New Star Wars L3-37 Droid – A Droid with an Agenda

R2D2. C3PO. BB8.

All droids in the Star Wars universe that we’ve either grown up with or recently fallen head over heels for (as I sit proudly by a miniature BB8).

Well, get ready. Star Wars has a new droid, one that you will have definite opinions about (much like she does – yes, I said she)!

Introducing the new Star Wars L3-37 Droid!

(Disney invited me to California on an all-expenses paid trip, in exchange for our coverage of events. As always, all opinions are my own.)

Star Wars L3-37 Droid – A Droid with an Agenda

L3-37 is definitely a female droid, one with major sass and attitude, brilliantly played by the talented Phoebe Waller-Bridge in SOLO: A Star Wars Story.

Not that we haven’t seen a droid with attitude before (talking about you C3PO), but L3-37 takes it to an entirely different level. She has an agenda and is as Waller-Bridge describes, “a social justice warrior”. But no spoilers here – you’ll have to watch this play out on the big screen.

What is an L3-37 droid, and is it just voice acting?

Oh no!

Phoebe Waller-Bridge had to work more than her voice.

Yes, she was in fact L3-37, both in voice and physically. She talked of how this came to be, adding that initially a scan was taken of her body so that a complete replica could be made.

Her outfit: a lovely green tight-fitting leotard. But that’s not all. Her metal legs, chest plate, arms, and head were then drilled onto her. Somehow. Eeeeek.

In fact, with the new L3-37 droid, it was the first time that they’d created a droid that could move properly and be more flexible. Waller-Bridge mentioned she could move all her joints!

You see, L3-37 was a self-made droid, which you will learn more about in SOLO: A Star Wars Story, where she first appears. Waller-Bridge shared, “L3-37 created herself to be as flexible, bigger, faster, and stronger than any other droids she would have met”.

Brilliant!

On Her Relationship with Lando

You’ll quickly discover that L3-37 is Lando’s sidekick so to speak, though L3-37 would hate for me to describe her that way. In her mind, she is nobody’s sidekick, ever.

Millenium Falcon Co-Pilot? Definitely. Best friends with a love/hate relationship? Most assuredly.

Despite her sass and attitude, L3-37 has quite a bit of heart. Waller-Bridge said, “I think you have to sort of start at the heart, with any character, no matter what they’re made out of”.

Prepping to be a Droid

I have to give Phoebe Waller-Bridge so much credit – she was ready to do so much prep work to become the new Star Wars L3-37 droid.

She offered, “Do you want me to work out? So I can carry the suit stronger?”

The response – “No, no, that little weird, awkward walk you’re doing is actually perfect”.

She at times would try to do something a little more “droid-y” (is that even a word?), but everyone resoundedly told her to stop it and be more natural. You’ve got to give her A for effort. But in reality, what the script and Waller-Bridge was able to do with L3-37 is incredible – a new type of droid, one that you and I can relate to on so many levels.

Working with Ron Howard

Last week I shared how I asked SOLO and Game of Thrones actress in our Emilia Clarke interview what she thought of working with Ron Howard. It was only right to ask another SOLO actress the same question.

The answer further cemented my respect for the director.

Waller-Bridge shared, “I mean, he’s a master. But also, I was sort of ready to meet Ron Howard, you know, the king. And then he comes in, and he’s just like so friendly, and that makes everyone feel so relaxed, and you can just feel instantly why people just want to work with him over and over again. Because he’s so clear. His eye is so brilliant, and he’s incredibly kind, and very, very clever.”

It was this last line that clinched it…”So you feel very safe”.

Yes, not only is Ron Howard one of the best in the business, but he is undoubtedly one of the good guys.

What to Take Away from SOLO

Waller-Bridge recalls the messages of SOLO: A Star Wars Story, a film she describes as celebrating individuality.

A few of her favorites:

• Have the courage of your own convictions
• With relationships, it takes trust to partner up with somebody
• Be careful, some people betray you. Trust no one.

About SOLO: A Star Wars Story

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. The film stars Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Paul Bettany.

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY opens in theatres May 25th.

Take a look…

Visit the SOLO website and Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Ready my exclusive Alden Ehrenreich Interview – Han Solo!

SOLO Premiere:

Check out my recap of the SOLO premiere – the celebrities, the after-party, and the Millenium Falcon details!

Now for some extra Star Wars fun…

EXTRA FUN: Get in the Star Wars mood by creating these incredible Star Wars Themed OREO Cookie Balls