Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ Sequels Axe Anakin Skywalker Story, Disney+ Rescue Commenced

Disney–where is Anakin Skywalker?

Star Wars Prequels and the Redemption of Anakin Skywalker

Almost ten years ago, The Walt Disney Company embarked on its journey in the galaxy far, far away. After purchasing Lucasfilm from George Lucas for $4 billion in 2012, the Disney era officially commenced with Star Wars: Episode VII–The Force Awakens (2015).

But one character was largely absent from the entire sequel trilogy era. Despite this timeline being known as the Skywalker Saga and heavily featuring Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Disney failed to include Luke’s father, Anakin, AKA Darth Vader in any significant fashion.

While Luke may have been the first Skywalker in the franchise, way back in 1977 with Star Wars: Episode IV–A New Hope, it would be Anakin who would be the earliest to appear chronologically. He first appeared in Star Wars: Episode I–The Phantom Menace (1999), played by Jake Lloyd.

The legacy of George Lucas’s Star Wars prequel trilogy, initially marked by mixed to negative reviews, has significantly evolved over time. Upon their release, the prequels faced criticism for their dialogue, pacing, and heavy reliance on CGI.

Many fans of the original trilogy felt disappointed by the portrayal of Anakin Skywalker and the political focus of the new films. However, a generational shift has seen a younger audience embrace the prequels, often viewing them as their definitive Star Wars experience.

Hayden Christensen and Anakin, too, have received redemption in the eyes of fans. The crowd’s reaction to his appearance on stage at Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 is a good example of how the reception has changed in the last two decades.

While initially receiving mixed reviews, Christensen’s portrayal has been reappraised over time, with many fans appreciating his nuanced interpretation and the depth he brought to one of cinema’s most iconic villains.

This way of reappreciating a character or narrative was recently discussed by The Acolyte star Manny Jacinto, who plays Qimir/The Stranger in Leslye Headland’s TV show. The Acolyte has proven to be the most divisive entry in the Star Wars fandom, with many throwing hate at the series and its characters. Jacinto acknowledged that its reception, like the prequel trilogy, may change with time.

The prequels have also had a lasting influence on future Star Wars projects, particularly through the acclaimed Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series, which expanded on the events between Star Wars: Episode II–Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III–Revenge of the Sith (2005).

Characters and plot elements from the prequels continue to play significant roles in the sequel trilogy and various spin-offs. This has led to a more nuanced understanding and appreciation of characters like Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), contributing to rehabilitating their legacies.

Disney’s Omission of Anakin Skywalker in the Sequel Trilogy

In Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019), there is a pivotal scene where Rey (Daisy Ridley), in her final confrontation with Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), hears the voices of past Jedi, including Anakin, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson), and Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein). This was just one of the few moments in Disney’s sequel era where Anakin was directly involved.

In most cases, too, the sequels highlighted Anakin’s darkness rather than his historic return to the light side in the final moments of Star Wars: Episode VI—Return of the Jedi (1983).

“Clearly, Kylo Ren [Adam Driver] modeled his dark side persona off of his grandfather, from the mask to [how] the First Order was a copycat of the Empire,” wrote Screen Rant. “Undoubtedly, when Leia and Luke told Ben about Anakin, they mentioned that, yes, he was a ruthless Sith Lord, but he had also been a powerful Jedi and, in the end, had returned to the light.”

They continued:

“That message seems lost on Kylo Ren, though, who spent much of the sequels essentially praying to his grandfather’s destroyed helmet, asking for help growing in his commitment to the dark side. Presumably, this was really Palpatine playing tricks on Kylo Ren, as he was revealed in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to have been a voice in Ben’s head all along. However, that one reveal didn’t have to mean that Anakin’s role in the sequels needed to be nearly non-existent.”

Enter Disney+…

How Disney+ Is Rescuing Anakin Skywalker

Hayden Christensen’s return to the Star Wars galaxy came in 2022. The prequel trilogy star had a starring role in Deborah Chow’s Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries, and it was here that fans got more development for the most iconic science-fiction villain in cinematic history.

The return of Darth Vader in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi generated significant excitement among Star Wars fans. Hayden Christensen reprised his iconic role, reuniting with Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi for the first time since the prequel trilogy.

Related: George Lucas’ ‘Star Wars’ Restored Following ‘Acolyte’ Backlash

Delving into the aftermath of Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader and his complex relationship with his former mentor, Chow’s show takes place in the time between the end of the prequel trilogy and the beginning of the original.

Vader’s presence provides a rich exploration of his character’s motivations and the lingering consequences of his fall to the dark side. Christensen’s return was well-received, further solidifying the prequels’ legacy and enhancing the overall Star Wars saga–something the sequel trilogy completely sidelined.

Then came Ahsoka.

Set in the same timeline as The Mandalorian, Dave Filoni’s Ahsoka focuses on Ahsoka Tano’s (Rosario Dawson) quest to find Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen), a formidable Imperial leader who is connected to the disappearance of her friend, Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi).

Not only did Dave Filoni’s Ahsoka series expand the Star Wars mythos with the reveal of another galaxy and the planet Peridea, but it also saw Hayden Christensen reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker.

Much to the fans’ delight, Christensen returned as the former Jedi Knight in the middle of Ahsoka‘s first season, greeting Ahsoka in the World Between Worlds. There, she faced her former Master once again, with Filoni taking audiences back to the Clone War era–here, the young Ahsoka Tano was played by Ariana Greenblatt (Barbie).

The themes of Anakin’s return are based on his own story of drifting from the light side of the Force to the dark side, with his descent from the prequel trilogy leading him to become a Sith Lord. Ahsoka’s interaction with Anakin makes her realize that she does need to live on, proving that, even after death, Anakin is still the Master Ahsoka needs.

This idea of guiding his former Jedi Padawan was cemented in the very final moments of Ahsoka Season 1, when, after Ahsoka and Sabin Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) were left stranded on Peridia, Anakin’s Force ghost is shown looking over his old friend and former apprentice.

Following this, it would seem that Ahsoka’s Disney+ journey was over, but a surprise second season was announced in January 2024. While Ahsoka Season 1 was left open-ended, it was widely thought that the story would continue in the previously announced New Republic Era movie by Dave Filoni.

Related: Report: Lucasfilm’s ‘Star Wars: Episode X’ Title Confirmed, Fate of Jedi Revealed

But, at the start of the year, it was revealed that Jon Favreau would bring his Mandalorian franchise to the big screen with The Mandalorian & Grogu leading Lucasfilm’s movie slate, arriving in theaters in 2026. Along with this announcement, Lucasfilm shared that Dave Filoni is actively developing a sophomore season for Ahsoka.

While fans await Anakin Skywalker’s likely return in Ahsoka Season 2, they can catch him in the prequel movies, the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, and Ahsoka Season 1 on Disney+.

Anakin was also heavily featured in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, with Matt Lanter voicing the role. In “Ghosts of Mortis” (Season 3, Episode 17), Anakin sees a vision of his dark future as Darth Vader, while in the final episode of the series, “Victory and Death” (Season 7, Episode 12), showcased Vader in all his suited glory.

Star Wars Rebels also includes the character in episodes such as “Fire Across the Galaxy” (Season 1, Episode 15), “The Siege of Lothal: Part 1” (Season 2, Episode 1), “The Siege of Lothal: Part 2” (Season 2, Episode 2), “Twilight of the Apprentice: Part 1” (Season 2, Episode 21), and “Twilight of the Apprentice: Part 2” (Season 2, Episode 22).

Do you think Anakin Skywalker should have played a larger role in Disney’s sequel trilogy? Let us know in the comments down below!