‘Star Wars Episode VII’: Anthony Daniels Talks C3PO Role

If you thought Anthony Daniels had it rough wearing the C3PO costume, you are correct. The actor returns to Star Wars Episode VII to reprise the role of the annoying British butler-like robot and is talking about how his costume has evolved.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the Star Wars Episode VII actor confessed that wearing the shiny, gold costume was at times “awful.” Daniels shared interesting bits of information from his four decades of playing the original character, and said the costume will be remade to make it more wearable.

Anthony Daniels said he didn’t like not being able to perform in scenes that were too dangerous or were computer generated (CG). The 68-year-old original cast member commented on how the conversation went when director J.J. Abrams asked is he would consider playing C3PO again.

“I will tell you that when (director) J.J. Abrams rang me to ask about filming (‘
(‘Star Wars) Episode VII,’ one of the first things he said after he told me how wonderful I was — and that didn’t take long — but he then said, ‘Would you be interested in being in the film just doing the voice?’ I said, ‘No,’ and he said, ‘Right!’ He knew I’d say that. There’s no way I would just do the voice.”

Daniels revealed that the crew got on it and built him a more functional suit for Star Wars Episode VII, which allowed him to perform more difficult scenes than he did in the prequels. The actor says the changes will go unnoticed by moviegoers.

“They made an entirely new look-a-like with changes that you will never notice (on screen) that made my life a lot easier. I can get it on and off very quickly. (During the prequels), the only time (Threepio has) been CG was when it was very dangerous (to act in the scene in a suit) — and it wasn’t very good. In fact, I’m going to say it was awful. One of the difficulties is with a character that you know and love so well is that, as a member of the audience, you go, ‘Oh no, that’s not right. No, he doesn’t move like that.’ With me (in the suit), he’s always going to move the same way and have the same reactions, timing, and so on. With CG, you’re working with some brilliant person on the keyboard who is trying to pretend to be me.”

For Anthony Daniels — who has been a part of the mega successful franchise since its inception — not working with creator George Lucas for the first time makes him realize that he “will always be an inspiration.” Star Wars Episode VII is currently being filmed in England and other locations, and is expected to hit theaters on December 18, 2015.

[Image via Lucasfilm]