Hayden Christensen's 10 Best Lines As Anakin Skywalker And Darth Vader

Summary Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader's iconic lines showcase his power as one of Star Wars' greatest characters.

Hayden Christensen's cameos in newer Star Wars content offer thrilling new quotes and moments.

Anakin's character development is reflected in his dramatic and comedic dialogue throughout the franchise.

Hayden Christensen's 10 best lines as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in Star Wars prove that Anakin is one of Star Wars' greatest characters. In fact, Anakin/Vader is, incredibly, one of Star Wars' most powerful Jedi and one of Star Wars' most powerful Sith, proving what an iconic figure he truly is in the franchise. Although the prequel trilogy received considerable criticism when it was first released, audience perceptions have largely changed. Now, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith are considered some of Star Wars' best movies.

While many of Anakin's best lines do come from Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, however, Hayden Christensen has thrillingly had more recent appearances in Star Wars movies and TV shows. Specifically, Christensen's cameos in both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka provided some excellent new lines as well. These 10 quotes from throughout Hayden Christensen's appearances in Star Wars represent the very best.

Related All 15 Defining Moments In Anakin Skywalker's Fall To The Dark Side Anakin Skywalker's fall to the dark side of the Force is a pivotal event in Star Wars, and 15 key moments defined how that turn happened over time.

10 "You Are In My Very Soul, Tormenting Me"

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

Anakin Skywalker's dialogue with Padmé was often the target of criticism regarding the prequel trilogy's dialogue. Many found the lines heavy-handed, whether they were long speeches about how deeply he loved her or overtly threatening lines about his heinous actions or future plans. However, considering Anakin's character development, the dramatic lines were absolutely perfect. One such line came in Anakin's longer speech to Padmé in Attack of the Clones about how much he was in agony over loving her.

Considering Anakin's character development, the dramatic lines were absolutely perfect.

In the scene, Anakin told Padmé, "You are in my very soul, tormenting me." Yes, the line may cause viewers to cringe, but that was almost certainly the point. Anakin wasn't a wise, disciplined, or calm Jedi; in fact, at this point, he was still a Padawan, full of emotional outbursts. He was also just 19 at the time; even outside the galaxy far, far away, overindulgent romantic speech from teenagers can't be considered that unusual. Moreover, Anakin was brought up by the Jedi, who were firmly against attachments; why would he know how to flirt?

9 "I Couldn't Find A Speeder That I Really Liked"

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

In addition to Anakin's perhaps less than suave flirtations with Padmé were his frequent arrogant quips. Although they had diminished somewhat by Revenge of the Sith, in Attack of the Clones, nearly every scene with both Anakin and Obi-Wan Kenobi includes flippant remarks from Anakin. One of the best occurred while Obi-Wan and Anakin were in pursuit of Padmé's attempted assassin. Obi-Wan had just asked Anakin what had taken him so long and, in response to Obi-Wan's frustration, Anakin sarcastically replied, "I couldn't find a speeder that I really liked."

Not only is this a great display of Anakin's character traits—conceited yet charming—but it also reveals much about the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan. In particular, the line speaks volumes about why Obi-Wan stood by as Anakin clearly fell further and further from the Jedi way. While Anakin certainly had an attitude issue throughout Attack of the Clones, this type of playful, even brotherly banter was their way. It may have been easy for Obi-Wan to overlook Anakin's growing ego if he was slightly charmed by it.

It may have been easy for Obi-Wan to overlook Anakin's growing ego if he was slightly charmed by it.

8 "Yes, Here"

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

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Anakin's dialogue regarding his power and abilities may have gotten more grandiose in Revenge of the Sith, but he seemed to have at least improved his ability to speak romantically to Padmé in a less desperate way. In fact, at the beginning of Revenge of the Sith, when Anakin and Padmé finally reunited after Anakin returned from the Outer Rim Sieges and saved the Chancellor (or, thought he did—Palpatine had really staged the entire thing), Anakin seemed to have a newfound confidence.

As the two concealed themselves behind a pillar, Anakin began to kiss Padmé, who told him "Not here." Long gone, evidently, were Anakin's soliloquies about his affections; instead, he simply said, "Yes, here." In addition to this solidifying that Anakin had matured, it also signaled that the couple could have avoided their terrible end had they heeded Anakin's line of thinking. Anakin followed the comment by explaining, "I'm tired of all this deception; I don't care if they know we're married."

In that sentiment, Anakin could have prevented the violence and death that was to come. What eventually drove Anakin to the brink, leading to his fall to the dark side, was the secrecy and the lies required of his relationship with Padmé. Fascinatingly, at that moment, he proved he was ready for that to be over. In a different, happier story, this could have been the turn the two needed to leave their current path; sadly, of course, that wasn't how this story ended.

7 "You Lack Conviction"

Ahsoka

Hayden Christensen's cameo in Ahsoka was an incredible moment in Star Wars. Ahsoka, considerably older than when she had last encountered Darth Vader in Star Wars Rebels, entered the World Between Worlds, a realm made possible through the Force that manipulates time and space. In it, she encountered her old Jedi Master, Anakin Skywalker, who appeared not as Vader nor as Anakin before he died but rather as he did in the prequels. Although initially the two were playful and walked through memories of the Clone Wars, Anakin morphed into Vader, changing the tone entirely.

At one point, Vader kicked Ahsoka through their memory back onto the platform in the World Between Worlds. When he stalked back in, flashing back and forth between Anakin and Vader, he menacingly said, "You lack conviction." This line was perfect because it reflected the same bravado and overstated dialogue Anakin had used in Revenge of the Sith, perfectly connecting the two. It was also an excellent moment of Anakin once again taking on the role of Ahsoka's Master, yet, interestingly, this time as Vader.

6 "Life Seems So Much Simpler When You're Fixing Things"

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

One of Anakin's best lines is also one of his easiest to miss. In Attack of the Clones, after Anakin slaughtered the Tusken Raider camp, Padmé came to bring him food and check on him. When she walked in, Anakin told her, "Life seems so much simpler when you're fixing things." This line is profound because it reflects that the scared little boy Anakin had been in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace was still lingering beneath the surface, even after he had committed such a horrible act.

This line is profound because it reflects that the scared little boy Anakin had been in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace was still lingering beneath the surface.

Despite his violence—which cannot be overlooked regardless—Anakin was at odds with the person he was becoming. At that moment, he spoke to what he really wanted to do; as he had when he was younger, Anakin wanted to be one to fix things. He didn't want to destroy or harm, despite that becoming precisely who he was as his tragedy went on. It's a poignant though understated line that gets at the heart of Anakin's internal conflict, even though he makes all the wrong decisions in the end.

5 "Compassion, Which I Would Define As Unconditional Love, Is Central To A Jedi's Life"

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

One of Anakin's wisest lines was delivered to Padmé in Attack of the Clones, breaking the trend of his conversations with her being some of the most criticized in the movie. As they sat and ate together, Padmé asked Anakin whether, as a Jedi, he was allowed to love. In response, Anakin said, "Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life." Not only was this beautifully worded, but it also got at the heart of the issue with the Jedi's rule against attachments and his own flaws.

In the same explanation, Anakin told Padmé that it wasn't love but rather attachment and possession that were forbidden in the Jedi Code. Ironically, despite saying it himself, neither Anakin nor the Jedi truly followed this tenet. The Jedi, for their part, did seem to reject even love, failing to separate the positive emotion of love from the more thorny feelings of attachment and possession, though they are distinct. Anakin, confusingly, given this scene, also failed in this area, letting his need to possess and control Padmé drive him to the dark side.

Despite saying it himself, neither Anakin nor the Jedi truly followed this tenet.

4 "General Grievous... You're Shorter Than I Expected"

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

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Although many of these quotes are profound and have deeper implications for not only Anakin but also the Star Wars galaxy in general, others are simply all in good fun. One of the best came at the beginning of Revenge of the Sith. Shockingly, Anakin and General Grievous never met throughout the entirety of the Clone Wars, which the Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV show worked masterfully to maintain. When they did encounter one another in Revenge of the Sith, it became one of the funniest scenes in the movie.

Beginning with a slight, General Grievous said, "Anakin Skywalker. I expected someone with your reputation to be a little...older." Without missing a beat, Anakin snidely remarked, "General Grievous. You're shorter than I expected." In a movie filled with so much pain and sadness, and one that shows Anakin transform into someone evil and unrecognizable, this type of levity was definitely needed, and it remains one of Hayden Christensen's best lines as Anakin.

3 "I Am Not Your Failure, Obi-Wan"

Obi-Wan Kenobi

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Of course, the emotional lines are just as good if not often better than the comedic ones, and the loaded reunion of Anakin and Obi-Wan in the Obi-Wan Kenobi show was certainly no exception. After he believed Anakin died on Mustafar, Obi-Wan came face-to-face with the reality that Anakin had instead become one of the most evil individuals in the galaxy—a fact that pained him terribly. Anakin, for his part, had known Obi-Wan was alive and had long sought him. This all came to a head in the finale of the show.

In the final episode, Anakin/Vader and Obi-Wan had one last battle before they inevitably met up once again in A New Hope. During the fight, Vader's mask was damaged, revealing half of Anakin's face underneath. Shocked at seeing the face of his old friend, Obi-Wan broke down and apologized "for all of it." With that split image and the genius split voice of both Anakin and the voice-modulated Vader, Anakin replied, "I am not your failure, Obi-Wan."

This was an incredible and surprising moment. It was clear throughout Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Revenge of the Sith, for that matter, that Anakin blamed Obi-Wan for his fate. This moment, in which he took responsibility for the death of Anakin Skywalker and told Obi-Wan it wasn't his fault remains confounding. It isn't entirely clear whether he intended it as a mercy or wanted to lay claim to being the one who truly killed Anakin, thereby reaffirming that he was no longer Anakin himself. Either way, though, this was a beautiful line and offered Obi-Wan closure.

2 "This Is Where The Fun Begins"

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

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"This is where the fun begins" is perhaps Hayden Christensen's most quoted line as Anakin Skywalker. The line was delivered at the beginning of Revenge of the Sith when Obi-Wan and Anakin were both on their way (they believed) to rescue Chancellor Palpatine from General Grievous. As Obi-Wan and Anakin weaved through space in dangerous conditions and headed into even more dangerous conditions on Grievous' ship, Anakin's line reinforced his personality.

For Anakin, with few exceptions, the Clone Wars served as something like a game. He not only counted and compared battle droid kills on the field with his Padawan, Ahsoka, but also seemed to enjoy the challenges and dangers they faced in battle, frequently poking fun at Obi-Wan during The Clone Wars for not being as daring as he was. While this arrogance was in part his downfall, when he had not yet turned to the dark side, it was one of the most charming aspects of his character.

1 "I Have Brought Peace, Freedom, Justice, And Security To My New Empire"

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

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If "This is where the fun begins" isn't Anakin's most quoted line, then "I have brought peace, freedom, justice, and security to my new Empire" certainly is. Although it is yet another example of prequel trilogy dialogue that frequently gets mocked, it is also an example of how such lines get misread as bad writing when they are really reflective of Anakin's state of mind. Anakin had fallen so far to the dark side so quickly that he seemed to have lost touch with reality; he truly believed he had brought peace to an Empire that was now his.

Of course, the reality was that he had committed a genocide and now answered to a tyrannical Sith Lord who would never let him truly share in the power, but that wasn't his perspective. Sure, out of context, the line can sound somewhat silly. However, in reality, this truly is one of Hayden Christensen's best quotes as Anakin Skywalker because it shows just how delusional he really had become. While this is the top quote, however, these 10 lines all reflect the very best of Hayden Christensen's lines as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader throughout Star Wars.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones Years after the events of The Phantom Menace, the Skywalker Saga continues with Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. When Senator Padme Amidala's life is threatened, Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are tasked with her protection. While Obi-Wan uncovers a clone army made in secret, Anakin falls in love with Padme, marking the beginning of his inevitable fall to the dark side of the Force.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is the sixth film in the Star Wars franchise and chronologically the third in the Skywalker Saga. Set three years after the events of Attack of the Clones, Anakin Skywalker is tasked with keeping an eye on Chancellor Palpatine while other Jedi battle across the galaxy. In the background, however, a mysterious Sith lord begins to make their move to destroy the Jedi once and for all.

Ahsoka Ahsoka is a Sci-Fi television series based in the Star Wars universe developed by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. Starring Rosario Dawson, this series follows Ahsoka Tano as she works with Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), her trusty droid Huyang (David Tennant), and Hera Syndulla (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) to prevent the return of the villanious Grand Admiral Thrawn. Ahsoka acts as a live-action continuation of the animated series Star Wars: Rebels.

Obi-Wan Kenobi Obi-Wan Kenobi takes place 10 years after the events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, which showed Anakin’s fall to the dark side and the rise of Darth Vader. Obi-Wan is hiding on Tatooine and watching over Luke Skywalker before Bail Organa recruits him to save a kidnapped Leia. With a confrontation with Darth Vader inevitable, Obi-Wan Kenobi tells the story of a man of a destroyed alliance fighting to protect the future. Ewan McGregor returns as his fan-favorite Star Wars character, as does Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader.

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