Latest news with #EpisodeIII–
Express Tribune
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
May the 4th be with you: Global fans celebrate Star Wars Day with Disney+ movie marathons and special events
May the 4th, known globally as Star Wars Day, returned in full force for 2025, drawing fans into a galaxy-wide celebration. From cinematic marathons to exclusive premieres, the unofficial holiday continues to unite Star Wars enthusiasts across cultures and generations. Originating from the iconic line 'May the Force be with you,' the date has evolved into a significant annual observance for Star Wars fans. While not launched by Lucasfilm, its global popularity speaks volumes about the enduring appeal of the franchise. Disney, now the custodian of Star Wars, led official celebrations with a screening of Episode III – Revenge of the Sith at El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. Attended by Hayden Christensen and Samuel L. Jackson, the event offered nostalgic moments. 'I see a lot of lightsabers out here, I see a lot of red lightsabers, which truth be told is my personal favourite lightsaber colour,' Christensen remarked to Entertainment Weekly during the event. Jackson added levity by suggesting that Mace Windu could still be alive, teasing the character's potential return. Streaming plays a major role in festivities, as fans turn to Disney+ to revisit all Star Wars films and series. Disney+ offers the complete cinematic Star Wars experience, including the original trilogy (A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi), the prequel trilogy (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith), and the sequel trilogy (The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker). Viewers can also stream standalone films such as Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and the animated feature The Clone Wars. In addition, the platform features popular series like The Mandalorian, Andor, Skeleton Crew, and Tales of the Empire.
Irish Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Star Wars star's return after divorce from 2000s star
Once a key figure in one of the world's most adored film series, he was a hot topic as a rising star in Hollywood. And now, after some time away from the limelight, he's making a much-anticipated comeback. Hayden Christensen, cast as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones at the tender age of 19, was catapulted into global fame almost instantly. Despite being part of the most iconic sci-fi franchise ever created, his performance received heavy criticism when Attack of the Clones premiered in 2002. Many felt his depiction of the future Darth Vader was too rigid and lacked the authoritative aura many thought the character warranted. His subsequent role in Episode III – Revenge of the Sith was somewhat better received, with fans applauding the darker direction his character took. However, the damage to his aspirations of becoming a movie star was already done. Unlike his co-stars Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman, Hayden never fully transitioned into a major leading man post-Star Wars. He made occasional appearances in films like Jumper in 2008 and Takers in 2010, but none achieved the success many had anticipated given his evident potential, reports the Mirror US. Away from the camera, Hayden's personal life also frequently made headlines. He started dating The O.C. actress Rachel Bilson in 2007 after they met on the set of Jumper. She was a big name on TV and an icon of early 2000's pop culture when the romance bloomed, getting engaged in 2008, then after a brief split, reuniting, and welcoming daughter Briar Rose in 2014. But by 2017 they had split. Hayden stepped back from the limelight for a time. But by 2022, his stars aligned once more. Disney gave Hayden the nod to return to the Star Wars universe with their Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+. He'd don the cape of Anakin Skywalker and his darker alter-ego, Darth Vader, once again. "When I got the call, I was thrilled", Hayden told Entertainment Tonight in 2022. "Putting on the Anakin costume, wearing those robes, it blows your mind every time. I feel very grateful." The fans, especially those who grew up with the prequels, were delighted with his comeback. For many, he was the face of Anakin Skywalker, and now he was finally getting the kudos they reckoned he always had coming. The Kenobi series saw Hayden slip back into Anakin's boots with more depth, and 2023 swung around with him on screen again in Ahsoka, the Disney+ show about Anakin's one-time apprentice. Here, he brings a seasoned take on Anakin to life. During a SAG-AFTRA Foundation chat, alongside co-star Rosario Dawson in 2023, the actor said: "It really was trying to honour the relationship that was so thoroughly developed in [the animated series] The Clone Wars. "For me it was very interesting because of the way it changes Anakin's disposition... There's a slightly different slant to the character because now he has a Padawan... It was really beautiful to see that side in live-action". His role in the Ahsoka series led to significant buzz, with fans expressing their delight online when the episodes aired. Over on X (which used to be Twitter), one enthusiast said: "I can't believe we have so many new scenes with him!" Another wrote: "This is a wonderful reunion." One particularly moved fan confessed: "Got tears in my eyes while writing this." In an electrifying reveal at a Tokyo panel earlier this month, Hayden came out as a surprise for the crowd with Rosario Dawson, Dave Filoni, and Jon Favreau, announcing his return for Ahsoka's much-anticipated second season, speculated to drop in May 2026.
