You probably know the face. Or the voice. Honestly, it depends on whether you spent your 2000s watching moody CW reboots or getting way too emotionally invested in the downfall of the Galactic Republic.
Matt Lanter is one of those rare actors who managed to survive the "teen heartthrob" meat grinder and come out the other side as a legitimate sci-fi icon. He’s the guy who somehow played the ultimate rich-boy jerk on 90210 while simultaneously giving Anakin Skywalker the soul he lacked in the prequels. It’s a bizarre, high-wire career act that most people don’t fully appreciate.
The Anakin Skywalker Effect
Let’s just get the big one out of the way. When we talk about Matt Lanter movies and TV shows, the conversation starts and ends with Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Back in 2008, when the animated movie first hit theaters, people were... skeptical. But over seven seasons and a handful of spin-offs like Tales of the Jedi (2022) and The Bad Batch (2024), Lanter did something impossible. He made Anakin likable. He gave him this specific brand of "cocky-but-caring" older brother energy that bridged the gap between Jake Lloyd’s kid-version and Hayden Christensen’s brooding portrayal.
If you haven't seen his work in the final season of The Clone Wars or his gut-wrenching cameo in Star Wars Rebels, you’re basically missing half of the character's DNA. He’s not just a voice actor; he’s the guy who defined a generation's version of the Chosen One.
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From West Beverly to Time Travel
If you weren't a Star Wars nerd, you likely knew him as Liam Court.
Lanter joined the 90210 reboot in 2009, and for five years, he was the resident "bad boy with a heart of gold" (and a surfboard). It was peak CW. But looking back, he was actually one of the few actors on that show who felt like he was doing more than just hitting his marks.
After the zip code drama ended, he took a hard pivot into sci-fi. Timeless is arguably his best live-action work. He played Wyatt Logan, a grieving soldier jumping through history to save the world. The show had a cult following so intense that fans literally bullied NBC into bringing it back after cancellation—twice.
Notable Live-Action Highlights:
- Timeless (2016–2018): Wyatt Logan, the master of the "stoic-but-hurting" gaze.
- 90210 (2009–2013): Liam Court, the role that made him a household name for anyone with a cable subscription.
- Jupiter’s Legacy (2021): He played George Hutchence (Skyfox). Even though Netflix axed the show after one season, Lanter was easily the most compelling part of that weird, aging-superhero mess.
- Commander in Chief (2005): One of his earliest big breaks playing the President’s son.
The Parody Movie Era (A Dark Time)
We have to talk about the 2008–2011 era. It was a strange time for cinema.
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Lanter starred in Disaster Movie and Vampires Suck. These are objectively... not great. In Vampires Suck, he played Edward Sullen (a parody of Edward Cullen), and while the movie is a fever dream of dated 2010 humor, Lanter’s commitment to the bit is actually kind of impressive. He’s got great comedic timing, even when the material is essentially a series of fart jokes and Twilight references.
He also did the horror remake thing with Sorority Row (2009) and played the "perfect boyfriend with a secret" in The Roommate (2011) alongside Leighton Meester. He was basically the go-to guy for "attractive male lead in a mid-budget thriller."
The Superhero Evolution
Outside of the Jedi Order, Lanter has been quietly building a massive DC and Marvel resume. He’s been Arthur Curry (Aquaman) in several Justice League animated features, including Throne of Atlantis and The Death of Superman.
More recently, he’s stepped into the blue suit of Ted Kord, aka Blue Beetle. You can catch him voicing the character in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths (2024). It’s a very different vibe from his Star Wars work—more neurotic, more human, and surprisingly funny.
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What’s Next for Matt Lanter?
As of early 2026, he’s not slowing down. He’s got a recurring role in the upcoming series Motorheads, which feels like a return to that gritty, character-driven drama he does so well.
He also continues to be the definitive voice of Anakin. Whenever Lucasfilm needs that specific voice—whether it’s for a video game like Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga or a new animated short—he’s the first call.
How to Watch the Best of Matt Lanter
If you want to actually see the range this guy has, don't just binge-watch his IMDB chronologically. Start with these specific projects to get the full picture:
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Season 7): This is his masterclass. The final four episodes (The Siege of Mandalore) are some of the best television ever made, period.
- Timeless: Specifically the "The Day Reagan Was Shot" episode. It shows he can carry a high-concept drama without relying on a lightsaber.
- 90210 (Season 2): If you want the classic "heartthrob" experience, this is where the character of Liam Court actually gets interesting.
- Justice League: Throne of Atlantis: A solid look at his ability to play a traditional, leading-man superhero.
Avoid the parody movies unless you have a very specific, nostalgic craving for 2008-era cringe. Stick to the sci-fi and the voice work—that’s where the real talent is.