Hayden Christensen is set to return to the Star Wars franchise, as he’s been cast on the upcoming live-action television show, Ahsoka. The actor will reprise his iconic role of Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader on the limited Lucasfilm series, which will stream on Disney+, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
It’s currently unknown how Anakin or Darth Vader will fit into Ahsoka, as the new show is set five years after the events of Return of the Jedi, in which the latter died. But Ahsoka‘s titular character of Ahsoka Tano was Anakin’s padawan (apprentice), so he may appear in the series in the form of flashbacks. There have also been hints that he may appear as a Force Ghost on the show.
Rosario Dawson is also set to star on the series, as she’ll be reprising her role of the epoynmous character of Ahsoka Tano. The Jedi Knight survivor has gained popularity on several of the franchise’s animated shows, including Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels. The actress made her live-action debut in the franchise during The Mandalorian‘s second season.
Ahsoka is being developed by The Mandalorian‘s executive producers steroids us and co-creators, Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. The latter is also writing the series, but the show’s plot hasn’t yet been revealed. Disney has announced that production on the show is expected to begin early next year.
Anakin / Darth Vader served as Christensen’s breakout Hollywood role. He played the character in two of the Star Wars prequel trilogy films, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
It was announced at Disney’s investor day last December that the Golden Globe-nominated actor is also set to return to the role for another Disney+ limited series, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The live-action show, which takes place a decade after the events of Revenge of the Sith, also stars Ewan McGregor. The news of Ahsoka‘s production was also confirmed during Disney’s investor day last year.
Ahsoka will serve as an on-screen reunion for Christensen and Dawson. They previously worked together on the acclaimed 2003 journalism drama, Shattered Glass.