Anakin Skywalker is returning in Star Wars Zero Company, but the fallen Jedi looks noticeably different from the version fans remember.
A newly released image of Anakin’s character model is attracting attention because his facial features appear to be based on voice actor Matt Lanter rather than Hayden Christensen. The character has Lanter’s longer face, pronounced cheekbones, and distinctive jawline while retaining Anakin’s familiar hairstyle and Jedi robes.
Anakin Skywalker in STAR WARS: ZERO COMPANY appears to resemble Matt Lanter more than Hayden Christensen pic.twitter.com/K7r51REurw
— Star Wars Holocron (@sw_holocron) August 12, 2026
Lanter will also provide Anakin’s voice in the upcoming turn-based tactics game. He has portrayed the character in animated projects since the 2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie and continued throughout all seven seasons of the television series. He later reprised the role in Star Wars: Forces of Destiny and Tales of the Jedi, as well as several video games.
However, Lanter has traditionally supplied only Anakin’s voice. The character’s physical appearance has remained connected to Hayden Christensen, who played him in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Even in animation, Anakin’s design was generally understood as a stylized interpretation of Christensen’s portrayal rather than Lanter’s physical appearance.
Fans React to Anakin Skywalker’s New Look
The redesigned Anakin has received a mixed response from fans. Some appreciate the apparent attempt to recognize the actor who has voiced the character for nearly two decades. Others believe the model falls into an uncomfortable middle ground between Lanter, Christensen, and the stylized animated version.
Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker – Star Wars, YouTube
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One user wrote, “No, it’s more like they took Anakin from Clone Wars and smoothed him out.”
No, it’s more like they took Anakin from Clone Wars and smoothed him out…
— Fuzunga (@Fuzunga) August 13, 2026
“If it wasn’t for the robe, I’d have no idea that was supposed to be Anakin,” reads another comment.
If it wasn’t for the robe, I’d have no idea that was supposed to be Anakin
— Joe 🐱 🎮 (@JoeB__91) August 13, 2026
Matt Lanter in Timeless – TV Promos, YouTube
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Of course, the internet being the internet, others have taken the opportunity to crack jokes.
“Why’s bro look like Nathan Fillion mixed with Jeremy Renner?” a user asked.
Why’s bro look like Nathan Fillion mixed with Jeremy Renner?
— Ethan Kossack (@EthanKossack) August 13, 2026
Many more suggested that the character model more closely resembles skateboarder Tony Hawk than the future Sith Lord.
It resembles neither. Looks more like Tony Hawk than Anakin.
— Luke Skywalker (@MentorSkywalker) August 12, 2026
Another user defended the developers’ decision, arguing that it would make little sense to pay for Christensen’s likeness when Lanter is performing the role.
I don’t see why people are upset, looks like Anakin enough. Sure it doesn’t look like Hayden, but why would they pay for his likeness to be used if it’s not his voice? It’s just a different style so everyone is up in arms about it
— Hanna! (@hnana_03) August 13, 2026
That may be the most likely explanation. Using Christensen’s recognizable face could require a separate likeness agreement, while modeling Anakin after Lanter allows the character’s appearance and performance to come from the same actor. Nevertheless, fans have spent more than two decades associating adult Anakin Skywalker with Christensen.
How Large Is Anakin’s Role in Star Wars Zero Company?
Fortunately for critics of the redesign, Anakin is not expected to appear extensively. According to the official Star Wars website, his path will “briefly” cross with the Zero Company crew during the Clone Wars-era campaign.
Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Star Wars, YouTube
The game follows Hawks, a former Republic officer who leads an unconventional group of mercenaries against the Infinite Coil, a Separatist-aligned cult. Its gameplay combines turn-based tactical combat with character customization, squad development, and consequential decisions. Early previews have received generally positive reactions from gaming journalists.
Star Wars Zero Company will arrive on August 27 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The unusual Anakin model is unlikely to determine the quality of the larger experience, but it demonstrates how difficult it has become to separate the character from Christensen’s face—even when someone else provides his voice.
How do you feel about the Anakin character model for Star Wars Zero Company? Sound off and let us know!
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