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It’s been over 40 years since we were first introduced to the galaxy far, far away, and while the entire Star Wars Universe has expanded since then — with countless cartoons, TV specials, videogames, and, of course, movies — there has been one constant actor in all of them, the iconic Anthony Daniels, who brought everybody’s favorite soft-spoken, golden protocol droid, C-3PO, to life.
Daniels, 73, who also happens to have the distinction of being the only actor to appear in all nine Star Wars films (and also Rogue One), recently published his memoir, I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story, where he opens up about everything that went into playing one of the most recognizable characters in all of movie history (as well as the frustrations of playing a character where nobody recognizes your face). And in celebration of the release of his memoir and the release of the final Skywalker Saga film, The Rise of Skywalker, the ever delightful Daniels spoke with BuzzFeed about everything from the moment when he realized Star Wars was a huge hit, to saying goodbye to C-3PO.
BF: Congratulations on the book, I guess the timing right now is perfect to write a memoir, as you're about to close out the Skywalker Saga with The Rise of Skywalker. Had you been wanting to write your memoir for a long time or did you feel like now was the right time?
Anthony Daniels: Well, I wasn’t really, but over the years people said, “Why don’t you?” And I thought, Oh, I don’t know. Sounds like a lot of work. [laughs] Eventually, I was asked to write it by my publisher.
As I was writing it I realized that the opportunity was there to include the last film, Episode IX — as originally it was meant to be published earlier. So, it made it a very neat moment to write this and [including The Rise of Skywalker] became more relevant. And suddenly, it was published a month before the movie came out, which meant that I could really write about Episode IX, but only in a very roundabout way, without giving any spoilers.
You also got JJ Abrams to write the forward, how did that come about?
AD: One day on the set of The Rise of Skywalker, I was working with JJ and he suddenly looked at me and said, "You should write a book." And then he paused and said, "Are you?" And I said, "Well, yes. And would you write the forward?" And he said, "That’d be an honor." I was just so delighted.
Then, of course, with the audio version, I suddenly realized it would be crazy not to have JJ read his own words. So, in the middle of the franticness of The Rise of Skywalker, he very nicely recorded — in his wonderful voice and with his enthusiasm — the forward for me.
One of the things I did want to ask (because the book is incredibly detailed in the making of the movies and full of lots of like little behind-the-scenes tidbits) is did you keep a diary? Or do you just have this great memory?
AD: I remember trying to, and on day two I just got bored with it. And of course, I should have kept a diary. It was quite fun writing stuff about episode nine, The Rise of Skywalker, as I was actually filming it, because we have lot of a time on the set between shooting to do stuff.
Some of the stories in the book I have told at conventions or in meetings over the years, and you know, it's all very well-rehearsed in my mind, like meeting Alec Guinness and his huge kindness. Those stories are very strong in my brain, and then for other things it’s like, "Wait a minute, I remember that!" I wish I'd written notes, but, actually, I’ve pretty much gone on well without them, I think. Next time, I will keep a diary!
I am going to ask you something you have probably been answering for the last 40 plus years. But, when did you realize that the movie was going to be big as it became? Because in the book it sounds like you signed up for this movie with no real big exceptions, but went into it with a lot of enthusiasm. And everything else that happened during the filming seems like it could have been a train wreck?
AD: Oh, it totally was! I didn't go to the meeting with George [Lucas] with any enthusiasm, but boy did that change. So, once we were into filming, of course, you just get on with it. It's a job — a peculiar one. But, as I do say in the book, the first time I knew or saw that the film was a huge, astounding success was clearly seeing a magazine in a newsagent shop [newsstand] with all of the characters on the cover. I don't think I even bought it, I may have.
Is there a C-3PO quote that you love the most? And is it the same as the one the fans love?
AD: Oh, of course the one I love the most is, "We’re doomed!" [laughs]. It always appealed to me because it encapsulates his outlook on life.
Out of all the Star Wars films you have appeared in which one is your favorite?
AD: Curiously, it that would be the first one, A New Hope. Because it had a kind of innocence about it that appealed. And it was a story I kind of understood, it wasn't too complicated, I could follow it. So, in spite of it being really very difficult to film it remains really my favorite…though having seen The Rise of Skywalker and its conclusion, I think it might have to be twined with that. And in a way, that’s not a bad idea, having it be the beginning and the end.
So, you've been playing this character in many, many different mediums — everything from radio to television. Aside from the films, where has your favorite C-3PO story been told, or maybe appearance?
AD: Actually, in the opening remarks in my book I talk about one of my favorite experiences I got to do and that was hosting a huge series of concerts with a symphony orchestra and introducing John Williams and his fantastic, really gorgeous scores. It is at that point that I really began to realize that the fans, people sitting in these vast arenas every night, had an experience that I had never had — as I was in the films — I'd never seen what we were making from that point of view. And I began to realize I had the luck of being in the movies, but I hadn't missed out on a major sort of experience. And now I am beginning to recognize what I missed and to catch up with it.
Were you surprised about C-3PO’s back story in the prequels?
AD: I was absolutely amazed at the inventiveness of George Lucas, and that he realized Threepio needed a beginning and what better than to have him be built by a kid. And I thought that was a genius moment. But as I described in the book, you know, I was a little confused about who the kid was. I thought it was Alec Guinness as a young man, but it turned out to be Darth Vader! So, you can tell how out of touch I was the films at that point. It’d been 14 years, I think, since the last film, and I've been off, my mind was elsewhere. But, I was again enchanted by the kind of anachronism of Threepio — one of the most gentle, beloved creatures — being made by the big bad villain. Very cute.
Okay, so I heard that you wanted originally to title the book Telling the Odds, which is a hilarious and something every Star Wars fan would get — is that true?
AD: Yes, because I like to be slightly elliptical or cryptic. But the publishers thinking no one but the fans would get that said, "Well, you know, we need to appeal to a wider audience than just Star Wars fans." So, they came up with a title and I realized how apt it was because actually, pretty much in every film, Threepio goes around introducing himself [laughs] – he has this sort of nervous tick where he needs to make sure people know who he is, and it’s quiet charming – so in that way, it works very well and I am quite happy with it. But, I have had a lot of people email me and tweet at me that they think Telling the Odds was a better title, but maybe they’re hardcore fans – ‘cause it is one of the most quoted lines, of course.
Obviously, you did the original trilogy, then you did the prequels. But did you ever think you were going to reunite with the original cast and do a whole new trilogy?
AD: No, but then I didn't think I was going do the prequels. And, I think at that point, I just realized how little I know or understand about the art of storytelling or the energy that's behind these movies. Of course, I was just thrilled to meet JJ Abrams for the first time and that was and is a remarkable experience. Somehow the three films, these recent ones, has just been a wonderful coming home, you know, reuniting with Mark Hamill — and then there was Carrie [Fisher] again. Being on those film sets again was very special and it felt like putting old shoes back on.
I did want to ask you about Carrie Fisher because, as we know, she passed well before the third movie started filming. But what is your favorite memory of working with her?
AD: Well, I have a whole chapter dedicated to Carrie. And I don’t know, I have quite a few favorite memories with her. But, there was a gentleness and a sweetness to her, and she had a huge brain, you know. She was so witty and she could enliven any set, and make the entire crew giggle. I'm just thrilled that she is in The Rise of Skywalker. And JJ has managed to put her in in such a way that it's just a delight. Though she isn’t with us now, her performances always are.
This is your third time saying goodbye to C-3PO, is it harder to say goodbye this time around?
AD: Yes, actually. And I think it's because I had such a good time. The crew, who have all grown up over the last 40 years knowing Threepio and really caring for him, and that was very evident on the set. And, also because it was an exquisite experience working with JJ and I had the best time on this film, ever.
So, I'm not saying I was saying goodbye to everybody on the set, if you like, but I had a moment where a bit of me realized that times moved on and that, you know, I'm getting older and it’s not going to go on forever. So, all those elements came together, along with a really lovely speech JJ gave about me in front of the crew, it was kind of hard not to…well, you know, the old British stiff upper lip came into play – it was moving. But for me Threepio is not gone, we’re already discussing, not films, but other projects to do. And I know he will always be a part of my life and how proud am I about that – and what a piece of luck, really.