Discussion of Hayden Christensen's other films besides Star Wars, future projects and TV shows

It's about time we discuss some of Hayden's other films such as Shattered Glass and, Life as a House. Hayden is a great method actor who really becomes one with his characters. A great example would be his portrayal of Steven Glass. He portrays his characters with great depth and feelings. I can't wait to see some of his new films next year.

 

" Decammeron " should be a great film. Sort of in the vein of Fellinis " Satyricon " though different time and place.

 

Decameron should be good but it has me worried. I don't want it to be some chick flick love fest between Christensen and Mischa Barton. I mean, if it's a love story, that's one thing, but please don't make it something like "Hope Floats" The fact that they are trying to survive the Black Plague should make the film interesting.

 

I know he's co-headlining a comedy with Vince Vaughn. That'd be awesome if he made his way into being a junior member of the Frat Pack along with Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd.

 

I think it is great that the Anakin role has not completely dominated him like Luke did for Mark Hamill.

 

That's because of two things--Hayden is a much more talented actor than Hamill, and the role of Anakin is more layered than the character of Luke.

 

It's also because he made Life as a House before he made Star Wars.

 

Which he was nominated for a Golden Globe for . . . not too mention his best performance outside of Star Wars--Shattered Glass. It's almost creepy how well he nailed Stephen Glass.

 

The difference between Mark Hamill and Hayden Christensne is that from what I know Star Wars made Mark Hamill's career, but also destroyed it because he didn't really have one to begin with anyway. Hayden, on the other had DID have a career before Star Wars and made a of make smaller, more intimate movies that actually required him to act while Star Wars was on hiatus.

 

Also, he got a lot acting experience from being in Higher Ground in which he acted as a troubled teen plus other smaller roles in various TV shows and movies. He has been establishing a career for a long time. As for Mark Hamill, I don't really know.

Which he was nominated for a Golden Globe for . . . not too mention his best performance outside of Star Wars--Shattered Glass. It's almost creepy how well he nailed Stephen Glass.[/quote]

It's too bad many people did not see this movie! Hayden did a wonderful job of showing Steven's personality and mannerisms. The director even had reservations about Hayden playing the character because he thought he was too handsome to play the role. But Hayden insisted he wanted to be Steven Glass. In several interviews that I have seen, Hayden found it very hard to be constantly lying all the time.

I really admire Hayden for doing roles in which he is willing to step out of his comfort zone and portray flawed/dysfunctional characters that have several layers of complexity.

 

My first impression of Hayden Christensen was through AOTC, to which i must say, was either poorly written characterisation or a case of falling into "teen acting" and hammed up the role.

However, when i saw Life As A House i was battling to things: 1) His HAMMING IT UP reputation for playing troubled teens (ala Star Wars)
2) Thinking Star Wars founded him (like Hammill) and that's all he'd ever be.

In the case of the former.. his hamming, as it were, worked extremely well for him in this movie!! I can't explain it but it just seemed to work extremely well. The latter was also disproved in this film; Hayden Christensen exits outside the Star Wars box.

Shattered Glass is what instilled the utmost faith in his acting ability. In this film i completely forgot he was ever Anakin Skywalker or an angsty teen. And THAT.. was what proved he was magic for me. I can't wait to see how he does in future projects..

 

Hayden's next project is Awake featuring Jessica Alba and Sigourey Weaver. Here's the plot summary: The story focuses on a man (Christensen) who suffers "anesthetic awareness" and finds himself awake and aware, but paralyzed, during surgery. His young wife (Alba) must wrestle with her own demons as a drama unfolds around them.

This movie is going to be filmed in New York sometime this October. The storyline sounds really intriguing and I think Hayden will do a great job.

 

I've been wanting to watch Life as a House and Shattered Glass for some time. Judging by his interviews, he takes his work very seriously, and it has to be said that he's been working in TV and movies for the past 12 years, i. e. half his life. He's lucky in that he didn't become a recognized child star, that might've ruined his adult career.

[offtopic] I must object to people saying Star Wars sunk Mark Hamill, though. He's been working pretty much consistently doing voice work, especially for animations, since Star Wars. I seriously doubt he'd consider his career a failure, especially as being relatively anonymous in showbiz can be a great advantage in relationships and the like. How many former or current Hollywood celebrities can boast a marriage that's lasted 27 years and is happy by all accounts? Sorry about the rant, but I'm really sick of people saying SW ruined Mark's career. [/offtopic]

Hayden's definitely a name to look forward to for many years to come.

 

I for some reason only got 10 minutes or so into Shattered Glass, but I loved Life As A House. I always thought Hayden had a peculiar delivery style, but it's VERY effective, in my mind. Glad to see he's going places.

I know he's co-headlining a comedy with Vince Vaughn.

Really? Is this just a rumor, or is it happening? If so, that'd be freaking awesome, but what an odd pairing.

 

It's been a while since I posted in this thread but I was waiting to get more information on Hayden's new movies. Next year, is going to be a busy year for Hayden! He has five movies he is currently signed to star in. I am going to post information for each movie:

1. Awake

Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard, Lena Olin and Sam Robards will be starring in the movie with Hayden.

Alba & Christensen are Awake:The Weinstein Co. and GreeneStreet Films have signed Jessica Alba and Hayden Christensen ("Star Wars" prequels) to star in psychological thriller Awake, reports Variety. The two companies are co-financing the film, which will be the directorial debut of Joby Harold, who also wrote the script. The story focuses on a man (Christensen) who suffers "anesthetic awareness" and finds himself awake and aware, but paralyzed, during surgery. His young wife (Alba) must wrestle with her own demons as a drama unfolds around them. "This film will do to surgery what 'Jaws' did to swimming in the ocean," promised producer Joana Vicente. The film is scheduled to begin shooting in October in New York.

Actually, Hayden started shooting this movie on November 1 in NYC.

2. Factory Girl

It?s Time for Us to Quit ...4:53 pm

The New York Post has a story on the plans to make a film called ?Factory Girl,? which purports to be the story of Edie Sedgwick, a young woman who was closely associated with Andy Warhol and died young of a drug overdose. Some months ago it was first reported that agents of Bob Dylan had threatened to sue the film makers, based on a script that purportedly portrayed a romantic relationship between Dylan and Sedgwick. The Post today says:

Bob Dylan reportedly threatened a lawsuit after reading the script.

In an early version obtained by the Post, Dylan, who, like Edie, lived at the Chelsea Hotel, serenades Edie from a fire escape with a bouquet of flowers in his mouth.

In one heated scene, they make love while ?pleasure spasms take hold.? Dylan writes the song ?Just Like a Woman? for her, and then drops her and marries aspiring model Sara Lowndes.

Sedgwick was said to have inspired much of Dylan?s work at that time - including the album title ?Blonde on Blonde? and the song ?Lay Lady Lay.?

But Dylan balked at the script?s version of events and sent screenwriter Captain Mauzner (?Wonderland?) back to his keyboard.

Trying to avert controversy, the filmmakers reshaped the love interest as a hybrid of different musicians Edie was linked to, including Mick Jagger and Jim Morrison. The part was given to Hayden Christensen.

Hayden as a rock star! I can't wait.

3. Crash Bandits

John McTiernan will direct Hayden Christensen in the movie Crash Bandits about treasure seekers who target wrecked airplanes containing riches. Production is set to begin February 15th in Thailand.

4. Penelope

It's "a fable-esque tale, sort of like an Edward Scissorhands-type movie, but for a female who?s been cursed with a pig face."

Here is more info on the project:

Ricci is set to play a woman with a bizarre feature - a pig's snout.

The beautiful actress will transform her looks for independent comedy 'Penelope' - which also stars blonde beauty Reese Witherspoon - and is thrilled about the porky role.

She is quoted as saying in Britain's Daily Sport newspaper: "It's a modern day fable about this girl whose family lineage is cursed. She's born with a pig's nose.

"The only way to break the curse is for someone of her own kind to accept and love her."

The brunette beauty admitted her agent thought she'd reject the part.

She said: "My agent was actually scared to send the script to me because she thought I'd be offended."

More...

Christina Ricci is set to star in the comedy Penelope, a movie that will be produced by Reese Witherspoon's Type-A Films. The movie is a modern-day tale about a woman under a curse who is trying to put an end to a lifelong streak of bad luck. Mark Palansky will make his feature directing debut from a screenplay by Leslie Caveny.
Sour

 

I saw "Shattered Glass" and I loved it. It shattered my perceptions of Hayden Christensen as the angsty, troubled teen (prior to seeing it I had seen him only in Higher Ground, Life as a House, and AotC, so). He made Stephen Glass so amazingly sympathetic, and yet at the same time, one couldn't help but want to strangle such a despicable character. He and Peter Saarsgard had great chemistry between the two of them. Awesome stuff, really.

I think he has a great career ahead of him if he keeps picking the right roles and keeps performing the way he does.

 

I know he's co-headlining a comedy with Vince Vaughn. That'd be awesome if he made his way into being a junior member of the Frat Pack along with Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd.

I looked it up and it sounds promising. It's cool to see that he's getting diverse roles. In this film he apparently plays a dimwitted brother who is always screwed over by his other brothers (including Vince Vaughn). Apparently, he ends up outwitting them. Very basic, but the people involved make this sound very interesting to me.

 

I looked on IMDB and it is not listed there anymore under Hayden's profile. At this point, I am not certain if it is going to still be made. Maybe sometime later in the future!

 

I'm glad to see he's involved in all of these projects. I was thinking the other day, that Hayden and Cillian Murphy are very similar in terms of acting presense and voice. I'm sure if Hayden had gotten the role Murphy got in Breakfast on Pluto, he'd be in the oscar running this year. Also, Hayden as scarecrow in Batman Begins would have been sweet.

 

Please have a look at "The Hairy Bird". He's in there somewhere. He looks MUCH younger.

[offtopic]Also good for a perve at Kirsten Dunst[/offtopic]