There's plenty of discourse throughout the fandom of the Star Wars franchise about Hayden Christensen's role as Anakin Skywalker, and whether he properly executed the character. Arguments break out about whether it was bad writing, or just Christensen's awkward performance, but still, his character is just as iconic all these years later. It's also hard to imagine someone else in the role of Anakin after Christensen made the role his own, but MSN states that over 1500 actors auditioned for the character. George Lucas ultimately chose Christensen for Skywalker, and the rest is history. However, it's fun to picture different actors that could have been cast in such a big role in the franchise. Here are eight actors that could have been great as Anakin Skywalker.
Adam Brody
Similar to Christensen, in the early 2000s, Adam Brody had a certain look about him that gave off the boyish vibes that made him look very trusting. Anakin's character in Episode II: Attack of the Clones is exactly that; boyish, slightly immature, in love, and starting to step into himself and his destiny. Brody would have nailed that; kind of awkward and almost unsure of himself, especially since he looks like he could be goofy and very lighthearted.
Paul Walker
The Things states that Paul Walker was extremely close to getting the role of Anakin Skywalker, but it went to the unknown actor instead. Walker went through the motions of auditioning alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, which might be surprising, and spoke about being bummed that he didn't secure the role. Walker went onto a huge franchise that is The Fast and the Furious, but it's fun to think about him fitting in with the Star Wars cast. One can't help but think about how his death would have affected future Star Wars episodes, as it did with Fast and Furious. Especially since Christensen made an appearance in the new Kenobi show on Disney+.
Orlando Bloom
Orlando Bloom has an impressive list of acting credits under his belt, and if he had Star Wars on his resume, he would have been ever deeper into stardom. Bloom has also starred in more than one successful franchise; Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings, so he would have been able to handle the intensity of what a franchise as big as this entails.
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves is a national treasure, so he had to be included on this list. Reeves is definitely known for his roles in plenty of action movies, such as The Matrix and John Wick, but there's a softer side to him as well. That side could have easily been applied to Anakin, fitting in with the character and the transition of him betraying Padme and Obi-Wan.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Young Jake Gyllenhaal could have easily been cast in the role of Anakin Skywalker, especially when you think of Donnie Darko. With his creepy stares and dark themes in the movie, he'd be perfect for Anakin turning on his mentor and falling into the hands of the dark side. Gyllenhaal is a great actor, and had the range similar to Christensen at a young age, captivating audiences with how he demanded attention.
Garrett Hedlund
In 2005, Garrett Hedlund starred in Four Brothers alongside Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, and Andre 3000 in the role of Jack Mercer. At that specific time frame, Hedlund would've crushed it as Anakin, simply because his range was impeccable. Especially in Four Brothers, where he went through a range of emotions; grief, anger, sadness, pain, and love.
Cillian Murphy
You might be surprised to see Cillian Murphy on this list due to his role in Peaky Blinders as Thomas Shelby, but Murphy isn't just Shelby. Something that people often overlook when it comes to the character of Anakin, was how boyish and awkwardly charismatic he was before falling into the hands of the dark side. Of course. Murphy has that way about him that makes the viewers hang onto every single word he says, so picturing him in the role of Anakin, especially when he gives his mini monologue about hating sand, is an easy feat.
Heath Ledger
Along with Paul Walker, Heath Ledger was also on the roster of actors who came close to getting the role of young Darth Vader. Ledger made it big in 1999 with his role in 10 Things I Hate About You and proved that he could be wonderfully charismatic. Not only that, but he could flip the switch and play the best Joker in Batman history, and sell it without going over the top. He had the duality of heartthrob and villain, and clearly Anakin Skywalker was both. It would have been interesting to see the chemistry between Ledger's Anakin and Portman's Padme, and how it would have changed the films.