Jump, Hayden Jump!

Although Hayden Christensen’s brilliant performances in films like Life as a House and Trapped in a Purple Haze had earned him much critical acclaim , it was his role as Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader) in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones that made him a star. And Christensen hasn’t looked back ever since. In the forthcoming sci-fi thriller Jumper opposite the sexy Rachel Bilson, Hayden discovers a unique power in himself. A genetic anomaly allows him to teleport himself anywhere and the actor finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years between ‘Jumpers’ and those who have sworn to kill them. Here Jumper Hayden talks to BT about films and his passion for farming Given an option, where would you like to jump to in real life? Right now I’d go back to my farm just north of Toronto, because I haven’t been there for a little bit. But you can’t really pick one place as a Jumper, because you go everywhere. I’d want to see every square inch of the planet. I’d need about a week to be a teleporter. How would you compare your power of ‘jumping’ to your powers in Star Wars? I think it’s the ultimate super power. I was thinking about what would top it. I think it’s Doug Liman’s (director) secret fantasy to be able to teleport. Is there a possibility of Jumper becoming a trilogy? It’s not for certain, but Doug has definitely set it up in a way that would allow for that. The story and the characters are conceived in a way that allows for a lot of growth and different turns. What attracted you to the film? I wasn’t planning on it. When I finished the Star Wars movies, I was looking forward to just getting back to basics, and I did that for a little bit. I did some smaller movies and then when I heard about this sci-fi movie called Jumper about a guy who can teleport, I can’t say it really sparked my interest right away. But then Doug Liman was directing it, so that changed everything. How do you retain your individuality as an actor, without always being viewed as Darth Vader? Well, I wasn’t going to play Superman (laughs), because I played Darth Vader, but aside from that it’s not too much of a stigma. Having worked with George Lucas opens a lot of doors. I’m sure if I hadn’t done those films I wouldn’t be here. Looking back at the Star Wars saga, do you feel any different about the experience? I think you always feel different about things in retrospect. I’ve grown up a little bit and things change, but never with any regret to what I’ve done in the past. I knew full well what I was signing up for. I knew how big Star Wars was and this would follow me for the rest of my life. I thought it was great and a rare opportunity. Obviously when people bump into me in the street and recognise me, it’s from that film. But it’s allowed me to do this as well. Would you like to marry and settle down on the farm? Well, the farm goes over very well with the ladies... Definitely appeals to me (laughs). You are a fabulous cook... I love to cook. It’s definitely a hobby, a pastime. I’m trying to perfect the chicken roast right now. I’m trying to work on that for about half a year now. How has your status as a star affected your dating scene? The difference was as obvious as day and night. It was easy for me to observe the difference, because it came so quickly. The shift was so dramatic for me that at the time they announced I got the Star Wars movie everything changed, and the film hadn’t come out but everyone knew about it. What is the downside of being famous? I don’t know if I’d call it a downside, but people recognise you. The ability to go out and get a coffee and expect to do it without being bothered, not that it’s a bother, but that doesn’t happen.