It’s been a long time coming, but 2024 is shaping up to be a heartwarming year for Star Wars fans.
Hayden Christensen, the actor who brought Anakin Skywalker to life, is finally receiving the recognition he’s long deserved.
Meanwhile, Jake Lloyd, who portrayed young Anakin in The Phantom Menace, is making meaningful progress on his mental health journey.
Here’s a closer look at them these days.
Jake Lloyd’s Healing
Jake Lloyd’s story has been one of resilience through immense challenges. The actor, who portrayed young Anakin Skywalker in The Phantom Menace, has faced significant mental health struggles over the years, but 2024 brings a hopeful turn in his journey.
In March 2023, Jake experienced a severe psychotic episode while driving home from McDonald’s.
His mother, Lisa Lloyd, recounted the event: “He said he wanted to turn the car off. And he turned the car off in the middle of the three lanes, and we were in the middle lane. There was a lot of yelling and screaming.”
When police arrived, they realized Jake needed medical attention, not jail time, as his speech was incoherent. “It was all word salad,” Lisa explained.
Jake was admitted to a hospital and later transferred to a mental health rehabilitation facility, where he’s now about 10 months into an 18-month program.
Lisa has seen progress and remains hopeful: “He’s doing much better. He’s starting to understand more about his condition and the importance of taking his medication.”
Jake’s challenges began in high school when he struggled with defining reality.
Initially diagnosed with bipolar disorder, he was later found to have paranoid schizophrenia, a condition further complicated by anosognosia—a neurological disorder that makes it difficult for someone to recognize their illness. “When they finally told him, it totally threw him off into an even worse depression,” Lisa shared. “It was really hard.”
Despite enduring personal tragedies, including the unexpected passing of his younger sister Madison in 2018, Jake continues to find solace in the Star Wars universe.
Lisa revealed, “People think Jake hates Star Wars. He loves it.”
In fact, Jake is an avid fan of both the films and TV series, particularly Ahsoka. For his birthday, Lisa gifted him an Ahsoka Tano action figure, a gesture that brought him genuine joy.
According to TMZ, Jake made his first public appearance in over a year in October 2024.
Spotted in Los Angeles, he was seen visiting a gym, vaping, and recycling protein shake boxes. Photos of Jake show him sporting a trimmed beard and keeping a low profile, a clear sign that he’s focusing on his health and well-being.
Hayden Christensen’s Triumphant Return
After years of mixed reception following his portrayal of Anakin in the prequel trilogy, Hayden Christensen has been basking in the adoration of fans.
Thanks to his reprisal of the iconic role in the Disney+ series Ahsoka, Hayden’s Anakin once again became the centerpiece of emotional storytelling.
His reunion with Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka Tano brought nostalgic tears to fans’ eyes, proving that his contribution to the Star Wars saga is nothing short of timeless.
But it’s not just his on-screen moments that have endeared Hayden to fans this year.
In March 2024, Hayden participated in a massive Star Wars celebration at New York City’s Empire State Building.
Alongside Darth Vader and a squad of Stormtroopers, Hayden helped launch the “March to May the 4th” campaign, a nod to the franchise’s iconic holiday.
His involvement in events like these shows just how connected he is to the Star Wars community, and fans have responded with overwhelming enthusiasm.
In October 2024, Hayden headlined Los Angeles Comic Con, marking his first-ever appearance at the event.
Fans were thrilled to meet him in person and celebrate his legacy as Anakin Skywalker. It’s clear that 2024 has been a banner year for Hayden, both in his career and his personal connection with fans.