Star Wars Reportedly De-Aging Hayden Christensen for Obi-Wan Kenobi

By Jennifer McDonough Updated:
Anakin Skywalker wielding a lightsaber, Obi-Wan Kenobi

Disney+ and Lucasfilm's new Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi has a lot to deliver on. Fans are champing at the bit to see the return of fan-favorite Ewan McGregor return to the role of the legendary Jedi Master. What's more, if the rumors are to be believed, the series will play host to a number of established characters from around the Star Wars galaxy.

Also confirmed to be appearing in the streaming series is Hayden Christensen, reprising his role as Darth Vader. It has been officially stated that Vader and Kenobi will lock lightsabers in a pitched battle during the series, well before their fateful confrontation aboard the first Death Star in A New Hope.

But what about flashbacks? Rumors and online speculation swirl around the idea that fans could be treated to flashbacks set during the Clone Wars era when Obi-Wan and Anakin fought side-by-side as brothers-in-arms. And now, some fresh intel adds fuel to that particular fire.

A De-Aged Anakin Skywalker?

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker
Caption

MakingStarWars has reported that in a flashback scene that features Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, the actor will be digitally de-aged using computer-generated effects.

Is Obi-Wan Kenobi Planning Full-On Clone Wars Scenes?

Firstly, it makes perfect sense that Christensen would be de-aged for Kenobi. After all, the actor hasn't played Anakin in over fifteen years, and in order to portray the character as he was in his early twenties, some digital trickery must be employed.

It certainly seems as though the show is gearing up for one or even several full-scale Clone Wars flashbacks. After all, Anakin and Obi-Wan were often paired together on missions during the war, and given that both of their actors are in the main cast, it's perfectly natural to incorporate scenes set in days long past.

MakingStarWars has said that the flashback in question serves to remind characters of "sad failures." Maybe they will show a happier time before the Empire rose to power and Kenobi and Skywalker were still the closest of friends. That would really drive home the gravity of the situation in which Obi-Wan finds himself in the series.

The main narrative of Obi-Wan Kenobi is set ten years after Revenge of the Sith, as the title character keeps watch over young Luke Skywalker in his exile on Tatooine. 

Lucasfilm's Obi-Wan Kenobi is set to be released on May 25, 2022, only on Disney+.

- About The Author: Jennifer McDonough
Jennifer McDonough has been a writer at The Direct since its 2020 launch. She is responsible for the creation of news articles and features. She also has a particular affinity for action figures and merchandise, which she revels in discussing in the articles she writes, when the situation calls for it.