He also talked of its backlash.
But it just seemed too big, Christensen said.
Because Anakin sort of seems unattainable.
Hayden Christensen, 2005Merrick Morton/TM and ©copyright Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation/Courtesy Everett Collection
And there was not.
So I threw my name in the hat like everyone else, he said.
I had heard that theyd met with Leonardo and a bunch of other actors.
That just confirmed my thought that the role would go to another actor, he said.
It just wasnt a possibility.
And so it really came as a surprise to me when I got the part, he said.
Before Episode II, Christensen had appeared in just a handful of films and guest-starring TV show roles.
The scope of the opportunity the enormity of it all was exciting to me.
It was obviously a little daunting too, but theres a saying: Pressure is privilege.
I just felt very lucky to have it.
Christensen still had to face the court of public opinion.
Not all of it was kind.
The character was criticized, my performance was criticized, and that part sucked, he admitted.
But I also felt like I had some context that perhaps helped a little bit.
But I had friends that were upset that the character was starting off as this young kid.
And I watched the film, and I loved it.
It was everything I wanted and more.
These people dont need to sound and behave the way that we might expect.
