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

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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.

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...

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

Amon Warmann
Amon Warmann

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.