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Master Luke, I appear not to know the plot of Star Wars ...
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent06.04.09
HE HAS the rare honour of appearing in all six of the epic Star Wars movies.
But actor Anthony Daniels, also known as the gold "droid" C-3PO, today admits he has never really understood the plot.
Only now has he begun to grasp the finer points of George Lucas's space saga because a potted version has been written for this weekend's concerts, Star Wars: A Musical Journey, at the O2. "I'm not your average fan. I had no idea what was going on. There were so many weird creatures," he said.
"There's a programme on television entitled I've Never Seen Star Wars, and I wouldn't have seen Star Wars if I hadn't been in it. I keep on forgetting that Darth Vader is also C-3PO's daddy, so therefore Luke Skywalker is my half-brother. But working on this script I have finally understood the bones of the plot."
The two concerts, on Good Friday and Saturday, will feature a two-hour medley of the John Williams film scores played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
The music will be backed by film extracts and behind-the-scenes shots projected on a 100ft screen imported from America.
Daniels, 63, who lives in the West End, also admitted he felt "hugely lucky" to have had a three-decade career as a droid - the term invented by Lucas himself - in the films, voicing animations and introducing exhibitions.
Reader views (6)
By the look of his listing in IMDB it really doesn't look like he's been "resting" much at all!
Now, I may be being cynical here, but I'm sure it's no coincidence that there is a story like this just as the Star Wars O2 show starts up...
- Alan, London, UK
Oh, come on!!!
The man has been in every single one of the movies, happily pocketing a no-doubt generous fee for playing a robot, and we are expected to believe he can't follow the theme of this very simple fairy tale?
He's been going on like this for years and is just another toffee-nosed British thesp looking down on the american proles. It's all beneath his notice don't-you-know, but thanks for the cash all the same.
I get really fed up with snobby British stage actors half of whom are appalling hams, snearing at the movie industry that brings pleasure to millions, while doing very well out of it.
I know the Star Wars films are basically a bit silly, but they are good fun and everything doesn't have to be Shakespeare does it? Come to that has anyone ever seen Anthony Daniels anything at all, other than as C3po?
He should be grateful that he can afford to spend less time "resting" on the dole than most actors, courtesy of George Lucas.
- Andrew, Edinburgh
I only wish we could get rid of "baddies" as easily as in the Star Wars film ....... Crash is SO overdue a 'final scene'.
- Marianne, SW France
Well at least he is in good company. Our Prime Minister has the same problem.
- Stephen Rothbart, Prague Czech Republic
Well said, Bob.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
I would think it's not a case of him not understanding the film but rather of him trying to understand how the film doesn't revolve around his character.
- Bob, Cheam
