C-3PO Actor Reveals Struggle to Stay in ‘Star Wars’ on First Day

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Regardless of how many new iterations or adaptations that come from Star Wars, fans will continue to reminisce about the original 1977 film, A New Hope (also known as Star Wars). This groundbreaking fantasy movie captivated audiences with its out-of-this-world characters, whether they were aliens, droids, or something in between. Lines from these characters have been repeated and their stories followed throughout the series. One such character is C-3PO, a beloved clumsy protocol droid played by Anthony Daniels. It’s challenging to envision Star Wars without “Threepio,” but it’s thanks to Daniels’ determination and strong pain tolerance that we were given the chance to meet this iconic android fluent in six million forms of communication.

For 48 years, Anthony Daniels, best known as the voice behind “Threepio” from Star Wars, has portrayed this character. Over almost half a century, you’d imagine he’s amassed quite a few stories to tell. During his appearance at the FanX Salt Lake Pop Culture & Comic Convention, Daniels revealed that on his very first day of shooting, he seriously considered quitting. The suit was challenging, but wearing it in the sweltering Tunisian desert was a torment. At one point, he felt the discomfort outweighed the reward. (As reported by PopVerse)

At some stage, the pressure from that object started to affect the nerves in my arm, causing discomfort. On the very first day, I wore the costume for the entire day. It took a full two hours just to put it on. They didn’t plan to remove it even during lunchtime, so I stood alone in the desert while the crew went elsewhere for their meal and breaks. As I gazed at the vast desert landscape, I found myself wondering if I could quit or if there was any local transportation available. In our remote desert location, there was no easy way out for me, the droid, this time around.

I endured it for a while, but on the second day, I told you, ‘You need to remove it during lunch, I’m drained. I can’t move around freely. I need to rest, eat, and take care of other things.’ You didn’t want to witness my body when I took off that costume later. By the end of the day, I was marked with bruises, scars, and assorted wounds.

It turned out to be quite fortunate that Daniels remained involved in the project, as he played a pivotal role in cinematic history. Among the select few characters who appeared in all nine Star Wars films, known as the Skywalker Saga, is C-3PO. He even made an appearance in Rogue One. Interestingly, Daniels also lent his voice to the android character in the animated movie, The Clone Wars. There’s no doubt about it – his impact on the series is undeniable, and it would have been significantly different without his portrayal of a nervous-type android. However, securing him for the role was not an easy feat.

C-3PO Without Daniels Is Not C-3PO

In search of actors who would bring his vision to life, Lucas encountered Daniels in London. Daniels was a theater professional, and when Lucas laid eyes on him, he felt certain he had found his R2-D2, albeit the one who would don the suit initially; it was later that Daniels managed to persuade Lucas to let him use his own voice and abandon the idea of a New York accent. Yet, Daniels displayed no enthusiasm: “I had no intention whatsoever of meeting George Lucas for the role of a robot in a low-budget sci-fi film. Frankly, how could it possibly go wrong? My agent forced me to attend.

Over time, it became clear to Daniels that he was well-suited to portray a robot. His experience in mime could be utilized in this role, and upon viewing the design of the suit, he felt compelled to take on the character of C-3PO at the convention.

George won my favor, and it was a painting by Ralph McQuarrie, the Star Wars concept artist, that I’ve mentioned in my book, which shifted my perspective. Later, I received the script. With each page I turned, I grew fonder of him, as he was unlike Luke Skywalker, who was a very straightforward character.

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2025-03-13 23:02