Twenty-one years. That’s how long it’s been since Hayden Christensen snarled those three words on a green screen in Sydney. Anakin You Will Try has outlived the Prequel hate, the Disney acquisition, and even the original context of the Mustafar duel. It’s a foundational piece of the Star Wars mythos, yet we’ve spent two decades mostly using it as a punchline.
Honestly, the line is weirdly short. Most of the dialogue in Revenge of the Sith is heavy, overwrought, and Shakespeare-adjacent. Then you get this. It’s clipped. It’s sharp. It’s a jarring shift from the "peace, freedom, justice, and security" speech Anakin just gave.
The Philosophy Behind the Snarl
We need to talk about Yoda. Specifically, the "Do or do not, there is no try" bit from The Empire Strikes Back. When Anakin says "You will try," he isn't just being a cocky 22-year-old with a glowing sword. He is actively rejecting the core philosophy of the Jedi Order.
Obi-Wan says, "I will do what I must." He’s focused on the result—the "do." Anakin counters by dragging it back to the "try." It’s a linguistic middle finger. He’s essentially saying that Obi-Wan’s intent doesn't matter because his capacity to succeed is nonexistent.
Why the Delivery Actually Works
For years, critics trashed Christensen’s acting. They called it wooden. They said it was whiny. But if you watch that scene in 2026, it hits different. He doesn't scream the line. He says it with a cold, almost bored confidence.
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It’s the peak of his arrogance.
He has just murdered a room full of children. He has choked his wife. He’s high on the Dark Side, and he genuinely believes a Jedi Master—his brother—is beneath him. The brevity of "You will try" is the point. He’s done talking. The politics are over. The "new Empire" is here.
The Meme That Won't Die
You've seen the GIFs. You've seen the TikToks.
Usually, it’s paired with someone attempting a basic task—like trying to open a jar of pickles or hitting a PR in the gym—and failing miserably. The internet has a way of taking high-stakes tragedy and turning it into a relatable failure.
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But there's a second life to the phrase now. In the era of AI-generated content and "dead internet" theories, the Anakin You Will Try meme has become a sort of battle cry for authenticity. It’s used to mock things that feel "almost" human but miss the mark.
That "Mandela Effect" Rumor
There is a persistent group of fans on Reddit who swear Anakin said, "You will try, my old friend."
They’re wrong.
He never said it. It’s a classic case of the Mandela Effect, likely fueled by the fact that Obi-Wan calls him "friend" and "brother" later in the fight. People want the emotional connection to be there even in the heat of the duel, but the script is colder than that. The isolation of those three words is what makes them iconic. Adding "my old friend" would have softened the blow, and at that moment, Anakin Skywalker didn't want to be soft.
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What This Means for Star Wars in 2026
With the recent 20th-anniversary screenings and the resurgence of Prequel-era content in various shows, we’re seeing a massive re-evaluation of the Mustafar duel. It isn't just a fight; it’s the death of an era.
When you hear "You will try" today, it’s a reminder of the fragility of that bond. Obi-Wan didn't want to fight. He was looking for an exit ramp. Anakin closed every door.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Fan
If you're revisiting the Prequels or just getting into the deeper lore, keep these things in mind to get the most out of the "You will try" moment:
- Watch the eyes: This is the first scene where Anakin’s "Sith eyes" (the yellow/red glow) are consistently present. It signals his total immersion in the Dark Side.
- Listen to the score: John Williams drops the "Battle of the Heroes" theme the second the sabers ignite after this line. It’s the official start of the tragedy.
- Compare to the novelization: Matthew Stover’s novelization of Revenge of the Sith adds internal monologue to this scene that explains exactly how much Anakin is overcompensating for his own fear.
- Contextualize the "Try": Next time you hear a Jedi mention "trying," remember that to a Sith, "trying" is a sign of weakness. To a Jedi, it's a lack of focus. Anakin uses it as a weapon.
The duel on Mustafar didn't end when Obi-Wan took the high ground. It ended the moment Anakin decided that his master was only capable of "trying." That overconfidence is exactly what led to the suit, the respirator, and the next twenty years of galactic terror.