4. Hayden Christiansen
Character & Films: Anakin Skywalker,
Attack of the Clones &
Revenge of the Sith.
Before Star Wars: Christiansen made his name as a teen star, appearing in episodes of
Goosebumps and
Are You Afraid of the Dark? before his big adult break in Sofia Coppola's
The Virgin Suicides. He also has a cameo in John Carpenter's H. P. Lovecraft homage
In The Mouth of Madness.
After Star Wars: Aside from leading roles in
Shattered Glass and
Jumper, Christiansen has kept a low-ish profile. He appeared in the Bob Dylan-esque role Billy Quinn in
Factory Girl, as well as
Takers,
Awake,
Vanishing on 7th Street and
New York, I Love You, none of which were particularly successful either critically or commercially. He has four films due out in 2014.
Did He Deserve Better?: No. Pretty much everyone is agreed that he can't act, and his casting is one of the worst decisions Lucas ever made. He may be a nice guy in person, but we won't be wishing for a cameo in
Episode VII any time soon nor for any more unsolicited appearances in the original trilogy.
Look No Further: Stephen Glass in
Shattered Glass (2003). Not great, but probably the best he can do.