RUMOR Hayden Christensen to return in Episode 8.

I understand his role as a grandfather, and I really like that idea of a mentor... But remind me again how she is supposed to take a twenty something looking force ghost seriously? If there is going to be a force ghost Anakin, then just reboot and use an older actor. Its not like GL has never changed things before.

 

I disagree.
With young Anakin we ( audience ) have connection. He was protagonist in 2 whole movies. He is what audience perceives as Anakin. Sebastian Shaw was only like few minutes in ROTJ. I have no connection to him.
That actor was not in Vader suit. And Vader never really was him. And Anakin like him never existed. Only Hayden Anakin and Vader in suit.

So only option is Hayden. Also force ghosts have all knowledge from their living selfs despite their appearance. Young Anakin force ghost is still that person from OT. He have all his memories

 

Sorry but I've had a strong connection with Shaw since 1983 as seeing old Anakin there as a ghost was one of my favorite scenes in the movie.

And Shaw was in the Vader suit on the deathstar when Luke unmasks as he says, "Tell your sister, you were right.

You may like Hayden, its not the only option.

 

Because Obi-Wan was that person. He had his life and he aged. Anakin was normal looking last time in ROTS. He was disfigured and masked his whole life after ROTS.
Also who knows, maybe we will see young Obi-Wan force ghosts in future movies.

--- Double Post Merged, Sep 22, 2015, Original Post Date: Sep 22, 2015 ---

Actualy it is only option. Shaw is dead, like 20 years now.

And modern audience sees Hayden as Anakin. Shaw is a stranger. His force ghost is a version of Anakin that never existed.
Also he was too old to be Anakin in first place.

--- Double Post Merged, Sep 22, 2015 ---

I liked Anakin, Mace Windu, Padme.
I find midiclhorians as good explanation for force sensitivity.
And I do not mind Jar Jar.

They are all part of canon, like it or not.
And this would make me happy and all people who like PT and all 6 SW movies.

 

The irony, considering all these negative posts, is the majority of us would totally geek out if we unexpectedly heard the Imperial March theme and Vader walk through the door id any future Episode.

 

lol I read "Humor" instead of "Rumor"

 

You forgot about the whole fanbase who grew up with the OT who saw Anakin as Sebastian Shaw in 1983. You keep talking about modern audiences, but the marketing for TFA has actually been aimed at the OT generation. Whether you agree or disagree with how they have handled the marketing, they have talked about Practical Effects almost to the point of a wink-wink that this won't be the PT again. So to make a broad statement about the modern audience, you are missing the audience that made SW what it is today being there opening night too.

Not everybody feels that way, and that is why I think Disney is treading lightly with any PT references. In fact, there haven't been many at all from what I have read, as I believe this Hayden rumor is BS.

 

What if its a force ghost contact made by Kylo Ren instead?

 

I am not opposed to seeing Hayden, it depends entirely on how its done. The OT used force ghosts as vital for plot points, it would be strange if suddenly there were none. So if they are going to be there then realistically we have only a few to choose from Yoda, Qui Gon, to mention people we could use without changing actors, etc.. and Obi Wan and Anakin, but both would require using new and or the younger actors.

If continuity was a concern, though more with Obi Wan than Anakin since they changed his force ghost already, use holocrons instead of the force ghost.

 

Hahahahhaha...that was great. Impressionante, muito impressionante!!!

@D-green you have a different point of view of the most of the old fans, probably you watched the PT when you were a kid and everything was so mazing and perfect. I did not, I grew up with the OT and the PT (specially AOTC and ROTS) were a big deception. So, the ones who watched Sebastian Shaw, like @Jedi77-83, as Vader will preffer him instead of Hayden (and I not mention his bad acting).

 

I'm just not ready for Hayden's ghost to be fully solidified as "canon". I always just write it off as a dumb special edition change. But now it'll really be real. I hope to God that this is false.

 

Prior to the sale to Disney, Lucas stated Star Wars was basically the rise, fall and redemption of Anakin Skywalker.

IMO, having a "sequel trilogy" without Anakin playing a significant role (force ghost mentor, clone, resurrection whatever) would kill the flow of continuity and EPVII would be just a spin-off to the PT/OT story rather than a sequel.

Side note of an office water cooler debate I had... what if Anakin achieved his true potential when he became one w/ the force....story wise possibilities could be endless.

Remember the Dagobah scene were Luke was about to take off for Bespin despite the objections of both Yoda and Obi-Wan... "if you choose to face Vader, you will do it alone, I cannot interfere"...
What if Anakin could?

 

I am surprisingly okay with this rumor.

 

I’ve heard from my friends (and read on forums like this one) that Hayden’s portrayal of Anakin Skywalker in the PT was flat and annoying, but in fairness to him, let’s look at his peers in the movie to give some context:

- Natalie Portman as Queen Amidala/Padme: Her character in the prequels was flat and I found myself cringing when she’d suddenly become passionate and/or romantic. Everything felt forced. But if you look at the rest of her career, she’s gone on to win Golden Globes and an Academy Award for what have arguably been great. I even recall reading that, after Phantom Menace, she had to beg producers for parts, because everyone thought she couldn’t act.

- Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu: Every time he was on screen, I found myself wondering if he was reading, word for word, off cue cards. His Windu was two-dimensional and stiff, which it could be argued, was on purpose… but let’s be honest, it wasn’t great. However, if you look at the other stuff he’s done, it’s clear he is capable of range and depth.

I’m not saying Hayden is Oscar-caliber, but it should be pointed out that a great deal of what we see on screen is a combination of shoddy writing and a failure of the director to really connect with his actors. All the CGI and “practical effects” in the world aren’t going to make up for stiff lines and hurried character development.

 

A ghost projection of ones self is not necessarily their age. i know that not everyone loved it but Lucas changed Ghost anakin to Hayden at the end of Jedi. from that alone it makes sense for him to be the one to come portray Anakin. When I saw Christensen up on screen with Yoda and Obi-Wan it actually enhance his ghost appearance for me....when the old man was up there I was like who is this... that's the only time you get to see anakin outside his vader outfit and not charred. To me it makes sense that when manifest himself through the force he would choose that version of himself because that's what he remembers what he looked like. So Anakin may have a young appearance but he is still the older man that he redeemed himself to be by the end of jedi. I think that because we've been able to bond more with Christensen's Anakin more than Shaw's it would be more of an impact to have Hayden do it. If you think about it Sebastian Shaw had like just that last little scene with Luke. the rest of the time he was voiced by JEJ. I'd have more emotion from JEJ portraying force ghost anni than Shaw.

--- Double Post Merged, Sep 24, 2015, Original Post Date: Sep 24, 2015 ---

They could go more than one way with this to. Its possible to flashback and ghost appearances.
I think that Kylo Ren will be the grandson to Darth Vader (Jacen Solo or Ben Skywalker... maybe even Anakin Solo), and being obsessed with Vader, could attempt to resurrect him. I think it's possible that Kylo maybe being visited by Force Ghost Anakin. Anakin is trying to stop Kylo from falling prey to the dark side. He keeps telling Kylo "I know where this leads...pleas listen to me" etc. Maybe C-3PO tells a story from the clone wars era to when anakin was training Asoka and maybe it involves the kyber crystal and what not. and hence flashback sequence. and at the end of the film Force ghost anakin gets resurrected by the dark side of the force and comes back but not quite like himself more like RoTJ youngling killing anakin. That could pave the way for an interesting reunion for Luke and Vader. an tie in all three of the trilogies together. I mean I think Hayden being Anakin again is a great idea as long as the story fits and he isn't just in there just because.

 

I clearly grew up with the OT. however, I don't agree with the question that it is a matter of which performance is "better" it is a matter of continuity. I don't have a problem with the force ghost of Anakin being his younger self before the fall. Perhaps it is best that way. However, as a force ghost no other force ghost can Answer questions about the Dark Side better than Anakin can. They simply can't. So for that reason as a force ghost he can provide information no one else can. Also, as a force ghost Anakin can develop a relationship with Luke and perhaps his grandchildren which does not really happen in the OT. So if your going to go down that road at all, a big if, and keep the series about the Skywalker Family, then you have to answer the question of "who performs the character of Anakin?"

In my humble opinion, if your going to go there, use Hayden. A good director, and a great writer can get a very solid performance from him. Perhaps redeeming his previous performance which is not as bad as some think it is.

To use someone other than Hayden would be a continuity problem. Just like Obi Wan, if your going to use the ghost of Obi Wan either compile footage of Alec or use Ewan McGregor, do not cast a third person to do the role, it would start to look like a soap opera.