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R2-D2
Star Wars character
Portrayed by	Kenny Baker Ben Burtt (voice)
Fictional profile
Position	Astromech droid
Homeworld	Naboo
Affiliation	Galactic Republic Rebel Alliance/New Republic/Galactic Alliance Jedi Order

R2-D2 (phonetically spelled Artoo-Detoo, and called "R2" or "Artoo" for short) is a robot character in the Star Wars universe. An astromech droid (referred to in the novel as a 'theromcapsulary dehousing assisster'), R2-D2 is a major character in all six Star Wars films. Along with his droid companion C-3PO, he joins or supports Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Obi-Wan Kenobi in various points in the saga. R2-D2 was played by Kenny Baker, whose interior was custom-fitted to that actor. Along with Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader), Obi-Wan Kenobi, and C-3PO, he is one of only four characters to appear in all six Star Wars films. While astromech droids often vary in color and turret dome shapes, R2-D2 is a gloss-white with aqua blue trim.

R2-D2 was designed by John Stears and Tony Dyson specially created by Australian firm Petric Engineering and English firm C&L Developments. Many scenes also made use of radio controlled and CGI versions of the character. Both the original props of R2-D2 and C-3PO used in filming are used as audio-animatronics in the queue area of Disneyland's Star Tours ride.

An Xbox 360 designed like R2-D2 was released on April 3rd, 2012.

Design[link]

George Lucas's creation of R2-D2 was influenced by Akira Kurosawa's 1958 feature film The Hidden Fortress (USA release 1962), particularly Tahei and Matakishi, the two comic relief characters that serve as sidekicks to General Makabe. Lucas also drew inspiration from the robots Huey, Dewey, and Louie from Douglas Trumbull's 1972 film Silent Running.

The name is said to derive from when Lucas was making one of his earlier films, American Graffiti. Sound editor Walter Murch states that he is responsible for the utterance which sparked the name for the droid. Murch asked for Reel 2, Dialog Track 2, in the abbreviated form "R-2-D-2". Lucas, who was in the room and had dozed off while working on the script for Star Wars, momentarily woke when he heard the request and, after asking for clarification, stated that it was a "great name" before falling immediately back to sleep.^[1]

Film appearances[link]

Original trilogy[link]

In Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, both R2-D2 and C-3PO are introduced on board the Tantive IV, along with Princess Leia of Alderaan, when they are fired upon by an Imperial Star Destroyer. Leia jams inside an opening in R2-D2 an information disc containing the plans for the Death Star battle station, along with encoding a distress message on the droid's holgraphic projector. The droids then escape in a pod that crashes on Tatooine near Kenobi's desert adobe.

R2-D2 and C-3PO are then abducted by Jawas and bought by Owen Lars, step-uncle of Luke Skywalker. While Luke cleans the sand out of R2-D2's gears, he discovers a fragment of Leia's message, and removes the droid's restraining bolt to see more; once free of the bolt, R2 claims to have no knowledge of the message. That night, R2 leaves the farm to seek out Obi-Wan Kenobi. Soon, by way of fate, Luke is forced to leave Tatooine with Obi-Wan, Han Solo, and Chewbacca, and they attempt to deliver R2-D2 to the Rebel Alliance. Along the way, they are pulled in by the Death Star's tractor beam, but eventually rescue Princess Leia and escape. R2-D2 delivers the plans to the Rebel Alliance, and becomes Luke's astromech droid during the attack on the station. R2 is severely damaged during the battle, but is restored before the ceremony at the end of the film.

In Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, R2-D2 accompanies Luke to Dagobah, and later to Cloud City, where he helps to rescue and repair a heavily damaged C-3PO and to override city security computers. He also manages to fix the Millennium Falcon's hyperdrive, resulting in a last-minute escape from Imperial forces.

In Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, R2-D2 plays a critical role in the rescue of Han, Luke and Leia from Jabba the Hutt, and later joins the Rebel strike team on Endor. He is badly damaged during the fight between the Imperial troops and the Rebels, but is repaired in time for the celebration marking the second Death Star's destruction.

RD-D2 is male, as far as by state of androids. In A New Hope, Obi-Wan Kenobi states in gender specific, "Plug-in, he should be able to interpret the entire Imperial network."

Prequel trilogy[link]

In Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, set 32 years before A New Hope, R2-D2 is portrayed as belonging to the Naboo defense forces and is one of four astromech droids deployed for repair duty on Queen Padmé Amidala's starship as it attempts to get past the Trade Federation blockade. The sole survivor of the four, R2-D2 becomes part of Qui-Gon Jinn's party on Tatooine and meets C-3PO and Anakin Skywalker. Later still, he serves as the astromech droid for Anakin's starfighter during the Battle of Naboo.

In Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, set 10 years later, R2-D2 still serves Anakin and Obi-Wan. He accompanies Anakin and Padmé to Naboo, and then to Tatooine when Anakin tries to rescue his mother Shmi. Here, he is reunited with C-3PO, and the two get into various misadventures on Genosis. He and C-3PO are later witnesses to Anakin and Padmé's secret wedding.

In Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, R2-D2 helps Anakin and Obi-Wan in their mission to rescue Chancellor Palpatine from Count Dooku's capital ship, the Invisible Hand. He is attacked by battle droids, but defeats them through ingenious tactics. After the Galactic Empire is established at the end of the film, C-3PO's memory is erased to keep the knowledge of the locations of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa a secret from their father, who has fallen to the dark side and become Darth Vader. However, R2-D2's memory is not wiped. (As a result, R2-D2 is the only surviving character at the end of Return of the Jedi who knows the entire story of the Skywalker family). Both R2-D2 and C-3PO end up in the possession of Captain Raymus Antilles onboard the Corellian corvette Tantive IV.

Expanded universe[link]

• R2-D2 and C-3PO had their own animated series, Star Wars: Droids, set before they came into Luke Skywalker's possession.
• In the various Star Wars novels and comics, the droid duo have played a small but significant role. In the Star Wars Expanded Universe novel The Swarm War, R2-D2 inadvertently helps Luke and Leia come to grips with their heritage when an electronic glitch unearths long-concealed images of Anakin relating his fear of losing Padmé, and of Padmé's death.
• In issue #12 of Star Wars: Legacy, R2-D2 is revealed to have survived the resulting 88 years after his last appearance and has been upgraded to the latest technology. In this series, he now serves another member of the Skywalker family — reluctant Jedi Cade Skywalker.
• R2-D2 appears in the 2008 animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and the spin-off series of the same name, which provide a canonical bridge between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.

Production[link]

In the original Star Wars films, there were two R2-D2 models, one that was remote controlled and walked on three legs, and another which was worn by Kenny Baker and walked on two legs.^[2][3]

There were a total of 15 R2-D2s on the set of Attack of the Clones. Eight were radio-controlled; two were worn by Baker; the remainder were stunt models that could be moved by puppet strings or towed by wires. The robotic R2s were prone to failure, particularly while shooting the Tatooine scenes in Tunisia.^[4]

The sound effects for R2-D2's "voice" were created by sound designer Ben Burtt, using an ARP 2600 analog synthesizer, as well as his own vocalizations processed through other effects.^[5]

Anthony Daniels, who portrays C-3PO, has stated that Kenny Baker did not film any scenes in Revenge of the Sith.^[6] Baker himself has said he probably only appears in footage caught while shooting the previous two movies.^[7]

Popularity[link]

R2-D2 was inducted into the Robot Hall of Fame in 2003.

Ewan McGregor, who portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi in the prequel trilogy, said in an interview, "As soon as R2-D2 comes on the set, everyone goes a bit silly." He recalled how his then four-year-old daughter announced she was in love with R2-D2, and then confessed his own affections for the droid: "...there is something about him that makes you feel great affection for him. I think it is a combination of his shape, his high-pitched voice. He's just incredibly appealing. In fact, I believe he is George [Lucas]'s favorite actor." Lucas confirms this in the audio commentary of the Episode III DVD. In this discussion on the audio commentary, George Lucas also notes that it is intentional that R2-D2 saves the day at least once in every film.

• R2-D2 and C-3PO guest starred in a series of segments of episode 1364 and 1396 on the children's television series Sesame Street, aired in 1978, where he falls in love with a fire hydrant. In this appearance, the three-legged remote controlled R2-D2 was used.
• R2-D2 and C-3PO were featured as presenters at the 50th Academy Awards.
• R2-D2 and C-3PO have appeared in numerous Star Wars-based commercials, television specials, and productions.

See also[link]

• C-3PO

Notes[link]

1. Wallace, Daniel. (2002). Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Characters. Del Rey. p. 138. ISBN 0-345-44900-2. Note: Canon sources are mixed as to whether R2-D2 has a gender, but Wallace (an official source) indicates that the droid has masculine programming.

References[link]

External links[link]

• R2-D2 in the Star Wars Databank
• R2-D2 on Wookieepedia: a Star Wars Wiki
• The Robot Hall of Fame - 2003 Inductee

Links to related articles v t e Star Wars characters Individual characters Film Admiral Ackbar · Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader · Boba Fett · C-3PO · Chewbacca · Count Dooku · Darth Maul · General Grievous · Grand Moff Tarkin · Han Solo · Jabba the Hutt · Jango Fett · Jar Jar Binks · Ki-Adi-Mundi · Lando Calrissian · Luke Skywalker · Mace Windu · Nute Gunray · Obi-Wan Kenobi · Padmé Amidala · Palpatine · Princess Leia · Qui-Gon Jinn · R2-D2 · Watto · Wedge Antilles · Yoda Expanded Universe Ahsoka Tano · Asajj Ventress · Cad Bane · Darth Bane · HK-47 · Mara Jade · Kyle Katarn · Revan · Starkiller · Grand Admiral Thrawn Group characters Warriors Droid (Battle droid) · Clone trooper / 501st Legion / Stormtrooper · Delta Squad · Jedi · Mandalorian · Rogue Squadron · Sith Families Skywalker family · Solo family Bands Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes · Max Rebo Band Governments Galactic Empire · Galactic Republic · New Republic · Rebel Alliance Other Emperor's Royal Guard · Jedi Council  · Trade Federation See also Characters in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Star Wars creatures · Star Wars species · Star Wars races v t e Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Characters Qui-Gon Jinn Obi-Wan Kenobi Darth Maul Padmé Amidala Anakin Skywalker Palpatine/Darth Sidious Mace Windu Yoda Jar Jar Binks C-3PO R2-D2 Shmi Skywalker Jabba the Hutt Watto Battle droid Bib Fortuna Nute Gunray Handmaiden Boss Nass Ric Olié Captain Panaka Sebulba Captain Tarpals Finis Valorum Planets Coruscant Naboo Tatooine Cities Coruscant Mos Espa Otoh Gunga Theed Starships Droid Starfighter Naboo N-1 Starfighter Naboo royal starship Neimoidian shuttle Republic cruiser Sith infiltrator Trade Federation battleship Trade Federation Droid Control Ship Trade Federation C-9979 Landing Craft Vehicles Coruscant air taxi Flare-S Swoop Flash Speeder Gian speeder Gungan Battle Wagon Gungan Bongo Podracer Sandcrawler Sith Speeder STAP Trade Federation AAT Trade Federation MTT X-34 Landspeeder Tie-in media Soundtrack Novelization Behind the Magic Games Video game Episode I: Racer Jedi Power Battles Battle for Naboo Obi-Wan's Adventures Racer Arcade Pinball v t e Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Characters Obi-Wan Kenobi Anakin Skywalker Padmé Amidala Palpatine/Darth Sidious Mace Windu Yoda Count Dooku Jar Jar Binks C-3PO R2-D2 Boba Fett Cliegg Lars Owen Lars Shmi Skywalker Jango Fett Bail Organa Clone trooper Nute Gunray Poggle the Lesser Tusken Raiders Captain Typho Watto Zam Wesell Beru Whitesun Battle droid Planets Coruscant Kamino Naboo Tatooine Geonosis Cities Coruscant Tipoca City Theed Mos Espa Starships Geonosian Solar Sailer Geonosian Starfighter Jedi Starfighter Naboo N-1 Starfighter Naboo Royal Cruiser Naboo Yacht Neimoidian Shuttle Republic Assault Ship Slave I Trade Federation Battleship Trade Federation Droid Control Ship Vehicles Airspeeder AT-TE Coruscant Air Taxi Flash Speeder Gian Speeder Kamino KE-8 Enforcer Podracer Republic Gunship (LAAT) Sandcrawler SPHA-T STAP Swoop Bike V-35 Landspeeder v t e Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Characters Obi-Wan Kenobi Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader Padmé Amidala Palpatine/Darth Sidious (The Emperor) Mace Windu Yoda Count Dooku General Grievous C-3PO R2-D2 Chewbacca Jar Jar Binks Battle droid Clone trooper Nute Gunray Luke Skywalker Princess Leia Organa Grand Moff Tarkin Events Great Jedi Purge Planets Coruscant Utapau Kashyyyk Mustafar Naboo Dagobah Alderaan Tatooine Starships Escape Pod Jedi Starfighter Tantive IV Vehicles AT-TE BARC Speeder Swamp Speeder v t e Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope Key staff George Lucas (director/writer) John Williams (composer) Gary Kurtz (producer) Characters Darth Vader Luke Skywalker Princess Leia Organa Han Solo Obi-Wan Kenobi C-3PO R2-D2 Chewbacca Wedge Antilles General Jan Dodonna Boba Fett Greedo Jabba the Hutt Jawa Beru Lars Owen Lars Tusken Raiders Stormtrooper Grand Moff Tarkin Planets Tatooine Alderaan Yavin IV Cities Mos Eisley Starships Escape Pod Death Star Imperial Landing Craft Imperial Star Destroyer Millennium Falcon Outrider Tantive IV TIE Advanced x1 TIE Fighter X-wing Y-wing Vehicles Flare-S Swoop Sandcrawler T-16 Skyhopper V-35 Landspeeder X-34 Landspeeder Tie-in media Novelization Soundtrack Radio drama The Story of Star Wars Video games Arcade game Famicom game JVC game Super Star Wars Star Wars Arcade (32X game) See also Han shot first May the Force be with you Star Wars Uncut v t e Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Key staff George Lucas (executive producer) Irvin Kershner (director) Leigh Brackett (writer) Lawrence Kasdan (writer) John Williams (composer) Gary Kurtz (producer) Characters Darth Vader Luke Skywalker Princess Leia Organa Han Solo Obi-Wan Kenobi C-3PO R2-D2 Chewbacca Lando Calrissian Palpatine/Darth Sidious Yoda Boba Fett 2-1B 4-LOM Wedge Antilles Bossk IG-88 Lobot Admiral Firmus Piett General Carlist Rieekan Stormtrooper Wampa Planets Hoth Dagobah Bespin Starships Escort Frigate Imperial Lambda-class Shuttle Imperial Star Destroyer Millennium Falcon Slave I Super Star Destroyer TIE Bomber TIE Fighter TIE Shuttle X-wing Y-wing Vehicles AT-AT AT-ST Snowspeeder Twin-Pod Cloud Car Tie-in media Novelization Soundtrack Radio drama Video games Atari 2600 game Arcade game NES game Super Empire Strikes Back v t e Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi Key staff George Lucas (executive producer/writer) Richard Marquand (director) Lawrence Kasdan (writer) John Williams (composer) Howard Kazanjian (producer) Characters Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker Luke Skywalker Princess Leia Organa Han Solo Obi-Wan Kenobi Palpatine/Darth Sidious C-3PO R2-D2 Chewbacca Yoda Ewok 8D8 Admiral Ackbar Wedge Antilles Lando Calrissian Salacious Crumb Emperor's Royal Guard Boba Fett Bib Fortuna Gamorrean Guard Jabba the Hutt Moff Jerjerrod Max Rebo Band Mon Mothma Nien Nunb Oola Admiral Firmus Piett Rancor Sarlacc Stormtrooper Wicket W. Warrick Planets Tatooine Dagobah Endor Bespin Coruscant Naboo Cities Coruscant Mos Eisley Theed Starships A-wing B-wing Death Star II Escort Frigate Imperial Lambda-class shuttle Imperial Star Destroyer Millennium Falcon Mon Calamari cruiser Super Star Destroyer Tantive IV TIE bomber TIE fighter TIE interceptor X-wing Y-wing Vehicles AT-AT AT-ST Coruscant air taxi Imperial Speeder Bike Sail barge Skiff T-16 Skyhopper Twin-Pod Cloud Car Tie-in media Novelization Soundtrack Radio drama Video games Arcade game Home console game Super Return of the Jedi Ewok Adventure v t e Star Wars: Jedi Prince series Titles The Glove of Darth Vader • The Lost City of the Jedi • Zorba the Hutt's Revenge • Mission from Mount Yoda • Queen of the Empire • Prophets of the Dark Side Characters Admiral Ackbar • C-3PO • Lando Calrissian • CB-99 • Chewbacca • Captain Dunwell • Grand Moff Bertroff Hissa • Ken • Obi-Wan Kenobi • MD-5 • Mon Mothma • Princess Leia Organa • Luke Skywalker • Han Solo • R2-D2 • Triclops • Trioculus • Zorba the Hutt • Commodore Zuggs Planets Bespin • Dagobah • Duro • Kessel • Mon Calamari • Tatooine • Yavin IV • Z'trop Starships Millennium Falcon • Y-wing People Paul Davids and Hollace Davids • Drew Struzan v t e Star Wars Main films Original trilogy Episode IV: A New Hope · Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back · Episode VI: Return of the Jedi Prequel trilogy Episode I: The Phantom Menace · Episode II: Attack of the Clones · Episode III: Revenge of the Sith See also Sequel trilogy · Changes in theatrical and video releases Spin-off films Caravan of Courage · The Battle for Endor · The Clone Wars Television series Droids · Ewoks · Clone Wars · The Clone Wars · Underworld Television specials Holiday Special · The Great Heep Documentaries The Making of Star Wars · SP FX: The Empire Strikes Back · Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi · From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga · Empire of Dreams · Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed Other media Books · Comics (List) · Manga · Radio · Computer and video games (List) · Games · Music · Expanded Universe · Knights of the Old Republic · Shadows of the Empire · The Force Unleashed · Lego Star Wars Films · Star Tours · Star Tours: The Adventures Continue · Star Wars: In Concert · Star Wars Insider · Star Wars Celebration · Star Wars Weekends Related topics Architecture · Canon · Cast · Characters · Conflicts · Creatures · Cultural impact · Holiday · Jedi census · Languages · Locations · Opening Crawl · Philosophy and religion · Physics · Vehicles · Weapons (Death Star) · Comparison to Star Trek Book · Category · Portal · WikiProject