Hayden Christensen, who rose to critical acclaim after playing Anakin Skywalker (AKA a young Darth Vader) in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), made quite a splash during his initial tenure in the franchise.

Although his portrayal of the Chosen One — and the Prequel Trilogy altogether — was subject to harsh reviews from critics at the time, Christensen has gradually earned the respect and adoration he’s long deserved from fans. His return to Star Wars nearly 17 years later in the Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries was easily a highlight of the show, made only better by his recent appearance in Ahsoka.

Now, while reflecting on his experience filming the Prequel Trilogy, Christensen is opening up about Anakin’s turn to the Dark Side — and how much he, perhaps, accidentally, changed Star Wars lore forever.

In keeping with the stubbornness and grit of his onscreen counterpart, Christensen recently told Empire Online that he fought for Anakin to have Sith eyes prior to his confrontation with Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor) in the final moments of Revenge of the Sith against George Lucas’ wishes.

Speaking with the publication, Christensen referenced Anakin’s “tipping point” to the Dark Side, in which he has to choose to side with either Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) or Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson). While filming, Lucas “spoke about how Anakin was conflicted but not yet corrupted, and that he still wanted to do the right thing,” leading Christensen to make a suggestion:

It’s a hugely transitional scene for the character and one that sets the course for everything that follows. I remember in the weeks leading up to filming it, I was trying to figure out how to express his turn and acceptance of the anointment of Darth Vader. It needed an observable shift in character and this was actually the origin of George and I discussing giving Anakin Sith eyes.

At first, Lucas was “against the idea” of visually representing Anakin’s turn to the Dark Side with Sith eyes, noting that “Count Dooku didn’t” before shutting it down in the interest of continuity. However, a few days later, the director “came back” to Christensen, softening up to the idea of Sith eyes, but not for that pivotal Palpatine vs. Mace Windu scene:

Originally, there was no mention of it and George was initially against the idea when I brought it up. I loved the visual of Sith eyes and thought it could make sense: Darth Maul had them and Sidious has them. George responded saying that Count Dooku didn’t, and I thought that was the end of that. A few days later he came back to me and said he thought about it some more and now liked the idea of Sith eyes – but not for that scene.

I think that was because it would have misinformed things. Anakin’s fall to the dark side isn’t just about good and evil and ideological views; it’s also about timing and circumstance.

George is a visionary and always knew exactly what he wanted, but when I had an idea he would always hear me out and consider it. When I had an instinct on set and wanted to try something different than what we were doing, he would always indulge me. I remember on several occasions explaining what I wanted to try and George would say, ‘Well I know when I get to the editing room and I’ve got your version and my version, I’m always going to use my version, but sure, let’s give it a try.’ And he was right, he always did use his version!

It’s always fascinating to get a peak into the behind-the-scenes making-of the galaxy far, far away, especially for something as iconic as Anakin’s Sith eyes. His idea, combined with Lucas’ vision and directorial experience, certainly made for a memorable — and tragic — scene that filmmakers today still use in newer Star Wars projects.

Memorably, Anakin’s Sith eyes made an appearance in Season 1, Episode 5 of Dave Filoni’s Ahsoka show, during which he confronts his apprentice, Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson), in the World Between Worlds, shifting between his Light and Dark Side alter-egos.

Anakin and Obi-Wan’s heartbreaking duel in Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries also highlighted Anakin’s Sith eyes — “I am not your failure, Obi-Wan. You didn’t kill Anakin Skywalker, I did.” — when Vader’s helmet is cut in half, exposing his scarred face.