Charlie Hunnam has confirmed that he was strongly considered for the role of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.
In the mid-noughties, Hayden Christensen suddenly became one of the most famous actors in the world when he was cast to play Anakin Skywalker in the second two Star Wars prequels, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.
The prequel trilogy, again developed by George Lucas, is generally considered to be a disappointment among Star Wars fanatics, though reception to the films has been more kind in recent years.
The reaction to Christensen's portrayal of Anakin was mixed at the time, but things could have been very different if Hunnam won the role.
“I had forgotten that too, but yes, I did. I got to the point where I was meeting George Lucas, you know?” the Rebel Moon actor told EW. “I don’t think he meets a lot of actors. I think it was probably, maybe, two to three actors they were considering. I don’t remember much about it.
“I just remember it being a very awkward meeting and walking out and thinking, ‘Well, I’m definitely not getting the role'. And I was correct. Sometimes it’s about the vibes."
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Padmé Amidala, who has finished her tenure as Queen of Naboo and is now serving in the Senate, narrowly escapes an attempt on her life twice. Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi's apprentice Anakin is tasked with protecting her, and something beautiful begins to bloom between the two. Meanwhile, Obi Wan investigates the links between the assassination attempts, a separatist movement led by former Jedi Count Dooku, and the building of a clone army on a remote planet.
Directed by: George Lucas
Stars:
Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman
Christensen's return as Darth Vader
Christensen's portrayal of Darth Vader eventually became more popular, too, and that popularity increased when he returned as the character in Obi-Wan Kenobi. He subsequently made a surprise cameo in Ahsoka, and would like to play Anakin again if asked.
"I would love to get to do more, I would love to get to continue with Star Wars," he said on The Dagobah Dispatch podcast.
"We'll see. I don't know what the future holds, if such an opportunity presents itself, I'll be there with a big smile on my face. If it doesn't, I feel really grateful for getting to come back and do the work that I did, both in Obi-Wan and Ahsoka."
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