Anthony Daniels On Reprising The Role Of 'C-3PO' In STAR WARS EPISODE VII
Anthony Daniels will return as C-3PO in Star Wars Episode VII, and he talks here about originally being asked to return only to provide vocals for the fan-favourite droid, how the costume has now been changed to make it easier to wear and the benefits of practical performances compared to CGI.
They've appeared in each of the Star Wars movies and Episode VII will be no exception as C-3PO and R2-D2 return for the J.J. Abrams helmed follow-up to Return of the Jedi. While the movie will be making good use of Andy Serkis' performance capture studio The Imaginarium, Anthony Daniels has confirmed that he will be once again suiting up as the fan-favourite droid despite the fact that he was initially offered just a voice-over role in the highly anticipated movie which drops on December 18th, 2015. The British actors makes some very interesting points here about why it's important to have him in the suit rather than relying on special effects, though it does sound as if he's grateful for technological advances which have made the suit far more comfortable. The full interview can be found over at Entertainment Weekly. Share your thoughts on all of this below!
[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.