This has been making the rounds since I left for San Diego, so I apologize if you've already seen it. But for those that haven't -- it's a kind of horrifying look at the now 20-year-old Jake Lloyd, once the toast of the town as the young Anakin Skywalker from The Phantom Menace. He's only kind of bitter, which I think means he's actually handling his life very well, all things considered, but man -- he just keeps rocking slowly back and forth, like a bomb victim, still reeling from shell-shock. Which is actually pretty accurate, when you think about it. You go, Jake, and don't let the bastards get you down. Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
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Well he sure seems coming out of a bomb witnessing scene. Poor kid.
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YTeah he sure seems like coming out of a bomb witnessing scene. Poor kid.
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Wow. He makes more sense then Lucas.
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Please...cry me a river. He should've parlayed that movie experience (especially being in a Star Wars movie) into some serious clout (read: pussy magnet) at school. Hell, even Steve Urkel was known to get some serious pussy out in UCLA. He should've taken better care of himself. Then he wouldn't have been so pathetic. Seriously, it looks like he has a serious problem with self confidence, and is the type to only curse people under his breath waaaaaaaay after the fact.
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Um, would that be the Carrie Fisher who has never stopped working since STAR WARS as an actress (and no, not all in fanboy roles) AND writer? Her credited writing work is slim, but she has a slew of uncredited script doctor jobs under her belt. Yup, I'd hate to have a non-career like hers...
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@Spinning the Wheel with Ben Linus: Jodie Foster and Kirsten Dunst (even with Foster playing a pre-teen hooker in Taxi Driver and Dunst being the child vampire from Interview with a Vampire, I might add) Still, damn...that movie really fucked him over and I'm sure it was his parents call not his(and if not, he was still only fucking ten years old), but like everyone else as already mentioned, I got the impression that he was a good guy beneath all the trauma.
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Wow, just wow, this kid is broken from the inside and doesnt look too happy on the outside. If anyone can answer this please tell me how much of a bad movie Episode 1 was, I saw it but I dont see the bad in it.
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Hayden Christensen may be $hitty, but he's living a better life that manbabyface...Hayden would probably bang the chick he was in awe of at his friends' house...Just saying..
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Even with all the crap he may have gotten in high school and college, it's still better than being Hayden Christensen.
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Seems like a very likable guy. I don't think life is good for any child actor.
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George Lucas better lock them windows @ night, this kid is maybe 5 more years away from premeditated murder...Georgy boy give the kid a gig out of film school if you value your a$$...
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"Carrie Fisher needs to call this kid and tell him where to get cheap drugs." hahahahahahahaha. ha.
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This guy is much classier than he has any right to be. Props to him!
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Yeah, but how's Jar-Jar doing these days?
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Yeah, I gotta say, props to this guy. To me he doesn't really sound <i>that</i> bitter. A lot of people who come out of franchises like this don't even wish to discuss it. Jake Lloyd seems refreshingly down to earth. Yes, his role in the film has clearly been plaguing him for most of his life, yet he manages to enjoy <i>KoTOR</i> games, like most 20-year olds. And his commentary on <i>Phantom Menace</i> is spot on -- he nails what the movie is all about, and doesn't seem to be tainted by the fact that he was in it. I actually found this pretty uplifting. It's good to see a child star who doesn't seem totally messed up.
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When I first saw this...he did seem like he PTSD, with all the self depreciation and rocking back and forth. If he rocked any faster, I wouldn't have any doubts. I may hate Star Wars, but this is one cool dude. Hope he feels better about his experience later.
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I bet he'd be a good comedic actor along the lines of Jack Black.
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Jake Lloyd: Yet another in a long line of actors who's careers were killed by the Star Wars franchise. Carrie Fisher needs to call this kid and tell him where to get cheap drugs.
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Imagine a generation of thirty-somethings hating your guts for ruining their childhood memories. Then imagine being in middle/high school/college with those people's children. The only worse hell that I can conceive is Jeff "Chunk" Cohen's life. Now, he's a Hollywood lawyer and producer. That is probably worth the 5000 Baby Ruth jokes and purple nurples that he suffered as a boy. It's like Robert Evans always says: You can eat a lot of shot when you're rich, because there is always someone willing to kill your enemies for $8000 or less.
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after seeing this video for the second time. i have to say after the crap jake went through in school and how he wishes no ill to as he puts it the doushe who made his life hell in school i am impressed with him and no doubt he may be the next lucas with time. for any one who can be in a movie with the evil that is jar jar and have a life deserves praise
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I remember the first time I saw him in Jingle all the Way and thinking; "Wow, that kid is horrible..." When I heard he'd been cast in TPM my hopes weren't high. He's taken a lot of grief over the years over his performance but it wasn't all his fault. I blame Lucas more than I do a 10 year old actor working with bad dialogue. That being said, he seems refreshingly NORMAL. Dare I say he seems like your typical Topless Robot reader?
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Hot damn, George Lucas needs to take him under his wing or some shit for all that we went through in school. Or at least pay for his goddamn college.
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You know, now that he's a bit older i can totally see the resemblance to Sebastian Shaw. So, i guess, props to Lucas for that, at least.
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I sort of feel sorry for the guy. At least he's working hard and in film school, perhaps has ambitions on the "Ron Howard" level.
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He actually seems like a pretty cool guy, with his sarcasm and self- deprecation... I really thought he would grow up to be all high on himself about being young Anakin and we could all make fun of him because he was in the WORST of the SW movies. I loved the part when he talked about not being able to watch PM at his friend's house because there was a hot chick over.
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Y'know, the first part is uncomfortable, but about halfway through it struck me how articulate and well spoken he is. Once he got started talking about video games and his interests, it was definitely more fun.
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It's always so weird seeing child actors become adults, some become incredibly hot, others are just unbelievably depressing. Well at least the guy seems to be doing okay now, I'm surprised they were able to recognize him though
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Name the last child actor who's life wasn't totally f'd by the time he was 20: Peter Billingsley?
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I respect that he isn't sitting their bitching about past success ruining his life. I hope the very best for him. And as a guy who enjoyed the charms of other students in High School, I feel for him - bastages. @Spinning: Yeah - I wish I could get into Ep I more but my 7 year old LOVES it so that's good enough for me. :)
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Quick name the last child actor who's life wasn't totally f'd up by the time he was 20? Respect to Jake Lloyd. And he's right. It was made for kids and couldn't live up to the expectations. Despite all the horrible dialog, acting, story, cgi, jar jars...kids still do love it. As a father of two boys, I can barely stand watching it, but the enjoyment my sons get makes it all worth it.
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Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!
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I can't believe it's been 10 years, he looks way older now.
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I have to admit, I was not prepared to see him being so articulate. Bully for him!
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Damn, poor guy, but wow does he sound bitter. I sort of know how he had it, though. My first name is Forrest, and I was in middle school when Forrest Gump came out. You figure it out.
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He was a much better Anakin than that other guy...
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What McTool said. That poor boy. He seems nice, though. I hope he has all kinds of luck after he graduates...he kinda deserves it.
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Hmm.....I sence the "nerd" strong in this one....
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When I first saw this I thought, "Holy shit, he got ugly!" Then I realized he looks like my roommate. Ha! But yeah, he does sound like a cool guy.
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thats more inspiring than sad to be honest.
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Anyone know what school he attends? Seems like a pretty smart dude.
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Every time I see him he has a smile on his face. Good for him!
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Right there at the beginning. "You know how they can be in high school." Oh God, I had never even thought of this. The poor kid.
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