A wave of nostalgia and excitement rippled through the galaxy as Hayden Christensen confirmed he’s stepping back into the role of Anakin Skywalker for Season 2 of Ahsoka. The reveal came during an electrifying panel at the Star Wars Celebration in Tokyo, where the actor joined Ahsoka star Rosario Dawson, series creator Dave Filoni, and executive producer Jon Favreau on stage.
Hayden Christensen Returns As Anakin Skywalker In Ahsoka Season 2
Hayden Christensen’s arrival was kept under wraps until the final minutes of the panel, creating the kind of theatrical moment Star Wars fans live for. With a knowing smile, he confirmed the rumours: “Anakin is returning in season 2,” he said, choosing his words carefully, without revealing too much. But for fans of the franchise, that single line was enough to ignite light-speed excitement.
The actor’s return feels like the perfect full-circle moment. Christensen first portrayed Anakin in 2002’s Attack of the Clones and again in 2005’s Revenge of the Sith, before transforming into the iconic Darth Vader. In recent years, he’s re-embraced the galaxy far, far away, with standout appearances in Obi-Wan Kenobi and flashback sequences in Ahsoka season 1. But this upcoming season promises a deeper exploration of his bond with Ahsoka Tano, his former padawan.
Dave Filoni, who has long been considered the keeper of George Lucas’s Star Wars legacy, addressed Anakin’s continued presence in Ahsoka. While he made it clear that George Lucas already told the definitive Anakin story, he believes the character still matters in the context of Ahsoka’s personal journey. “Anakin’s not here to be redefined,” Filoni said, explaining that his role is more about emotional continuity, how a master’s influence lingers in the student’s life. Christensen’s return is just one of the many major reveals from the Tokyo event. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and Filoni also dropped the bombshell announcement of Star Wars: Starfighter, a new film starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Shawn Levy, set to hit theatres in May 2027.
Season 1 of Ahsoka premiered on August 22, 2023, on JioHotstar (formerly Disney+ Hotstar), with Rosario Dawson leading the series as the titular Force-sensitive warrior. The show goes deep into post-Empire galactic tensions while building on the legacies of The Mandalorian and Star Wars: The Clone Wars.