Disney+ Ahsoka: Anakin’s Return Can Either Fill A Plot Hole Or Make It Worse

Word is finally out that Hayden Christensen will reprise his role as Anakin/Vader in the upcoming Disney+ Star Wars show Ahsoka. And theories and rumours

By Ishita Chatterjee
October 31,2021
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Word is finally out that Hayden Christensen will reprise his role as Anakin/Vader in the upcoming Disney+ Star Wars show Ahsoka. And theories and rumours are flying around about how he could fit in the show.

It’s possible that apart from helping Ahsoka be a part of the larger Skywalker movie narrative, his presence could either fix or lay to rest a Sequel Trilogy plot hole.

Let us explain it below.

It’s The Right Time For Hayden Christensen To Come Back To Star Wars

Rosario Dawson posts about Hayden Christensen joining the cast of Ahsoka
Rosario Dawson posts about Hayden Christensen joining the cast of Ahsoka

Hayden Christensen first played Anakin Skywalker in the 2002 movie Attack of the Clones. Back then, the response to his portrayal as well as to the movie was very lukewarm.

Fast forward almost two decades later, in 2021, people’s opinion on the movie as well as his portrayal have improved a lot. This is primarily thanks to nostalgia which has shed a warm light on the Prequel movies.

As a result, Christensen is now a loved Star Wars alum. And whether it was intentional or accidental, this was just the right time for him to come back and reprise his roles in the Disney+ Star Wars shows Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka.

Both of these projects are set at different periods as well. The Obi-Wan show is probably set a decade before A New Hope, and the Ahsoka show is set half a decade after Return of the Jedi.

And the last show may help address a Sequel Trilogy plot hole.

What Is The Sequel Trilogy Plot Hole That Anakin Can Fix?

Kylo Ren
Kylo Ren

In the Sequel Trilogy, the equivalent of Anakin is Kylo Ren. Now, Kylo reveres his grandfather Vader a lot. So much so that he even talks to Anakin’s broken helmet at night and wants to complete the work that he started.

So it’s abundantly clear that he knows about Vader. But apparently, he doesn’t know that Anakin turned against the Empire and defeated Palpatine. So, in the end, he embraced the light-side once again.

As such, a lot of hassle at the end could have been avoided if Anakin’s Force ghost had appeared in front of his emo grandson and told him the truth. But that didn’t happen.

However, Ahsoka can retroactively explain why Anakin didn’t appear to explain that to his grandson from beyond the grave. Now, the Ahsoka series will take place after Anakin’s death.

Therefore, it’s safe to assume that we will either be seeing Hayden as Anakin through flashbacks, or he would show up as a Force Ghost.
The chances are that he will appear as both to help the show establish Anakin’s importance in Ahsoka’s life. Also, it would help the show clear up how the Force Ghost thing exactly works.

How Can Ahsoka Address Force Ghost Anakin’s Absence In The Sequel Trilogy?

Anakin Skywalker as a Force Ghost
Anakin Skywalker as a Force Ghost

Maybe the Jedi were seeing a Force Ghost that needs to be on the light side or maybe, a Jedi’s spirit can only show up to those they were connected to while still alive, i.e. Yoda to Luke, Luke, and Leia to Rey, etc.

So the show could address why Anakin didn’t bother to show up. Maybe there’s a limitation that explains it all. However, there’s another possible reason why Anakin didn’t appear as a Force Ghost in front of Kylo.

It’s possible that making amends with Ahsoka allowed his soul to rest. After all, Darth Vader did redeem himself a little by destroying the Empire. He also enjoyed a final touching moment with Luke. Leia also learned that her father was heroic in the end.

But Ahsoka didn’t know about any of this. So maybe if he can build his relationship with Ahsoka, then Anakin would correct his last regret. As such, maybe then, his force ghost can move on peacefully.

So, this would explain why Anakin was absent when Kylo was raising hell. Another way to approach this would be to develop Anakin’s character so that not involving himself with Kylo Ren becomes pretty self-explanatory.

Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Luke as well appear to be wiser when not in their physical forms. So the same might very well be true for Anakin as well.

As such, Anakin might say something along the lines of how he has no right to judge the path of another even he is a direct descendant of his. Of course, the opposite might happen as well.

Anakin Skywalker and Ashoka Tano
Anakin Skywalker and Ashoka Tano

If Anakin appears to Ahsoka and tries to guide and help her throughout the series without any limitations or restrictions, it would make the Anakin-Kylo plothole worse.

After all, fans would then surely ask why he didn’t do the same for Kylo. However, then the show can explain that it was because he wasn’t personally connected to Kylo. Overall, if Ahsoka does use Force Ghost Anakin, they have to explain why he didn’t stop Kylo Ren in the Sequel Trilogy.

You might also like: Disney+ Ahsok Anakin’s Return Can Explain A Rise Of Skywalker Theory.