Star Wars: The Force Awakenshad a brilliant plan forAnakin Skywalker/Darth Vaderthat, sadly, the movie never used, butAhsokareused it in the perfect way. Although the sequels revealed that Anakin/Darth Vader was a bit of an obsession for Kylo Ren, the movies surprisingly never made use of Hayden Christensen as a Force Ghost or otherwise.
That already felt like a missed opportunity, especially given Christensen has consistently proven his interest in returning toStar Warsmovies and TV shows, but concept art fromThe Force Awakenshas me even more disappointed that we never saw Anakin/Vader’s return in the sequels. Thankfully,AhsokabroughtThe Force Awakens’Anakin plans back in an amazing way.
The Force Awakens Concept Art Shows Anakin Skywalker As He Could’ve Been
This Terrifying Design Is Incredible, And It Reveals A Fascinating Take On Anakin Skywalker
According toVanity Fair,The Force Awakens’original plans involved bringing Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader back with a brand-new look. As if Darth Vader wasn’t already terrifying enough in both the original and prequel trilogies, this new visage would have seen Anakin looking nearly like a cyborg.
The changes to Anakin’s character would go beyond just his appearance, though. Per theVanity Fairarticle,Star Wars artist Iain McCaig explained that his logic was:
“If we see Anakin Skywalker, because he does flow back and forth between Darth Vader and Anakin, let’s see him as a character with a dark and light side.”
Thus,The Force Awakens’plan was to have Anakin’s Force Ghost connected to both the light and the dark side, capable of moving between both versions of himself. This would have been a brand-new take onForce Ghosts inStar Wars, as that is a Force power meant only to be accessible on the light side of the Force.
It would have been thrilling to see Hayden Christensen returnin the sequels and get to play yet another complex version of Anakin/Vader, so it’s sincerely disappointing that this idea was left on the cutting room floor. Thankfully, however, the idea wasn’t entirely done away with, asAhsokaseason 1 reused this concept brilliantly.
Anakin Skywalker’s Ahsoka Return Fits Perfectly With The Force Awakens' Plan
We Still Got To See The Duality Of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader In The Ahsoka Show
Although we didn’t get to see the exact concept art fromThe Force AwakensinAhsoka,season 1 of the show did make use of the notion that there remains a duality to Anakin Skywalker, even after his redemption inReturn of the Jedi. Inthe World Between Worlds, Ahsoka Tano reconnected with her former Jedi Master, Anakin Skywalker.
Yet, Anakin wasn’t exactly how Ahsoka remembered him. While in the World Between Worlds, Anakin flashed between his Jedi self and the Darth Vader suit, which was both visually stunning and the perfect use of this concept. That is, just asThe Force Awakensintended, there was both a light and a dark side to Anakin inAhsoka.
Just asThe Force Awakensintended, there was both a light and a dark side to Anakin inAhsoka.
I hope we haven’t seen the last of this concept inStar Wars. Not only withAhsokaseason 2, but also with limitless possibilities in the future, the idea that Anakin’s ghost balances the light and the dark can return. I’m still disappointedThe Force Awakensdidn’t include Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, but I’m so gladAhsokaused this concept.
Ahsoka
Cast
Ahsoka follows the journey of former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy. Released in 2023, this series takes place within the Star Wars universe and features Ahsoka navigating through a complex political and cosmic landscape.
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes place 30 years after the fall of the Galactic Empire. It follows Han Solo and new allies, including Finn and Rey, as they confront the rising threat of Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers while seeking the elusive Luke Skywalker.
