“There was hysteria on set”: George Lucas Got Emotional About His First Star Wars Film After Watching Actor’s Iconic Intro as Darth Vader
One of the most significant and well-liked epic space opera multimedia franchises created by George Lucas is Star Wars. Loyal fans are deeply committed to the franchise’s plot, characterization, and other elements. The 1997 movie of the same name launched the franchise, and Star Wars quickly rose to become a global sensation in pop culture.
In the 2022 Star Wars miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi, actor Hayden Christensen reprised his performance as Darth Vader. The audience and critics responded well to the miniseries, praising the performers for their roles as well as the action scenes and music. However, Hayden Christensen relates a story of an event that occurred when he first put on the mask of Darth Vader back in 2002.
Also Read: Obi-Wan Kenobi: Why The Show Would Have Been Better as a Movie?
“Memory that won’t leave me in the near future”: Hayden Christensen on first look as Darth Vader
The actor Hayden Christensen, for the first time, played the character of Anakin Skywalker and Skywalker’s later incarnation, Darth Vader, as well in the George Lucas’ Star Wars prequels titled, Attack of the Clones in 2002 and Revenge of the Sith in 2005.
Christensen recently reprised the character of Darth Vader for 2022’s Obi-Wan Kenobi and it instantly reminded the fans of the first time the actor had appeared on set dressed up as Darth Vader. Later he explained in an interview what George Lucas said to him. Christensen said in an interview,
“I’m aware there was a fair amount of hysteria when I first emerged as Darth Vader. It’s quite something and I can’t even necessarily articulate how it made me feel and that part was very empowering. A memory that won’t leave me in a near future.”
In the interview, a clip also shows George Lucas telling Christensen that he looks just like Darth Vader, and it was then reported that the director got emotional seeing the actor in that outfit because he looked exactly like how David Prowse did back in 1977 when the first Star Wars movie was premiered.
A source commented, “After all the years between Episode IV and Episode III, George looked at Hayden in full costume and greeted him as if he was seeing an old friend again, it’s as if it took him back to the first day of filming Episode IC and seeing his vision come to life for the first time.
Also read: Ahsoka Series Reportedly Brings Back Darth Vader’s Major Battle in Mustafar
Hayden Christensen on reprising his role as Darth Vader
The actor reprised his character of Darth Vader in George Lucas’ Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahshoka and during an interview explained why he chose to return.
“It just seemed like a really exciting opportunity. It was a no-brainer. In a heartbeat. When I got the call, I was instantly elated … I was just so excited to get to come back after all these years.”
During an interview with The Guardian, he shared that he has always admired George Lucas’ work and, in 2002 he was playing the role of Anakin Skywalker in 2000 and he left Leonardo DiCaprio behind to play his spot in the cast of the movie. He also added in another interview that Darth Vader made quite an impression on him while he was growing up.
Hayden Christensen loves playing Darth Vader
The actor said that he has a lot of respect for the creator of the franchise; George Lucas, adding,
“He was very much like a mentor to me and he was so gracious with his time. I became very close with his family, and my family became close with his family.”
He also shared during an interview with Esquire that his emotions are hard to explain with words when asked how he felt when he donned the Darth Vader suit on the sets of Obi-Wan Kenobi. He added,
“When we did Episode III, I got to wear the suit, but it was such a simple thing, but it represented closure for me. That was a sign that my journey with the character was complete. Cut to almost 20 years later, and putting on the suit was an incredibly meaningful thing. I’m indebted to Deborah Chow and to Ewan and everyone that made that happen, and getting to do that scene with Ewan at the end where he cracks the mask and we have that last confrontation—that was one of the more incredible experiences I’ve had as an actor.”
Hayden said that he just feels grateful about being a character that is admired by a lot of people, even though they dislike the character he plays. He lastly added that he would love to have the opportunity to play Darth Vader once again in the future.
Source: YouTube
