Hayden Christensen holds back tears after fan shouts 'we love you' during live Star Wars event

Warning: there are Ashoka episode five spoilers incoming

Following Hayden Christensen’s Ashoka debut, fans are reminiscing on his wholesome Star Wars Celebration appearance earlier this year.

The Canadian actor is best known for his portrayal of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the prequel trilogy films; Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.

Despite his films often being panned by franchise fans, the 42-year-old has had somewhat of a resurgence over the past couple of years.

After his surprise appearance in the 2022 Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, directors decided to bring Christensen back again for the spin-off series Ashoka.

After appearing in the fifth episode of the show, fans have taken to X to praise the actor and reminisce about his *Star Wars Celebration* stage debut earlier this year.

In April 2023, the actor was brought out on stage to deafening applause which caused him to ‘get emotional’.

The return of Anakin in Ashoka has prompted X users to relive the moment across social media and give their thoughts on the Christensen Renaissance.

One said: “Today I'm thinking about this moment when Hayden tried to hold his tears on (sic) Star Wars Celebration stage.

“He felt loved and appreciated that day and you can see how much it meant to him to come back to Star Wars, just look at him, this man deserves the world.”

Disney/Star Wars

A second wrote: “It bothers me that people hate on him. His performance in the prequels is spotless. Perfectly done. The man is a legend.”

“I’ll admit I didn’t like the prequels as much as the [original trilogy]. But Hayden made Anakin Skywalker. Weird lines and cringey love story, but he made the role his and that’s great,” commented a third.

Elsewhere, two X users have been debating why the prequel movies are still so disliked in the film/TV community.

One said: “I don’t understand the (sic) people that think Phantom Menace, Attack of Clones, and Revenge, are bad but I was also nine when it all came out and changed my life, and I like ‘em more on rewatch. I also hate the latest sequels so idk must be a generational thing.”

Another user gave their opinion: “They were made for kids. Kids loved them. It's the weird original Star Wars hate fanboys that existed then that gave it so much s***.

“[George] Lucas wasn’t making the new ones for them he wanted the kids at the time (you) to have that same experience they did with the originals.”

The first five episodes of Ashoka, starring Christensen alongside Rosario Dawson as the titular character, are available to stream on Disney+ now.