Hayden Christensen and daughter Briar Rose shared a rare public appearance together as they attended the opening-night celebration of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles on September 19, 2026.
The father-daughter outing offered a personal moment for the Star Wars actor and his 11-year-old daughter. It also gave Briar a chance to talk about seeing her father play one of cinema’s most recognisable characters.
According to E! News, Christensen spoke about how meaningful it was to attend the event with his daughter. Briar, meanwhile, reflected on watching her father appear as Darth Vader on screen.
Hayden Christensen Brings Daughter Briar Rose to Museum Opening
Christensen and Briar attended the Lucas Museum’s Opening Night celebration in Los Angeles on September 19.
The event was held ahead of the museum’s public opening on September 22. The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, is located in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park and focuses on visual storytelling across different forms of art and media.
For Christensen, sharing the occasion with Briar made the night particularly meaningful.
The actor told E! News that he was happy to experience the event with his daughter. Briar also offered her reaction to seeing her father portrayed as Darth Vader.
She described the experience as especially cool when she saw him on the big screen.
Briar Rose Has Seen Her Dad as Darth Vader
Christensen’s connection to Star Wars goes back to 2002, when he appeared as Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
He returned to the role in 2005’s Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, where Anakin’s transformation ultimately led to his becoming Darth Vader.
The character remains one of Christensen’s most recognisable roles. His return to the Star Wars universe in recent years has also renewed attention around his portrayal of Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader.
Christensen acknowledged that renewed interest while speaking with E! News, describing the continued affection for the earlier films as heartwarming.
Will Hayden Christensen Return as Darth Vader?
Naturally, the appearance also raised the question of whether Christensen could return as Darth Vader in another Star Wars project.
For now, however, there is no confirmed new role.
Christensen said he would be happy to play the character again but indicated that talk of a return remains a rumour at this point.
That distinction is important because speculation surrounding future Star Wars projects does not necessarily mean a casting announcement has been made.
Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen Continue to Co-Parent
Briar is Christensen’s daughter with actress Rachel Bilson. Although the former couple are no longer together, both have previously spoken positively about their approach to raising their daughter.
Bilson has described their co-parenting relationship as being in a good place. She has also said that Briar has support surrounding her from both sides of the family.
In earlier comments, Bilson explained that the family dynamic has remained relatively grounded despite both parents working in the entertainment industry. She noted that Briar is accustomed to her father being recognised in public.
That perspective adds context to the latest father-daughter appearance. Rather than being simply a rare celebrity photo opportunity, the museum event also highlighted the family’s ongoing relationship away from Christensen’s Star Wars career.
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Opens to the Public
The Lucas Museum’s Opening Night took place on September 19, but the museum’s official public opening is scheduled for September 22, 2026.
The institution was founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson and explores visual storytelling across centuries and cultures. Its collection includes painting, illustration, comics, photography, cinema and other forms of narrative art.
The museum says its permanent collection contains more than 40,000 works. Its galleries also explore themes including family, childhood, adventure, community and other parts of the human experience.
The timing made the event particularly fitting for Christensen, whose career is closely connected to cinematic storytelling through his work in the Star Wars franchise.
A Rare Look at Hayden Christensen’s Family Life
Christensen generally keeps his family life away from the spotlight, making the appearance with Briar especially notable.
The event also provided a glimpse of Briar’s perspective on her father’s most famous role. While Christensen’s professional life remains strongly associated with Anakin Skywalker, the evening showed a more personal side of the actor as he experienced the occasion alongside his daughter.
For Star Wars fans, the appearance offered both a nostalgic connection to Christensen’s past and a glimpse into his family life today.