3PO’s eyes didn’t turn red when his head got plugged into the battle droid originally, so I don’t think it is necessarily that. BUT, I like the idea of taking a weaker element/segment of a story, and recontextualizing it in order make it add benefit to the overall narrative. Again, I would be very surprised if JJ, of all people, was like, “That’s a great idea!”

Anyway, 3PO is overdue for some antics like he got in the other trilogies, so I’m just gonna try and enjoy whatever they decide to go with!