The highly-publicized search for the actor who will play Anakin Skywalker as a young man is reportedly over, leaving fans watching the future career of Hayden Christensen with great interest indeed.

Over the weekend, E! Online confirmed the growing susurrus of rumors that Christensen, 19, has signed to portray Skywalker in the next two Star Wars films.

The decision would end months of speculation that had named dozens of young male actors-- ranging from talented unknowns to global heartthrobs -- as firm contenders for the role.

Some 700 hopefuls sent casting director Robin Gurland audition tapes.

The process culminated last weekend at Skywalker Ranch, where finalists played scenes with Natalie Portman for Gurland, producer Rick McCallum and George Lucas. Portman is returning to the future films as Queen Amidala, Skywalker's love interest and eventual bride.

Episode Two, as yet unsubtitled, starts filming in Australia this summer. A 2002 release is still planned.

Christensen, a Toronto native, has played troubled delinquents before. His most noteworthy role is as a drug-using teen on the Fox Family Channel's episodic melodrama Higher Ground.

More recently, he appeared in a small role as a much better-behaved youth in the critically well-regarded The Virgin Suicides, which was coincidentally the feature-length directing debut of Lucas family friend Sofia Coppola.