Ahsoka‘s trailers have hinted at a return to an important realm in Star Wars, the World Between Worlds. That dimension, which sits at the nexus of all time and space, has made us wonder if the show might mark the live-action debut of Kanan Jarrus even though the Jedi Knight sacrificed himself years earlier. But now the Disney+ series is teasing the return of another dead character because Ahsoka‘s latest promo prominently features new dialogue from Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Skywalker.
Hayden Christensen recently returned to Star Wars on Obi-Wan Kenobi. He not only played Darth Vader on the series, though, he also appeared as Anakin in a flashback. It showed Christensen training years earlier with his Master at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. The sequence didn’t use old footage. It was filmed just for Obi-Wan Kenobi. That scene is likely (based on his hair) the source of the footage we see of Anakin in this new Ahsoka promo, which also shows Darth Vader’s first moments in his mask.
But in the latest Ahsoka trailer, the audio we hear of Anakin speaking to his Padawan (in Christensen’s current, older voice) is new. We hear Anakin tell Ahsoka, “In this war, you’ll face more than just droids. As your Master, it’s my responsibility to prepare you. I won’t always be there to look out for you.” Later he adds, “Don’t be afraid. And trust your instincts. I know you can do this, Ahsoka.” The lines sound like something Anakin would have said in Star Wars: The Clone Wars—Matt Lanter voiced him in the animated series.
Whether or not Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker will appear on the Ahsoka series remains unknown. This ad definitely teases the possibility, obviously. How could that happen? Just like with Kanan Jarrus, and like he already has, Anakin could easily appear to us and Ahsoka in a flashback. He could also show up in the past inside a portal within the World Between Worlds. That might mean we’ll see Ahsoka watching Anakin train her decades earlier. Of course, unlike Kanan, Anakin could also appear as a Force Ghost. Liam Neeson’s Qui-Gon Jinn did exactly that on Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Even if we only hear Anakin Skywalker’s voice Ahsoka’s mind, though, it will still have a big impact on the series. It’s emotional just to hear him talk to her in this promo. Ahsoka’s relationship with Anakin changed the entire galaxy far, far away forever. It’s only fitting it will still be shaping Ahsoka as she prepares to take on enemies both old and new once more.