Hayden Christensen’s performance as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in Star Wars May be the actor’s most iconic, but here are 10 brilliant roles Christensen has played in other shows and movies. Anakin Skywalker is not just one of Star Wars Best characters but also one of the most influential figures throughout the whole Star Wars Timeline. While Darth Vader already existed before Christensen stepped into the role in the prequel trilogy, he brought something truly unique to the character and humanized the man Anakin was before he donned the mask.
Christensen has since returned to Star Wars Movies and TV shows, first in Obi-Wan Kenobi And then in Ahsoka. These appearances are arguably some of Christensen’s best acting to date, but his acting chops aren’t just on display in Star Wars. These 10 roles in various shows and movies represent Hayden Christensen’s best performances Star Wars.
10
Take
Hayden Christensen joined a team of bank robbers
Star Wars proved that Hayden Kristensen can convincingly play both a hero and a villain, and his filmography revealed the same versatility. One of Christensen’s slightly older movies, Takewas released in 2010 and saw the actor taking on the role of a robber in a crew of other thieves and criminals. The movie was truly star-studded, with the likes of Idris Elba and Zoe Saldana also appearing in the film.
Admittedly, the movie itself didn’t step very far off the beaten path of heist movies, but it was delightful to see Christensen in this role. Christensen played A.J., one of the thieves with a slightly smaller part. Even with Christensen’s role not being one of the leads, however, he proved to be a thrill to watch in action sequences – and it was a lot of fun to see Christensen wielding a gun for once, rather than a lightsaber.
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9
New York, I love you
Hayden Christensen played a thief in an ensemble cast
Take Wasn’t Kristensen’s only role as a thief, as he also played Ben, a pickpocket, in New York, I love you. The movie is a charming romantic comedy following multiple arcs that all interconnect. Because the movie is effectively an anthology of love stories, it has an absolutely massive cast. In addition to Christensen, Rachel Bilson, Bradley Cooper, Orlando Bloom and even Natalie Portman appear, among others.
Unlike in Star WarsHowever, Christensen’s love interest is not Natalie Portman, it is Rachel Bilson, whose character’s name is Molly. Although this is not where Bilson and Christensen met – they first worked on another 2008 movie called springer –Bilson and Christensen eventually took their romance off-screen and were engaged for a time. Perhaps because they shared chemistry in real life, their scenes in New York, I love you Come across as genuine and sweet.
8
Higher ground
Hayden Christensen played a major role in this emotional TV show
ironic, Hayden Christensen starred in a TV show called Higher groundA name that immediately calls to the iconic moment in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith When Obi-Wan Kenobi warns Anakin that he has the high ground before slicing off all his fleshy limbs and watch as he catches fire on Mustafar. The name, however, was completely coincidental Higher ground Premiere in 2000, 5 years earlier Revenge of the Sith. The show also showed a completely different side of Christensen. Star Wars.
In the show, Christensen played a teenage athlete, Scott Barringer, With a very dark past. When Scott was only 15, his stepmother began sexually abusing him, which set off a series of events, including his father’s cold response and victim-blaming when Scott tried to tell him the truth. Christensen played these scenes beautifully, channeling the emotions of a traumatized teen in a way that felt empathetic and realistic.
7
Little Italy
Hayden Christensen had a leading role in the charming romantic comedy
One of Christensen’s latest movies, Little Italypremiered in 2018 and featured actress Emma Roberts as Christensen’s love interest. The movie is a hilarious contemporary Italian Canadian twist on Romeo and Juliet, in which Christensen’s character, Leo Campo, and Robert’s character, Nikki Angioli, fall in love despite their feuding families. in Little ItalyThis feud comes down to competing pizza restaurants.
Little Italy is the type of movie that is meant to be enjoyed rather than taken too seriously.
Little Italy is the type of movie that is meant to be enjoyed rather than taken too seriously. Reviews have been quite critical, but the movie is a lot of fun to watch when approached in the spirit that the movie intended. Christensen’s performance as Leo is charismatic and funny, and although the beats of a romantic comedy are followed quite closely, the backdrop of competing pizza restaurants makes the story unusual enough to be enjoyable. Christensen also has Italian ancestry (and is Canadian), giving him a unique connection to the story.
6
90 minutes in heaven
Hayden Christensen starred in this movie based on a true story
One of the most outstanding characters that Christensen has played is his leading role as Don Piper in 90 minutes in heaven. The movie is based on a book of the same name, written by the real Don Piper, and documents his near-death experience after a horrific car accident. Piper claims that in the 90 minutes he was legally dead, he went to heaven.
The story is more emotionally complex than it initially seems, though, as Piper is not happy to have survived the harrowing event; He is angry at God for showing him how incredible heaven is only to take it away from him. This performance clearly demanded of Christensen something quite different than many of his other roles did. Star WarsBut he executed the character perfectly, capturing the complex emotions of a man who quite literally came back to life and believes that he has seen heaven.
5
Virgin territory
Hayden Christensen plays a surprising role in this comedy set in Italy in the 14th century
Yet another major deviation from most of Christensen’s filmography, Virgin territory is set in 14th century Italy and follows Christensen’s character Lorenzo and several other characters as they go into hiding to avoid the plague. The quarantine in Virgin territory is quite unusual, though, as the characters pass the time by engaging in romantic and often lusty behavior. Like some of Christensen’s other movies, Virgin territory is a comedy, which means the escapades are intended to be humorous rather than taken completely seriously.
The movie largely delivers, and Christensen’s performance is a major part of that. Christensen is unsurprisingly charming, troubled and bold, a role he plays very well. In fact, with Virgin territory Coming out just two years later Revenge of the SithThis movie is a bit like watching Anakin Skywalker if he really had nothing to inhibit his bad behavior.
4
Jumper
Hayden Christensen has unique powers in this science fiction movie
One of Christensen’s most popular movies outside of Star Wars Is JumperA 2008 sci-fi thriller in which Christensen played the lead, David Rice. David is a mysterious man with the incredible ability to teleport wherever he wants, which he uses to his advantage by teleporting into bank vaults and stealing money for a living. Jumper has yet another star-studded cast, including not only Rachel Bilson as Christensen’s love interest once again, but also Samuel L. Jackson, whose character Roland dislikes David even more than Mace Windu dislikes Anakin.
Of all Christensen’s movies, this is one of the most narratively serious, and it pays off.
Roland’s job is actually to hunt down and kill ‘jumpers’ like David, which drives the central plot of the movie. Of all Christensen’s movies, this is one of the most narratively serious, and it pays off. While the plot isn’t flawless, it’s a compelling story, and with actors like Christensen and Jackson, it’s certainly one to watch.
3
Wake up
Hayden Christensen’s role in this terrifying thriller is brilliant
Wake up is easily one of Christensen’s very best performances. The movie features Christensen and Jessica Alba as husband and wife, though the story quickly reveals that their love is not what it seems. Alba’s character, Sam, orchestrated the death of her billionaire husband, Clay, by working with a heart surgeon to intentionally kill Clay during surgery.
What makes this all the more heartbreaking is that Christensen’s character, Clay, is awake during surgery, although he is unable to communicate or fully wake up. Throughout the movie, he is caught in this terrifying state, uncovering the truth of his wife’s plot but not sure if he will survive the surgery or if this will actually be how he dies. The movie demands incredibly emotional scenes from Christensen in light of the plot, and he does a brilliant job portraying a character whose entire life has just crumbled and is now on the line.
2
Live like a house
The Sentimental Story is one of Hayden Christensen’s best performances
One of Christensen’s best movies is also one of the most serious he stars in – if not the most serious. Live like a house is the story of a troubled teen named Sam, played by Christensen, who has a strained relationship with his father, to say the least. What the character does not know, however, is that his father is actually dying of terminal cancer.
Throughout the film, father and son mend their broken relationship while building a house together, a process that sees each of them transform in powerful ways, though Sam in particular. What unfolds is a truly beautiful story about life, death and family that is equal parts touching and devastating. While Christensen has often played much more comedic roles – which he also does very well – the story is sad and meaningful, and Christensen is a standout in it.
1
Shattered glass
The Shocking True Story is Hayden Christensen’s best acting
Hayden Christensen’s best performance, perhaps even better than Star Warsis in the movie Shattered glassIn which Christensen stars as the main character, Stephen Glass. Shattered glass is based on the true story of Stephen Glass, a journalist who was found to have completely fabricated multiple stories he published. Christensen plays the role of an unstable liar masterfully, so much so that it is easy for the viewer to sympathize with him, despite how horrible his behavior is.
Once again, Christensen proves how impressively he can perform a range of intense emotions, including the occasionally shocking outbursts that Steven has throughout the movie. Christensen also captured Stephen Glass’ personality and mannerisms with incredible accuracy, which is a skill he has yet to showcase in many other roles. While Star Wars Will likely always be Hayden Christensen’s most iconic role, these shows and movies prove that there are many other brilliant characters that Christensen has played.