The beloved "Star Wars" droid duo, C-3PO and R2-D2, will be back once more in "Star Wars Episode VII," and they won't be done in CGI. They will be shot as live action characters, portrayed by actors Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker, respectively, who also donned the robot costumes for the original "Star Wars" movie and in the later installments of the franchise.
The first "Star Wars" film was shown in 1977, and the new movie is set around three decades after "Return of the Jedi." When asked by Entertainment Weekly if the golden robot has "grown" over the years, Daniels said, "I think 3PO might have grown in confidence over the years because he's survived so many dramas and he's gained so much knowledge about what's going on in the galaxy. He may have grown in that way."
It has been earlier reported that director J.J. Abrams had chosen to shoot the upcoming "Star Wars" installment using less CGI. In that respect, Daniels and Abrams are in agreement. The actor dislikes his character being generated by a computer, and he also refuses to do just the voice.
"[During the prequels], the only time [Threepio has] been CG was when it was very dangerous [to act in the scene in a suit] — and it wasn't very good," he told EW. "In fact, I'm going to say it was awful."
Not only will the two droids be back, the new film will also be a reunion of sorts for the original cast. Harrison Ford will reprise his role as Han Solo, Carrie Fisher will be back as Princess Leia, Mark Hamill will go back to being Luke Skywalker, and Peter Mayhew will once again be donning his Chewbacca fur.
With the original cast set to reunite onscreen, it would be interesting to find out what happened to them many years after Darth Vader met his doom. The other stars who will join the veteran actors are John Boyega, Daily Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serks, Domhall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow.
"Star Wars Episode VIII" will roll out in theaters on Dec. 18, 2015.
