Hayden Christensen
AARON HARRIS / Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Rising star Hayden Christensen is settling into his role as Darth Vader.
The handsome, 22-year-old actor -- who joined the "Star Wars" franchise in last year's "Episode II: Attack of the Clones" -- just wrapped "Episode III," the final flick in the blockbuster George Lucas series.
This time, the dark role of Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi Knight who turns into Darth Vader, really fit.
"I had a better understanding of Anakin this time," Christensen admits. "There was more to sink my teeth into."
The actor has been sworn to near-secrecy in discussing his role in "Episode III," which isn't due out until 2005.
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"I can't talk much about it," says the Toronto native, who started acting in TV commercials at age 8.
But Christensen won't remain mum on his admiration for co-star Natalie Portman, who continues her reign as Queen Amidala.
"She's a real sweetie, and a good kisser," Christensen says, grinning. "No, make that a fantastic kisser!"
Indeed, the two were so convincing as love interests, rumors swirled that their chemistry had spilled over into real life.
In addition to having to get used to the Darth Vader role, Christensen is learning to deal with the glare of the spotlight, weathering less-than-stellar reviews and tabloid tall tales.
"The pressure is definitely heightened on a 'Star Wars' film," he says.
"Sure, I was hurt by the bad reviews" of "Episode II," he says. "I didn't necessarily disagree with them. I just try not to take them to heart."
Christensen's "Star Wars" roles aren't his only dances with the dark side. He plays lying journalist Stephen Glass in the movie "Shattered Glass," which opened Friday in New York and Los Angeles and will open in other cities in coming weeks.
Christensen wears two hats in the project, co-producing with his brother, Tove, and Tom Cruise.
He also tackled the role of Kevin Kline's pierced teenage son in 2001's "Life as a House" -- a kid who enjoys autoerotic asphyxiation.
And his first stint in Hollywood was in "Higher Ground," a cable TV drama in which he played a youth who sleeps with his stepmother.