Hayden Christensen Describes People's Intense Reactions to Meeting Darth Vader (Extended)

-Hayden, it's good to see you, friend. -It's good to see you too, man. -First time on "The Tonight Show." -Yes with you yes. -But we have known each other for years. -I know. We return to "The Girl in the Factory." -We were together in a movie called "Factory Girl" with Sienna Miller. -That's how it is. -And you were fantastic. We had fun. -Likewise, yes. We had too much fun. -I think we really did. Yes. In fact, we probably had too much fun, yes. Do you remember how impressed you were by my performance? You said, "Jimmy, you should get into the talk show business." -Actually, I remember

meeting

you for the first time, and I was playing a character that was loosely based on Bob Dylan, and the first time we met, you went into, you know, one of your Bob Dylan impersonations.

And I was so impressed by that. I was like, "Oh my God. Why aren't you playing this role?" -No. Oh my god, no. You crushed it, come on, man. I want to congratulate you on the success of "Obi-Wan Kenobi". -Thank you. -He is the greatest thing in the world. And he couldn't happen to a nicer guy. -Thank you. -The final fell on Wednesday. It was trending number one on Twitter for the next three days. But first, I want to talk again about when you were first cast as Anakin Skywalker. -Yeah. -You were just out of high school, right? -Yes, I was in high school, like a year before, doing school plays. -Where were you?

Like in Canada? -Yes, I lived in Vancouver at the time. It was a long audition process. And I was renting an apartment with a friend of mine, and he knew that I was a candidate for this role and I would find out soon. I received the call. I was stunned, incredulous. I remember walking into the living room with a big smile on my face. And he kind of connected the dots, but to confirm it, you know, I turned on an imaginary lightsaber like... - Yeah! -He got it. -You say... -He was also a big fan. -Brilliant. -He had the "Star Wars" soundtrack, he put on "Duel of the Fates" and we had a whole battle with lightsabers, like jumping all over our apartment.

Just screaming like giddy little kids. -Excited, that's what it's about. That's so cool. -It was incredible. -All these years later, you are in the new "Obi-Wan Kenobi". You get to really see Darth Vader. We had Ewan McGregor on the show a couple of weeks ago. He said that when he first saw you as Darth Vader, he was scared. He was actually really scared and said, "I felt, actually, really scared. Everyone on the set did, too." Do you feel that when you wear the costume and dress like Darth Vader? -Yeah, I mean, you know, it's an amazing costume to put on.

It is an honor to be able to use it. But the best part is definitely seeing

people

's reaction, you know, when they see Vader. Do you have something like... -Is it easy to see things with those eyes? -No, I mean, it's very limited visibly, but when someone crosses your field of vision... -They're scared. -You see a kind of change in his behavior, you know? For example,

people

who are normally very confident become a little more shy and timid. It is fun. -I wanted to ask, because you are the only person I can ask. It's hot? -It's very hot, yes.

No, you're sweating buckets all the time. -You're right? -Yes Yes. But they actually have a component under the suit where, if you get too hot, they hook you up to this machine and it pumps cooling fluid throughout your body to cool you down. -Actually? -Yeah. Which, again, helps make everything feel like you're a mechanical creature relying on this mechanism. -Wow. -To move forward, yes. -Good to Know. That's great. I also know that when we first meet you, you are very damaged and scarred, Anakin. -Am. -Great prosthetics for that. -Incredible prostheses. -How many hours for that? -It was like a good four or five hours each time we did it. -And then you have to go act. -Yeah.

I mean, you know, it's an amazing visual creation that happens every time they do it, and it really helps you get a feel for the character. But at the end of the day, when you have to take it off, that's a different story. -That scrubbing and pulling and scrubbing, yes. So you say, okay, what do I like more, that one or this hot mask? You're like, I don't know. Yes. By the way, your beautiful 7-year-old daughter? Did you know that dad is Darth Vader? -She knows dad's Darth Vader. She's never seen dad as Darth Vader. I'm still waiting a little bit, you know, until that happens. -You could probably show him the... -Maybe I'll show him the prequels soon. -Yeah. -But still, there are some scenes that we may have to fast forward to. -That's true, yes. -But... -Does he have a lightsaber? -We have a couple of lightsabers hanging around the house, and in fact, she was my first lightsaber training partner, when I returned to the "Obi-Wan" show. -That's what I mean, friend. -Yeah. -The series finale started airing on Wednesday and I don't want to give away any spoilers for anyone who is watching the show and hasn't caught up.

It's very interesting doing a talk show when you're not really allowed to talk about anything. It happens a lot. And then even when it came out, it's been out for a long time, things came out for years and they said, "Don't mention what's going on." So in case people haven't, but this is recent, as of Wednesday. What can we say about the ending? -Again, not much without spoiling anything. -I knew it! I knew it. -But no, there are great things and there is a very emotional confrontation between Obi-Wan and Vader that was a real privilege to be able to film. -With Ewan? -With Ewan, yes. -He's a great guy.

He's a great actor. -I love the man to pieces, yes. -Yes he is good. He becomes very emotional. Congratulations again on everything, friend. You know I love you, man. I want to show everyone a clip. Here are Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor in "Obi-Wan Kenobi." Look at this. -I'm not afraid of the Dark Side! I see through the Jedi's lies. ♪♪ -Help me, Master Qui-Gon. Give me strength. ♪♪ ♪♪ -Anakin Skywalker is alive. ♪♪ he has been looking for you for a long time. ♪♪ -Yes! Come on! Hayden Christensen, everyone! “Obi-Wan Kenobi” is streaming now on Disney Plus. Preacher Lawson performs standing after the break.

Everyone stay.