'Star Wars Episode 8' Cast News, Rumors: Prequel Actor Hayden Christensen Returning as Darth Vader?
The closer the world is actually getting to see Disney and Lucas Film's new Star Wars movie, the more rumors about the franchise are sprouting. This time, it points out to "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens" and the Rian Johnson-helmed "Star Wars Episode VIII," which indicates that a previous cast member from the prequel trilogy might return to reprise this iconic villain role.
A report from Making Star Wars, which was picked up by several media outlets like Screen Rant and Cinema Blend, said that Hayden Christensen, who plays Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in 2002's "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones," 2004's "Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi," and on 2005's "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith," might be coming back to suit up once again for his role.
"A team in the U.K. are soon heading to the U.S. to begin training Hayden Christensen for a Star Wars: Episode VIII appearance of some sort," the source from MSW was quoted.
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Needless to say, both publications noted that this casting report should be taken with a grain of salt and not as a set-in-stone fact. But, given the Making Star Wars' decent track record when it comes to anything about the cult classic space opera saga, it might not hurt to bookmark the claim.
With regards to their speculations, CB said that Anakin/Darth might come back as a Force Ghost in the aforementioned film. Or he could show up as someone who offers Luke Skywalker some advice during a dire situation.
SR meanwhile theorizes that he could appear in the form of a flashback, whether as a hero or a villain. Either of which, his presence will help "re-establish," especially to those who are new to the fiction, how powerful Anakin really is.
Other than Darth Vader in Ep. 8, the MSW report added that the Force user might also be showing up in the upcoming Gareth Edwards' "Star Wars: Rogue One" and if Christensen would be once again tied to the project, it remains to be seen.
For the meantime, "Star Wars VII" will finally be arriving in theaters this December 18, 2015. "Rogue One" follows after in 2016 while Episode VIII will be released on May 26, 2017.
Stay tuned for more updates.
