By Ryan Parsons | Image property of 20th Century Fox
Anakin has one more movie to get it right.
The United Kingdom's Times Online had
the privaledge of talking to Hayden Christensen, the boy who will help complete
the link between a young Anakin and one of the most iconic figures in the
history of cinema, Darth Vader. Having asthma has never been so cool!
Christensen Talks Revenge of the Sith
In the Times Online article, Hayden talks about the issues involved with
trying to fill the role of one of the most anticipated characters of all
time-- Darth Vader. Here is a few snippets of what Hayden Christensen had
to say about being cast as Anakin Skywalker, and his final transformation
in Star Wars: Revenge of
the Sith.
How did it feel to be cast as the man
who becomes Darth Vader?
It was really hard to grasp the concept of playing such an iconic role. I was over the moon about being offered the part, didn't hesitate for a second, and from there it was just a matter of how I was going to figure out doing it.
Why do you think Vader has become such an iconic character?
Because there was such a mystique there: the greatest fear is the fear of the unknown. Nobody knew about the beginning of who this guy was, which is what makes this next film so exciting. It depicts the events that lead to Anakin Skywalker becoming the man we know him from the original trilogy.
What was it like donning the famous mask and suit for the first
time?
The feeling is really hard to articulate. There was such a surreal, glossy quality to the two days when I got to wear the mask and the whole Darth Vader suit. It really capped what has been a very prominent part of my life.
The job I was given was to be the connective tissue between Jake Lloyd (young Anakin) and Darth Vader. Getting to put on the mask and everything, it was like, wow! The job is done.
You're four inches shorter than David Prowse, who played Vader in
the original films. Is it true that George Lucas was originally planning
to use another actor in the suit?
Yes, but I begged and pleaded and they were kind enough to build a suit that fitted me, and then they built on what was necessary to make my physicality the same as the original Darth Vader's. They had me in stilts under my heels to give me an extra four inches.
Are there any differences between your Vader and Prowse's?
Physically, because it's a brand new Vader suit, I think it's a little more
symmetrical. My Vader is also a little more rigid - obviously he's brand
new to the suit, so he's still getting acclimatised. There's a sense that
he's finding his new skin, and not quite as comfortable with walking. Which
was very important for me because - on stilts and with a twenty pound costume
- I wasn't very graceful.
Great stuff, and there is a ton more questions over at Times
Online.
Anakin has one more movie to get it right.
Add to Heffee!
