In recent times, Disney has increasingly leaned on visual effects to refresh familiar Star Wars faces. Anakin Skywalker, as portrayed by Hayden Christensen, has been among those touched up by modern CG techniques. The fifth episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi featured a training duel with a young Anakin, and behind the scenes a team of visual effects artists attempted to smooth the wrinkles from the hero. The result varied, with the youthful Padawan still carrying the telltale lines of age that reminded viewers of the decades that had passed since his last on screen appearance.
A notable intervention came from the YouTuber stryder HD, who created deepfake videos that rejuvenated the character for several years of in-universe progression. The audience reaction online supported the change, and comments under his work echoed a sense that the portrayal finally aligned with the character’s younger self.
One observer remarked that the rejuvenation now looks much better and that seeing a 40-year-old Padawan had previously been uncomfortable. Others joined in the conversation, noting that visual effects teams could benefit from additional resources to achieve the same level of believability in digital de-aging. The discussion highlighted how fans respond to age adjustments in legendary characters and the delicate balance between nostalgia and cinematic credibility.
Industry chatter points to ongoing interest in refining de-aging techniques, with studios weighing the trade offs between production speed, cost, and fan expectations. The final episode of Obi-Wan is scheduled to air soon, keeping the spotlight firmly on how the franchise handles aging and memory across its cast.
Source: VG Times