden Christensen under the Darth Vader armor? No, not exactly.
Fans will be shocked to learn that Hayden Christensen is NOT under the Darth Vader mask for any full-body shots of the Sith Lord, including his deadly walk through Mapuzo:
#ObiWanKenobi performance artist Dmitrious Bistrevsky has confirmed that Hayden Christensen is not in the #DarthVader suit for full body shots: “Hayden carries the heaviest burden of all, the pain and betrayal of his best friend…”
#ObiWanKenobi performance artist Dmitrious Bistrevsky has confirmed that Hayden Christensen is not in the #DarthVader suit for full body shots: "Hayden carries the heaviest burden of all, the pain and betrayal of his best friend…" Full quote: https://t.co/FV4kHTzL2L pic.twitter.com/sLnaaOQSHU
— Star Wars – The Direct (@StarWars_Direct) June 5, 2022
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Bistrevsky states that he and Hayden Christensen are involved in any scenes with Darth Vader acting while stuntman Tom O’Connell wields Vader’s red lightsaber in the rematch between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader:
“Hayden and I both act in the Darth Vader scenes, we bring the character and emotions (and the pain, suffering, anger) I’m 6’7 so when you see a full body shot it looks better having an actor, than a CGI creation. Tom specializes in the fighting. The fights are Tom. Full body with Helmet On is me, Hayden carries the heaviest burden of all, the pain and betrayal of his best friend and once mentor.”
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Nonetheless, Dmitrious Bistrevsky confirms that Hayden Christensen did bulk up for the role of Darth Vader:
“Hayden wore the suit, I wore the suit, Tom wore the suit. We all worked together to create the best character we possibly can. We are a team. Without Hayden there would be no story for me to tell. He is my friend, he showed up so hard for this project. He bulked, Hayden was so swole when he arrived to set that both Tom and I quivered in our muscle suits.”
The intensity of seeing Darth Vader confront Reva loses some of its potency when realizing that it might not have been Hayden Christensen interrogating his Inquisitor.
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Nonetheless, with Disney and Lucasfilm advertising that it is Christensen as Darth Vader, it’s clear that his role will be echoed throughout the series when it’s most important.
With fans calling for Order 66 flashbacks featuring Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, viewers are ready to see Hayden Christensen’s face once again.
More about Obi-Wan Kenobi
The story begins ten years after the dramatic events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, where Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his most significant defeat—the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, who turned to the dark side as evil Sith Lord Darth Vader.
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“The rematch of the century” teased by Kathleen Kennedy, director Deborah Chow, and Lucasfilm will be supported by Moses Ingram (Inquisitor Reva), Joel Edgerton (Uncle Owen), Bonnie Piesse (Beru Lars), Kumail Nanjiani, Indira Varma, Rupert Friend, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Sung Kang, Simone Kessell, and Benny Safdie.
Related: Bryce Dallas Howard Reportedly Returning to ‘The Mandalorian’ Ahead Fan Movement
The world of George Lucas is expanding beyond (Mark Hamill), (Carrie Fisher), (Harrison Ford), (James Earl Jones), Yoda (Frank Oz), Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein), (Ray Parker), (Boba Fett (/Temura Morrison), Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), Grogu (AKA “Baby Yoda”), Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), Koska Reeves (Sasha Banks), Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen), and Moff Gideon’s (Giancarlo Esposito) the , the Death Star, and The Clone Wars.
Within the moving past : A (2016) or the controversial The Last Jedi (2018) as we dive into the or explore new realities of the Star Wars universe with each new or the upcoming like : 2 or .
Should Hayden Christensen make another appearance as Anakin Skywalker? Comment below!