Paris (AFP)

His name is Anthony Daniels, but few know his name and his face. For 42 years, he has interpreted the famous golden robot C-3PO in "Star Wars". A sometimes difficult experience, which he never thought he would continue for so long, he confides before the release of "The Ascension of Skywalker".

"All these films are so huge and global that my mind can hardly contemplate their extent", launches the 73-year-old British actor in an AFP interview, before the release of the new installment in the saga Wednesday in France and Friday in the United States.

Long-awaited, "Star Wars, Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker" will end the original saga. He should also mark the farewell of Anthony Daniels with these legendary films, in which he played the best known android in cinema, becoming the only actor to have been present in the nine feature films.

A longevity record for this actor from the theater, who did not want to star in "Star Wars" at the start. In 1977, "when my agent told me about the American George Lucas and science fiction, I was not interested. But she forced me to go," says the actor, who published late October his autobiography, "I am C-3PO - The Inside story".

- two hours for the costume -

George Lucas, "I liked him, then I liked to draw the character and I liked the scenario", continues the actor, who details in particular the physical and technical challenges which he had to face in his costume: an uncomfortable metallic armor limiting his movements, which it took two hours to put, before this time limit was reduced "today to six minutes".

Polyglot and talkative robot, programmed to respect etiquette and protocol, with a mechanical approach and stilted manners, C3PO will have notably contributed with its inseparable traveling companion R2-D2 to bring a touch of humor to films.

Today, "There are other stories to tell, other films to make. But C-3PO probably won't appear in a big film. And I think he agrees with that and I too, "said Anthony Daniels.

"Of course, I was a little sad on the last day (of filming), because it was such a good experience", adds this slender and elegant man about this new film directed by JJ Abrams, who was already at the joysticks for episode VII.

The film, of which it is not authorized to reveal the intrigue, "concludes the whole in a beautiful way", is satisfied to say the actor, with the timbre of English voice easily recognizable.

But, he says, some "experiences have not always been as good", and have sometimes been "difficult".

- "unpleasant surprise" -

Because Anthony Daniels, who has never made a secret of his bad relations with the actor playing R2-D2, Kenny Baker, does not hide either to have sometimes badly lived the saga.

He notably did not agree to remain like his acolytes playing R2-D2 and Chewbacca in relative anonymity, despite the box office film records.

When the first film came out, "I was more surprised than anyone on this Earth," he recalls, citing in particular his astonishment when he discovered the voice of R2-D2 during the projection, the actor "not speaking at all" on set, and his voice having been entirely recorded in the studio.

"Surprise that it is a great success" at the box office, he adds. But also "unpleasant surprise that nobody mentions that I was in the film", continues the actor, who regrets having stayed away from the promotion.

"No one has ever interviewed me, to say" well done "or anything," he said. "It was unpleasant".

Not being known when his character was a world star "was difficult at first," he said.

But "now, a lot of people know me," he rejoices, consoling himself for not being more in the spotlight. "Being really famous can be a little weird, a little heavy to wear."

© 2019 AFP