For years, Star Wars fans have wondered why Anakin Skywalker made the silly choice of losing the high ground during his battle with his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Fans have come up with countless theories of the battle that concludes Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith but no one has provided a definitive answer.

So, why did Anakin Skywalker lose the high ground? Was it out of arrogance or was it simply a poor tactical decision made during the heat of the battle on the smouldering planet of Mustafar?

Well, as reported by Inverse (via a SpaceCon San Antonio panel), after nearly 20 years since the release of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, we finally have answers, provided by Anakin actor, Hayden Christensen or at the very least, has provided his own theory.

Christensen said that Anakin’s choice to lose the high ground could have been down to “the arrogance of youth”. However, he also explained that he hoped his decision was motivated by a popular fan theory.

During the concluding battle in Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Darth Maul defeats Obi-Wan Kenobi’s mentor Qui-Gon Jinn by gaining the high ground.

“When Obi-Wan defeated Darth Maul, Darth Maul had the high ground, and [Obi-Wan] did this amazing flip,” Christensen explained on the panel.

He continued: “So Anakin, in the back of his head, he hears Obi-Wan say, ‘I have the high ground,’ and he’s like, ‘I’m gonna show him! It just didn’t play out the way he’d hoped.”

In the unlikely event, it would be nice for the creator of Star Wars, George Lucas to confirm the choices made by Anakin Skywalker in Revenge of the Sith. But if he doesn’t, I believe the answer provided by Hayden Christensen is the perfect fan theory.

You can watch the entire Star Wars movie saga right now on Disney Plus.