Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter ahead of this weeks 5th episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Hayden Christensen looked back at the prequel era Anakin, specifically his scenes in Attack of the Clones on Tatooine with Watto and his distain for sand.
THR: I’m curious if you looked back at the work in the prequels to prepare for Obi-Wan Kenobi, and is there a moment that you are particularly proud of?
HC: I certainly went back and watched all the films again and studied Anakin as much as I could. There is just a lot going on with the character. He’s always sort of processing and trying to figure out what’s going on around him.
I don’t know that I have a scene that I was most proud of, but there’s a scene where Anakin goes back to Tatooine in Episode II [Attack of the Clones] and speaks to Watto. The script had the dialogue written in English and then, in parentheses, it said: “in Wattanese.” It wasn’t until the day before we started filming that I went to George, and I was like, “What should Wattanese sound like?” And he was like, “Well, you know, so long as it doesn’t sound like English or any other language that might sound familiar. You can just make it up.” (Laughs.) So, I was rushing the night before to try to figure out how to make up Wattanese, and every time I see that scene, I get a bit of a kick out of it.
THR: I know some actors do not like to watch themselves onscreen. They’ve told me it’s a matter of being too critical, seeing an instance they wish they could change. Since you got a second bite at the apple with this character, did you plan differently?
HC: I wouldn’t say a different plan, but we are further informing this character and how we go about doing that. I think it’s interesting to approach this character after all this time and at this point in my life. I am definitely bringing something different to the table.
THR: Safe to assume if Disney came to you with an Anakin prequel or Darth Vader limited series, you’re down?
HC: Absolutely! To get to do more with this character would be amazing!
THR: And finally, a fun one: Has Anakin softened at all about loathing sand? I assume you’re aware of how much fun fans have had with countless Anakin-sand memes.
HC: (Laughs.) You know, I think it’s funny people have taken such an interest in that line. Some of the dialogue is…different from what you’re maybe expecting. But I never had any issue with that line. (Laughs.) I understood Anakin’s feelings toward sand, but maybe it was a bit of an odd time to bring it up, as he’s flirting with this girl who he has so much affection for. But, you know, he’s Anakin.
- Hardcover Book
- Christopher, Adam (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 496 Pages - 06/28/2022 (Publication Date) - Random House Worlds (Publisher)
