If you listen to Kenny Baker, the man inside of the original R2-D2, the real life actor that played C-3PO was kind of a jerk. He even called him “the rudest man I met in my life.”. That’s not exactly the sign of a healthy partnership for two characters that were supposed to be quite close in the original trilogy, but there was a lot of friction going into the movies as well as off screen. Chris Daniels has reportedly been kind of a jerk not only to Baker throughout the years but to fans as well. The guy behind the golden droid suit has apparently made waves with all of the cast at one point, seeming to think that he was above the whole Star Wars idea.
Simply listening to Baker you would think that Daniels was in fact a high-brow individual whose nose never came to a ninety-degree angle unless he deemed something or someone worthy of his attention. The deal between him and Baker was that Baker had come from a circus act and was hired because he was one of the only guys small enough to fit into the droid shell. Daniels had been reluctant to even read for his part but his agent had pushed it, thinking that Star Wars might be something that could elevate his actor status. Daniels however was a serious stage actor and thought the part beneath him, but upon looking at the character of C-3PO he agreed to do it. The only issue he had at that point was having to work with someone like Kenny Baker who he seemed to think was beneath his notice.
The hardest part is that throughout the years the relationship hasn’t gotten any better. Daniels seems to have resented his part in the film as it didn’t allow him to become a major star as he wanted, while Baker has had to bow out finally due to his health. Neither man has wanted anything to do with the other throughout the years, and while Kenny gladly went to conventions to make a bit more revenue that he didn’t make from the film, Daniels has simply refused as he doesn’t seem to want anything to do with it unless he’s actively filming. It might be that Daniels is really a jerk and that Baker is right, but there are always two sides to a story that need to be told before any real conclusions can be drawn. The regret that Daniels has about his role as C-3PO seem a little presumptuous but he could have had a plan in mind and this could have effectively ruined that.
It might sound a bit selfish but there’s no telling what Daniels could have done if he didn’t sign on for Star Wars. As to his feud with Baker, there’s only one side being told in the link above, as Daniels has staunchly refused to rise to the bait any longer. Words have definitely been fired back and forth in the past, but as of now Daniels is keeping his mouth shut, while Baker is simply enjoying the time he get to spend in his garden.
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