Star Wars actor looks unrecognizable as he reunites with co-star 19 years after last film together
Hayden Christensen looked unrecognizable as he made a rare public appearance to support his former Star Wars co-star Ewan McGregor at the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.
Christensen looked a world away from his role as Anakin Skywalker as he supported the 53-year-old McGregor, who was honored with a new star on the iconic boulevard.
The 43-year-old actor traded in his coats for a stylish black suit and white shirt.
The duo starred opposite each other in 2002’s Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, 2005’s Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, and recently reunited for the 2022 Disney+ miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Christensen played Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, while Ewan played his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Hayden Christensen looked unrecognizable as he supported his Star Wars co-star Ewan McGregor at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony
In Attack of the Clones, Christensen played the future Darth Vader Anakin Skywalker, while Ewan played his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi
The role of McGregor was previously filled by the late Alec Guinness, who played an older version of Obi-Wan in the original trilogy.
During the ceremony, Christensen gave a speech praising McGregor, recounting the first time he met him for Attack of the Clones.
“I often think back to the first time I met you. We were both in Australia many moons ago, getting ready to do Star Wars episode 2,” he said.
“I walk into the room where Ewan is going to be, and before I can even see him, I hear his voice. And he’s calling my name with more enthusiasm than I’ve ever heard before,” Hayden continued.
“I turn around and I see him, and then he comes up to me, and he just gives me the biggest hug. Just the most disarmingly warm hug.”
Christensen felt that he was not just meeting a colleague, but a new friend.
“We start talking and he’s just the nicest person. He tells me how excited he is to work together and how much fun we’re going to have with our lightsaber training. He’s just incredibly nice to me. It was immediately clear to me that I was meeting someone really special. And not just as an actor, but as a person. I was meeting a friend.
“A friend who would later cut off both my legs and leave me for dead on the edge of a volcano, but I guess I deserved it,” he joked.
“But I want to talk about Ewan’s work on Star Wars and his iconic work as Obi-Wan Kenobi. It’s really a masterclass in great acting. And to see him embody this character is like watching magic. And the best kind of magic — not the kind that involves gimmicks or conjuring, but the kind that really makes you believe in something greater.
McGregor put his arm around Hayden’s shoulders as they posed with his new star
Christensen looked worlds away from his role as Anakin Skywalker as he attended the ceremony in a stylish black suit and white shirt
During the ceremony, Christensen gave a speech praising McGregor, while recalling the first time he met him before Attack of the Clones
“This guy is just Star Wars gold,” Hayden said of his co-star
The duo starred opposite each other in several Star Wars projects, beginning with 2002’s Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
“Because he wasn’t just playing Obi-Wan, he was Obi-Wan. I mean, he is Obi Wan,” he said sweetly of his former co-star
He also praised his co-star for not only playing Obi-Wan, but for being the character himself.
“Because he didn’t just play Obi-Wan, he was Obi-Wan. I mean, he is Obi-Wan. And I really hope we get more Obi-Wan, because this guy is just Star Wars gold,” he said.
“He so perfectly brought all the qualities that we knew about the characters, while giving the role its own depth and emotion and creating something that was greater than the sum of its parts. And it was just a remarkable performance and I was in awe the whole time.”
“So, my friend Ewan, I want to thank you for being the best Jedi Master anyone could ever ask for. You’ve always supported me and I thank you for that. I’m just so happy to be here with you right now. It’s an honor and a thrill to be able to work with you, and swing a lightsaber with you, and more than that, to call you my friend. I love you, brother.”
“I love you too,” Ewan replied as they hugged.
In addition to their on-screen work, the duo have also lent their voices to several Star Wars projects, including the 2019 film Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.
McGregor also reprised his voice work in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens.
Christensen recently reprised the role of Anakin in the Disney+ Star Wars series Ahsoka.