There have been many Droids in the Star Wars universe, and they all have varying levels of usefulness and importance. When there’s a new Droid added to the movies you never know what you’re going to get, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect with the newest one, L3-37.
I hoped her name, which is a video game term for elite- would be an indication- and was it ever! L3-37 is so epic that it’s almost hard to think of her as a Droid- she’s super self-aware and is even self-made, so she’s a force {no pun intended} to be reckoned with. Below, find out what Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who portrayed L3-37, had to say about the advantage she had going into the film, the crazy process it took to make her costume, and a lesson for us all!
So, I read that prior to being cast for this role that you didn’t know anything about Star Wars?
Well, I did know about Star Wars. Yeah, I hadn’t seen any of the films. I think there’s like, five of us in the world. But I have met one or two on this tour. But, yeah, I hadn’t, which I think in some ways might’ve worked in my favor. Especially from the droid perspective, because I was very loose in the audition with the idea of what a droid was. They were, like, “Wow, you’re taking the story thing very lightly.” And I’m like, “Oh. Is she not a person?” But I loved the film so much. I’m completely obsessed now.
So, you’ve seen them all since?
Yeah. I have.
I saw you were actually in costume and acting along with the characters. Tell us about that process of putting on the costume.
Well, I had loads of fittings. The weirdest thing is, you get a kind of scan at the very beginning, then they’d build a complete replica of your body. And then they’d build this suit around it, so it fits perfectly. So I had this green suit, this, like, skin-tight, really attractive, green leotard. Then, on top of that, I had the legs drilled onto me, and the arms, and the chest plate, and then the head.
But there was a time when it might’ve been a different head. But I liked the kind of “hat” vibe of this one on set. It kind of felt like a bit of a hat. But it was amazing. But it was heavy. But it was the first time that they’d created a droid that could move properly and be more flexible, and I could move all of my joints. Because she’s a self-made droid, so she created herself to be as flexible, bigger, faster, stronger, than any other droids that she would’ve met.
She’s kind of sassy. Are you sassy in real life, too?
No, I’m afraid not, no. I can dream.
How does it now feel to be the spokesperson for droid awareness?
Well, I’ve actually been that for a very long time, before I even knew about it. It’s so cool that she’s got a cause, you know. She’s like a social justice warrior, and she’s a droid with an agenda that goes beyond her own existence, and that’s very unique. It’s good to have a message.
How do you prepare for a role as a droid?
Well, I was ready to do all sorts of preparation for that. I was like, “Do you want me to work out? So I can carry the suit stronger?” And they were just like, “No, that little weird, awkward walk you’re doing is actually perfect.” And I was like, “Really? You don’t want me to come across a bit more…?” And they were like, “No, no.” And the same with the voice. I think the vision that John Kasdan had from the writing point of view, and then you know, carrying on through the whole production, was that she would feel- because she’s created herself, she’s built herself to be more- not like, more human, but more relaxed, in her voice, and her body, and everything. So everytime I would offer something droid-y, they would be like “Stop that, pull that back. Be more natural.”
How did you go ahead and bring such heart and humor that’s not even flesh and blood?
Well, I can’t take full credit for that. The script does that. But I think you have to sort of start at the heart, with any character, no matter what they’re made out of. And I felt like she had a huge amount of heart and passion, even though she sort of wakes up halfway through the film to what her passion is. And it’s nice, knowing you’re building to something like that as well. And humor as well. Where there’s humor, there’s heart, and I think she’s got a lot of it.
Did you have moments where you’d actually sit and say, “Hey, I’m in a Star Wars movie” and it’s really setting in, and you kind of get excited?
Yeah. I mean, the two major ones. There was the Falcon, that was a big one. You involuntarily scream, and I did that when I saw the Falcon, and I did that when I met Chewy. But the big one really came, like, two weeks after we’d wrapped, and then I was just on a bus going to go and get a sandwich for my lunch somewhere in London. And I suddenly just went, “What just happened?” I called my sister. And I was just like, “Was I just in a Star Wars movie?” She’s like, “Yeah, love, yeah. We came to set. We saw the whole thing.” My God. How did that happen?
I understand that you’re writing as well- do you prefer the writing aspect? Or the acting aspect?
I like them both, for very different reasons. I was writing while shooting this film. And there was something really joyous about having to go from being an exec producer on Killing Eve and having to be incredibly serious in the mornings, and having these lunch breaks where I was like, writing scenes about brutally murdering a politician. And then it was such a relief to put on that green suit and be a droid for, like, four hours, and then go back to it. So I loved them both, and they are both liberating from each other in different ways, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What do you hope people learn as far as an inspirational message within the film?
Well, I think it’s a film celebrating individuality and individual causes and having courage of your own convictions. So, I think that would be wonderful. But also, there are so many amazing relationships in it, and I think it’s inspiring, the trust it takes to partner up with somebody, and I hope that inspires them as well.
But also wanting to be careful, because some people betray you. Trust no one. Lovely summer message.
About the movie:
Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo befriends his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and meets the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.
Solo: A Star Wars Story hits theaters TOMORROW, May 25th! Get your tickets now! You can also follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or by using the hashtag #HanSolo.
Be sure to check out my other Solo: A Star Wars Story coverage, including an interview with the new Han, Alden Ehrenreich, new character Qi’ra {Emilia Clarke}, villain Dryden Vos {Paul Bettany}, Chewbacca {Joonas Suotamo}, and Director Ron Howard; my no-spoilers review, and my experience from the world premiere!
