Star Wars fans love imagining alternate possibilities, but what if Anakin Skywalker’s story had taken a drastically different path?
At Fan Expo Philadelphia 2023, Hayden Christensen shared his own “What If” idea: a series exploring an alternate story where Anakin never falls to the dark side.
And here is what he shared!
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Anakin’s Alternate Path
When Hayden Christensen was asked by a fan, “If Star Wars had a “What If” series like Marvel, which storyline would you want to explore?”
In Christensen’s idea, Anakin doesn’t transform into Darth Vader. Instead, he remains committed to Padmé and the family they dreamed of, creating a version of Anakin who experiences the life of a father and Jedi, far from the tragic path we know.
By raising his children and supporting Padmé, Anakin fulfills his role in a way that Star Wars fans haven’t seen—grounded in love and responsibility, not torn by loss or deception.
This approach would not only alter the personal stories of Luke and Leia but would likely change the fate of the Jedi Order and the entire galaxy.
Christensen’s concept includes Obi-Wan as a steadfast presence—an “Uncle” figure who supports Anakin and the Skywalker family.
Here’s where you can find Hayden Christensen’s interview—I’ve also marked the exact moment he shares his thoughts on a ‘Star Wars What If’ storyline.
Hayden Christensen’s Dream of Anakin’s Life as a Father and Jedi
After hearing Hayden Christensen’s vision for a Star Wars “What If” scenario, many of us can picture what his idea might look like.
Imagine a peaceful day on Naboo, where Anakin, now a devoted father, guides young Luke and Leia through meditation by the lake’s edge, encouraging them to connect with the Force in gentle, natural ways.
Padmé looks on, her expression one of calm and relief, as she sees Anakin’s powerful connection to the Force used for family, peace, and wisdom instead of war.
Or perhaps, in this alternate path, Anakin doesn’t want Luke and Leia to become Jedi. Instead, he stands beside Padmé, simply watching his children play by the water, laughing and splashing together.
There’s no urgency for training or battle, just the simple joy of family life that Anakin once thought was out of reach.
As the sun begins to set, Obi-Wan arrives, smiling. He sees the family he fought so hard to protect, finally safe and together. He nods to Anakin, who returns the nod with quiet appreciation.
Fans React to Hayden Christensen’s Ideas
On Twitter, fans are buzzing about Hayden Christensen’s Star Wars “What If” concept. User Techagek suggests, “Disney should just make Marvel’s ‘What If?’ for everything… a multiversal canonical version would be great,” seeing the potential for endless storytelling.
Another fan, YOUTA, imagines Anakin and Ahsoka continuing their adventures, fighting remnants of the Empire together, much like in The Clone Wars.
Fans have even created artwork capturing this alternate reality, showing just how deeply Christensen’s idea resonates
