Hayden Christensen’s Darth Vader Suit Tech Helped Him Get Into Character

Hayden Christensen says that the working medical technology in his Darth Vader suit helped him get into character for his role in Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Hayden Christensen’s Darth Vader Suit Tech Helped Him Get Into Character

Hayden Christensen Obi-Wan Kenobi says that his Vader suit for the Disney+ series has mechanical benefits to the wearer that make him feel more connected to his character. Darth Vader is arguably the most recognizable character in the Star Wars franchise, so much so that an architect even used his image as a gargoyle in Washington’s National Cathedral. Vader, portrayed by the late David Prowse, made his first appearance just minutes into the opening scene of A New Hope, captivating audiences from the very beginning.

Christensen was cast as Anakin Skywalker in the prequels, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Both movies explore Anakin’s slow descent to the Dark Side of The Force. After succumbing to the temptations of The Dark Side and slaughtering countless younglings at the Jedi Temple, Anakin engages his mentor and friend Obi-Wan in a lightsaber duel, only to become badly dismembered and burned. Left to die, Anakin is rescued by his new Sith mentor, Emperor Palpatine.

Christensen’s final scene in the prequels depicts Anakin donning the iconic Vader suit, an intimidating outfit that is medically necessary for his survival. Although it looked like this would be the last time audiences would see Christensen in Vader’s suit, the new Obi-Wan series opened the door for his return as Darth Vader. In an interview with TimeOut, Christensen revealed the Vader suit for Obi-Wan has working components to maintain his health in real life. Read about the suit’s features below.

“It’s so hot and so heavy! But you know, there’s an under-layer to the Vader suit that has cooling liquid in it, so when you’re not working you sit down and get plugged into this device that circulates the liquid and helps you cool down. And the need for that mechanical element makes you feel even more like the character”.”

The sheer weight of the costume, accompanied by the fact that it is fully enclosed and black, makes filming under the heat of the set’s lighting extremely difficult. Luckily, a cooling system was built into the Vader suit to keep Christensen from overheating on set, which the actor appreciated. Rather than constantly disassemble the outfit during film breaks, Christensen was able to get some much-needed relief from the heat while still staying in costume.

Other Star Wars alumni like Anthony Daniels have complained about the high temperatures and restrictive movements caused by their costumes. Fortunately, current cast members of the franchise, such as those in Obi-Wan Kenobi, can enjoy a reprieve from some of the previous filming burdens due to technological advances. Christensen can now experience the new comforts of it while also having a deeper connection to his character.