Hayden Christensen opens up on what it was like to film Anakin’s Tusken Raider massacre in
Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Christensen’s casting as the future Darth Vader led to the actor gaining worldwide stardom overnight. He then reprised the role in
Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, which charted the character’s defection to the Dark Side and transformation into the iconic Sith Lord. But, as with many aspects of the prequel trilogy, Christensen’s portrayal received mixed reviews from critics, with the actor being awarded the Razzie for Worst Supporting Actor for both of his performances. However, audience opinion has mellowed over the intervening years, and Christensen’s return as Darth Vader in the
Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series has many fans excited.,One of the actor’s defining scenes as Anakin comes in his first outing: Returning to his home world of Tatooine after sensing that his mother is in pain, he finds that she has been kidnapped by Tusken Raiders and is on the verge of death. She then dies in his arms following a brief but heartfelt reunion, leading the Jedi-in-training to go on a murderous rampage throughout the Tusken camp, killing the killing the tribe’s men, women, and children in anger. Anakin’s Tusken Raider massacre marks one of the first instances of him succumbing to the Dark Side, and illustrates an integral element of the grief that fuels Vader in both
Revenge of the Sith and the original trilogy.,Related: Hayden Christensen’s Ahsoka Return Can Resolve Anakin’s Chosen One Prophecy,Now, 20 years after
Attack of the Clones was released, Christensen opens up on what it was like to film the Tusken Raider massacre scene. Speaking in an interview with
StarWars.com, the actor describes his work with writer/director George Lucas in getting the scene right, noting how ”
important [it was] for this character and for his arc.” Read Christensen’s full account of the crucial 
Star Wars moment below:,As well as illustrating one of his first forays to the Dark Side, Anakin’s Tusken Raider massacre foreshadows killing of Jedi Younglings after Order 66 in
Revenge of the Sith. As well as this, his subsequent confession of his actions to Padmé leads him to vow that he will one day learn how prevent people from dying, ensuring that he never feels the same loss with anyone else as he did with his mother. This is an essential motivation for Anakin that finally causes him to become Darth Vader, fearing that Padmé will soon die in childbirth.,As well as providing a fascinating insight into the emotional study he put into the role, Christensen’s account gives a heartwarming illustration of his relationship with Lucas while filming the prequels. The actor’s dedication to portraying Anakin as faithfully as possible has continued, with Christensen watching all of
The Clone Wars series in preparation of his reprisal of the role in
Obi-Wan Kenobi. And with
Obi-Wan Kenobi premiering on Disney+ in just ten days time, fans will no doubt be eager to see where Christensen takes the role 20 years after this pivotal scene hit movie screens.,More: Disney’s Star Wars Era Is Doubling Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Appearances,Source: StarWars.com