For a character that had the very first speaking line in the entire Star Wars saga, C-3PO been a complete non-factor in the sequel trilogy. That’s been a disappointment for many, considering how prominent Threepio was in the original trilogy. He’s poised to become the only character to have appeared in every single episodic film (and even Rogue One).  So… Will he finally get his due in The Rise of Skywalker?

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Relax, Threepio. You’ll have a bigger role in Episode IX. (Image: Lucasfilm Ltd.)

In the most recent footage from Star Wars: Episode IX, we saw C-3PO with glowing red eyes. Now, theories abound about how the Emperor will return in this film. One of the best came jokingly from one of our favorite Facebook groups, Star Warriors: Threpio has red eyes because Palpatine transfers his essence not into Rey or Kylo Ren, but into the droid! (As amusing as that scenario might be to see, it’s not likely to happen.) Notwithstanding, recent comments from Anthony Daniels do seem to confirm that the protocol droid will have a big role in The Rise of Skywalker, regardless.  

C-3PO to feature prominently in final Star Wars saga film

C-3PO; Threepio; leaked episode ix poster
C-3PO appears in The Last Jedi. (Image: DIsney/Lucasfilm)

Poe Dameron actor Oscar Isaac hinted that Threepio would have a larger role in this film way back in March. And then there was that leaked poster in which we saw C-3PO wielding Chewbacca’s bowcaster. The rumor surrounding that image tells us that Threepio gets reprogrammed for some unknown reason. Whatever happens with our favorite “goldenrod”, the actor behind the mask tells us its going to be spectacular.

“That was weird,” Daniels said to The Star Wars Show of the scene depicted in the D23 Expo footage. “… [T]o look at myself in the mirror, it was scary!” That alone doesn’t tell us much about the role C-3PO will play, but his next statement does:

It’s a magnificent piece of storytelling that really took me by surprise.”

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Dr. Aphra’s murder-bot, 0-0-0. (Image: Marvel Comics)

One doesn’t typically equate “magnificent storytelling” with a bit role such as C-3PO had in the prior two films. No, it seems Threepio will be central to the story when The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters this December.  Whether the red eyes mean he’ll take a page from Doctor Aphra’s murderous protocol droid 0-0-0 remains to be seen.

Source: The Star Wars Show