A long time ago, in this galaxy in 1977, Star Wars fever took over the world. Created and directed by George Lucas, Star Wars (later retitled as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) broke the box office and won multiple awards.
Among Star Wars’ legendary cast and crew was Supa-Star Anthony Daniels as the fastidious protocol droid C-3PO (who you may recognise despite the red arm). Often depicted as the face of Star Wars alongside his pal R2-D2, C-3PO has made many appearances in and out of the franchise.
To prepare for Daniels’ upcoming appearances at our 99th show in Adelaide (2-3 November), and Brisbane’s three-day extravaganza (8-10 November), we take a look at the times C-3PO surprised us!
Star Tours and Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
During the 16-year gap between 1983’s Return of the Jedi and 1999’s Phantom Menace, fans received an immersive continuation of Star Wars. Star Tours opened at Disneyland in 1987, before expanding to other Disney parks worldwide.
The story revolves around the Star Tours travel agency for galactic travel sometime after Return of the Jedi. Before boarding the Endor Express, fans were surprised and delighted with the presence of C-3PO (voiced by Daniels) and R2-D2 as fully functional audio-animatronics on spaceport THX1138 (Did you know that the spaceport name is a direct reference to George Lucas’s student film Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB, which he remade as his debut feature film THX 1138?). The Threepio and R2 audio-animatronics were modified props from the original trilogy.
‘Star Tours – The Adventures Continue’. Pic via Disney World
Even more surprising, especially to 3PO himself, was his expanded role in the sequel, Star Tours – The Adventure Continues. Opened at Disneyland in 2011, The Adventure Continues is set between the prequel and original trilogy. This time, a bewildered C-3PO pilots the Starspeeder for Star Tours. Star Tours boasts 11 possible destinations including Hoth, Exegol, Coruscant and Tatooine, and different alternating scenarios involving fan favourite characters such as Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Yoda and Lando Calrissian. A ride on Star Tours is never the same experience twice.
For this expanded role, Daniels portrayed C-3PO in different mediums. He performed motion capture for the pre-flight video, modelled in a live-action suit for C-3PO’s animatronic movements, and recorded new lines exclusively for The Adventure Continues. With new scenarios and planets added every few years, it wouldn’t be surprising if Daniels returned to portray C-3PO for more adventure aboard Star Tours.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
There were many surprises for fans in 1999’s Phantom Menace, including the return of Daniels as a bare-bones C-3PO. His origin as a creation of Anakin Skywalker to assist his mother shocked many moviegoers. Fans speculated on why Anakin built a protocol droid.
This was officially explained in Skywalker: A Family at War, a biography of the Skywalker family written by Kristin Baver. Longing to be free of his life in slavery, far away from Tatooine, Anakin constructed a droid capable of many forms of communication. He dreamed that one day he and his mother would be free to travel the galaxy with a faithful companion that could translate and communicate with any species on any planet.
The revelation that C-3PO was part of Anakin’s escape plan makes Anakin’s feelings towards his mother and his eventual downfall manipulated by Palpatine even more poignant. In a poetic or ironic sense, C-3PO eventually serves this purpose, but for Anakin’s son, Luke Skywalker.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
In 2012, Disney acquired Lucasfilm and the rights to Star Wars. When they announced the development of the sequel trilogy, the involvement of returning original trilogy cast like Daniels came as no surprise. C-3PO’s red arm and its epic backstory, however, was a great surprise.
Cover Artist: Tradd Moore
When fans first glimpse Punished “Venom” 3PO’s new red arm in Force Awakens, he makes a cheeky fourth wall-breaking reference to it’; “You probably don’t recognise me because of the red arm!”
To answer this mystery, fans must read The Phantom Limb story arc in Marvel’s Star Wars Special: C-3PO #1. Alternatively, fans can play this story as DLC for 2016’s Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens video game.
Ahsoka
Ahsoka on Disney+ is set in the period between the fall of the Galactic Empire and the rise of the First Order, making the inclusion of original trilogy characters possible and expected. Accordingly, Daniels once again surprised us as C-3PO, playing a pivotal role in the series.
General Hera Syndulla (from Star Wars: Rebels) finds herself on trial for disobeying direct orders from the New Republic and instigating rumours of Grand Admiral Thrawn’s return. C-3PO is sent to speak on behalf of Senator Leia Organa, to persuade the court that Organa herself sanctioned Syndulla’s actions. Fans were emotionally affected by this as it honoured and carried on the spirit of Princess Leia Organa played by the late great Carrie Fisher.
The Star Wars universe is full of endless possibilities, so it is quite certain that C-3PO and Anthony Daniels will return to surprise and excite us in further instalments of this galaxy, far, far away.
With only 28 days to go until Supanova Comic Con & Gaming’s milestone 100th event, Star Wars fans can Supa-Charge their weekend with strictly limited ‘This IS The Droid You’re Looking For’ Specialty Passes for Anthony Daniels now on sale for Adelaide and Brisbane.
