Anyone Feel a Little Sorry for Anthony Daniels?

[HugeLobes]

Always felt a little sorry for Daniels since he so often got paired with Kenny Baker for interviews. I understand there was a lot of heat between them, and I imagine Daniels was rather rude at times, but I can see why he was annoyed.

The credits say that Kenny Baker played R2D2, but he didn't actually do anything. Just slipped inside the model and moved around. I'm not saying that wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't really acting. Anthony Daniels basically made C3PO his own and deserves major props for his acting, so I can defintely see why he'd be annoyed to constantly share the spotlight with Baker.

Thoughts?

 

[Christopher]

I feel sorrier for him having to be in that hot, cramped costume all the time. I'm surprised to read on Wikipedia that he still wears the costume in the modern movies -- I'd think it'd be easier on him to use performance capture.

But he's always been a real trouper. He's pretty much the sole original cast member who's always played his movie role in nearly every spinoff -- the radio series, the Holiday Special, the Droids cartoons, Star Tours, the modern animated series, the LEGO animations -- virtually everything except a few video games and a couple of parodies. I admire that commitment.

 

[HugeLobes]

I feel sorrier for him having to be in that hot, cramped costume all the time. I'm surprised to read on Wikipedia that he still wears the costume in the modern movies -- I'd think it'd be easier on him to use performance capture.

I remember reading somewhere that the special effects guys had a super hard time replicating the distinctive way Daniels moved as C3PO. Another credit to his acting.

Interestingly, heard something similar about the way Brent Spiner walked as Data. Nobody really noticed it was unique, then all the stunt guys and stand-ins found it impossible to replicate.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

The credits say that Kenny Baker played R2D2, but he didn't actually do anything. Just slipped inside the model and moved around. I'm not saying that wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't really acting. Anthony Daniels basically made C3PO his own and deserves major props for his acting, so I can defintely see why he'd be annoyed to constantly share the spotlight with Baker.

Yes, Baker's role was less demanding, but it is not clear why Daniels felt he must demean Baker as a performer. Certainly there are those in every production who do less, yet still deserve professional respect.

 

[The Wormhole]

While Anthony Daniels certainly seems like a nice guy when he's interviewed or does conventions, if there is any truth to the stories of things he's said about or even too Kenny Baker (like "fuck off and leave me alone, little man" when Baker just wanted to have a conversation on set between takes) then he is a dick. I am mindful that I only have one side of the story and am not privy to the reasons why Daniels feels justified talking to Baker like that, but unless Baker was some sort of uberdouche that somehow when unnoticed by all other cast members and unreported for forty years, I don't get why Daniels had to be so rude to him.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

No links yet, in the thread.

 

[HugeLobes]

While Anthony Daniels certainly seems like a nice guy when he's interviewed or does conventions, if there is any truth to the stories of things he's said about or even too Kenny Baker (like "fuck off and leave me alone, little man" when Baker just wanted to have a conversation on set between takes) then he is a dick. I am mindful that I only have one side of the story and am not privy to the reasons why Daniels feels justified talking to Baker like that, but unless Baker was some sort of uberdouche that somehow when unnoticed by all other cast members and unreported for forty years, I don't get why Daniels had to be so rude to him.

Yup, sounds like Daniels was sometimes an utter cunt to Baker, but I still feel bad that he shares billing with him. Kenny Baker seemed like a class act.

 

[WarpFactorZ]

Yup, sounds like Daniels was sometimes an utter cunt to Baker, but I still feel bad that he shares billing with him. Kenny Baker seemed like a class act.

Sounds like they were staying in character between takes.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Maybe Daniels is just a little bit bitter that he actually had to be inside the C3PO suit (which had to be rather uncomfortable), yet nowadays actors can use motion capture to portray any character they want, via CGI, without having to actually be inside a costume.

 

[Relayer1]

A friend has direct, first hand experience of Anthony Daniels 'poor' behaviour. It's well known in the industry.

Still think he's a class act on screen, if not off.

 

[Kor]

To me, this discussion brings up the question of how much the depiction of R2-D2 depended on Baker.

For comparison, the depiction of Yoda in ESB was absolutely made by Frank Oz's voice work and puppetry.

Kor

 

[Jedi Marso]

I think 3PO and his mannerisms are one of the most consistently annoying aspects of SW. That's just me, though. He'll always be one of the iconic members of the original gang.

 

[Awesome Possum]

He’s apparently an asshole. Alan Tudyk tried to ask him for advice on playing a droid since he was playing K-2SO and Daniels was rudely dismissive of him because he wasn’t in a costume.

 

[c0rnedfr0g]

He’s apparently an asshole. Alan Tudyk tried to ask him for advice on playing a droid since he was playing K-2SO and Daniels was rudely dismissive of him because he wasn’t in a costume.

Certainly not a good reputation to have; however, was Daniels in a costume in Episode I ??

 

[Awesome Possum]

Certainly not a good reputation to have; however, was Daniels in a costume in Episode I ??

Nope, but he mostly seemed dismissive of motion capture which they used for K-2SO. Which is odd because Tudky was on set the entire time and the performance was taken from that. He was just cut out and the effect replaced him.

 

[David cgc]

Nope, but he mostly seemed dismissive of motion capture which they used for K-2SO. Which is odd because Tudky was on set the entire time and the performance was taken from that. He was just cut out and the effect replaced him.

You can actually see Luna covering his mouth to keep from laughing after K slaps him at Tudyk improvising "And there's a fresh one if you mouth off again."

 

[Jax]

Anthony Daniels has many a story about him being an asshole so if true, he can fuck off. He plays an annoying droid that doesn't demand nowhere near as much acting ability as Daniels would have you believe. He's probably just annoyed people like R2D2 more than C3PO

 

[Gryffindorian]

Nobody's perfect, especially celebrities. As long as he didn't sexually assault Baker or anyone, I don't really care about his personality as an actor.

 

[The Wormhole]

I'm curious, have any of the other actors ever had complaints about Anthony Daniels being rude? And given how dismissive he was of Alan Tudyk for not having a costume, was he similarly dismissive of Ahmed Best? At the very least, those two seemed amiable enough when they filmed the scene they did together in AOTC where they're both playing humans (it's in the nightclub).

 

[arch101]

For comparison, the depiction of Yoda in ESB was absolutely made by Frank Oz's voice work and puppetry.
Kor

Lucas and Kirshner wanted to get Oz nominated for Best Supporting Actor but the Academy was practically offended at the prospect of a puppeteer getting that kind of nod.
IMHO- he deserved it.

Don't feel sorry for Daniels- he's made more as a supporting actor than many lead actors have made in a career. I'm sure he has a comfortable life for 9 movie appearances.