In the 2022 miniseries, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Hayden Christensen, and Ewan McGregor reunited on screen for the first time since 2005 when their iconic characters locked horns once again. The series which is part of George Lucas’ cult Star Wars franchise, is set years after the events in Revenge of the Sith, and brings the titular Jedi Master face to face with his arch nemesis Darth Vader.
Apart from many déjà vu moments from the various films, the series also brought back some memorable props, including the famous healing vessel called the bacta tank. Christensen who was required to get into this big water-filled vessel for his character, dispensed with a body double for the test run, and went through training to master the art of being underwater without the help of any breathing aids.
Hayden Christensen Did Not Resort To Any Half Measures For His Iconic Role Reprisal
The 2022 Disney Plus miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi saw the historic reunion of the titular protagonist played by Ewan McGregor and his former apprentice Anakin Skywalker aka Darth Vader, played by Hayden Christensen. The show follows the return of the Jedi Master who went into hiding after the events that occurred in Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith and his face-off with his arch nemesis.
Through many callbacks and Easter eggs, the series took Star Wars buffs down memory lane while also bringing back many key nuances and aspects that defined the films. One of the props that played a significant part in the narrative was the bacta tank, which was used in earlier Star Wars films.
This was a large vessel filled with a healing liquid that was used to treat seriously injured patients who were submerged into the water and given breathing masks to recuperate inside. Fans of the franchise will recall Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker healing inside this vessel after he was attacked by a wampa in The Empire Strikes Back.
The bounty hunter Boba Fett, too, has used the benefits of the bacta tank to recuperate after he claimed the throne of Jabba the Hutt. In Obi-Wan Kenobi, fans witnessed Christensen’s Darth Vader entering the pod for the first time. This required the production team to go back in time and create a similar set for the situation.
Expectedly, this was an elaborate and intricate process that needed to be designed and tested for proper functioning. While Christensen would ultimately be seen with an oxygen mask underwater, the production team required the actor to step into the tank without any breathing support to ensure that all bases were covered for the shot to be taken.
The Jumper star was fully up for the demanding challenge and went all out to learn underwater skills as seen in a behind-the scenes clip of the process. In an interview with Variety, the actor spoke of the measures he took to ensure that he was fully prepared to do the test run to perfection.
“I had to be completely submerged in water holding my breath. I got to work with a great dive coach, and he would teach me different breathing techniques. I think my longest breath holds were around two and a half minutes,”
Despite wearing heavy prosthetics that weighed him down in the tank, Christensen confessed that he surprisingly enjoyed the process and even felt that being underwater gave him a sense of peace and solitude. Tom Cruise, the original daredevil, will be proud of the star’s commitment to his craft.
Hayden Christensen On His Absence From Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
In 2016, the Star Wars Saga continued its journey with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The plot follows a group of rebels who join together to steal plans of the Death Star, the ultimate weapon of the Galactic Empire. The film also saw the appearance of the epic’s big antagonist, Darth Vader.
Surprisingly, though, Hayden Christensen, who played the role in the prequel trilogies in the early 2000s, did not reprise his role in the film. Instead, professional boxer Spencer Wilding embodied the character during the early scenes while stuntman Daniel Naprous was used toward the end. When asked about his omission from the film, Christensen told EW,
“I wasn’t a part of any of those conversations about Rogue One. But I loved what they did with it. The character predates me, and it’s always been a collective effort in a lot of ways. I thought it was brilliant.”
Rogue One received critical acclaim from viewers and was also DC head James Gunn’s favorite film of the franchise with the director calling it the ‘most underrated Star Wars anything’ on his X handle (via Screen Rant). Despite missing out, Christensen showed grace and respect towards the franchise that made him a big name by showering appreciation for the film and its narrative.
Season 1 of Obi-Wan Kenobi is streaming on Disney Plus.
