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C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels laments the overuse of 'clever but pointless' CGI in the Star Wars prequels

Published: 11:56 EST, 5 September 2015 | Updated: 12:20 EST, 5 September 2015

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Anthony Daniels has portrayed the iconic C-3PO in all of the Star Wars films.

However, that doesn't mean that the 69-year-old star doesn't have his favorites - or a few films that he couldn't just completely do without.

And he admitted that he wasn't much of a fan of the later released prequels, as he spoke with The Guardian about the upcoming - and hotly anticipated - Episode VII - The Force Awakens.

'The effects are clever but pointless,' he said of Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002), and Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005).

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'The skill is there, but so what?' Anthony Daniels, who has appeared in every Star Wars film, revealed that he was none too impressed with the more recently released prequels, and their heavy-handed use of CGI

Of the oft-mocked trio of films - which takes particular umbrage at the addition of character Jar Jar Binks - he continued: 'The skill is there, but so what? Coldness, that’s the word. Bleakness, even.'

The man behind R2-D2's best pal also hinted that some of the issue resulted from Star Wars creator George Lucas' inability to play well with others.

'George has changed a lot over the years, but I think he finds it slightly hard to collaborate,' Anthony said, adding: 'He made decisions that I believe might have been better discussed with other people.'

But fans can breathe a sigh of relief looking toward The Force Awakens, as Anthony revealed he finds the film's director J.J. Abrams to be much 'more collaborative,' adding that he 'likes to listen.'

Better days: Anthony portrays C-3PO (R), pictured with Carrie Fisher (R) as Princess Leia

It was noted, however, that Anthony and J.J. did butt heads about 'a certain issue' regarding C-3PO that the actor was not able to share at the moment.

One place the two do see eye to eye is on special effects. He expressed his appreciation of the fact that J.J. would be focusing less on CGI.

'It became clear early on that with J.J. we were getting back to the old-fashioned kind of filmmaking,' he said. 'We have walls. Actual sets!'

Missing something: Anthony, pictured with character Darth Maul at a London special screening of The Phantom Menace in 2012, expressed that the prequels had a 'coldness' or 'bleakness, even'

However, while Anthony is happy to have reunited with his C-3PO suit - now improved so he can remove the headpiece in 8 seconds rather than 30 - he is a bit put off by the strict measures Disney has taken to avoid any spoilers.

'The secrecy has been beyond ludicrous,' he said, adding: 'When I got the script, it was typed in black on paper of the deepest red so you couldn’t photocopy it. I got a hangover just reading it.'

Anthony also received a message from Disney after posting a tweet about working with a fellow actor in the film, for fear of leading to spoilers.

The actor complained of the strict measures, noting that he obviously wouldn't want to spoil anything for the fans.

'Look, I know perfectly well not to tell you now what I’m giving you for a Christmas present because it would spoil the surprise. And these films are all about opening the box on Christmas Day,' he said.

And, Anthony noted, he couldn't give away plot details for the upcoming The Force Awakens even if he wanted to - he doesn't understand it. And he admitted that he never has.

Feeling positive: The star has good feelings about The Force Awakens - in theaters December 18 - though, as director J.J. Abrams is using more old-school filmmaking, with Anthony gushing: 'We have walls. Actual sets!'

'The screenplay was very good as far as C-3PO was concerned, but I had no idea what was going on in the rest of it,' he said.

Anthony continued: 'Still don’t. When J.J. told me the story of the new one, my eyes sort of glazed over.'

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens - which also brings back Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher, and stars Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, and Lupita Nyong'o - hits theaters December 18.