Hayden Christensen played Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, but the role nearly went to Leonardo DiCaprio. Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side and rebirth as the Sith Lord Darth Vader was one of the main narrative and emotional components of the prequels. While Hayden Christensen is undoubtedly a talented actor, the depiction of Anakin Skywalker in the prequel trilogy is one of the films’ most criticized elements. Leonardo DiCaprio, who is considered by many to be one of modern cinema’s greatest acting talents, could have changed the perception of the Star Wars prequels had he accepted the offer to play Anakin Skywalker.

Over twenty years after the conclusion of the Star Wars original trilogy, which forever changed the filmmaking landscape, George Lucas and Lucasfilm initiated a new trilogy of Star Wars films. The prequels would show not only the tragic fall of Anakin Skywalker but the near-destruction of the Jedi Order and the transformation of the Galactic Republic into the fascist Galactic Empire. Although the prequel films tell a tragic story of a good person being corrupted into the worst version of himself, the trilogy perfectly ties into the originals, softening the blow of seeing Anakin’s fall from grace with the inevitability of his redemption.

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Unfortunately, the Star Wars prequel films were each met with mixed critical reception upon release, especially the first two movies. While the films were well-integrated into the timeline set up by the original trilogy films and Legends-era material, viewers and critics took issue with the trilogy’s slower pace and a stronger focus on politics, when compared to the fast and often lighthearted feel of the original Star Wars trilogy films. Many also took issue with the dialogue and direction of the films, criticizing them for a lack of emotion and verisimilitude, especially when compared to the memorable and all-too-human performances in the originals. The performances of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith by Hayden Christensen was particularly scrutinized, making some wonder if the films would have been better if Leonardo DiCaprio had taken the role instead.

Leonardo DiCaprio Almost Played Anakin Skywalker In The Star Wars Prequels

Star Wars Leonardo DiCaprio Anakin skywalker

Leonardo DiCaprio is famous for avoiding roles in major commercial blockbuster films. DiCaprio was offered the role of Dick Grayson/Robin in 1995’s Batman Forever, and later the lead role as Peter Parker in Spider-Man, but he turned down both roles. According to a 2015 interview with Shortlist, DiCaprio was also offered the role of Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. As with the two superhero roles, DiCaprio turned down the offer, not feeling ready to take on a role that big quite yet, despite his past successes. While DiCaprio has yet to star in a major superhero or science-fantasy blockbuster film, he remains one of the most popular and respected actors in Hollywood today.

Leonardo DiCaprio is famously picky about the roles he accepts, having built a highly-successful career without attaching himself to a major franchise. The role of Anakin Skywalker puts a massive amount of pressure on whichever actor plays him, so DiCaprio’s choice to turn down the offer is understandable. No matter how acclaimed or criticized his performance as Anakin Skywalker would be, the role would define his career, which he might have wanted to avoid. DiCaprio’s co-starring role in 1999’s Titanic very nearly defined DiCaprio’s career as that of a romantic lead, which DiCaprio allegedly hoped to avoid ever since. Had DiCaprio played Anakin Skywalker, he might have opened the floodgates to more big-budget franchise roles.

How DiCaprio's Anakin Would've Been Different To Hayden Christensen's

Leonardo DiCaprio Anakin Skywalker

While Hayden Christensen’s performance as Anakin Skywalker was often criticized around the time of the films’ release, recent years have been far kinder to him and his iteration of the tragic hero. Modern critics and viewers tend to scrutinize the dialogue more than Christensen’s acting, with some feeling that any other actor would have had difficulty with certain lines. During the production of the original Star Wars trilogy, actors like Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill often asked George Lucas to change certain lines to make them sound more natural. Given Lucas’ fame and influence in the industry by the time the prequels were in production, however, there may have been far fewer instances of actors asking for changes to the script.

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In addition to being a method actor who builds his performances from the ground up, Leonardo DiCaprio was already a major name in Hollywood when the prequels were in production. With this in mind, DiCaprio might have been more inclined to doctor elements of the scripts, particularly for his scenes as Anakin Skywalker, to give them a greater degree of verisimilitude. The romantic scenes with Anakin and Padmé on Naboo in Attack of the Clones are particularly singled out as one of the prequel trilogy’s weakest examples of dialogue, but DiCaprio might have made suggestions to improve them.

Would DiCaprio's Anakin Have Been Enough To Save The Star Wars Prequels?

Star Wars Prequel Trilogy

The often-criticized dialogue of the Star Wars prequels, ultimately, might not have flattered any actor, even one as heavyweight as the Oscar-winning Leonardo DiCaprio. Hayden Christensen is a talented actor in his own right and the prequels feature prestigious performers like Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, and Natalie Portman, some of whom were similarly criticized in their roles. In numerous scenes, especially in Revenge of the Sith, Christensen proves that his acting skills are excellent. The Star Wars prequel trilogy was also criticized for far more than its actors’ performances, so having Leonardo DiCaprio play Anakin Skywalker wouldn’t have changed the complaints about the movies focusing too much on politics, for instance.

Just as Hayden Christensen’s performances as Anakin Skywalker have become far better appreciated over time, so to have the Star Wars prequels in general. While not perfect, the trilogy does a phenomenal job of showing the gradual fall of democracy into the depths of authoritarianism, the flaws of the previously-lionized Jedi Order, and the tragic transformation of a flawed hero into a horrific villain. While undoubtedly an incredible actor, Leonardo DiCaprio playing Anakin Skywalker probably wouldn’t have changed anything significant about the Star Wars prequel films, which are ultimately far better than their reputation suggests.

Next: Anakin's Clone Wars Duels With Count Dooku Improved His Prequels Story