George Lucas Explains Why Anakin is the Chosen One

We all know that Anakin Skywalker’s journey is the heart of Star Wars. His rise as a Jedi, his tragic fall to the dark side, and his ultimate redemption are all tied to one thing—the prophecy of the Chosen One.

But what exactly makes Anakin the Chosen One?

George Lucas has made it clear time and time again: Anakin’s role was always about bringing balance to the Force. The Jedi believed in a prophecy that spoke of someone who would destroy the Sith and restore balance. And with Anakin’s unparalleled potential, they saw him as that figure. But as we know, his story took a darker turn. Fear, anger, and attachment led him down a path that ended with him becoming Darth Vader, serving the very Sith he was meant to destroy.

Yet, that wasn’t the end of his destiny.

Anakin’s true moment as the Chosen One comes in Return of the Jedi. In the final battle, he makes the choice to save his son, Luke, by destroying the Emperor. That single act wipes out the Sith, fulfilling the prophecy once and for all. And in doing so, he redeems himself, proving that even after everything, he was still the Chosen One.

Lucas himself has been very clear about this—Anakin was always meant to be the Chosen One, and his story, from start to finish, is the foundation of the entire saga.

Lucas has always reminded us that Star Wars from Episode I to Episode VI is one continuous story—the complete Skywalker saga, with Anakin Skywalker at its core as the one destined to bring balance to the Force. As Lucas himself explained, everything we see, from Anakin’s rise as a Jedi to his fall as Vader and eventual redemption, is part of the prophecy. When he finally destroys the Emperor by throwing him into the reactor shaft, that moment isn’t just about saving Luke—it’s the moment that fulfills his destiny, ends the Sith, and brings balance back to the Force, just as the prophecy foretold.

“You gotta remember this is one movie and it’s meant to be seen one through six. So, I think when you watch the actual movie in order, the story will become very clear, that Anakin is the Chosen One.”

And we’ve seen that from the very beginning. In The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon Jinn discovers Anakin and recognizes his immense potential, noting that his midi-chlorian count is the highest of any being he’s ever encountered. That alone is one of the biggest signs that Anakin is truly the Chosen One.

Even when Anakin falls to the dark side in Revenge of the Sith, he remains the one destined to fulfill the prophecy. As Lucas himself confirmed:

“Even when Anakin turns into Darth Vader, he is still the Chosen One. The prophecy is that Anakin will bring balance to the Force and destroy the Sith.”

And that’s exactly what happens in Return of the Jedi. In his final act, Vader chooses to save Luke and destroys the Emperor, fulfilling the prophecy and restoring balance to the Force.