Actor Oscar Isaac was truly touched to witness Anthony Daniels deliver his farewell speech to the cast and crew of the final Star Wars movie after portraying C-3PO in every film in the series.
Daniels originated the humanoid robot role in creator George Lucas’ first sci-fi epic back in 1977, and he has returned as the character in each of the eight subsequent releases, including the new Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
The latest movie is the final installment in the Skywalker saga, and as filming on the project wrapped, each of the main cast and crew members took a moment to express their gratitude for being a part of such an iconic franchise.
Isaac, who has played X-wing fighter pilot Poe Dameron since 2015’s The Force Awakens, reveals he was tearful as he stepped up to the microphone, but his rush of emotions was nothing compared to what 73-year-old Daniels had been feeling, as he prepared to retire the beloved C-3PO character for good.
“At the very end (of production), we were wrapping and I got the microphone and started saying goodbye to the cast and crew and got a little choked up, and started talking a little bit more, and then I realized that standing right there was Anthony Daniels, ready to say goodbye as well,” Isaac recalls on U.S. show Good Morning America.
“It’s one thing for me being a part of these three movies, but he’s been in every single Star Wars film (to date), and so I quickly was like (to Daniels), ‘Actually, you know what? Maybe you’re the one who should be talking!'”
Isaac was thrilled to be present for the monumental moment: “I handed over the microphone, and to see him say goodbye to the saga… I don’t think there’s any other actor who’s had such a unique commitment to a character like Anthony Daniels, so to see him really say goodbye for the last time was incredible,” he gushed.
And the actor is excited for fans to finally view The Rise of Skywalker as it marks the end of an era: “It’s pretty thrilling. It’s the end of a 42-year, nine-picture saga, so it’s pretty surreal to finally be on the other end of it,” he smiled.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, directed by J.J. Abrams, began hitting theatres this week (begins December 16, 2019).
