C-3PO’s Best Moments from Star Wars

HOLLYWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 14: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was coverted to black and white) R2-D2 and C-3PO attend The Premiere of Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on December 14, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

The beauty of the Star Wars prequels was that fans got to look at the events that transpired and led to The Empire and Darth Vader. This includes introductions to new characters, places, and events including C-3PO in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. 

After escaping The Trade Federation, Queen Amidala’s Royal Starship lands on the desert planet Tatooine in need of repairs. Coming across a junk shop, Padme, Jar Jar Binks, R2-D2 and Qui-Gon Jinn meet Anakin Skywalker. Immediately befriending the group Anakin invites them to his home where he had been building C-3PO out of spare parts with the intention of having him help his mother.

While technically C-3PO has been seen in Episodes IV-VI, timeline wise, this is his back story so to speak. It’s apparent that he hasn’t changed over the years outside of his appearance. His voice, mannerisms, and personality remain the same. He’s well-spoken, self-conscious and intelligent.

It is strange at first to see him stripped of the gorgeous gold down to literally wires and metal. What makes this moment so interesting is the revelation that he was essentially created by Anakin Skywalker. Who would have guessed that a child who would later grow up to become Darth Vader was able to fix something so complex and pivotal to the later films?

C-3PO connects with R2-D2 almost instantly and he hangs around the group until they are able to repair the starship and leave. Unfortunately, C-3PO stays behind and is not seen again until Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.