In the latest interview from Total Film’s Obi-Wan Kenobi issue, Hayden Christensen confirms that the lightsaber duels in the series will be more similar to those featured in the Prequels than those featured in the Originals.
He said:
“We’re more in line with the prequels than we are with how the fights are in the original trilogy. These characters have aged, but not that much yet.”
Hayden Christensen
Hayden was also asked about how the fan reception to his return to Star Wars has been for him, and he said:
“It’s been a very rewarding experience in that regard, and it’s been really nice to have this wave of positivity over the prequel films. And to see that expression come across has been really nice.”
Hayden Christensen
Finally, he opened up about how the Obi-Wan Kenobi series will provide greater connective tissue between the Prequels and the Originals:
“We’re adding more connective tissue, and so that has to line up. That was something that I was cognizant of, even when we were doing the prequels, in knowing that there’s someone else that played this character before me and after me, and we have to find something that feels right. I spent a lot of time just watching all the Star Wars stuff I could, from the original films to all of the animated shows — Clone Wars, Rebels, and all of that.”
Hayden Christensen
In addition to Hayden’s interview, some footage from the Kenobi press tour has been posted, and it features Ewan and Hayden talking about the prequels, and their love for Revenge of the Sith.
Ewan starts out by explaining how great it’s been to hear from the younger generations on how much they love the prequels, because he had a bit of PTSD from the critical backlash when they first hit theaters:
“Because I guess you were a kid when those films came out… So we made them for you and it was an odd experience to make those movies… You know, like Moses said, when you step into this world it’s a big deal, it’s scary. And those films were critically not liked very much. They weren’t written very nicely about by the critics.
But what we didn’t hear at the time was people your age, your generation. We meet those people now that really love our films, but it’s taken us fifteen years for us to hear that. But it’s so nice, it’s really nice. It changed my outlook, my relationship with Star Wars it’s different because of that, I think. “
Ewan McGregor
He went on to explain how hard the Prequels were to make, and how the negative reaction sucked, but all these years later, things have gotten much better:
“We put our heart and soul into them, and they were difficult to make, you know. The second one, the third one, there was so much green screen and blue screen, because George was pushing into this new realm that he had designed. He was responsible for ILM and he wanted to max out that technology, but that meant for us that we were very much on green screens and blue screens, and it was hard work. And to do that, and be passionate about it, and for the films to be not well received, it was really tough.
So it’s really lovely to have this relationship with them now… And to watch them again, you know, I hadn’t seen them since they came out, and in preparation for this show to watch them again was pretty cool. I like them, you know, Episode III is a really good movie.”
Ewan McGregor
Hayden chimed in with his own ROTS praise too:
“It’s a phenomenal film. Non-stop action.”
Hayden Christensen
The clip ends with a joke about the high ground, so yeah, it’s perfect. The full spot can be watched below.
They’re both saying all of the right things, so hopefully fans are treated to one of the greatest bits of Star Wars ever when the series hits Disney+ on May 27th.
Nick and I will talk more about Hayden’s interview on next week’s episode of the SWTS, so don’t forget to tune into the Star Wars Time Show on a weekly basis via our podcast platforms or via YouTube if you prefer the livestream angle.
