If you need a class in maintaining hype while balancing the need to keep the product under a veil of mystery, look no further than the machine that is powering "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." We’re just coming off an 18-hour toy unboxing event, in which devoted fans of the franchise were more than happy to be directly marketed to for a day and half, and it paid off. This morning, social media is already filled with pictures and tweets of people going to their latest chain store to buy the hot merchandise for a movie that’s not out for four months. When it comes to finding out more about J.J. Abrams‘s movie, story details are still being closely guarded, but one cast member has had enough.
Chatting with The Guardian, Anthony Daniels aka C-3PO is peeved that the powers that be are scrutinizing his communications with fans; Daniels recounts one particular tweet that got him in trouble. “I said that I’d met so-and-so. An actor who plays a … thing in the film. A character. Immediately I received a message from Disney: ‘Remove the tweet! You’re not allowed to say that!’ Honestly. It’s a kind of Kremlin attitude," he said. "Look, I know perfectly well not to tell you now what I’m giving you for a Christmas present because it would spoil the surprise. And these films are all about opening the box on Christmas Day."
READ MORE: New Teaser Trailer And Images For ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’
So, it seems Daniels understands why this kind of security is needed around the movie, but he mostly seems wearied by it all. “The secrecy has been beyond ludicrous,” he said. “For heaven’s sake, it’s a movie. When I got the script, it was typed in black on paper of the deepest red so you couldn’t photocopy it. I got a hangover just reading it.”
Moreover, he doesn’t seem all that impressed with the new chapter. "When J.J. told me the story of the new one, my eyes sort of glazed over.” Oof. But don’t feel too bad J.J., as Daniels also had a blunt assessment of the prequels.
Well, Daniels can probably expect another call from Disney’s stormtroopers today, as he grumpily awaits to share ‘The Force Awakens’ with you on December 18th.
I\’m curious where the eyes-glazed-over quote came from? I don\’t see it on the guardian\’s article? Fabricated perhaps?
dude, f–k this Anthony Daniels creep. i\’m being totally straight with you – when it comes to my recollection of the several interviews i\’ve seen with this guy, it\’s like i have NEVER heard a comment from his big, petty mouth that wasn\’t SOME-how tinged with sarcasm or caustic intent. For example he (publicly) has stated his dislike for Kenny Baker, the man who plays R2D2. WHY does he have such disdain for the guy who plays half of the reason ANYONE knows Daniels\’ name? Who knows! Perhaps Daniels feels that "Star Wars" was HIS idea. i repeat: eff this guy. nothing good or positive or otherwise beneficial to our lives and our world has been said by this bitter, bitter person. And so, we move on
pleased to see Daniels taking on the mantle of Alec Guinness\’ resentment here 🙂 I certainly wish all actors could have the sanguine attitude that say Michael Caine has about his own work (on Jaws: The Revenge – "I haven\’t seen it, and by all accounts it\’s terrible. But I have seen the house it bought, and it\’s magnificent.") — but I also think it must be a drag for actors who want to be taken seriously to have their lives controlled my screaming fanboy demands. A gilded cage, for sure, but a cage nonetheless, and I think most people who complain about his attitude, given that they are complaining the same way about someone messing with their experience, would handle it any better in Daniels\’ position.
@honest Joe – marketing departments, and Bad Robot in particular, use these big "surprises" contained in the plot as part of the marketing push. Look at all the nonsense over whether Benedict Cumberbatch was Khan or not for Star Trek into Darkness.
<i>"e. When I got the script, it was typed in black on paper of the deepest red so you couldn’t photocopy it."</i>
I have to ask, does that work with flatbed scanners as well?
well, he does have a point. it\’s not as if the already built in fan base will not see the new Star Wars film just b/c certain items or plot points leak. after all, it\’s just a movie. however, having experience with Disney, what they embargo is quite absurd.
*looks up Anthony Daniels on Celebrity Net Worth* Mm hmm. *looks up JARED on Celebrity Net Worth* Mm hmm.
Am I the only one who has always hated the droids, especially C3PO? Good riddance, it\’s not like you have a career outside of Star Wars.