During the creation of Revenge of the Sith, Hayden Christensen, renowned for portraying Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars, shared an intriguing anecdote about his character's appearance transformation that involved convincing George Lucas to include a crucial detail.
As Anakin Skywalker succumbed to the dark side in the movie, his once-blue eyes underwent a dramatic change to a sinister yellow hue, representing his plunge into evil. Despite this pivotal visual alteration, Christensen faced initial resistance from Lucas regarding the concept of Anakin acquiring Sith eyes.
In an interview with Empire Online, Christensen disclosed how he proposed the idea of Anakin developing Sith eyes during a significant scene. Initially absent from the script, the notion gained traction as the scene unfolded, with Christensen advocating for the symbolic eye color shift to signify the character's dark metamorphosis. Reflecting on the discussion, Christensen mentioned, "George and I debated about introducing Sith eyes for Anakin. Initially, George was hesitant about the concept. However, after reconsidering, he embraced the idea," Christensen explained. Ultimately, although Lucas appreciated the notion, the Sith eyes were not integrated into the particular scene as proposed by the actor.
Instead of showcasing the Sith eyes during the suggested sequence, Anakin's eyes underwent a symbolic alteration when he confronted the Separatists on Mustafar under the Emperor's command, marking his definitive descent into darkness. The prevailing fan theory around Anakin's yellow eyes in 'Revenge of the Sith' posits them as a visual representation of his resolute embrace of the dark side's path. While 'Revenge of the Sith' concluded Christensen's portrayal of Anakin in the film series, his reprisal of the role in the Disney+ series 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' hints at a potential comprehensive exploration of Darth Vader's character arc.
Christensen's return to the Star Wars universe through various projects promises a cohesive link between the Disney+ productions and the original trilogy. His involvement suggests a deeper dive into Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader, potentially bridging narrative gaps and offering fans a more profound understanding of the character. Expressing his enthusiasm for future Star Wars endeavors, Christensen conveyed his eagerness to contribute with a "big smile." Fans can anticipate Christensen's portrayal of Anakin once more as 'Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace' is set for a Disney re-release on May 3, just ahead of 'Star Wars' Day.
All Star Wars films are now conveniently accessible for streaming on Disney+.
Source: Empire