In the history of Star Wars films, few actors had as difficult a challenge as Hayden Christensen and his performance of Anakin Skywalker. Thanks to the original trilogy, Darth Vader became one of cinema’s all-time greatest villains, leaving Christensen to demonstrate how an innocent boy could fall so far from grace.
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This past weekend, Christensen took part in Star Wars Celebration, a massive convention in Orlando that is the biggest event in the world for fans of the saga. What’s notable about his appearance is that, following the reception of Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, Christensen almost entirely avoided addressing his connection to the films, as many were left unhappy with his performance.
It should be noted that, for all the lines of dialogue uttered in the prequels, George Lucas himself was responsible for script duties, leaving the actors to give their best performances with what they were given.
Despite any debate about performances, Christensen still got to deliver plenty of memorable lines that have stuck with fans.
Scroll down to read some of Christensen’s most memorable lines of dialogue from the Star Wars films!
“I don’t like sand. It’s coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere. Not like here. Here everything is soft and smooth.” – Attack of the Clones
Possibly the line Christensen will most be remembered for in the prequels, the above was in reference to the time Anakin spent on Naboo with Padme as compared to his home planet of Tattooine. Lucas has said he intentionally make the hokey line to keep the tone similar to Buck Rogers serials, which often featured cheesy dialogue and stiff performances from the actors.
“I killed them. I killed them all. They’re dead, every single one of them. And not just the men, but the women and the children, too. They’re like animals, and I slaughtered them like animals. I hate them!” – Attack of the Clones
When Anakin heard that his mother Shmi had been kidnapped by Tusken Raiders, he tracked down the group in hopes of rescuing his mother. She, unfortunately, passed away during the rescue, resulting in Anakin slaying every Raider in sight. This was one of the first glimpses we had of the darkness that resided in Anakin, as we also saw him own torment when making the emotional admission.
“Don’t say that, master. You’re the closest thing I have to a father.” – Attack of the Clones
This line was delivered to Obi-Wan after the Master Jedi had told Anakin he thought he’d “be the death of him.” Fans of the saga were well-aware of what happened in Star Wars, with Vader slaying Obi-Wan, but Anakin’s heartfelt response reminded audiences of just how close the two were before Anakin’s embrace of the Dark Side.
“Obi-Wan, may the force be with you.” – Revenge of the Sith
Far from being the only time someone uttered the above line, what makes Anakin’s delivery notable is that those were the last words he said to Obi-Wan when they were friends. The next time they met, they met as enemies, not friends, leading to the epic duel that destroyed their relationship.
“I pledge myself to your teachings. To the ways of the Sith.” – Revenge of the Sith
When Jedi Master Mace Windu realized that Chancellor Palpatine was the nefarious Darth Sidious, he attempted to apprehend him and bring him into custody. When Palpatine resisted, Windu was faced with the decision to end his life. Anakin intervened, and, with the promise of the protection of Padme, murdered Windu. If the action wasn’t symbolic enough, he uttered the above dialogue, signifying his transition to the ways of the Sith.
“I see through the lies of the Jedi. I do not fear the dark side as you do. I have brought peace, freedom, justice, and security to my new Empire.” – Revenge of the Sith
While dueling with Obi-Wan on Mustafar, Anakin’s mindset had become so warped that he truly thought that wiping out all the Jedi was what was best for the galaxy. When Obi-Wan tried pleading with him, he spoke the line above, showing just how his deep his anger at the Jedi had run, feeling as though he had left the galaxy in a better place for his actions.
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