Summary

  • The live-action Ahsoka series on Disney+ will potentially feature Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, exploring his relationship with Ahsoka Tano.
  • Teaser trailers for Ahsoka have confirmed Christensen's return, with his voice appearing in what seems to be flashbacks during The Clone Wars.
  • While it's unknown if Anakin will appear as a Force ghost, it's possible that Christensen may also don the Darth Vader suit for a flashback, as Ahsoka's past with Vader still affects her.

With the live-action Ahsoka series headed to Disney+ on August 23rd, one of the most exciting aspects of the show will be if Hayden Christensen appears as Anakin Skywalker. Ahsoka Tano originally debuted in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars 2008 movie as Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan learner. Despite the backlash toward Ahsoka in the beginning, she has developed into a fan-favorite character. Throughout The Clone Wars, Ahsoka complimented Anakin’s character with her spunky attitude and impressive lightsaber skills. And though they parted ways in The Clone Wars season 7, Anakin Skywalker remains as one of the most crucial figures in Ahsoka’s journey as a character and a Jedi.

Star Wars has already shown live-action Ahsoka alongside Luke Skywalker in The Book of Boba Fett, but has yet to show a live-action Ahsoka and Anakin onscreen together. Because The Clone Wars came out after the prequel trilogy, the Star Wars movies largely ignored Ahsoka’s presence in Anakin’s life. Seeing Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker and Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano together would go a long way in helping establish Ahsoka’s presence during The Clone Wars, which—up till now—has been relegated to animation. Thankfully, it looks like the Ahsoka series will deliver Christensen and Dawson alongside one another.

Ahsoka Teasers Have Confirmed Hayden Christensen's Return In Ahsoka

Anakin Skywalker weilding a lightsaber in Obi-Wan Kenobi

Through promotional teaser trailers, Hayden Christensen has been confirmed to return as Anakin in the Ahsoka series. One teaser features Hayden Christensen’s voice talking to Ahsoka in a manner very similar to how Matt Lanter—Anakin’s voice actor in The Clone Wars—spoke to her. Based on what he is saying in the teaser about droids and telling Ahsoka to trust her instincts, it’s clear Christensen’s voice is coming from some sort of flashback during The Clone Wars. However, while Christensen may make an appearance in a flashback, he may also show up in the Ahsoka series in the present.

It's Unknown Whether Anakin Will Also Appear As A Force Ghost

Anakin Skywalker Force Ghost in Return of the Jedi.

Christensen’s voice has been confirmed for Ahsoka, but there haven’t been any official images of him showing up in person yet. Unfortunately, the Ahsoka series takes place long after Anakin Skywalker died in Return of the Jedi, meaning it’s impossible for Anakin to show up alive in the present. But given Anakin’s Force ghost returned to visit both Luke Skywalker and Leia Skywalker in other canon material, it seems strange that he wouldn’t also visit his former Padawan and help comfort her over his demise.

In addition to appearing in a flashback from The Clone Wars as well as appearing in the present as a Force ghost, Hayden Christensen may also don the full suit for a flashback as Darth Vader. One of Ahsoka’s most iconic moments in Star Wars Rebels was her duel with Vader in the season 2 finale. And since Vader’s iconic breathing can be heard in one of the Ahsoka trailers, it’s possible Ahsoka’s past with Vader still haunts her. In any case, Hayden Christensen will return in Ahsoka in voice, and will hopefully make a physical appearance as well.

Episodes 1 and 2 of Ahsoka will premiere on Wednesday, August 23 on Disney+.