Introduction
As long as there has been Hollywood, there have been Hollywood feuds. Instances when those behind, in front of the camera, or both, simply could not agree to disagree. A town of tinsel and egos. It is no surprise that not every personality gels. It is a place of work and industry. Have you liked every single colleague you have ever worked with? Often the drama behind the scenes can enhance what appears onscreen and sometimes even overshadow it. But, there’s no such thing as ‘Bad Press.’
‘Did you hear that?’
Those were the first words that were spoken by Anthony Daniel’s protocol droid, C-3PO to Kenny Baker’s astromech droid, RD-D2 in what was the beginning of George Lucas’ cinema-changing Star Wars Saga. Lucas took a cue from Kurosawa’s 1958 film The Hidden Fortress, where two bumbling, bickering peasants must protect a princess from her enemies. Thus letting the story be viewed through their eyes. We follow ‘Artoo’ and ‘Threepio’ on their journey in an escape pod to a desert planet where they meet a young farm boy, a wizard, a pirate, etc.
It is no coincidence that C-3PO and R2-D2 are fan favorites. They are the first characters we meet. And they are our guides through this galaxy far, far away. They are funny and sweet. Observant, adaptable, easy, and fun to impersonate. And they always do their best to help: R2 D2 immediately and C-3PO sometimes, eventually. Most importantly, they are a double-act, one of the most loved and recognized in cinema.
Moments across the saga when they are separated: they seem a little lost or look incomplete without each other to bounce off and rely upon, and enquire about the other when apart. It is only in the finale of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones that they become a recognizable duo, serving as witnesses to Anakin and Padme’s secret wedding, and the audience does not realize how much they have missed seeing them together. They also appear on a ton of merchandise as the producers do not have to pay for image rights!
Anthony Daniels
Daniels, before donning the iconic golden suit, was a law student. However, he left that path to take up acting, including mime. He soon found himself at the National Theater in London, just in time to attract the attention of George Lucas.
Like many before him, and since, Daniels was not a fan of the script. He was, however, attracted by Ralph McQuarrie’s legendary concept art and was thrilled to be given the role and eventually vocal duties. Daniel’s performance would famously lead to Lucas re-evaluating the character completely.
Throughout their negative history, Daniels had maintained a dignified silence about the more frequent remarks that had been made against him. It wasn’t until his autobiography press tour, for I Am C-3PO, in 2022 that he finally addressed Baker’s slurs in an interview with The Express:
“Kenny decided that he wanted to say unkind, unpleasant, rude, hurtful things. It got worse and worse. And rather like Mr Trump, if you say it often enough, people believe you.”
Daniels has always maintained he was the only person who could perform as C-3PO, voice included, and, for years, has been very protective of the character. Hence him being the only actor to play his character in every Star Wars iteration, in each trilogy, and all Disney-era properties. Most recently he voiced the character in an episode of Ahsoka, video games, and theme park rides.
Working With a Bucket
“We didn’t really appear or interact together. He was in a box he couldn’t do anything with. I had to work, frankly, very hard to believe that this object was my best friend…I think everyone just took it for granted and didn’t realize what I had created”
Another bone of contention over the decades, Daniels believes, was Baker’s desire to capitalize on the fans’ adoration for their perceived partnership. There was also the matter of the pair appearing together on the lucrative festival and convention circuit. Daniels recalls Baker grew frustrated with Daniels’ reluctance to do conventions together.
However, Daniels would become a regular host, MC, and guest at conventions including the first Star Wars Celebration. It was clear that Daniels would prefer attending conventions…solo, so to speak. We can therefore deduce it was not the conventions that Daniels had issues with.
Kenny Baker
Baker, before Star Wars, only had one prior film credit as a dwarf in Circus of Horrors (1960). He had previously worked in vaudeville, a circus, and cabaret. Along with the Star Wars franchise, he would also appear in The Elephant Man (1980). Flash Gordon (1980).Time Bandits (1981). Amadeus (1984).Labyrinth (1986) and Willow (1988).
At three foot eight inches, George Lucas thought Baker was perfect for R2-D2, as he was small enough to fit inside the construct and also strong enough to move it. Albeit he was limited to turning R2’s head and rocking him side to side. A remote-controlled version of R2 was used when he was on the move. Baker seemed to be the first to take issue with the different personalities:
“Anthony doesn’t mix at all – he keeps to himself. He never wants to have a drink with any of us”
Baker would then report that Daniels’s animosity and condescension towards him escalated as the years passed, through no fault of his own, calling him ‘Little Man’ and recalls:
“Once when I said hello to him, he just turned his back on me and said, ‘Can’t you see I’m having a conversation?’ I was blazing with rage. It was the rudest thing anyone had ever done to me. I was furious. It was unbelievable.”
Conclusion
“We have no relationship…we have nothing in common”
Therefore how can we expect them, instead of believing or hoping that they would bond? We can argue that what they had in common was they brought joy to millions over decades, so they could at least have ‘put on a show’ as The Guys Behind Your Favorite Droids, as opposed to what we now know.
We can only conclude that it is a great shame that the two performers could not meet in the middle for the fans. It is even a greater shame that Baker is no longer with us, and Daniels’s response was rather lukewarm:
“Sad to hear of Kenny’s passing. One of the truly original cast, so famed for his iconic role as R2. He’ll always be remembered by so many fans.”
