Q: Hayden, you were absolutely fantastic in Life As A House. I commend you. What was it like playing two different roles? What was it like playing the Goth son and then the normal teenage son?
A: It was an odd balance because you don’t shoot a film in sequence obviously and the transition has to be a gradual and a fluid one but he does make such an amazing transformation. It required a lot of hard work, actually, because he is in such a different place where he ends up from where he started and so it required a lot of work.
Q: When you first read the script, what was it that said, you know I really have to play this guy?
A: I really was affected by the story and I thought that it was told with a lot of truth and the character, well, it’s rare to find a character that goes through such an amazing transformation at that age. It’s rare to find a part where you can have so much to do with and play with. I was really looking for something to sink my teeth into and recreate myself. It just seemed like it was a perfect fit. Then when I found out that Kevin Kline was doing it I said please just get me an audition. It’s always been a desire of mine to work with him and I hope that I can do it again and again and again.
Q: OK, so you get on set with Kevin Kline. who is hands down one of the best actors in the entire world. What was it like and how were you feeling? How was it working with this guy?
A: At the beginning sort of surreal because he’s very welcoming and wants to make you feel so at ease so that your main focus is the work and not sitting next to Kevin Kline. He invited me over to his place before we started filming and we travelled out to the set out in Palace Faraday where we filmed the movie just to become comfortable with each other and with the environment that we were going to be working in. He definitely helped me find my character and pushed me when I needed to be pushed you can’t ask for that kind of guidance from an actor, especially one who has to portray such an amazing change himself, so I felt very privileged.
Q: Did making a movie like this make you think about family a lot more?
A: Yes, definitely, I went home and spent a month with my family as soon as I finished. I don’t know just how important they are and how you can’t dismiss people. A recurring theme is that you really have to come to terms with what is inside of you, no matter what it is, even if you are not willing to face it and that through that change, a new start is possible.
Q: You recently wrapped up shooting a couple of little films, the prequels for Star Wars and you, of course, got the coveted role of playing teenage Luke Skywalker. How has life changed for you since making Star Wars? Let’s face it, you are going to star in one of the biggest films coming out next year and everyone is anticipating it. I, for one, can’t wait to see you in it. How have things changed for you so far?
A: I have been afforded a lot more work opportunities I got to make a movie like Life As A House, and work with people like Kevin Kline and Irwin Winkler. But other than that I still live at home, I still do the same things that I was doing before so really it hasn’t changed at all. Maybe the group of people that I relate to has become more defined, smaller, but other than that I lead a pretty normal life.
Q: When you found out that you got that role, what was the phone call like?
A: I was just in disbelief. I didn’t know what was going on. I called my mom and she just…I don’t think that anyone really believed me when I told them at first. But I can’t really articulate the emotions that I was going through. It was a very surreal time.
Q: Now that you’ve completed shooting, what was it like?
A: It was the most amazing summer of my life. Hey, I got to work with George Lucas. He’s a genius and a great storyteller. To be a part of Star Wars — it is so epic and has such a cultural following I just felt pretty special. You know, everyone on that set was just beside himself to be there. Everyone from the DOP to the PAs, they were just happy to be on the Star Wars set because everyone wanted to be there, so it was definitely a good energy that was flowing.
Q: Plus you got to learn how to use a light sabre!!!
A: It was like re-living my childhood fantasy!!! I always used to play light sabres with my friends as a kid. It was so cool to learn how to handle one for the movie. My god ‹ what a thrill.
Q: Well I also think that after people see you in Life As A House people are going to come out saying, this guy Hayden Christensen what a great actor. You really were phenomenal in this.
A: Well, thanks.
Q: How do you keep yourself level-headed. Who helps keep you grounded?
A: My friends, my family I think that I am naturally pretty level headed and don’t get over confident really ever. But if I ever slip up they are there to put me in my place. They tease me plenty and make me aware of who I am and who I’m with and I’m really not that special.
Q: Well thanks for sitting down and talking with me. Good luck with everything and I cant wait to meet with you again when that little movie called Star Wars comes out!
A: Me too. Thanks a lot.
Source: Tribute.Ca