The Power of Nostalgia: How Initial Criticism of McGregor and Christensen Transformed Into Modern Embrace

Star Wars: Revenge of The Sith returns to theaters for the film's 20th anniversary. Photo by John E. Smith via Wikimedia Commons

This year, “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” marked its 20th anniversary with a special re-release in theaters, reminding fans of the emotional weight and lasting impact the film continues to carry. The 20th anniversary of “Revenge of the Sith” served as a moment to reflect on how its actors, Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen, were once at the center of harsh criticism, only to be embraced by a new generation of fans.

In the realm of “Star Wars,” where legacy and memory often take precedence over narrative, the saga’s past and its characters are tied to the evolving experience of its fanbase. When “The Phantom Menace” first hit theaters in 1999, expectations for the prequel trilogy were high, with the film marking the long-awaited return to the galaxy far, far away. 

Yet, the reception of two key actors, Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker), was, for many fans, not kind. What was initially perceived as lackluster or even problematic performances has since shifted into deep appreciation, especially with the resurgence of interest in the “Star Wars” universe through newer installments like Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) and Ahsoka (2023).

The initial wave of criticism directed toward McGregor and Christensen largely stemmed from the looming shadow of nostalgia; the weight of Episodes IV-VI still carried a massive cultural significance. The original trilogy had, for a generation, been a touchstone for cinematic achievement, and Star Wars was synonymous with the likes of Harrison Ford’s Han Solo, Carrie Fisher’s Leia Organa and of course, Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker. 

“Because Star Wars has had the cultural impact that it has, these characters almost become public domain, where people feel a sense of ownership over them. The character was criticised, my performance was criticised, and that part sucked,” Christensen told Empire Magazine. “And I didn’t understand the disconnect between the movie that I saw and the negativity in some of the reviews. In a way, that sort of criticism, I think, comes from a certain failure of their own suspension of disbelief. If you’re gonna go sit in a theatre, and the opening scroll starts with, ‘A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away,’ that’s setting the stage that anything is possible.”

For fans who grew up with those characters, it was difficult to imagine anyone living up to the monumental legacy of these beloved actors. The newly cast leads, McGregor, then a rising star, and Christensen, a relatively unknown newcomer, seemed like replacements in a story that didn’t quite measure up.

The prequel trilogy’s darker, more complex themes were alien to those accustomed to the straightforward hero’s journey of “A New Hope” and its sequels. For many fans, the transition from Han Solo to the tragic arc of Anakin Skywalker, portrayed by Christensen, felt disjointed. These choices were often seen as a misstep, one that tried, and arguably failed, to capture the same magic of the original characters. But nostalgia, as it always does, has a way of turning the tide.

Over the years, McGregor and Christensen’s portrayals have come to be understood in a new light. The critiques that once echoed through fan forums and reviews have largely faded into the background as newer generations of “Star Wars” fans have discovered “The Phantom Menace” and its sequels. Today, the very elements that some fans dismissed as overly dramatic or sloppy are now celebrated as central to the prequels’ unique charm. 

The 2022 “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series was a pivotal moment in this reversal. It brought McGregor’s Kenobi back into the fold, not as a relic of past storytelling, but as a man struggling with the weight of failure and the loss of hope. The emotional weight of the character, particularly in scenes with a young Luke Skywalker, resonated not just with fans of the prequels but with those who had lived through the original trilogy as well. 

“There’s been a profound change in my relationship with ‘Star Wars’ and with the fans of ‘Star Wars’ and just in my feelings about it. The prequels were quite difficult to make and quite difficult to deal with after they came out,” McGregor said in an interview with TheWrap. “It’s brought me right back into the ‘Star Wars’ world in a really nice way. I’m really proud of it now. And it’s made me proud of that work, then in a way that I probably wasn’t before.”

The juxtaposition of nostalgia and present-day stakes allowed McGregor to explore a more vulnerable side of Obi-Wan, one that made him both relatable and, for many, even more beloved. For Christensen, his return as Anakin Skywalker, particularly in Ahsoka, marked an emotional turning point in the fanbase’s relationship with the actor. Where once there was hesitation to embrace his portrayal, there is now a full, heartfelt acknowledgment of the tragic brilliance behind Anakin’s fall. 

The ongoing Star Wars saga’s reliance on nostalgia is more than just a marketing tool. It's a thematic cornerstone that transcends generations. It’s the connective tissue that binds fans of different ages and backgrounds, creating a shared experience that’s both personal and collective. For the current crop of Star Wars fans, McGregor and Christensen’s portrayals have become symbolic of an era of Star Wars that many grew up with. In fact, it’s this very nostalgia that is rooted in the original trilogy, but deeply tied to the emotional experiences of the prequels that allows these actors to resonate with fans today.

“The journey that I’ve been on with Star Wars over the last 20-plus years… It’s been a wild ride, and where we’re at now is really meaningful to me. I think that those movies have held up well over time. It feels like vindication for the work that we did,” Christensen said in an interview with Empire Magazine.

At the heart of it all is the enduring weight of “Star Wars,” both thematically and emotionally. The franchise’s exploration of good versus evil, personal sacrifice and redemption is timeless, as relevant now as it was in the late 1970s. The prequels, with their examination of power, corruption and loss, have only gained in relevance, especially in our present world, where questions of morality and loyalty are ever more pressing.

What was once perceived as a failed attempt to capture the magic of the original “Star Wars” now feels like an integral part of the saga. McGregor and Christensen, who were once criticized for not measuring up to their legendary predecessors, have found their place in the “Star Wars” universe as vital pieces of the larger puzzle. Through the lens of nostalgia, these performances are not just appreciated, they’re celebrated.

In the end, nostalgia’s power is not merely a longing for the past. It’s a way of reconnecting with stories that have shaped generations. It’s the gateway through which new fans experience the magic of “Star Wars” and the lens through which older generations rediscover it anew. In the case of McGregor and Christensen, nostalgia has allowed them to step into the roles that were once seen as burdens, but are now embraced as icons of the “Star Wars” universe.