Robert De Niro’s Surprise Visit to Star Wars Set Revealed

Hayden Christensen has let slip a rather unexpected tale from his time filming one of the most memorable lightsabre battles in the Star Wars saga. While working on the set of Revenge of the Sith, Christensen found himself in the midst of a surreal moment when a certain Hollywood legend decided to drop by.

“I remember during one of the days that we were filming that fight, Robert De Niro showed up to set, just because he wanted to come see what we were doing – not us, but George, [he] wanted to see what George was doing. And obviously, I am a huge fan of his. I remember just standing with Ewan [McGregor], and Ewan says to me, 'Is that Robert De Niro standing over there?' And I'm looking over like, 'Yeah, I think that is him.'” Christensen shared at Fan Expo New Orleans.

Unexpected Company on Set

It’s not every day that a star of De Niro’s calibre wanders onto a sci-fi set, but that’s precisely what happened as Christensen and Ewan McGregor were deep into filming their now-iconic duel. The pair, both seasoned actors in their own right, were caught off guard by the presence of the Taxi Driver star, who seemed more interested in observing George Lucas at work than mingling with the cast.

For Christensen, the moment was both thrilling and slightly surreal. He and McGregor exchanged glances, quietly confirming to each other that, yes, the man standing nearby was indeed De Niro. The atmosphere on set shifted, with a sense of excitement rippling through the crew as the acclaimed actor made his way over.

A Shared Ritual

De Niro’s visit wasn’t just a fleeting cameo. He took the time to approach Christensen, who was in the midst of his own pre-scene routine.

“And so we're excited he's there, and then he walked over, and he was very friendly,” Christensen continued. “And I remember, because I would do a lot of push-ups before each take to try to get my heart rate up and a little exhaustion going, and he came over to me and he said, 'You know, I see you doing push-ups before the takes.' He was like, 'I do that, too.' That felt good.”

It’s a small detail, but one that clearly stuck with Christensen. The shared practise of doing push-ups before a take, a method to inject a bit of adrenaline and fatigue into a performance, became a point of connection between the two actors. For Christensen, the acknowledgement from De Niro was a quiet but meaningful endorsement.

Behind the Scenes of a Cinematic Duel

The duel between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi remains one of the most talked-about moments in the Star Wars prequels. Knowing that De Niro was present for a slice of its creation adds an unexpected layer to the story. The set, already charged with the energy of a major action sequence, gained an extra spark from the presence of a screen icon observing from the sidelines.

Christensen’s recollection offers a rare, personal glimpse into the world behind the camera, where even the most seasoned actors can find themselves starstruck. The encounter, brief as it was, left a lasting impression—one more story woven into the fabric of a galaxy far, far away.