50 Roles for 50 Actors: Dream casting the Star Wars saga

Recasting the Star Wars saga: David Hyde Pierce as C-3PO

This is another instance where the original actor—in this case, English actor Anthony Daniels—could probably reprise his role without much trouble. As C-3PO, Daniels was polite, fussy, and charming. Because he was always hidden under C-3PO’s distinctive golden faceplate, he sometimes didn’t get a lot of credit he deserved, but Daniels was instrumental in making C-3PO as endearing as he was.

But we aren’t doing repeats, so Daniels is out. David Hype Pierce would be perfect as his replacement since he basically played the human version of C-3PO for 11 years on Frasier. As Dr. Niles Crane, he was fastidious, prissy, and wound incredibly tight. The character wasn’t British, but he conformed to so many stereotypes about British uptightness that he might as well have been. If C-3PO were a person, he’d be Niles Crane.

Over the years, Pierce has shown a great flair for physical comedy, and I’m curious to see what he could do with C-3PO’s stiff movements. This is an ideal match.

If you’re looking for someone a little younger, you could go with Jim Parsons. His uptight character on The Big Bang Theory is basically Niles for a new generation, although I think Pierce is the better choice.

Next: When Queen Amidala needs backup