Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker's Anthony Daniels Saddened by Trimmed Down C-3PO Role

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker served as the final installment of the Skywalker Saga. To give a satisfying conclusion and to fit all the scenes that'll complete its narrative, some scenes didn't make it in the final cut. For C-3PO, though the droid played a key role in the film, there were more scenes that fans weren't able to see, including a "sweeter and broader" relationship with Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron.

"I just was so thrilled that J.J. [Abrams, director] and [co-writer Chris Terrio] finally came up with something worthwhile," Anthony Daniels told IGN. "And including that crazy thing, 'I am not permitted to translate a Sith artifact.' What a wonderful reversal." As seen in the movie, the droid's programming prohibits him from disclosing the Sith dagger translation, so they had to come to droidsmith Babu Frik for help in bypassing it.

"You also have to realize that there's an awfully lot of editing after you've finished filming, so C-3PO's role was even sweeter and broader than that," he added. "But some of those niceties have to go because there's so much in that film already, it's almost two films in one, as you know."

Daniels admits that he was "a little sad" about that, particularly with C-3PO's relationship with Poe which was "just so sweet and so funny." The actor also said that he was "moved" by his line "Taking one last look, sir, at my friends" on set and seeing it in the trailer too.

The beloved droid appeared in all nine movies of the iconic saga, and Daniels says The Rise of Skywalker is probably the last. The actor thinks they should start another story with other characters "in fresh parts of the galaxy" since there are more corners of the Star Wars universe yet to be explored. "Who knows where various other writers and producers will take you," he said. "Possibly without Threepio."

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is now available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray.

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