Alongside R2-D2, C-3PO was one of the key models we wanted to get absolutely right for the exhibition. A big part of achieving this accuracy was the decision to build him using actual Pearl Gold and Metallic Silver LEGO® bricks, as opposed to the Bright Yellow or Sand Yellow, commonly seen in older LEGO renditions.

Realising our vision to use Pearl Gold (LEGO Colour 297) and Metallic Silver (315) LEGO bricks required us to submit a special request, directly to The LEGO Group in Denmark, to have these bricks custom-made for us! They had to be produced exclusively for this model, making each brick quite a precious commodity. This also meant we had to be strategic and order a limited range of part types in each of these unique colours.

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LEGO® BRICKS

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BUILD HOURS

The design and intricate detailing of C-3PO was really challenging, with the limited brick palette and the highly unique shape, it made for a very interesting build. Thankfully LEGO does produce a number of specialty parts and tiles in Pearl Gold in normal sets, so we did try to use as many of these as we could to add the crucial details.

The exposed wires around his midsection provided a welcome visual break from Pearl Gold. We used a mixture of studs-up stacks of round bricks and SNOT (Studs Not On Top) round bricks or tiles to recreate the mess of multi-coloured wires connecting his pelvis to his torso.

We’re particularly proud of the subtle nuances we managed to capture in his face – the way he conveys a certain “expression” despite technically being expressionless. The LEGO bricks truly did justice to his uniquely shaped head. His eyes are intricate SNOT subassemblies, built by alternating stripes of Pearl Gold and Transparent Yellow, with piercing Transparent Black pupils.

We’re most proud of the details in his face; the way he has a certain “expression” even though he is expressionless. The bricks really did his complicated shape justice. His eyes are SNOT subassemblies made by alternating stripes of Pearl Gold and Transparent Yellow, with Transparent Black pupils.

From RYAN ‘BRICKMAN’ MCNAUGHT:
“I last built a life-size C-3PO over 15 years ago, so it was a fantastic opportunity to revisit him with the benefit of newer LEGO bricks and shapes, and finally realise him in Pearl Gold! This new model boasts a level of detail that far surpasses my older creation!”

Witness these incredible models and more at the world-first LEGO® Star Wars: The Exhibition. Embark on an epic, hands-on adventure through the Star Wars galaxy – Created by Ryan ‘Brickman’ McNaught and his talented team with over eight million LEGO bricks and 25,000+ build hours. Now open at Melbourne Museum.