Hayden Christensen is currently in discussions to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe for an upcoming project. According to our trusted and proven sources, the once and future Anakin Skywalker is the latest of many, many, many prominent actors to be lured to Marvel, which has a constant need to bring in new actors to its extensive future schedule of films, shows, and Disney+ specials. Although there are few details as to who Hayden Christensen could be in talks to play, we speculate that he is in negotiations with Marvel to play none other than Norrin Radd aka the Silver Surfer.
By an extraordinarily wide margin, Hayden Christensen is best known for playing Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader for Marvel’s fellow Disney property, Lucasfilm. This year, he returned to the role to much critical acclaim and fan enthusiasm, first in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series with Ewan McGregor and soon in the Ahsoka series with Rosario Dawson. Given that Hayden Christensen seems to be coming out of semi-retirement (perhaps due to recent, more positive re-evaluations of the Star Wars prequel trilogy), it seems like a good time for him to get on board the Marvel train.
Although the Silver Surfer has not yet appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is really only a matter of time. The character became accessible to Marvel Studios when Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019 and, along with it, the film rights to the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. The Silver Surfer is one of the most well-known recurring characters for Marvel’s First Family, so there is a very solid chance he could be showing up in some capacity in their upcoming movie.
Hayden Christensen could play Marvel’s Silver Surfer for a number of reasons. One, most likely, the character would be CGI and he has a lot of experience doing vocal work. Two, audiences are already very familiar with Hayden Christensen playing a morally conflicted character who has given himself over to mass violence at the behest of a greater power. Three, Hayden Christensen is already in good with Disney via Star Wars and presumably could be transferred over to the Marvel branch of the company relatively easily.
The Silver Surfer appeared in the second 20th Century Fox Fantastic Four movie, portrayed by a combination of CGI, the prolific actor and contortionist Doug Jones, and the voice of Laurence Fishburne. While Hayden Christensen might not have the same level of vocal gravitas as the star of The Matrix and John Wick, he could potentially bring a more emotional aspect to the Marvel character once he manages to tear away from the clouding influence of his master Galactus. Plus, if there is a flashback to pre-Power Cosmic Silver Surfer when he was a simple astronomer named Norrin Radd, it would be fun to see Hayden Christensen unexpectedly appear.
For now, we will just have to see whether Hayden Christensen can come to an agreement with Marvel Studios and whether he will indeed be playing the herald of Galactus. The Fantastic Four movie is scheduled to be released in 2025, so we will find out in the future.