Credit: LucasfilmAnakin Skywalker, the formidable Jedi-turned-Sith, is widely associated with Hayden Christensen, who first played the ill-fated character in George Lucas’ Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith (2005).
Hayden Christensen’s Return as Anakin Skywalker
Most recently, the actor reprised his role as Anakin in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022), opposite his Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith co-star Ewan McGregor, who returned as the titular Jedi. Throughout the series, Christensen appeared as Anakin through flashbacks, in which he was “digitally de-aged,” and as Darth Vader, his Sith Lord alter ego.
In 2023, Christensen returned again in the live-action series Ahsoka. Similarly to Obi-Wan Kenobi, he was digitally de-aged for flashbacks set during the Clone Wars, and also portrayed a Force Ghost-like version of the character in the mysterious realm, the World Between Worlds.
While Christensen is now synonymous with the role of Anakin, it’s easy to forget that the iconic Star Wars character has been portrayed by other actors, including Jake Lloyd in Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (1999), and Matt Lanter in the 2008 animated film The Clone Wars and the television series of the same name, which began in 2008 and ended in 2020.
Now, Anakin Skywalker is about to return in a new project set near the end of the Clone Wars.
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Anakin Returns in New Star Wars Project, Without Christensen
Star Wars Zero Company is a single-player, turn-based, strategy and tactics game in which players can recruit a squad of pre-made and custom characters to battle opponents. Between missions, you can develop a base of operations and deploy informants to both familiar and new locations across the galaxy.
The game takes place during the events of the Clone Wars, shortly before Revenge of the Sith.
Per Star Wars.com, “Command an elite squad through a gritty and authentic story in Star Wars Zero Company, a single-player turn-based tactics game developed by Bit Reactor in collaboration with Respawn Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games. Set in the twilight of the Clone Wars, you will step into the shoes of Hawks, a former Republic officer who leads Zero Company – an unconventional outfit of professionals for hire hailing from across the galaxy.”
Watch the official gameplay trailer:
“The new gameplay trailer takes us inside the Clone Wars like we’ve never seen before, where pivotal battles are fought in the shadows, not on the front lines. But you’ll still encounter a familiar face or two from this era in Star Wars storytelling,” StarWars.com writes.
The description adds: “As glimpsed in the trailer, Jedi General Anakin Skywalker is also on a crucial mission, and his path briefly crosses with the Zero Company crew. Their intel and tactical expertise is just what he needs to get the job done. That’s right: This is where the fun begins.”
While the Anakin voice actor has not been confirmed, the model itself (see the image from the trailer below) appears to have the likeness of Hayden Christensen, as seen in Revenge of the Sith.
Although casting remains unconfirmed, it’s possible Christensen has returned; however, historically, Matt Lanter has voiced the character in gaming, having done so in many titles, including Disney Infinity 3.0, Star Wars Battlefront II, and Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
Christensen is expected to return to the role of Anakin in live action in the second season of the Disney+ series Ahsoka. The new series has yet to be given a release date, although it’s expected to premiere on Disney+ in early 2027.
Star Wars Zero Company game will be released on August 27.
Are you excited about Zero Company? What other Star Wars projects would you like to see Hayden Christensen appear in? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
