Ewan McGregor & Hayden Christensen Respond to Fan Reactions to 'Star Wars' Prequels | PEOPLE

Nearly 20 years after their last Star Wars journey, the actors discuss reprising their roles in the Disney+ series 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' and the evolving reactions of fans.
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'Obi-Wan Kenobi' Stars Ewan McGregor & Hayden Christensen: "We Picked Up Where We Left Off" | PEOPLE
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[@houdxni9701]

that fact that Disney brought them back and didn’t do some horrible recasting makes watching this show 100x better

[@YodatheHobbit]

It's strange when even positive comments are like this. WHAT is with people's focus and obsession with leaving ALL of the responsibility on Disney? No one associated with Disneyland or Disney characters has anything to do with casting. It's so damn weird. Ever heard of the Lucasfilm story group?

[@StalloneSRB]

Litteraly everyone else in the show is a mistake..they have to carry the show for the money.

[@Estefaniac19]

@@YodatheHobbit because they did 3 horrible movies not even approved by george lucas lol

[@rumpio5505]

@@YodatheHobbit disney owns lucasfilm now... HELLO? THEY HAVE FULL CONTROL AT THE END OF THE DAY

[@rumpio5505]

@@Estefaniac19 AGREED

[@ThePuntingDiva]

Hayden is a treasure. We must protect him at all costs.

[@dirkauditore8413]

But he murdered younglings :(

[@mansnotbot4160]

He's fine, Tracy.

[@naydenlover]

I second this very much!!!

[@JohnSmithsu2006]

Hopefully ashoka does him right.

[@Estefaniac19]

after watching again the trilogy im starting to appreciate him more

[@anastasiabell]

"It's gotta be the coolest thing to have Obi-Wan Kenobi as your Dad." - Anakin Skywalker in another life

[@mreyn17]

But I bet its pretty cool to have Obi-Wan Kenobi as a best friend.

[@lexi_2021]

Elder brother, I guess. He isn't that old. Qui Gon could be their father.

[@metallichick90]

That comment made me melt! Ewan being such a dad like "yeah the kids don't think I'm cool" and Hayden just propping him up...my heart, I love these two!

[@xLiloScaries]

Always preferred the prequels, Hayden deserves the appreciation he is finally receiving!

[@dirkauditore8413]

I grew up with the prequels, so strong agree

[@marip7696]

Totally

[@brian1923]

Prequels are 100x better than the sequels

[@haki4066]

@@brian1923 kekw

[@shelleywantiez7964]

Absolutely 💯

[@MichaelKensinger]

Hayden should have his own ASMR channel. He has a relaxed demeanor and voice.

[@ncard00]

He should just show his daughter the animated shows first, clone wars, rebels, bad batch, and tales of the jedi, and then show her the movies when she's like 13 or something. If they ever did a Vader/Anakin show, I'd love for her to get a cameo or something in it, if she wants to, and if Hayden and her mom are fine with it too. Also, can't wait to see Hayden in the Ahsoka show, especially him fighting Ahsoka on Mustafar...

[@jhhh888]

I love how they dress up in the colors of their characters.

[@melannydayrethratliff1309]

😅for real

[@chiantiprice92]

Same. 😊

[@melaniesenf7175]

It’s so adorable that Hayden looks totally unimpressed - in a cool way but is sweating like he’s some newcomer

[@supersheets12]

He looks very nervous actually, he's sweating a lot. I hope he's not worried about being Darth Vader and kind of looked at as this incredible Anakin, because he really portrayed the character well.

[@xoxoskywalker1976]

@@supersheets12 he actually sweats rapidly in a lot of things I’ve seen him in. It might just be something like hyperhydrosis

[@arabianflowers]

@@xoxoskywalker1976 He gets nervous during interviews. He even said so in one of them. "The nerves are running rampad," he said. He's kinda shy.

[@RealParadoxed]

Explains the constant licking of the lips as well as the tense posture

[@AliceShinya]

I think he’s also introverted a bit

[@sErgEantaEgis12]

I just learned that his "wooden" acting in the movies came from him carefully looking at Darth Vader in the Original Trilogy and trying his best to copy his body language, voice patterns and mannerism. That's incredibly genius in my book.

[@keandabennett8109]

Hayden's beauty is so powerful

[@isakferm7674]

yea the dudes pretty

[@AndreaPAvila]

and his voice tho 😩

[@mansi7893]

@@AndreaPAvila omg yes no one talks about his voice just 😩❤️‍🔥

[@AliceShinya]

He has that angel face

[@rileyreese3991]

Yes, he is absolutely gorgeous and handsome man.

[@1000teresa4ever]

I'm so enjoying the return of Ewan McGregor as Obi-wan...but GOSH...I didn't realise I wanted so much more of Hayden Christensen as Vader.

[@jamesszumowski6637]

Protect Hayden Christensen at all costs!

[@riquecabrera]

I’ve loved the prequels since I was 4 years old in the early 2000’s. They’re my favorite Star Wars films. I wasn’t aware of the hate until a couple years ago and it did not affect my opinion at all that’s how genuine my admiration for these films is. Everyone was perfectly casted and the effects were incredibly immersive and ahead of their time! I’m enjoying the kenobi show I’m grateful it actually happened, much love keep the Star Wars projects coming 🤟🏼

[@OswaldoCastil]

Me too! I started watching the prequels in 1999 when I was 4 and they became my instant favourite trilogy. I wasn't aware of all the hate they got until 2013 when Disney bought Lucasfilm. I remember they tried to get rid of all the prequel content (by cancelling The Clone Wars, making Rebels, making EA's Battlefront about the OT only, etc) and here we are... With an Obi-Wan Kenobi series and more prequel animated series on the way. We won.

[@Kaykaybeauty__101]

I agree

[@Jordonater]

The majority of people do like the prequels its just that the Haters voice is always larger than the passive like us. You can tell by the fact that on the Battlefront 2 game the clone wars is more popular by far than the other 2 eras

[@Exeile]

Same I loved the movies and don’t understand why anyone would dislike it.

[@bnsyphotography2104]

Same man. I grew up in the early 2000s and loved those movies back then, and for there to be hate or dislike with them confuses me. Loved rewatching those prequels all the time. The music, sounds, acting, scenes, everything so nostalgic and amazing. I’m 22 now. Star Wars has always been a big part of my life.

[@Duke898]

2 legends. Plain and simple.

[@tyufve746]

Hayden has aged a little bit (still looks great for his age) but Ewan MgGregor hasn’t aged at all, it’s crazy to me. He could grow his hair back and still seem perfectly natural in Attack of the Clones. These guys are like my two favorite people on earth. They really made my childhood, and truly seem to be some of the nicest and most humble people. I honestly loved the new Obi-Wan show.

[@dayoltay]

Hayden is a damn cool awesome human being

[@shacochad7052]

Ikr

[@silasbaxter0409]

hearing them talk about hanging out after shoots and just watching tv is so wholesome

[@bethaniie_]

Fr 😭

[@rogermoreno1152]

So cool that they’re good friends in real life and have such a special connection to playing these characters and now being able to come back to them after almost two decades must be surreal for them both.

[@annapan1978]

My heart cannot take it I can’t I truly can’t I love them both so much

[@dirkauditore8413]

aww

[@naimasophie]

Same !! My heart is melting

[@dirkauditore8413]

@@naimasophie Coot

[@freebrook]

Hayden is so chill.

[@legendarypokemon3000]

They both have aged so gracefully

[@OneNationUnderGod.]

I've always loved the prequels, they're not perfect but they did so much world building and expanded the galaxy so much that they are worth it for those reasons alone. Most of my favorite Star Wars characters are from the prequels too!

[@danboyisdopex9864]

I agree with you on that level man they might have been off of perfect I will say though ep3 is my favorite but damn they sure did expand the star wars universe for the greater good.

[@OneNationUnderGod.]

@@danboyisdopex9864 episode lll is definitely my favorite of the franchise and the Clone Wars series added to an already great movie. I would be perfectly happy if more movies and shows were created out of this timeline in the franchise.

[@IamSH1VA]

I will never understand 🧐🤔 why people hated prequels…… Maybe It’s me, I watched Star Wars in Quarantine 2020 so after watching Sequels trilogy I love 💗 peoples response to Hayden playing Vader, that’s what he deserved he played part beautifully 🥰🥰

[@kristinaant9747]

Boomers hated it. Millennials and zoomers love it

[@joshhunt4146]

@@kristinaant9747 I’m a millennial and I never hated them but I definitely remember seeing the phantom menace when I was 9 and thinking it just wasn’t as good… I was obsessed with the originals haha I’ll still revisit the prequels now and again but they are the least watched Star Wars films for me

[@Stumme-40203]

@@kristinaant9747 A lot of millennials hated it too. You also completely forgot gen x, which a lot of them hated it too.

[@lookingforwookiecopilot]

@@kristinaant9747 Boomers were quit indifferent to them. In fact I'd be surprised if my Boomer parents even know the prequels exist. Its Gen Xers who mainly hate them.

[@tokyorift]

@@Stumme-40203 a lot of millennials (me included) loved these films as we were little kids when they came out. They were huge for a lot of our childhoods. I never really met many millennials who hated the prequels throughout my lifetime.

[@msjigglypuff91]

Hayden was so hot in the prequels. I had a big crush on him when I was a kid lol. He still is pretty good looking.

[@shadowmarvel0737]

Love these two have done since watching them in my childhood they will always be what got me fully into star wars ewans portrayal of Obi wan just amazed me each time this series is already epic with having Hayden back too. Iv seen so much hate already for this show on KZbin and it's really upsetting I think it's doing a fantastic job

[@DarkLadyAthena1]

It is a shame. That turned me off from calling myself a sci-fi fan or fan of anything. There are well worth seeing KZbin channels, most of them non English speaking ones or non native speakers, that offer a good view. They're critical where they need to be and show their knowledge of SW, canon and old EU/Legends and other sci-fi and philosophy that are worth watching. I hope this show triumphs because I love it and it might sound selfish but I just want to enjoy something for once. I used to love these things because they were pure escapism. Yes, there are underlying themes, there always have been but at the end of the day, you come home from your jobs and wrestle with bills, poor health you can't do nothing about and it feels good watching an awesome show

[@babybearljuju7444]

I love you Hayden miss you so much

[@Dreadkid08]

You talk about the man like he's dead...

[@r..osemary]

@@Dreadkid08 i laughed so hard when i saw this 😭

[@INTER_LINK]

@@Dreadkid08LMAOOO

[@Em-tf3bd]

I have so much love for these two, they're my whole childhood!! So so overjoyed that we get Kenobi and I hope they know how loved they are

[@enlightenmentdoesntcomeeas5337]

Growing up with the PT. These two were a part of my childhood. Never thought I'd see them again in their roles after two decades.

[@lindildeev5721]

I like to think that Anakin would look exactly like this if he didn't fall into Palpatine's trap.

[@guypeate3628]

Why does Hayden still look so charming?

[@Highskill3r]

cuz he has an intelligent and friendly look in his eyes

[@evamariafloresgranados5041]

These 2 are painfully beautiful

[@gutspillage]

They are in my heart forever. Love them both, but Hayden has been my teenage crush.

[@yungchum2073]

I love this bromance. Oh my god.

[@emilyhenry6086]

“it must be the coolest thing to have obi-wan as your dad” darth vaders literal daughter:😌

[@Highskill3r]

Thank you Hayden and Ewan! You are part of my childhood and that really means a lot to me.

[@i1s9m9r5]

They are everything to me! I'm loving the show so much!

[@joankgillette]

The fact that they both look like they haven’t aged at all. 😍🔥

[@sucrerose844]

Hayden reminds me of Heath Ledger. Humble and kind...🥹

[@pink-penguin101]

Indeed. Hayden is so gentle, kind, deep and so charming.

[@pink-penguin101]

He's always grateful and really with such humility.

[@juansalgado4327]

Darth Vader is sweating bullets through that Jacket.

[@drewk6127]

The Ashoka series is being done by Favreau and Filoni and Christensen is back for that as well. Will be amazing.

[@rileyreese3991]

Hayden is gorgeous!

[@maryprevost2165]

Amazing. Thank you to the duo. Both look great.

[@franco_setti]

Star wars and the star wars fanbase was needing these two back. Despite the quality of the show, they are the beste parte in the screen and in the backstage

[@naydenlover]

I LOVE EWAN AND HAYDEN SO MUCH AND SO HAPPY WE'RE BACK!!!!! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH !!!

[@sylvanus2554]

I’m loving the show! So glad to see them back!

[@AMKR]

Just really happy to see these two together again... 😊

[@useth3forceforgood]

They're pure magic together 💚 🪄 Bipitty boppity boo!

[@Jadorelainie]

I was 6 when Episode I premiered and it was the only Star Wars I've ever seen at the time, like sure I was aware of who Vader and Yoda were, but never really paid the franchise much mind, bu having seeing both the prequels and the latest episodes, the prequels are definitely my favorites! And I'm so glad the boys are back for Obi-Wan Kenobi, they deserve all this love.

[@richardqian7707]

They should make a tequila like Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston lmao

[@Mina-ok5qm]

I loved this last episode! Watched it last night and this afternoon.

[@elsacristina9]

Funny that Ewan's daughter Esther is in the series and have a scene with her father in ep 2

[@joshhunt4146]

And her line is, ‘I’m someone’s daughter too…’ or something like that

[@elsacristina9]

@@joshhunt4146 exactly

[@G_Vegas22]

I'm so happy for Hayden

[@SuikodenGR]

Heh, when Hayden eventually show his kids about star wars, they are gonna be insanely shocked they are living with Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker 😁😁

[@kjksparta]

I was a teenager when prequel released but I never get the hype and I didn’t know they’re got the hate coz we don’t have internet, now I’m so glad that i get the chance to be part of the prequel vibe in OWK Series. Got to see Ewan and Hayden doing the interviews and all, wish to see you both again in Star Wars universe.

[@nozomi9995]

these two are def my heroes

[@JesusCastro-hf5gd]

Thank you for coming back together

[@anakinskywalker3292]

Who is this handsome “Hayden Christiansen”?

[@Dreadkid08]

he's the character you play in the "Earth" series. Its set in the distant future in a galaxy far far away

[@TheNativeOne94]

Hayden's never had his hair this long outside of filming RoTS, safe bet that it's for RoTS or Clone Wars flashbacks in the Ahsoka show! I saw an interviewer ask if he was in it and he had the same smirk/bubbly reaction as Andrew Garfield when he was asked if he was in Spider-Man NWH

[@suesmith9665]

Love these two

[@thenicefox1462]

Best duo ever, the prequels are legendary

[@vikkki]

As a millennial, I loved the prequels!

[@mihot5307]

I was a young adult when the prequels were released and still, I prefer the prequels to the original trilogy. (No offense! ) Then, after almost 2 decades watching Ewan and Hayden in the new show and interviews is such a delight. Looking forward to watching the last half of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

[@TheAverageGamer1]

My philosophy is as follows: OT for a heartwarming ending PT for explosive action and epic lightsaber duels

[@themadladorian4364]

@@TheAverageGamer1 Explosive action ? So it's all about explosions ?

[@TheAverageGamer1]

@@themadladorian4364 I think your taking the word explosive a little to literal😂😂😂😂

[@NacerDeArriba]

@@TheAverageGamer1 OT?

[@aurorahenelius3481]

I am completely in love with this show. Best Sw Co tent since rots

[@BlushGush]

The screen is too pretty I can’t !!!! We love you Hayden!!! And Ewan is such a freaking treasure !!

[@guypeate3628]

Hayden hasn't aged at all, he still looks incredible

[@brysonkuervers2570]

Well you can tell he’s aged a bit but still looks pretty much the same

[@BroPaulSyrel]

Friendship forever!!

[@Anura734]

I liked the prequels and I’ll most likely watch this. Heres something that’s abundantly clear: I won’t claim that Ewan and Hayden are BFFs, but they do really seem to respect each other and genuinely love working together again.

[@Tonycillian5]

Well they both said they are both their favorite actor they have worked with

[@Tanat83]

Being a longtime Star Wars fan since young, I absolutely love the prequel trilogy, especially Episode 3 ROTS which focuses on the fall of the Old Republic, the fall of Anakin and the dissolution of the friendship between him and his master due to the choices he made after betraying the Jedi Order. Though the story isn't exactly perfect, I nonetheless appreciate the character development of Anakin's character from a reasonable, caring husband/friend to a power-hungry, selfish, conflicted monster who had no qualms about carrying his new Master's orders. The seeds of Anakin's dark turn were already planted after his mother's death, and Darth Sidious' encouragement twisted his mind til he became the very thing he swore to destroy. Yes I was a bit skeptical about Hayden Christensen being cast as Anakin in AOTC (especially with the horrible dialogue when he tried to open his heart to Padme), but I grew to appreciate him as the years went by, and I thought he nailed the role of Anakin/Vader perfectly in ROTS. I can see the hatred within Anakin as he rolled down the river bank, and I saw the same hate within him in Obi-Wan Episode 3, as the helmet and mask were being lowered. Last year I was delighted to learn that Hayden would return as Anakin/Vader for the Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series, and I felt the series wouldn't be complete without him, esp given the onscreen chemistry between Ewan and Hayden in Episodes 2 and 3. Even though Hayden's casting as Vader had limited his movie roles (like it did for Mark Hamill), I felt that he was born to play Anakin/Vader in the current century. Most men would yearn to be in that iconic armor.

[@LePauliNation]

Imagine a scene with Hayden and Natalie again... fireworks!

[@rastahibyeshorts3923]

Obi wan # for life

[@vmvarga5386]

God bless Hayden

[@ElStink4K]

Both incredibly well cast actors

[@kjksparta]

Both are and incredibly handsome. Love you guys

[@Mina-ok5qm]

This is a good interview

[@tiny99990]

I know in ep 3 there was one scene in particular that had some emotional depth that was astounding.

[@sschithra]

‘ What have you become?’ ‘… what you made me’

[@Alongwiththesunshine]

Anniiii 💕

[@dmac8382]

EP III is the best & Hayden playing Vader now 🔥

[@jessyevebaker5247]

My big brother Ewan and my dear and tender Hayden ❤❤

[@Sccoppe]

Just rewatched Jumper I highly recommend.

[@maiaspen307]

I love this so much!

[@KyloRen4238]

Happy Birthday Ewan McGregor. UR awesome legend. Black Hawk Down is freaking awesome. Soldier Movies r great. And I loved Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace. Me and my 2 brothers. We all watch it all the time, videotape, when we were kids. Good times. Episode 2 Attack of the Clones & Episode 3 Revenge of the Sith & Obi-Wan Kenobi is great. I love all Star Wars movies. All of them, r my first favorite movies. I'll never stop watching Star Wars. Never, ever. May the Peace be with u Obi-Wan Kenobi. From Harlingen Texas. March 31, 1971 March 31, 2023 through March 31, 3023

[@RevDany23]

Imagine being his daughter and see all of his past movies, that must be great

[@myownsongs100]

Yeah its awesome. And i want more of it.

[@birdsfan34]

“I am what you made me!”

[@pamelaglickman1216]

Hayden: "It's gotta be the coolest thing to have Obi-Wan Kenobi as your dad." Yeah, almost as cool as having Darth Vader as your dad, LOL. Love how humble Hayden is. :)

[@myownsongs100]

Revenge end fight been so Dynamic and Brutal its been breathtaking. And 10 yrs Obi Wan been on Tatooine made him lesser force using and been weaker as Vader than said during their lil rematch.

[@thuaners]

i love these 2! :)

[@marielli7]

LOVE HAYDEN!!!! ❤ and Ewan doesn’t look like he even aged ahaha

[@This_RuthIsOnFire]

I really never understood the hate for the prequels really, beyond irritation with Jar Jar Binks… they were incredible to me otherwise. I loved them. I always kept my mouth shut about it though, cos everytime I said I liked them someone would tell me how wrong I was! Happy I can freely say how much I appreciated them now. Star Wars is magical - a whole universe we can all escape to when we need. ❤️

[@lottielil89]

The sweat is strong with this one 🥵 poor guy 🙈

[@FleetAdmiral215]

we need multiple seasons of OBI WAN, Its the Best Star Wars TV series yet !!!!

[@thecanveyboy]

Agreed. There’s another 10 years to go before ANH so plenty of room for loads more episodes!

[@thecanveyboy]

@Tim Burm1 That’s what we’re seeing right now. This is bang in the middle of those 20 years. A Vader series is probably unnecessary now as he is featured in this. And if there is a season 2 of OB1 then that means more Vader!

[@nallelyvillegas6817]

Wai Ewan is stunning..i adore him

[@pinkie215]

The prequels are my Star Wars so I am well-fed right now

[@katherinerodriguez2438]

Lovr them

[@emilyclark8772]

Ewan take Hayden along on your next Long Way Round!!! How great would that series be??

[@pahana]

Well, one of Ewan's daughters clearly changed her mind on Star Wars 😅

[@YodatheHobbit]

Getting paid to do a job doesn't make a person a fan.

[@bodaciousskies]

@@YodatheHobbit a fat paycheck says otherwise lmfao ive never watched an episode of gamr of thrones but if they asked me to be on a prequel or someshit best believe imma be a 'fan' 😂

[@ItsRyzer]

I don’t think she took a role as an extra just to get paid, just hear me out. Maybe it’s a possibility she did it for another reason

[@ItsRyzer]

Has anyone noticed how often Hayden says “uh” and “Um” pretty much every time he speaks

[@joshhunt4146]

So?

[@ItsRyzer]

@@joshhunt4146 so? not really a sensible response. It was a question and a observation

[@joshhunt4146]

@@ItsRyzer well it’s just that a lot of people do that… especially during interviews. It’s not a Hayden Christensen exclusive trait

[@ItsRyzer]

@@joshhunt4146 You need to relax bud, don’t know where you’re coming from with that passive aggressiveness but I never self proclaimed it to be a self exclusive to Hayden, it’s just an observation as I said.

[@joshhunt4146]

@@ItsRyzer just a strange observation that’s all

[@darthvaderskywalker0]

Brothers Darthvader and obi wan best duo in galaxy

[@Hale-Bopp]

These two amazing dude needs a movie of their own together. Not a Star Wars movie but something similar or adventure.. even comedy.

[@aleskairean]

The prequels are like fine wine. They got better with age.

[@CB-ov1ho]

Impressive, most impressive