Anthony Daniels on Returning as C-3PO in STAR WARS: EPISODE VII
Anthony Daniels is a staple in the Star Wars universe. He's the man that brought C-3PO to life, and he's reprising the iconic robotic role in J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII. In a recent interview with EW, the actor talked about coming back for the role and how it all came about. He also discussed the new and improved suit that he will be wearing in the movie. Don't worry! They haven't changed the look of the droid, they just made a costume that was more comfortable for him to wear. He talks about all of this stuff in the following quote:
"I will tell you that when [director] J.J. Abrams rang me to ask about filming 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. I also said that it can’t be the same suit. I will tell you that the team then got together and built a new suit. 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. The only time that has worked without doubt is Disney’s Star Tours: The Adventures Continue [theme park ride]. There’s an element in the pre-show which is digital and I cannot tell it’s not me. It’s brilliantly done by Disney. In a cartoon series like Rebels, you accept it because it’s not trying to pretend to be reality. It’s an extension, it’s an exaggeration. On that basis, it’s utterly acceptable — providing the characterization is correct."
I never for a moment thought that they would try to make a CGI C-3PO for Episode VII as the talented people who are making it are true fans of the original trilogy. We've already seen a ton of practical effects that have been created for the movie like the sets, ships, and even puppet characters.
Daniels was then asked about the character's personality and if he's grown, to which the actor replied:
"It’s a very good question actually. [Pause]. If you ask me about Episode VII … of course I will deny any knowledge whatsoever. But it occurred to me on the set the other day, because I’ve been doing it for so long, being 3PO for so long, I have a kind of confidence about what he would do in a particular scene. I think 3PO might have grown in confidence over the years because he’s survived so many dramas and he’s gained so much knowledge about what’s going on in the galaxy. He may have grown in that way. But generally the way he appears to grow is by being faced by new situations and new conflicts. He’s very much a washing machine — you could put in a set of fine lingerie and he might do it on a different cycle. It’s what you give him to do that brings out fresh attitudes. He might meet somebody who is rude or smelly or just awful and that brings out — I won’t say snobbishness, he is a bit of a snob but … it brings out his reactive quality. That’s always funny for me because I look for new ways to become appalled. A lot of the time in the studio, you should realize, I read the words, my mouth opens, he comes out of my mouth and we all laugh. I laugh. The director laughs, and the engineer laughs. You think, 'Yeah, this is really good.'"
Star Wars Rebels was then brought up in the interview, and it was pointed out that the upcoming series has an early Star Wars kind of feel to it. This led to Daniels to talk a little bit more about Episode VII, and shares one of his experiences from working on the other Star Wars movies with George Lucas.
"It’s very elusive and I’ll tell you: It’s where we’re going now with Episode VII. We’re all back. And it’s great, actually, that Rebels is set before Episode IV because that film is quintessential basic, 'This is Star Wars.' And you know George always used to say every time I arrived on set, I would always arrive for the first time back on set in costume, and during the prequels George would say when I arrived on set that 'Star Wars has arrived' — because I was the old fashioned link. Rebels is is an old fashion link to the old fashion film, which which we all loved. And you will love Episode VII — I have electrodes strapped to my head to zap me if I say anything more about it."
These are just a few quotes that I pulled from a bigger interview, so if you'd like to read more about what Daniels had to say, click here. It's going to be great and refreshing to see the old Star Wars gang back up on the big screen together again. The film is scheduled for release on December 18th, 2015.