Hayden Christensen - the perfect Anakin Skywalker?

I read on some thread one day that HC was trying to emulate JEJ for his speech patterns and cadence.
Yes, and now when I watch the OT I can see an older and scarred Anakin under that helmet, or at least his eyes from behind the lenses.

 

Hayden Christensen is indeed the perfect Anakin Skywalker. In the last few days, I have watched AOTC 4 times(crazy, I know), because suddenly, I realised how good Hayden really is. I think this is one of those things that hit you when you've seen the movie many, many times(at least it is for me, some fans have supported Hayden 100% since day one).
When I look at Anakin, no matter what scene it is, I find myself believeing in the character 100% and that's all that matters. I believe in the friendship between him and Obi-Wan, in the inherent tension of their relationship, in the love story with Padmé. It's not all because of Hayden, but much of it is. He has the same kind of presence that makes me believe in Han, or Luke.
It doesn't hurt that he also has the exact same kind of look that I always imagined Anakin to have

 

Hayden sucks as Anakin as far as I'm concerned. Hayden is no actor. The spot of Anakin should have been taken over by someone else. The spot of Padmé should have as well.

 

Umm....

 

some fans have supported Hayden 100% since day one

I been one of them and I started this thread because I had enough of Hayden been bashed and I have been rather suprised at how many people agree with me, I thought people might start bashing me for liking Hayden.

Hayden is no actor

Well Smuggler-of-Mos-Espa he is more an actor than any of us will be.

 

You're right - Hayden is no actor - ever time I see him, I think he's Anakin Skywalker

 

I'm also surprised, JONJEDI. There has been way too much Hayden bashing on these boards. His performance is just as natural and dignified as that of Harrison Ford and it's a great pity that so many people fail to see that.
I'm a firm believer, though, that I'm not the only one who will learn in time to see how good he is.

 

He IS Anakin skywalker - that's how good his performance was

 

I agree! I only hope he doesn't meet you, Nameless, cuz it might annoy him to be called "Anakin"

 

Ok, now I have this mental scene on my mind and I must share.



*The_Nameless_One is walking around and sees Hayden Christensen*
"Yo, Anakin!!!"
*Hayden passes by, walks a few paces, stops, turns around and Force-chokes The_Nameless_One*
"Damn why do they always have to blow my cover?!" *grumbles*

 

You think other people wouldn't call him Anakin if they met him?

Carrie says some people still call out "Hey! Princess Leia!" to her when she's out in public - she said she still doesn't know how to respond to that

 

You think other people wouldn't call him Anakin if they met him?
Hmm.. I think most often kids will call him that - he said something about that in an interview, as well as how kids do think he's Anakin and being terribly nervous because of that.
And I dunno how he'd react, but being the nice guy he is I think he'll just grin at the person.

 

After Episode III, kids will probably run screaming from him

 

I think Hayden made a terrific Anakin Skywalker. One of the runners-up, Jonathan Jackson, would, I think, done well too, although IMO he doesn't have the right kind of intensity.

 

Just checked out this Jonathan guy.. Googled him and.. Um, I think I'm too used to Hayden. And even without Hayden, I never imagined Anakin with a face like that. I don't know why but I always imagined Anakin as a greek statue, angry greek statue, but just as beautiful and strong. Hm. Ep3 Anakin all the way!

 

Hmm.. I think most often kids will call him that - he said something about that in an interview, as well as how kids do think he's Anakin and being terribly nervous because of that.

I doubt kids even know what his real name is, when I was a kid I loved SW but if someone said Harrison Ford or Mark Hamill I would wonder who the hell there talking about.

 

Hayden Sux in every aspecto so luca as actor director, c'cmon all know that

The rest of the cast has experience, (Mc gregor, S.Jackson-Portman) Lucas is a BAD actor dir, peroir, there is no big deal , I read from himself saying that he is a visually director, not a dramatic one, well , i'ts obvious

In Empire, dir by Irvin Kershner, it's soooo far for the others in terms of acting, it's alost palpable

And Hayden....man poor guy

 

I think he did a great job, remember he was acting out a character arc over two movies so we havn't seen the full impact of what he was setting up in AOC, hopefully he will get the applause he deserves after ROS. BTW, does anyone have a list of the actors who made the last 3 for the role of Anakin? Didn't they all go to Skywalker Ranch to audition with Natalie Portman like the TPM Anakin's?

 

No, I don't think it was done the same way. It's different with child actors, you know.
Hayden went there by himself and auditioned, then they decided that he was the man for the job.



Star Wars is a saga
Watch and believe
/LM

 

Thanks. For some reason I remember an article from the OS that said he and another actor went to the ranch to audition.. perhaps I'm mistaken.

 

si oui no question about it - hayden is anakin and vice versa. and from george himself: "his performance is great. they (flaming critics who have poor grammar and can't spell, by the way) just don't like the character." audiences had expected a more heroic protagonist - may have been confused by this sullen kid who is alternately boastful and whining. lucas believes hayden took an unfair hit from critics/fans just for carrying out what was in the script. vanity fair article. and episode III is the deal with the devil, bargaining your soul to save those you love only to have that action ......well, you'll see. very faustian. and there will be no denying after this performance even from those were myopic for AotC. hayden was chosen for this episode but also for his range - to take anakin from episode 2 to vader. and he will, he will.

 

Eddie: Well, I actually guessed there. You're probably right that he and someone else were there at the same time.



Star Wars is six, two and one
/LM

 

Yes, I think Hayden is perfect Anakin Skywalker. There were some SW fans, like Lars_Muul said earlier, who supported him from the day one. Though I haven`t seen HC before AOTC, I am one of them. He managed to be both good guy and bad guy at the same time, we can see that especially in The Confession scene. I also agree that he looks a bit like Luke in some scenes. The same look, only Luke`s look is not as mischievous as Anakin`s (Luke is the Light side after all).

HC`s performance indeed is great and, all in all, I think he did a good job portraiting Anakin, his anger, hatered, love and all other forbidden emotions.

For all those who think that Hayden sucks I have two words: Leonardo DiCaprio!

 

Now, now, let's leave Leo alone. He's not a favorite of mine by any stretch, but I think alot of people tend to write him off as a bad actor because he's such a pretty boy. I think he's pretty good, personally, and I think critics tend to agree. I don't think he would have been nominated for Oscars, Academy Awards, Globes, etc. if he wasn't at least halfway decent. (Not that I put all stock in the elitist opinions of others, but they seem to be fairly good with who they hand out awards to. At least, yet, I haven't had a moment where I went, "What the..?!!" when someone's name was announced.)

This being said...looking back over pictures from episode II and III, I have to say something I really think adds to the Anakin role is Hayden's eyes. He has a very intense gaze, an ability to look dark and emotional even if he's not acting it. Which is a nice tie-in to the OT for me, because one of the things I always like about Mark Hamill was his eyes. They were such a clear blue...they really helped to make him look innocent and earnest. With Anakin, his eyes are a darker, almost murkier kind of blue that are always usually shadowed by some sullen look or another. Looking at episode III pics, the boy looks dangerous to me. I like it.

 

He's a bad boy. Chicks love bad boys. Ask Padmé.



"RE: the sith" is classic
/LM