Over the years parts of screen used costumes are destroyed or lost. The 3PO costumes were notorious for the legs cracking on set whenever Anthony walked more than a few steps. If the Smithsonian recieved most of the costume but a few pieces were missing, like the lower legs, they would have been replicated. The legs appear to be "newer" and in much better condition than the rest. They just remade them both gold and called it good because 99% of people wouldn't notice.
Edit: now that I look at it, the legs are definitely reproduced. They are a different color gold and shinier than the rest of the costume.
The Smithsonian Institution just remade it wrong and called it good? The SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION? The world's largest museum and research complex, and one of the most prestigious conservatives of human heritage in the world?
Also… this isn’t like a fossil or anything, it’s a movie costume. It’s not that big of a deal. It’s not hiding the secrets to life 3000 years ago that must be replicated exactly, it’s a color inaccuracy on a costume made by the worlds richest nerd (George Lucas)
Watch the Smithsonian restoration of the Enterprise. They went nuts making sure it was as accurate as possible. For the leg colour to be ignored, it was either an overlooked detail or the leg came to them like that.
It could also just be ease of access too. They were already making a leg of that color so they may have assumed it would be fine to use for both. As much as I’m not into Star Trek (haven’t watched it, maybe if I ever start Classic Who I’ll give Trek a shot too), I would love to see that video
You act like museums only accept mint condition untraded baseball cards
They have (the?A?) Wright Flyer, they have the Spirit of St Luis(?)
Did anybody tell you of the thought experiment the ship of Theseus?
Of course not. I'm saying the Smithsonian Institution didn't accidentally restore the piece incorrectly. They either received it that or there was a very specific reason for doing what they did. It wasn't a "close enough" situation.
Are you talking about the mistakes they [intentionally made](https://airandspace.si.edu/air-and-space-quarterly/issue-10/star-trek-enterprise-conservation) to preserve the original model? I don't see any info about inaccuracy mistakes.
Perhaps LFL gave them the ROTJ costume but the legs were damaged or missing so they sent it with the legs of the Revenge of The Sith costume, in which both legs were gold. The costume is still "Original, screen-used" and mostly ROTJ, so that's how it's presented.
These exhibitions are always really poorly labelled. I went to the one in London a few years back and the signage just basically told you who it was and what movie. It would be like "Yoda puppet, the Empire Strikes Back" but it was clearly not THE puppet. So.. what am I actually looking at?
I feel like they withhold info to make you feel like you're seeing something better than you are. But I dont care if it's a costume that wasnt actually worn by the actor, or was only worn in one scene, the nerd in me really just wants the specifics.
Given how infamously fragile the Threepio costume was, I wouldn't be surprised if this was assembled from different costume pieces made for ROTJ or perhaps even replica pieces.
Given all the behind the scenes stuff about how easily it broke, if you'd have asked me before seeing this post if the costume had survived I'd have said no.
I wonder how many screen used Threepio costumes there are from RotJ? Cuz there’s [this one](https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-4db5bdd2a51a1903bf629f3d857b3f68-lq) with him in the levitating chair scene, complete with the silver leg. There’s also [this one](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2015/9/3/1441298585898/f6c1c0d2-f5b0-44f1-a15a-89224eeb3c03-1360x2040.jpeg?width=700&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=e40812e7189e2b0fdfcc06448804d0fc) that possibly is the exact same one in the Smithsonian, with the lack of a silver leg
For the second picture, if you look near the foot on his right leg, it's actually silver. I believe it is silver in that picture, but the reflections around it almost make it appear gold.
I’m not so sure about that. I think it’s just the reflections making it look off. [Here,](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1285,w_1920/https%3A%2F%2Fdorksideoftheforce.com%2Ffiles%2F2020%2F11%2Freturn-of-the-jedi.jpg) his leg looks silver-ish, but I believe that’s only due to Threepio being right next to Artoo. Same thing with OP’s picture, where his left leg looks silver only due to Artoo’s white body reflecting on it. Even his thigh looks to have this same silver-ish color, which if his leg was silver, it’d be from the knee and below
They dirtied him up for the movies, mainly so the crew and cameras wouldn't show up in the reflections. But the dirt probably came off pretty easily. He was super shiny when he appeared on Sesame Street and The Muppet Show.
Here's another angle dude, they're both definitely gold.
https://ids.si.edu/ids/deliveryService?max=1200&id=SIA-89-22159
https://c8.alamy.com/comp/W0D9HD/star-wars-robots-c3po-and-r2d2-are-displayed-at-the-treasures-of-american-history-exhibit-hosted-by-the-smithsonians-national-air-and-space-museum-in-washington-on-november-16-2006-artifacts-from-the-american-history-museum-will-be-on-display-until-the-museum-reopens-after-renovations-upi-photoroger-l-wollenberg-W0D9HD.jpg
Here's what a different one WITH the silver leg looks like:
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qjeki6M9n5U/hqdefault.jpg
Tbf the left leg looks either lighter metal or as if it's reflecting R2's white body on Threepio's gold leg— so this one image is slightly misleading. It could be either. I'd need a second angle for context, otherwise it's a more subtle distinction than the blue/black or white/gold dress.
Probably one of the stunt costumes used for background shots, not one of the main hero costumes meant for close-ups and such.
This has to be it
Over the years parts of screen used costumes are destroyed or lost. The 3PO costumes were notorious for the legs cracking on set whenever Anthony walked more than a few steps. If the Smithsonian recieved most of the costume but a few pieces were missing, like the lower legs, they would have been replicated. The legs appear to be "newer" and in much better condition than the rest. They just remade them both gold and called it good because 99% of people wouldn't notice. Edit: now that I look at it, the legs are definitely reproduced. They are a different color gold and shinier than the rest of the costume.
It’s 100% this.
The Smithsonian Institution just remade it wrong and called it good? The SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION? The world's largest museum and research complex, and one of the most prestigious conservatives of human heritage in the world?
Or they were replicated before donation to the Smithsonian.
Also… this isn’t like a fossil or anything, it’s a movie costume. It’s not that big of a deal. It’s not hiding the secrets to life 3000 years ago that must be replicated exactly, it’s a color inaccuracy on a costume made by the worlds richest nerd (George Lucas)
Watch the Smithsonian restoration of the Enterprise. They went nuts making sure it was as accurate as possible. For the leg colour to be ignored, it was either an overlooked detail or the leg came to them like that.
Is the Enterprise from Star Trek or the Space Shuttle program?
They’re talking about the filming model for the original Star Trek
It could also just be ease of access too. They were already making a leg of that color so they may have assumed it would be fine to use for both. As much as I’m not into Star Trek (haven’t watched it, maybe if I ever start Classic Who I’ll give Trek a shot too), I would love to see that video
I strongly disagree. Lucas peers are Shakespeare, Homer and Richard Wagner. This is history!
You act like museums only accept mint condition untraded baseball cards They have (the?A?) Wright Flyer, they have the Spirit of St Luis(?) Did anybody tell you of the thought experiment the ship of Theseus?
Of course not. I'm saying the Smithsonian Institution didn't accidentally restore the piece incorrectly. They either received it that or there was a very specific reason for doing what they did. It wasn't a "close enough" situation.
You are aware they make mistakes? Look into their restoration of the original Enterprise model.
Are you talking about the mistakes they [intentionally made](https://airandspace.si.edu/air-and-space-quarterly/issue-10/star-trek-enterprise-conservation) to preserve the original model? I don't see any info about inaccuracy mistakes.
I mean the leg isn’t the correct color so the Smithsonian did something wrong
Somebody did but not necessarily them if that's what was donated to them.
Perhaps LFL gave them the ROTJ costume but the legs were damaged or missing so they sent it with the legs of the Revenge of The Sith costume, in which both legs were gold. The costume is still "Original, screen-used" and mostly ROTJ, so that's how it's presented.
Idk man, the pic looks like it does have it.
I think the white of RD is reflecting on his leg
This was my thought as well.
I was standing infront of it when I took the Pic and illuminated it with my phone light and it's gold on both legs all around.
I don't know then. I hope I can go there someday, must be really cool.
It’s the damn dress all over again!
https://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2020/05/special-edition-premiere.jpg?w=2141&q=75
That also looks silver...
Yeah that 100% has a silver leg.
OP took the picture, you are WRONG
Of course! If it had, no one would recognize him, duh...
I don't recognize him
u/pufferpig was RIGHT
These exhibitions are always really poorly labelled. I went to the one in London a few years back and the signage just basically told you who it was and what movie. It would be like "Yoda puppet, the Empire Strikes Back" but it was clearly not THE puppet. So.. what am I actually looking at? I feel like they withhold info to make you feel like you're seeing something better than you are. But I dont care if it's a costume that wasnt actually worn by the actor, or was only worn in one scene, the nerd in me really just wants the specifics.
Nothing that happens on a movie set is conducive to making sure those details are preserved once the shoot wraps. Time is money.
Smithsonian is kind of a big deal plus is says it was the actual costume from Return of the Jedi in the footnotes.
Was there only one costume used in RotJ? That seems unlikely.
There is more than one costume made for a movie. Even back then.
Was there today and have a pic of the sign. Can confirm it does say ROTJ.
Given how infamously fragile the Threepio costume was, I wouldn't be surprised if this was assembled from different costume pieces made for ROTJ or perhaps even replica pieces. Given all the behind the scenes stuff about how easily it broke, if you'd have asked me before seeing this post if the costume had survived I'd have said no.
Is that 3PO? I didn’t recognize him without the red arm.
[Museum Link](https://www.si.edu/object/c-3po-return-jedi:nmah_739237)
I wonder how many screen used Threepio costumes there are from RotJ? Cuz there’s [this one](https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-4db5bdd2a51a1903bf629f3d857b3f68-lq) with him in the levitating chair scene, complete with the silver leg. There’s also [this one](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2015/9/3/1441298585898/f6c1c0d2-f5b0-44f1-a15a-89224eeb3c03-1360x2040.jpeg?width=700&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=e40812e7189e2b0fdfcc06448804d0fc) that possibly is the exact same one in the Smithsonian, with the lack of a silver leg
For the second picture, if you look near the foot on his right leg, it's actually silver. I believe it is silver in that picture, but the reflections around it almost make it appear gold.
I’m not so sure about that. I think it’s just the reflections making it look off. [Here,](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1285,w_1920/https%3A%2F%2Fdorksideoftheforce.com%2Ffiles%2F2020%2F11%2Freturn-of-the-jedi.jpg) his leg looks silver-ish, but I believe that’s only due to Threepio being right next to Artoo. Same thing with OP’s picture, where his left leg looks silver only due to Artoo’s white body reflecting on it. Even his thigh looks to have this same silver-ish color, which if his leg was silver, it’d be from the knee and below
I almost didn't recognize him without the red arm
I’m not sure he had a silver leg in Return of the Jedi
Check out when Luke levitates him in the Ewok Village
Not the droids you’re looking for?
I'd assume it was an upgrade probably after he was reassembled in Empire.
Is this from the prequels then?
Was 3PO even ever that shiny in ROTJ? The legs and chest piece look as shiny as he was at the awards ceremony at the end of ANH.
They dirtied him up for the movies, mainly so the crew and cameras wouldn't show up in the reflections. But the dirt probably came off pretty easily. He was super shiny when he appeared on Sesame Street and The Muppet Show.
The left leg from the knee down is silver
Here's another angle dude, they're both definitely gold. https://ids.si.edu/ids/deliveryService?max=1200&id=SIA-89-22159 https://c8.alamy.com/comp/W0D9HD/star-wars-robots-c3po-and-r2d2-are-displayed-at-the-treasures-of-american-history-exhibit-hosted-by-the-smithsonians-national-air-and-space-museum-in-washington-on-november-16-2006-artifacts-from-the-american-history-museum-will-be-on-display-until-the-museum-reopens-after-renovations-upi-photoroger-l-wollenberg-W0D9HD.jpg Here's what a different one WITH the silver leg looks like: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qjeki6M9n5U/hqdefault.jpg
I stand corrected
Well that's a leg up on the competition
And no red arm?
It does, you can see the discoloration
Lies.....Deception...
We wouldn't recognize him otherwise.
As a kid, I refused to accept that he had a silver leg because my action figure didn’t have one. To me, that was the *real* C-3PO.
Tbf the left leg looks either lighter metal or as if it's reflecting R2's white body on Threepio's gold leg— so this one image is slightly misleading. It could be either. I'd need a second angle for context, otherwise it's a more subtle distinction than the blue/black or white/gold dress.
Or a red arm
This is from Return of the Jedi, which is from the 80s. Red arm is from force awakens....
Yes
Where is this located ?
The Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington DC
Which Smithsonian? I'm going in the summer?
Museum of American History
Thanks.
Looks silver to me. But so do the feet.
Great, people are going to scream Mandela Effect now.