As Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Hayden Christensen is more sassy than sinister. Impatient and petulant, the future Darth Vader stamps his foot when he can't get his way. Still, he never fails to amuse — especially when tossing lusty looks at Natalie Portman's Padmé Amidala. All in all, the 21-year-old actor is very relatable as a teen with more power than he's ready for.
"Anakin's flaws, like [those of] all classic mythological heroes, are the same issues everybody struggles with," says director George Lucas. "That allows him to be human."
Anakin's primary struggle: Dedication to his duty versus the carnal imperative to pounce on pretty Padmé! "I think it's difficult for Anakin because he understands that as a Jedi, he is not allowed to fall in love," Christensen says. "There's these conflicting emotions. He feels very passionately about becoming a great Jedi, but at the same time, he feels so passionately for Padmé. It's that confusion that really causes him all of his anxiety in this film.
"And it really allows you to feel for his struggle much more," adds the Life as a House star. "I think most people would make some of the same choices Anakin does."
Star Wars fans also glimpse the events that lead up to Anakin turning against teacher Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). "He loves Obi-Wan because he is sort of a father figure for him," Christensen explains. "Growing up, he had no parental influences really, so Obi-Wan has taken that place for him. [Yet] there still is that resistance... It's the struggle of the good side and the dark side. We all deal with that."
