Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
Grogu in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 6
Star Wars TV Shows Star Wars just revealed a crucial part of Grogu's backstory in the most unexpected way: a Jar Jar Binks comic book
John Boyega as Finn wielding Luke Skywalker's lightsaber in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans are debating Disney's "abandoned" saga decisions
Star Wars timeline: a screenshot of The Empire Strikes Back.
Star Wars Movies Star Wars timeline: Every major event in chronological order
Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka episode 8
Star Wars Movies Hayden Christensen brushes off Kylo Ren and Anakin Skywalker question, and it has Star Wars fans speculating
The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans are discussing one major moment in The Rise of Skywalker
Luke Skywalker using his lightsaber to deflect a blaster shot from Boba Fett
Marvel Comics Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge gets a tie-in comic that sets up the new story of the Disney attraction
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, and Harrison Ford as Han Solo
Star Wars Movies Mark Hamill asked for a Luke, Han, and Leia reunion in the Star Wars sequels, but was told "it's not Luke's story"
C-3PO, Leia, Han, and Chewbacca in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Star Wars Movies 22 years later, Star Wars fans are reassessing one 2004 Special Edition Return of the Jedi change
Star Wars Movies After 4 years of no Luke Skywalker, Star Wars fans are plotting ways in which he can return to the franchise
John Boyega in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars Movies John Boyega says he's spoken to Lucasfilm president Dave Filoni about coming back to Star Wars
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Star Wars Movies 10 years after Rogue One was released, the Star Wars movie is getting a series of new prequel comics
Qimir and Osha in The Acolyte
Star Wars TV Shows New Acolyte Star Wars book reveals more information about the Stranger's link to Kylo Ren
Andor
Star Wars Movies An Andor fan has noticed that the Star Wars show makes sense of "one of the worst things" about the sequel trilogy
Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford in Star Wars: A New Hope
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans are discussing why two major characters barely interacted, but I think it makes total sense
Inquisitor Marrok in Ahsoka
Star Wars TV Shows Star Wars fans have noticed that one detail about the Inquisitors makes no sense
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Sci-Fi Movies

Here's why C-3P0 has a red arm in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

News
By Amon Warmann published 14 April 2016

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Star Wars: C-3P0 #1.

Among the many questions Star Wars: The Force Awakens left unanswered was the mystery of C-3PO's red arm, a peculiar decision which was a source of major contention between JJ Abrams and C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels on set. Thanks to Marvel one-shot comic Star Wars: C-3PO #1, the story behind the humanoid robot's red appendage has been revealed.

Titled 'The Phantom Limb', the comic reveals that Threepio was part of a group - which includes four other Resistance droids in addition to First Order protocol droid OMRI - whose ship crash landed on an unidentified planet. The droids escape and journey into the hostile alien planet to search for their crew, but OMRI - who has information on where the First Order have taken Admiral Ackbar - leads them into a trap.

You may like
  • Grogu in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 6 Star Wars just revealed a crucial part of Grogu's backstory in the most unexpected way: a Jar Jar Binks comic book
  • John Boyega as Finn wielding Luke Skywalker's lightsaber in Star Wars: The Force Awakens Star Wars fans are debating Disney's "abandoned" saga decisions
  • Star Wars timeline: a screenshot of The Empire Strikes Back. Star Wars timeline: Every major event in chronological order

In the ensuing ruckus all droids except C-3PO and OMRI are destroyed, with C-3PO losing his arm to a sea creature. While taking shelter from the acid rain OMRI has a change of heart, sharing Admiral Ackbar's location with Threepio and ultimately sacrificing himself so that the gold droid can be rescued. To remember his friend, C-3PO keeps OMRI's red arm and eventually wears it as a tribute. Which is simultaneously creepy and heartwarming...

Check out the cover for the comic below...

This week's Pull List includes #C3PO, #Weirdworld, #DeadlyClass, and more https://t.co/GimMkrQhkk pic.twitter.com/Z3dPhdb62ZApril 13, 2016

Directed by JJ Abrams and starring Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, and Adam Driver, Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be available to digital download on April 11, 2016, and out on DVD and Blu-Ray on April 5, 2016 in the US and April 18, 2016 in the UK.

Images: Disney/Lucasfilm

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Amon Warmann
Amon Warmann
Social Links Navigation

Amon is a contributing editor and columnist for Empire magazine, but is also a Film and TV writer for GamesRadar+, Total Film, and others. He has also written for NME, Composer Mag, and more, along with being a film critic for TalkSport. He is also the co-host of the Fade to Black Podcast, and a video mashup creator. Can also do a pretty good Bane impersonation.

Read more
Grogu in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 6
Star Wars TV Shows Star Wars just revealed a crucial part of Grogu's backstory in the most unexpected way: a Jar Jar Binks comic book
 
 
John Boyega as Finn wielding Luke Skywalker's lightsaber in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans are debating Disney's "abandoned" saga decisions
 
 
Star Wars timeline: a screenshot of The Empire Strikes Back.
Star Wars Movies Star Wars timeline: Every major event in chronological order
 
 
Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker in Ahsoka episode 8
Star Wars Movies Hayden Christensen brushes off Kylo Ren and Anakin Skywalker question, and it has Star Wars fans speculating
 
 
The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies Star Wars fans are discussing one major moment in The Rise of Skywalker
 
 
Luke Skywalker using his lightsaber to deflect a blaster shot from Boba Fett
Marvel Comics Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge gets a tie-in comic that sets up the new story of the Disney attraction
 
 
Latest in Sci Fi Movies
Daisy Ridley as Rey in The Force Awakens
Star Wars Movies BB-8 puppeteer says the Star Wars sequels are "no more polarizing than the prequels were"
 
 
Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace in Project Hail Mary
Sci-Fi Movies Project Hail Mary directors say Steven Spielberg pitched that Close Encounters Easter egg
 
 
Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace in Project Hail Mary
Sci-Fi Movies Project Hail Mary has a massive opening weekend at the box office
 
 
John Boyega in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars Movies John Boyega says he's spoken to Lucasfilm president Dave Filoni about coming back to Star Wars
 
 
Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray in Star Wars: Starfighter
Star Wars Movies Tom Cruise interrupted filming on Star Wars: Starfighter by landing his helicopter on set
 
 
Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides in Dune 3
Sci-Fi Movies Anya Taylor-Joy says "there's never been anybody like" her Dune 3 character: "She is one of a kind"
 
 
Latest in News
Steel Legion concept art against a plain background
Tabletop Gaming Fan-favorite Steel Legion returning to Warhammer 40K after Armageddon book closes out current edition
 
 
Armageddon Warhammer 40,000 box set on a black background
Tabletop Gaming Warhammer 11th Edition officially revealed, and your old Codex army books will still work
 
 
Hades 2
Hades "F*** me, I guess": Hades 2 actor Ben Starr "hated" himself while fighting the character he plays in the roguelike
 
 
Young, blond-haired girl smirks and makes a passive gesture
Simulation Games Disgaea dev's spooky new Stardew Valley-like is confirmed for a western release months after its Japanese announcement
 
 
Games Black Ops vet says his mystery PlayStation project wasn't a live-service game
 
 
Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock in Daredevil: Born Again season 2
Marvel TV Shows Charlie Cox says the ending of Daredevil: Born Again season 2 episode 1 will have big ramifications
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Steel Legion concept art against a plain background
    1
    Fan-favorite Steel Legion returning to Warhammer 40K after Armageddon book closes out current edition
  2. 2
    Warhammer 11th Edition officially revealed, and your old Codex army books will still work
  3. 3
    "F*** me, I guess": Hades 2 actor Ben Starr "hated" himself while playing the roguelike because his character Prometheus is a "hard boss"
  4. 4
    Disgaea dev's spooky new Stardew Valley-like is finally confirmed for a western release months after its Japanese announcement
  5. 5
    Black Ops vet says his mystery PlayStation project wasn't a live-service game, and even if Sony shutting down his studio "f***ing sucked" he reckons it's just because "times change"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...