By Anthony Daniels

DK Books, out now

 

Anthony Daniels shares the highs and lows of playing the Star Wars saga’s favourite protocol droid, C-3PO, across over 40 years.

While it makes sense to release this autobiography in the run-up to The Rise of Skywalker, it does of course mean that it can’t be exhaustive, containing only vague content on the final episode of the Skywalker saga. And of course neither would we expect spoilers about what ‘Goldenrod’ gets up to in his final hours, but it just means that there’s a chapter missing… possibly for paperback, by which time the secrets will be out?

I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr Daniels in 2002 at the release of Attack of the Clones, and what came across (in addition to his love of the character) was how C-3PO lived beyond the movies. From in-character appearances on The Muppet Show, Sesame Street and the Osmond Christmas show, Threepio has surely appeared as himself outside of the movies far more than any other Star Wars character.

These gigs are all covered in detail by Daniels in his chronological summary of his droid years, from meeting George Lucas to flying with Sir Alex Guinness to Tunisia to conducting the LSO with John Williams. He realises how lucky the journey has been, but not without its frustrations. Lucasfilm’s reticence to acknowledge that Threepio was played by an actor hung heavily over him, affording an anonymity that he didn’t seek.

He didn’t get on with Return of the Jedi director Richard Marquand, observed bullying on the set of Attack of the Clones and felt under-served in Episodes VII and VIII. This honesty is refreshing in Daniels’ copy, being matter of fact rather than bitchy or scurrilous. He acknowledges the oft-discussed ‘feud’ between himself and Kenny Baker (R2-D2 operator) but gives it little further oxygen, accenting that the two just didn’t see eye to eye on things.

Verdict: For any Star Wars fan this is the essential inside track on the movies and the wider culture that they have established, directly from the man who has been there all along. It’s addictively readable, witty and insightful, and I have no doubt that it will eventually get translated into over six million forms of communication. 10/10

Nick Joy

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