star wars - Why isn't Obi-Wan's ghost young?

One of the changes made to the Special Editions of Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi was at the end of the film. Luke sees 3 ghosts during the celebration on the forest moon of Endor, Yoda, Anakin, and Obi-Wan. In the Special Editions, the actor who played Anakin earlier in the film, Sebastian Shaw, is replaced with Hayden Christiansen who played young Anakin in Episodes 2 and 3.
Before and after picture of the ghosts My question is, why is Anakin the only one de-aged? Shouldn't Obi-Wan also be his younger self, along with Yoda?

Answer

Anakin is the only one de-aged because Anakin hasn't lived the past 30 or so years - Anakin was more or less killed by Darth Vader. He left behind the parts that made him Anakin Skywalker when he lead the clones into the Temple.

When he was redeemed by Luke, he reclaimed those parts of him. His sense of honor, pride, decency, love, etc were all restored. His mental self-image would likely have returned to the way it had been when he last felt that way - as a young man.

The out-of-universe reason? Controversy sells better. Also, Shaw doesn't look a thing like Anakin ever did (on screen), so there would be a major disconnect for first-time viewers if he weren't replaced by Hayden.

Comments

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