Anakin Skywalker could’ve been saved if he knew his children, says Hayden Christensen

The Fall of Anakin Skywalker was always the story that George Lucas wanted to tell. Back when the original trilogy was filming, the director had planned the elimination of the Jedi and the turn from Skywalker to Vader.

It would take decades until fans would see Skywalker’s fall from grace, and many believe that the Jedi could’ve been saved. But what does Anakin Skywalker actor Hayden Christensen think of the situation?

Would Anakin Skywalker turn to Darth Vader with his kids?

In an interview with Fatherly, Anakin Skywalker actor Hayden Christensen discussed the ways in which his character could’ve stayed a Jedi. Obviously, the character fell to the Dark Side and became the Sith apprentice, Darth Vader. But did it have to be this way?

Anakin’s fall came from his fear of losing those close to him. After the death of Shmi Skywalker, his mother, Anakin became obsessed with the fear of losing Padmé Amidala, his wife. In a twist of irony, it was his actions that caused the death of his wife. “Ironic, isn’t it,” foreshadows Palpatine.

However, just before her death, Padmé gives birth to twins: Leia and Luke Skywalker. Leia is given to the Organa Royal Family of Aldeeran and Luke is given to Anakin’s step-brother Owen Lars, all without the newly-crowned Darth Vader’s knowledge.

Of course, Vader ends up becoming a tyrannical force for The Empire, serving Palpatine. But could knowing the existence of Luke and Leia make him turn back to the good? Christensen thinks so.

"It’s pretty tragic that he was unaware of his children," the actor said when asked about this. "I think you’re onto something there.”

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Does Darth Vader know they’re his kids?

There are some theories within the Star Wars community that Darth Vader knows about his children. At least by The Empire Strikes Back, Vader is absolutely aware that he’s Luke’s father. (Hence the line: “I am your Father!”)

The knowledge that Luke is Vader’s son is seemingly information passed from Palpatine to Vader. But when does Palpatine find out? And does he also know that Leia is Vader’s daughter?

Even so, by the time of the original trilogy, Anakin Skywalker is dead, and it takes a lot of lightning to his son’s body to turn him good again. Perhaps there is a multiverse where Vader found out about his children right away. But would he try to protect them? Or would he train them to become Inquisitors?