Hayden Christensen's Hilarious Reveal About Darth Vader's Underwear
Beginning in 1999 with "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace," the prequel trilogy to the beloved "Star Wars" saga set out on an ambitious mission. Not only did George Lucas and his company push the limits of visual effects into the new age, but in doing so, they used their tools to tell Darth Vader's rise to become the most infamous Sith lord of them all. Followed by "Attack of the Clones" in 2002 and concluding with "Revenge of the Sith" in 2005, this epic saga saw Vader start as the hopeful "chosen one" known as Anakin Skywalker, who, after years of deceit, betrayal, and conflict, turns to work alongside the sinister Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid).
Child actor Jake Lloyd portrayed Anakin's younger self in "The Phantom Menace," while "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith" saw Hayden Christensen deliver a memorable performance as a young adult Anakin. Despite heavy criticism towards Christensen's performance during the trilogy's initial release (via AV Club), his interpretation has since become beloved by fans who grew up with the prequels. To the celebration of the fandom, Christensen even returned and reprised the iconic role in the Disney+ series, "Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Taking on the part initially was likely a tall task, especially in "Revenge of the Sith," where he not only finished Anakin's tragic arc but finally stepped into the iconic costume of Darth Vader. When it came to what it was like wearing that costume, however, it turns out that the actor has some fascinating insight that fans more than likely never considered.
Vader goes commando
In an interview for Moviefone where Hayden Christensen and George Lucas ask each other questions provided by fans, Lucas initially asks Christensen what it was like wearing the Darth Vader costume for the first time. He then goes on to ask, "Does Darth Vader wear briefs or does he wear shorts?" Christensen laughs and responds, "He actually goes commando." The reveal is obviously meant to be a playful response, and the two take it in with plenty of warm laughter. It's not too exaggerated a thought in hindsight, however, considering that Anakin was charred to a near crisp after his battle with Obi-Wan at the end of "Revenge of the Sith," and the Vader suit was made to help keep him alive. Underwear was likely the last thing on anyone's mind during Anakin's life-saving operation.
Perhaps Christensen was remembering an important "Star Wars" rule, as Anakin was not the only Skywalker family member that would have gone bare. In her one-woman stage show, "Wishful Drinking," Carrie Fisher, who portrayed Princess Leia, recalls a playful note Lucas gave her while shooting the original "Star Wars." "Do you remember that white dress I wore all through the first film?" the actress asks the audience. "They put the dress on me the first day, they bring me to George [Lucas], takes one look at me and he says, 'You can't wear a bra underneath that dress.' So I say, 'Why?' He says, 'Because, there's no underwear in space!'"