Anthony Daniels Talks New C-3PO Costume in 'Star Wars 7'

If you were wondering whether the new C-3PO will be CGI, or if Anthony Daniels is crawling back into that metallic suit on set, the man himself has provided the answer. He will be playing the iconic robot once again, this time for director J.J. Abrams in Star Wars: Episode VII.

When J.J. Abrams called the actor to return for the movie, it was originally for a voice role only. Anthony Daniels explains how that transpired into what he is currently shooting, describing the new C-3PO suit along the way, and why it's important that C-3PO never be CGI again in a movie:

I will tell you that when [director] J.J. Abrams rang me to ask about filming Star Wars: Episode VII, one of the first things he said after he told me how wonderful I was - and that didn't take long - but he then said, "Would you be interested in being in the film just doing the voice?" I said, "No," and he said, "Right!" He knew I'd say that. There's no way I would just do the voice. I also said that it can't be the same suit. I will tell you that the team then got together and built a new suit. They made an entirely new look-a-like with changes that you will never notice [on screen] that made my life a lot easier. I can get it on and off very quickly. 

He elaborated:

[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.

Star Wars: Episode VII will feature all of the legacy actors mentioned above - plus Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca - in addition to newcomers John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Lupita Nyong'o, Crystal Clarke, Pip Anderson, Christina Chong, Gwendoline Christie and Max von Sydow. The movie is still in production, and it will probably still be a long time before we get to see any footage from the film.