Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker isn’t just closing the Sequel Trilogy, as a lot has been said about it wrapping up the entire Skywalker saga that’s been unfolding for the past 40 years. Naturally, this means that a lot of long-running characters will bow out for the final time. And it sounds like C-3PO will be among them.
Anthony Daniels was asked about his final day on set for Episode IX in an interview with Variety at D23, with the Star Wars legend revealing that it was an “emotional” day but that he felt “satisfied” to “say goodbye.”
“It was difficult not to tear up a bit. Partly because J.J. [Abrams] said some really nice things and all the crew were listening and watching. I have to admit it was an emotional moment, but I knew it was coming. It wasn’t even a scene in which I said anything. For once, Threepio was in a scene without butting in. But I felt it’s such a terrific movie that I thought it was okay to say goodbye. I feel satisfied with this one. I have something to be proud of that, you know, as I say goodbye.”
So, get ready to say farewell to Threepio, folks. As sad as it is, it makes a lot of sense for this to be the last time we see the droid – certainly chronologically – if Rise is really going to conclude the narrative of all nine chapters. Two of the few constants of every trilogy has been the presence of Threepio and R2-D2, with the pair being there for the Rebellion’s revolt against the Empire, the Resistance versus the First Order and even Anakin’s fall to the Dark Side, even if they don’t remember it.
Now we’ve just got to worry about how exactly Threepio and Artoo are written out. That shot of the protocol droid with glowing red eyes in the second trailer (above) doesn’t fill us with confidence that he’ll make it through in tact. Their fates will be revealed though when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arrives in cinemas on December 20th.
