The Challenges of Playing C-3PO in Star Wars Films
Summary
In this article, we delve into the experiences of a professional actor who played the iconic role of C-3PO in the Star Wars films. The actor recounts the challenges of wearing the complex costume and the adjustments made for his comfort. He also talks about the special effects used to make the costume look less shiny on camera. The actor shares his love for the Star Wars franchise and his excitement to be a part of the latest film, The Force Awakens.
Table of Contents
- The Two Experiences with C-3PO
- Playing the Character in the Star Wars Movies
- A Humorous Anecdote about the Red Arm
- Conclusion
The Two Experiences with C-3PO
The actor starts by recounting two separate experiences with C-3PO. The first was a mock-up set where he played the character, and the second was a puppet built by Industrial Light of Magic. During the first experience, the actor had to keep still with a sandbag over one foot for the animatronics engineering to animate C-3PO’s actions. In the second experience, the actor was disappointed that he couldn’t puppeteer the character and instead had to voice the character while Don Bee and Justin Di dressed up as puppet 3P. The puppet was heavy but realistic, and the actor compares it to the Japanese theatrical art of Bunrak.
Playing the Character in the Star Wars Movies
The actor then describes the process of playing the character of C-3PO in the Star Wars movies. The costume was complex, with the actor’s body parts attached to the droid’s body, and the head controlled by a helmet. The actor rehearsed for days and had to guess who he was looking at since he couldn’t see. The scenes were shot on various screens with a gold suit to make it look rusty. The focus of the script was on the decline and fall of Anakin Skywalker, and 3PO’s character was iconic, with a dirty gold look in the beginning and a shiny gold look in episode three. In a twist, 3PO ends up with the body of a battle droid, and the actor had to hold a gun wired onto his hands. The actor ends with a line from the script.
A Humorous Anecdote about the Red Arm
The actor shares a humorous anecdote about his disagreements with the director over the design of his character’s red arm. He had initially thought it was a temporary fix, but the director insisted on keeping it for the entire film. The actor jokes that he had to keep reminding the director that he was the one who had to wear the red arm and that it was uncomfortable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the actor reflects on his experience working on the Star Wars films and his admiration for the franchise. Despite the challenges of wearing the complex costume and the disagreements over the red arm, the actor expresses his excitement to be a part of the latest film, The Force Awakens. The actor’s portrayal of C-3PO has become an iconic part of the Star Wars franchise, and his insights into the making of the films provide a unique perspective for fans.
