One prequel trilogy actor who hasn't appeared in Maul: Shadow Lord in the works, many are wondering what the future of live-action Star Wars shows will include.

Among the possibilities that fans have discussed is a Darth Vader TV show starring Hayden Christensen. Currently, Star Wars' best characters, a Darth Vader show doesn't seem entirely off the table, and one unexpected prequel trilogy actor in particular would be essential to bring back for this Star Wars show to work.

Fans Are Hopeful That A Darth Vader Show Is Coming

There Are Some Hints This Could Be In The Works

Although Star Wars hasn't confirmed a Darth Vader show is coming or is even a possibility, many in the fanbase are hoping such a show could be under consideration. In fact, Hayden Christensen himself has seemingly dropped some hints that this show could be created in the future. Specifically, earlier this year, Christensen teased a Darth Vader return that definitely wasn't about his Ahsoka season 2 appearance. Christensen said:

“There’s a lot that we could still explore with Vader...I think from where we left off, after Episode III, and everything that he has to reconcile after he’s trapped in this new version of himself, there’s just a lot of very rich stories that we could still tell.”

By contrast, he said the following about Ahsoka season 2:

"But I’m really loving getting to sort of play the more heroic side of the character in the Ahsoka show, and I’m very excited for Season 2.”

Both statements seem to confirm that Hayden Christensen is interested in a return as Darth Vader, but it wouldn't be in Ahsoka season 2, when he will evidently be playing a "more heroic side" of Anakin.

Although the story details of Ahsoka season 2 remain unknown—Dave Filoni actually confirmed during Star Wars Celebration 2025 that he was still working on the script—it's very unlikely that Christensen will appear as Darth Vader again in that show. Instead, the World Between Worlds in Ahsoka season 1.

It's therefore rather unlikely that Ahsoka will bring Christensen back as Vader, especially given the point in the Star Wars timeline Christensen's first comment was referring to. The idea that there's more to unpack about Vader's story following the events of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith suggests an entirely new Vader-focused story in the early days of the Empire. But could such a story really be brought to the Star Wars screen at this point?

Star Wars Already Has The Perfect Source Material

The Vader Comics' Stories Would Be Incredible To See On Screen

While some may argue that Star Wars needs to focus on other stories rather than bringing Darth Vader back once again, there is plenty of source material a Darth Vader show could pull from that would be absolutely brilliant to see on screen. In fact, the Star Wars comics have explored many Vader stories during this era that would feel exciting and innovative rather than unnecessary were they adapted for a show. Among those storylines are Vader's visit to Pé's tomb and the moment in which he finally creates his red lightsaber.

Star Wars comics have explored many Vader stories during this era that would feel exciting and innovative.

For the latter, not long after Revenge of the Sith, during which Vader still wielded Anakin's iconic blue saber until Obi-Wan left Mustafar with it, Vader obtained a kyber crystal from a Jedi he bested in battle and then bled it, as is the tradition of the Sith. This was no easy feat for Anakin, though, as he actually experienced a shocking level of conflict when he bled this crystal, even seeing visions of Pé and Obi-Wan. This story, originally told in Star Wars: Darth Vader #5 (2017), written by Charles Soule, would be incredible to see on screen.

PURCHASE STAR WARS: DARTH VADER #5 (2017)

However, it's the story of Vader's visit to Pé's tomb that would prove particularly interesting for a Vader show and would bring back a surprising star from Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. In Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) #1, written by Greg Pak, Vader visits Pé's tomb on Naboo, intending to find out more about her death and Luke Skywalker's birth. While attempting to open Pé's tomb, Vader is stopped by none other than Sabé, Pé's closest handmaiden, who traded places with her in The Phantom Menace.

PURCHASE STAR WARS: DARTH VADER (2020) #1

Bringing Keira Knightley Back As Sabé Would Be Absolutely Perfect

This Would Be The Perfect Follow-Up So Many Years Later

Keira Knightley was the actress who portrayed Sabé in The Phantom Menace, and she would be the perfect star to appear in a Darth Vader show, specifically following the beats of this story. In addition to being a thrilling callback to the prequels with Knightley's return, this story just makes so much sense to bring to the screen. Particularly with Christensen's interest in exploring Anakin/Vader's feelings of being trapped, this arc that captures his guilt and grief even many years after Revenge of the Sith would be ideal.

This would also be arguably the most realistic way to bring Pé's character back into focus. Given Pé obviously wasn't a Jedi, it's not possible for her to come back as a Force Ghost. Outside of flashbacks, there's therefore little a Vader show could do with the character in a show set during this era. If a Darth Vader show brought Keira Knightley back as Sabé, though, Star Wars could explore this compelling storyline that has yet to be shown on screen, all while bringing an unexpected prequel trilogy star back to the franchise.