Hayden Christensen says he was 'very grateful' to play Anakin Skywalker one more time

Hayden Christenen was pinching himself that he got to have another go at playing Anakin Skywalker.

The actor chucked on the Jedi robes and picked up his trusty lightsaber for Ahsoka and his return sent fans into a frenzy.

In the most recent episode, Ahsoka (played by Rosario Dawson) is in the World Between Worlds after a failed battle with Skoll.

She meets up with Anakin (Christensen) and they face off against each other in one hell of a lightsaber fight.

In one moment, Skywalker marches towards Ashoka while she's on a platform and it quickly flashes between him and a silhouette of Darth Vader.

There's also a flashback to the Clone Wars where the two also duel and we get another Vader silhouette.

Some viewers even called it one of the best moments in Star Wars history.

In newly released behind the scenes footage, Christensen said: "Putting on the Anakin costume, getting to wear those Jedi robes, it kind of blows your mind every time.

"I just feel very grateful."

Series creator Dave Filoni added that once they realized they could have an Anakin cameo, they leapt at the chance.

"You know, as I was figuring out the story for Ahsoka, I just really thought, 'Well, there's an opportunity,'" Filoni said.

"'I could bring Anakin and Ahsoka together'.

"It's just awesome."

And it seems like Hayden is finally getting the love he deserves.

His films (Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith) were heavily criticized by diehard fans when they were released.

However, the tide has clearly turned if we're going off the reception he received at a recent panel.

In April 2023, the actor was brought out on stage at the *Star Wars Celebration* event to deafening applause, which caused him to ‘get emotional’.

The return of Anakin in Ashoka prompted Twitter/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.”

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.”