Christensen was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada the son of Alie Nelson, a speechwriter for the heads of large companies, and David Christensen, a computer programmer and communications executive. He was an athlete in high school, playing hockey competitively and tennis on a provincial level. Director George Lucas had turned down such big names as Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Phillipe for the role, as well as 1,500 other candidates. This was one of the most controversial changes. Christensen insists this was done without his knowledge, an act that is confirmed by Lucasfilm itself in the featurette “Return of the Jedi: What has changed?” as seen on the official website to commemorate the 2006 DVDs. Christensen’s role as Anakin Skywalker made him a star. Between 2006 and 2007, he replaced Jared Leto in Awake, with Jessica Alba, which tells the story of a man who remains awake but paralyzed during heart surgery, and in Factory Girl, opposite Sienna Miller and Guy Pearce. Christensen appeared opposite Mischa Barton in Virgin Territory, which was released directly-to-DVD in North America on August 26, 2008.
