Anthony Daniels has opened up about his time on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and revealed that the conclusion of the nine-movie Skywalker Saga cut a considerable amount of C-3PO's storyline.
Speaking to IGN, the 74-year-old actor said there was plenty more to C-3PO's arc, but it was ultimately cut by Chris Terrio and J.J Abrams. "There's an awfully lot of editing after you've finished filming, so C-3PO's role was even sweeter and broader than that," said Daniels.
Daniels acknowledged, "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." He then continued, lamenting that some of Threepio's relationships were ultimately left unexplored. "I was a little sad about that, particularly his relationship with Poe, played by the wonderful Oscar Isaac. That was just so sweet and so funny, because Poe was always kind of irritated by C-3PO, but in a nice way."
While, as Daniels suggested, Poe and 3PO's friendship was not explored further in The Rise of Skywalker, the series staple played an undeniably major role in helping the Resistance decipher Sith glyphs and ultimately tracking Emperor Palpatine to Exegol.
Daniels went on to praise Abrams and Terrio for giving C-3PO "something worthwhile" to do in what is likely Daniels' last movie as the iconic droid. While the actor seems to be done with the role, he has hinted in the past that C-3PO's story may not be over just yet, meaning the character could return elsewhere in that ever-expanding galaxy far, far away.
Directed and co-written by J.J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong' o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Keri Russell, Anthony Daniels, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, and Carrie Fisher, with Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant. The film is available now on digital HD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD.