Hayden Christensen could finest be identified for taking part in younger grownup Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, however in the course of the early 2000s, he additionally performed a number of components in different movies.
From lead roles in romantic comedies to gritty, violent dramas, Hayden confirmed his vary past the confines of a galaxy far, far-off. Whereas the flicks listed usually are not all his movie roles, these are Hayden Christensen’s finest non-Star Wars roles.
10. Jumper
Jumper stars Christensen as David Rice, a younger man able to teleporting just about wherever he desires. His life-style is lavish resulting from his capacity to “soar” out and in of financial institution vaults. Nonetheless, he’s hunted by a secret society of non secular fanatics who consider his existence is blasphemous.
Christensen approaches this function with swagger and enthusiasm, and it’s clear that his chemistry together with his character’s romantic curiosity, performed by Rachel Bilson, who later turned his fiancée in actual life, is genuine. Jumper obtained unfavorable critiques from critics, however audiences gave the film a “B,” in keeping with a ballot by CinemaScore.
Picture Credit score: Regency Leisure.
9. Awake
One other critically panned movie starring Hayden Christensen was 2007’s Awake. Christensen performs Clay Beresford, Jr., a younger billionaire who wants a coronary heart transplant. He marries his love, Samantha “Sam” Lockwood, at midnight earlier than his surgical procedure on the native hospital. Through the operation, Christensen’s character experiences anesthesia consciousness which causes him to have an out-of-body expertise that helps him uncover his physician and new spouse conspiring towards him to have him killed in the course of the transplant.
Whereas the vast majority of the performing by Christensen takes place throughout his out-of-body expertise, the layers of intrigue and suspense assist him stand out from this in any other case cleaning soap opera-esque drama.
Picture Credit score: MGM Studios.
8. Takers
Whereas not a starring function, Takers showcases Christensen’s capacity to behave with among the finest within the enterprise. Starring Matt Dillon, Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Jay Hernandez, Tip “T.I.” Harris, and Michael Ealy, amongst others, the movie is an action-packed thriller centered on one final daring financial institution heist by a bunch {of professional} financial institution robbers.
Whereas most critics took situation with the script’s extra cliche components, Christensen’s portrayal of cocky, sensible A.J. makes his sacrifice towards the movie’s finish way more significant.
Imake Credit score: Display Gems.
7. Shattered Glass
Primarily based on the true story of real-life journalist Stephen Glass, Shattered Glass is probably Hayden Christensen’s most critically acclaimed function after his introduction as Anakin Skywalker. The movie stars Christensen as Glass, depicting the rise and fall of his journalistic credibility whereas writing falsified articles for The New Republic journal. Christensen received the Finest Actor Award on the Las Palmas Movie Competition for his function.
Picture Credit score: Lions Gate Movies.
6. Life as a Home
Earlier than he was catapulted to stardom by his Star Wars function, Hayden Christensen portrayed Sam Monroe alongside Kevin Kline in Life as a Home. The dad makes an attempt to reconnect with Christensen’s character after studying he has advanced-stage most cancers.
Christiansen’s portrayal of Sam’s development from a resentful younger man with problematic conduct to making an attempt to fix his relationship together with his father earned him a Finest Supporting Actor nomination in each the Golden Globes and Display Actors Guild. He additionally received the Nationwide Board of Overview Award for Breakthrough Efficiency by an Actor.
Picture Credit score: New Line Cinema.
5. Manufacturing unit Woman
One other supporting function for Christensen was his flip as Billy in Manufacturing unit Woman. Sienna Miller performs Sixties movie star and socialite Edie Sedgwick, and Hayden Christensen performs people singer Billy Quinn, a personality loosely primarily based on Bob Dylan. Sedgwick turns into Andy Warhol’s muse, regardless of her relationship with Quinn.
Sedgwick and Quinn are concerned within the movie, however the relationship doesn’t final. Christensen’s flip as Edie’s jilted lover is each intriguing and heartbreaking.
Picture Credit score: MGM Studios.
4. The Virgin Suicides
Whereas his function in The Virgin Suicides is small, the film’s cult following received’t quickly overlook the significance of his character. Christensen performs Jake Hill Conley, a good friend of Journey Fontaine, the primary love curiosity of Lux Lisbon, performed by Kirsten Dunst.
Jake’s function is important as a result of Journey can’t take Lux to the homecoming dance except Lux’s different three sisters have dates. The movie’s ending stays with you lengthy after the credit roll, and Christensen’s character is a small however vital a part of that melancholy feeling.
Picture Credit score: Paramount Classics.
3. Vanishing on seventh Avenue
In Vanishing on seventh Avenue, Hayden Christensen portrays tv reporter Luke Ryder. Ryder lives in a world the place the solar doesn’t present gentle, and persons are disappearing at nighttime after a complete blackout.
Regardless of its lackluster ending, Christensen presents nice emotional vary and the power to intrigue viewers.
Picture Credit score: Magnolia Footage.
2. New York, I Love You
Created as an anthology of 11 movies rolled into one, New York, I Love You stars Hayden Christensen as Ben, a pickpocket from Chinatown who finally ends up falling in love with a girl he sees in a photograph from a stolen pockets.
Whereas it’s a brief movie and one other small function, Christensen’s character is fascinating to observe as this half is kind of totally different from lots of his different dramatic, extra thrilling characters.
Picture Credit score: Vivendi Leisure.
1. 90 Minutes in Heaven
Our final entry is a faith-based movie primarily based on the e book 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. It stars Christensen as Don Piper, a Christan pastor concerned in a horrific automobile crash. Piper is pronounced useless on the scene, however he returns to life 90 minutes later when his physique is dropped at the hospital.
The movie struggles a bit with the pacing, primarily because of the producer’s want to be as correct as attainable to the e book. Nonetheless, Hayden Christensen’s plausible depiction of a person struggling together with his religion is notable, as is his chemistry with Kate Bosworth, who performs Piper’s spouse, Eva.
Picture Credit score: Samuel Goldwyn Movies.
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Picture Credit score Disney+.
