View source for R2-D2

{{short description|Fictional character from Star Wars}}
{{Redirect|R2D2||}}
{{Infobox character
| name = R2-D2
| image = R2-D2 Droid.png
| series = [[Star Wars]]
| first = ''[[Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker]]'' (1976 novel)
| last = 
| creator = [[George Lucas]]
| class = [[Astromech droid]]
| lbl21 = Homeworld
| data21 = [[Naboo]]
| affiliation = {{Plainlist|
* [[Naboo|Kingdom of Naboo]]
* [[Galactic Republic]]
* [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]] (briefly)
* [[Rebel Alliance]]
* [[New Republic (Star Wars)|New Republic]]
* [[Resistance (Star Wars)|Resistance]]
}}
| portrayer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Kenny Baker (English actor)|Kenny Baker]]{{efn|''Episodes I–VII''}}
* [[Deep Roy]]{{efn|''Episodes V–VI''}}
* [[Jimmy Vee]]{{efn|''The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi''}}
* Hassan Taj{{efn|name=TRS|''The Rise of Skywalker''}}
* Lee Towersey{{efn|name=TRS}}
* Christine Galey{{efn|''The Book of Boba Fett''}}
}}
}}
'''R2-D2''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|aːr|.|t|uː|ˈ|d|iː|t|uː}}) or '''Artoo-Detoo'''<ref>{{cite book|last=Szostak|first=Phil|title=The Art of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'|year=2015|publisher=[[Abrams Books]]|isbn=978-1-4197-1780-2|page=252}}</ref> is a fictional robot character in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise created by [[George Lucas]]. He has appeared in ten of the eleven theatrical ''Star Wars'' films to date, including every film in the "[[Skywalker Saga]]", which includes the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy and the sequel trilogy.{{efn|Every episode of the Skywalker saga and one [[Rogue One|anthology film]].}} At various points throughout the course of the films, R2, an [[astromech droid]], is a friend to [[C-3PO]], [[Padmé Amidala]], [[Darth Vader|Anakin Skywalker]], [[Leia Organa]], [[Luke Skywalker]], and [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]]. R2-D2 and his companion C-3PO are the only characters to appear in every theatrical ''Star Wars'' film, with the exception of ''[[Solo: A Star Wars Story]]'' (2018).

English actor [[Kenny Baker (English actor)|Kenny Baker]] played R2-D2 in all three original ''Star Wars'' films and received [[Billing (filmmaking)|billing credit]] for the character in the [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|prequel trilogy]], where Baker's role was reduced as R2-D2 was portrayed mainly by [[Radio-controlled model|radio controlled props]] and [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] models. In the [[Star Wars sequel trilogy|sequel trilogy]], Baker was credited as consultant for ''[[The Force Awakens]]''; however, [[Jimmy Vee]] also co-performed the character in some scenes. Vee later took over the role beginning in ''[[The Last Jedi]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/star-wars-last-jedi-r2-d2-jimmy-vee-kenny-baker-1201987961/|title='Star Wars': R2-D2 Role to Be Filled by Jimmy Vee in 'The Last Jedi'|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=February 14, 2017|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=December 12, 2017|archive-date=July 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702013632/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/star-wars-last-jedi-r2-d2-jimmy-vee-kenny-baker-1201987961/|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''[[The Rise of Skywalker]]'', puppeteers Hassan Taj and Lee Towersey perform the role of R2-D2, replacing Jimmy Vee, who had played the role in the previous two films. His sounds and vocal effects were created by [[sound designer]] [[Ben Burtt]].

R2-D2 was designed in artwork by [[Ralph McQuarrie]], co-developed by [[John Stears]] and built by Peteric Engineering. The revised ''[[The Empire Strikes Back|Empire Strikes Back]]'' droids had fibreglass shells built by [[Tony Dyson]] and his White Horse Toy Company.

{{TOC limit|3}}

==Design==
George Lucas's creation of R2-D2 was influenced by the peasant Matashichi from [[Akira Kurosawa]]'s 1958 film ''[[The Hidden Fortress]]''.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} Lucas and artist [[Ralph McQuarrie]] also drew inspiration from the robots Huey, Dewey, and Louie from [[Douglas Trumbull]]'s 1972 film ''[[Silent Running]]''.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

The name derives 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 going back to writing his script.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmfreakcentral.net/notes/wminterview4.htm|title=Film Freak Central Interviews Editor Walter Murch (page 4)|author=Bill Chambers|date=2000|publisher=FilmFreakCentral.net|page=4|access-date=March 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810072318/http://filmfreakcentral.net/notes/wminterview4.htm|archive-date=August 10, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Jay Jones|first1=Brian|title=George Lucas: A Life|date=2016|publisher=Hachette|isbn=9780316257459|page=162|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8rAmDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT162|access-date=4 October 2017|archive-date=7 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207092431/https://books.google.com/books?id=8rAmDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT162|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Tony Dyson]], owner of the special effects studio The White Horse Toy Company, was commissioned by special effects supervisor Brian Johnson to fabricate the revised mechanical design for ''The Empire Strikes Back'', making several units operated by remote control. A number were used by Baker, and two were stunt double models made for the scene where the droid was shot from the swamp onto the shore on [[Dagobah]].

==Appearances==

=== Original trilogy ===

==== ''Star Wars'' ====
In ''Star Wars'', R2-D2 and [[C-3PO]] ([[Anthony Daniels]]) are both introduced on board the ''[[Tantive IV]]'', along with [[Princess Leia]] ([[Carrie Fisher]]) of [[Alderaan]], when they are being pursued by [[Darth Vader]] (portrayed by [[David Prowse]], voiced by [[James Earl Jones]]) aboard an [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Imperial]] [[Star Destroyer]]. Leia inserts into R2-D2 an information disc containing the plans for the [[Death Star]] battle station, and encodes a distress message on the droid's holographic projector. The droids then escape in a pod that crashes on [[Tatooine]] near [[Jedi Master]] [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]]'s ([[Alec Guinness]]) desert abode.

R2-D2 and C-3PO are then abducted by [[Jawa (Star Wars)|Jawas]] and bought by [[Owen Lars|Owen]] ([[Phil Brown (actor)|Phil Brown]]) and [[Beru Lars]] ([[Shelagh Fraser]]), uncle and aunt of [[Luke Skywalker]] ([[Mark Hamill]]). 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-D2 leaves the farm to seek out Obi-Wan. When Owen and Beru are killed by [[Imperial stormtrooper]]s, Luke is forced to leave Tatooine with Obi-Wan, [[Han Solo]] ([[Harrison Ford]]), and [[Chewbacca]] ([[Peter Mayhew]]) on board the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' to deliver R2-D2 to the [[Rebel Alliance]]. On their arrival at Alderaan's co-ordinates, they are pulled in by the Death Star's [[tractor beam]] and are forced to land, but eventually rescue Princess Leia. After Vader kills Obi-Wan, the rest of the group escapes and delivers the Death Star plans to the Rebel Alliance. R2 later serves as Luke's droid during the [[Battle of Yavin|attack on the station]]. R2-D2 is severely damaged during the battle, but is repaired before the ceremony at the end of the film.

==== ''The Empire Strikes Back'' ====
In ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'', R2-D2 accompanies Luke to [[Dagobah]], and later to [[Bespin|Cloud City]], where he helps to rescue and repair a heavily damaged C-3PO and to override city security computers. He also manages to reactivate the ''Millennium Falcon''{{'}}s hyperdrive, resulting in a last-minute escape from Imperial forces.

==== ''Return of the Jedi'' ====
In ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'', R2-D2 plays a critical role in rescuing Luke, Leia, and Han from [[Jabba the Hutt]]. He later joins the Rebel strike team on [[Endor (Star Wars)|Endor]]. He is badly damaged during the battle between the Imperial troops and the Rebels, but is repaired in time for the celebration marking the second Death Star's destruction and the fall of the Empire.

=== Prequel trilogy ===

==== ''The Phantom Menace'' ====
In ''[[The Phantom Menace]]'', set 32 years before ''A New Hope'', R2-D2 is portrayed as belonging to the [[Naboo]] defense forces, one of five astromech droids deployed for repair duty onboard Queen [[Padmé Amidala]]'s ([[Natalie Portman]]) [[starship]] as it attempts to get past the [[Trade Federation]] blockade. The sole survivor of the five, R2-D2 repairs the deflector shields and saves the day. Having proved his worth, R2-D2 then becomes part of Jedi Master [[Qui-Gon Jinn]]'s ([[Liam Neeson]]) party on Tatooine where he meets nine-year-old [[Anakin Skywalker]] ([[Jake Lloyd]]) and C-3PO, whom Anakin built from scrap. Later still, he serves as the astromech droid for Anakin's [[Military spacecraft in fiction|starfighter]] during the [[Battle of Naboo]], helping Anakin destroy the Trade Federation's command center and free the planet [[Naboo]] from the Federation's grip. R2-D2, along with Anakin and the young Obi-Wan Kenobi ([[Ewan McGregor]]), are awarded medals by Padmé and [[Boss Nass]] ([[Brian Blessed]]) at the end of the film.

==== ''Attack of the Clones'' ====
In ''[[Attack of the Clones]]'', set 10 years after ''The Phantom Menace'', R2-D2 again serves Obi-Wan and Anakin ([[Hayden Christensen]]), who is now Obi-Wan's Jedi apprentice. He accompanies Anakin and Padmé to Naboo, and then to Tatooine when Anakin tries in vain to rescue his mother [[Shmi Skywalker|Shmi]] ([[Pernilla August]]) from a pack of [[Tusken Raiders]]. Here, he is reunited with C-3PO, and the two get into various misadventures on the planet [[Geonosis]]. He and C-3PO are later witness to Anakin and Padmé's secret wedding.

==== ''Revenge of the Sith'' ====
In ''[[Revenge of the Sith]]'', set three years later, R2-D2 helps Anakin and Obi-Wan in their mission to rescue Chancellor [[Palpatine]] ([[Ian McDiarmid]]) from [[Count Dooku]]'s ([[Christopher Lee]]) capital ship, the ''Invisible Hand''. He is attacked by super battle droids, but he defeats them through ingenious tactics. After Anakin falls to the [[dark side (Star Wars)|dark side]] of [[the Force]] and becomes Darth Vader, he takes R2-D2 with him when he goes to assassinate the Separatist council, but he tells him to stay with the ship. After Obi-Wan defeats Vader in a lightsaber duel, R2-D2 goes with him aboard Padmé's ship, where he witnesses as Padmé dies after giving birth to her and Vader's children, Luke and Leia.

After Palpatine and Vader overthrow the Republic and establish the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]] at the end of the film, C-3PO's memory is erased to keep the knowledge of Luke and Leia's locations a secret from their father. However, R2-D2's memory is not wiped; as a result, R2-D2 is the only surviving character at the end of the saga who knows the entire story of the [[Skywalker family]]. Both R2-D2 and C-3PO end up in the possession of Captain [[Raymus Antilles]] ([[Rohan Nichol]]) onboard the ''Tantive IV''.

=== Sequel trilogy ===

==== ''The Force Awakens'' ====
In ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]'', set approximately 30 years after ''Return of the Jedi'', R2-D2 is revealed to be kept in storage at the [[Resistance (Star Wars)|Resistance]] base on the planet [[D'Qar]], having put himself in a low-power mode after Luke Skywalker's disappearance. He later awakens and reveals Luke's location by combining map data stored in his memory with that of the droid [[BB-8]]. He then travels with [[Rey (Star Wars)|Rey]] ([[Daisy Ridley]]) and Chewbacca to the planet highlighted on the map, where they find Luke in self-imposed exile. In the credits, Kenny Baker was credited as 'R2-D2 consultant,' while Jimmy Vee provided an uncredited portrayal in some scenes.

==== ''The Last Jedi'' ====
R2-D2 appeared in ''[[Star Wars: The Last Jedi]]'', with actor Jimmy Vee taking over the role from Kenny Baker, who retired from the role due to his age and health. Baker died in August 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/11/16/doctor-who-actor-jimmy-vee-is-the-new-r2-d2-in-star-wars-episode-8-5505452/|title=Doctor Who actor Jimmy Vee is the new R2-D2 in Star Wars Episode 8|author=Cameron K McEwan|work=Metro|date=November 16, 2015|access-date=December 22, 2015|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222071855/http://metro.co.uk/2015/11/16/doctor-who-actor-jimmy-vee-is-the-new-r2-d2-in-star-wars-episode-8-5505452/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://makingstarwars.net/2015/09/little-actor-jimmy-vee-is-artoo-detoo-in-star-wars-episode-viii/|title=LITTLE ACTOR JIMMY VEE IS ARTOO-DETOO IN STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII|author=Jason Ward|work=Makingstarwars.net|date=September 16, 2015|access-date=December 22, 2015|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222120440/http://makingstarwars.net/2015/09/little-actor-jimmy-vee-is-artoo-detoo-in-star-wars-episode-viii/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

R2-D2 has a brief but pivotal role in the film, reuniting with Luke aboard the ''Millennium Falcon'' and showing him Leia's distress message from the original film in a successful attempt to convince Luke to train Rey. He is later shown interfacing with the ''Falcon'''s computer while Rey and Chewbacca pilot the ship amid the final confrontation with the evil [[First Order (Star Wars)|First Order]]'s forces.

==== ''The Rise of Skywalker'' ====
R2-D2 returns once more in ''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker]]''. Initially remaining at the Resistance base, he is shown watching Leia as she dies. He later plays an important role in restoring C-3PO's memory after Rey, [[Finn (Star Wars)|Finn]] ([[John Boyega]]) and [[Poe Dameron]] ([[Oscar Isaac]]) are forced to erase it so the droid can translate a [[Sith]] artifact that holds a clue to the location of the Sith homeworld, the resurrected Palpatine, and the [[Sith#Sith Eternal|Sith Eternal]]'s fleet, the Final Order. R2-D2 accompanies Poe in his X-wing for the final assault, and is later shown joining the others in celebrating the defeat of Palpatine and the Sith Eternal.

===Anthology films===
====''Rogue One''====
{{main|Rogue One}}

R2-D2 makes a [[cameo appearance]] in ''Rogue One'' alongside C-3PO.<ref>{{cite web|first=Huw|last=Fullerton|title=11 of the best Star Wars Easter Eggs in Rogue One|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-12-18/11-of-the-best-star-wars-easter-eggs-in-rogue-one|website=radiotimes.com|publisher=RadioTimes|access-date=December 18, 2016|date=December 18, 2016|archive-date=December 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218231504/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-12-18/11-of-the-best-star-wars-easter-eggs-in-rogue-one|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Television===
R2-D2 and C-3PO had their own [[animated series]], ''[[Star Wars: Droids]]'', set before they came into Luke Skywalker's possession. This was excluded from the new canon in 2014.<ref name="THR Legends"/> They also appear in both the live action and animated segments of the ''[[Star Wars Holiday Special]]''. In the animated segment they are rescued by a mysterious bounty hunter, [[Boba Fett]], who offers to help them. Later R2-D2 intercepts a transmission between Darth Vader and Fett - thus confirming to him, C-3PO and the others Fett's true allegiances.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Lucas Seastrom |title=The Star Wars Holiday Special and the Debut of Boba Fett |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-star-wars-holiday-special-boba-fett |website=starwars.com |access-date=3 January 2023 |date=15 November 2018 |quote=The sequence would present an adventure where Han Solo, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker, and their companions [C-3PO and R2-D2] are on the search for a mystical talisman. They run into trouble when they encounter Boba Fett, who at first pretends to be an ally but is later revealed as an agent of Darth Vader. |archive-date=15 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115162336/https://www.starwars.com/news/the-star-wars-holiday-special-boba-fett |url-status=live }}</ref>

R2-D2 makes a guest appearance with C-3PO, Luke Skywalker (and [[Mark Hamill]]) and Chewbacca in an episode of ''[[The Muppet Show]]''.

R2-D2 appears in the 2008 animated film ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (film)|Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'', and the subsequent [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)|TV series of the same name]]. In the film, he accompanies Anakin (voiced by [[Matt Lanter]]) and his Padawan [[Ahsoka Tano]] (voiced by [[Ashley Eckstein]]) on a mission to rescue Jabba the Hutt's son Rotta. In the series, he helps them fight the Separatists. He previously appeared in ''[[Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003 TV series)|Star Wars: Clone Wars]]'', but this micro-series has been excluded from the new [[Star Wars canon|canon]].<ref name="THR Legends"/>

R2-D2 also appears in ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'' in the episodes "Droids in Distress" and "Blood Sisters", and in several episodes of ''[[Star Wars Forces of Destiny]]''.

In the second season [[Chapter 16: The Rescue|finale]] of the [[Disney+]] series ''[[The Mandalorian]]'', R2-D2 accompanies Luke Skywalker as he goes to retrieve [[Grogu]] to be trained as a Jedi.

R2-D2 appears in the sixth and seventh episodes of ''The Mandalorian'' spin-off series ''[[The Book of Boba Fett]]''. After Grogu decides to abandon his Jedi training, Luke has R2-D2 fly Grogu to Tatooine in his X-wing starfighter so that he may be reunited with his guardian, [[The Mandalorian (character)|Din Djarin]] ([[Pedro Pascal]]).

R2-D2 also appears in the 2025 animated web series, ''Droid Diaries''.<ref>{{cite web |title=StarWarsKids.com |url=https://www.starwarskids.com |access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref>

===Novels and comics===
{{main|Star Wars expanded to other media}}

The [[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (novel)|novelization of ''Attack of the Clones'']] makes it clear that R2-D2 has been in Padmé's possession since the events of ''The Phantom Menace''.
R2-D2 appears in [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]'s [[Star Wars (2015 comic book)|2015 ''Star Wars'' comic series]], which is set between the films of the original trilogy. He also appears briefly in the miniseries ''[[Star Wars: Shattered Empire]]''.

====''Legends''====
With the 2012 acquisition of [[Lucasfilm]] by [[The Walt Disney Company]], most of the licensed ''Star Wars'' novels and comics produced since the originating 1977 film ''Star Wars'' were rebranded as ''Star Wars Legends'' and declared non-canon to the franchise in April 2014.<ref name="THR Legends">{{cite news|first=Graeme|last=McMillan|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lucasfilm-unveils-new-plans-star-698973|title=Lucasfilm Unveils New Plans for ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]]|location=Los Angeles, California|date=April 25, 2014|access-date=May 26, 2016|archive-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429022447/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lucasfilm-unveils-new-plans-star-698973|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SW Legends">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page|title=The Legendary ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe Turns a New Page|publisher=[[StarWars.com]]|date=April 25, 2014|access-date=May 26, 2016|archive-date=September 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910044317/http://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SW Adult">{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line|title=Disney and Random House announce relaunch of ''Star Wars'' Adult Fiction line|publisher=StarWars.com|date=April 25, 2014|access-date=May 26, 2016|archive-date=May 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514073722/http://www.starwars.com/news/disney-publishing-worldwide-and-random-house-announce-relaunch-of-star-wars-adult-fiction-line|url-status=live}}</ref>
* In the various ''Star Wars'' novels and comics, the droid duo have played a small but significant role. In the 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 No. 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]].

===Other films===
Along with the ''Star Wars'' films, R2-D2 makes non-canon cameo appearances in several other films, including: ''[[Star Trek (2009 film)|Star Trek]]'' and ''[[Star Trek Into Darkness]]'', where he was seen flying in debris; ''[[Close Encounters of the Third Kind]]'', in which he is seen on the underside of the alien ship; in ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'', in which he is seen on the wall of the room containing the Ark;<ref name="slashfilm-cameo">{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1463365/star-trek-j-j-abrams-r2-d2-star-wars-close-encounters/|title=R2-D2's Star Trek Cameos Are More Than A Simple Star Wars Homage|last=Seibold|first=Witney|website=[[/Film]]|publisher=[[Static Media]]|date=December 11, 2023|access-date=May 18, 2025}}</ref> in ''[[Poltergeist (1982 film)|Poltergeist]]'', where he is seen in several objects on Robbie's room; and in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'', where he is seen flying among rubble and debris in the sky. In ''[[Ready Player One (film)|Ready Player One]]'', R2-D2 is also seen as a toy model in Wade and Samantha's apartment. He also appears in the ''[[Wreck-It Ralph]]'' sequel, ''[[Ralph Breaks the Internet]]''.

In an early script to 2014's ''[[The Lego Movie]]'', R2-D2 was set to be one of the main characters, but was written out due to the directors failing to obtain the rights to the character.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ben|last=Child|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/nov/19/star-wars-r2-d2-lego-movie|title=The missing piece: Star Wars' R2-D2 originally a key character in The Lego Movie|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=19 November 2014|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-date=28 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228041536/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/nov/19/star-wars-r2-d2-lego-movie|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Graeme|last=McMillan|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/r2-d2-was-almost-lego-749878|title=R2-D2 Was Almost in 'The Lego Movie', Directors Say|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=November 8, 2014|access-date=April 2, 2018|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207092444/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/r2-d2-was-almost-lego-749878/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Production==
[[File:R2-D2 - Genuine Movie Star.jpg|thumb|A fan-made R2-D2]]
Several R2-D2 models were built for the original ''Star Wars'' films; one that was remote controlled and rolled on three wheeled legs, and others which were worn by English actor Kenny Baker and walked on two legs.<ref>{{cite video|title=Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope audio commentary|medium=DVD}}</ref><ref>{{cite video|title=[[Empire of Dreams]]|medium=Documentary|publisher=Star Wars Trilogy box set}}</ref> Set director [[Roger Christian (filmmaker)|Roger Christian]] cited the [[Dalek]]s of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' as an inspiration for how the crew realized an actor could control R2-D2's prop from the inside.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Christopher Cooper |date=February 25, 2025 |title=What a Piece of Junk! |number=230 |url=https://titan-comics.com/m/175-star-wars-insider-230/ |magazine=[[Star Wars Insider]] |publisher=[[Titan Publishing Group]] |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 6, 2025 |archive-date=March 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250325112141/https://titan-comics.com/m/175-star-wars-insider-230/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Deep Roy]] served as Baker's double, in both ''Episodes V'' and ''VI''; providing stunts and filling in when Baker was unavailable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.therobotsvoice.com/2012/03/the_8_nerdiest_roles_of_deep_roy.php|title=The 8 Nerdiest Roles of Deep Roy|date=6 March 2012|access-date=March 30, 2016|publisher=The Robot's Voice|archive-date=14 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414213351/http://www.therobotsvoice.com/2012/03/the_8_nerdiest_roles_of_deep_roy.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deeproyinc.com/bio.html|title=Deep Roy – Alive in the Valley|date=January 1991|access-date=March 30, 2016|first=Alicia|last=Brummer|publisher=Sand to Sea|archive-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329082323/http://www.deeproyinc.com/bio.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.theballadofsandeep.com/bios.html|title=Deep Roy Biography|access-date=March 30, 2016|archive-date=October 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015091514/http://www.theballadofsandeep.com/bios.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The original props for ''Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope'' were designed by [[John Stears]] and built by Stears' team and Peteric Engineering. The revised fibreglass droids used in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' were built by Tony Dyson and the White Horse Toy Company. The radio controlled R2 was operated by [[John Stears]] in ''A New Hope'', [[Brian Johnson (special effects artist)|Brian Johnson]] in ''The Empire Strikes Back'' and by [[Kit West]] in ''Return of the Jedi''.

Kenny Baker, who portrayed R2-D2 in costume, was not involved in the ''[[Star Wars Holiday Special]]''. R2-D2 was portrayed entirely by a radio controlled unit, operated by [[Mick Garris]]<ref>{{cite journal|title=The Other R2-D2|publisher=[[Star Wars Insider]]|date=April 2008}}</ref> (Lucas' receptionist at the time).<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gorehoundmike.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/the-master-of-horror-himself-mick.html|title=The Master of Horror Himself Mick Garris! Talks getting his start with Lucas, Working with Stephen King and More!!!|date=April 7, 2014|access-date=March 30, 2016|first=Michael|last=Vaughn|publisher=Gorehound Mike|archive-date=April 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411220701/http://gorehoundmike.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/the-master-of-horror-himself-mick.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cinemaraiders.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/star-wars-holiday-special.html|title=Cinema Raiders- Star Wars Holiday Special|date=20 December 2011|access-date=March 30, 2016|archive-date=11 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411155105/http://cinemaraiders.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/star-wars-holiday-special.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the credits, R2-D2 is credited as playing himself. Garris later went on to operate the radio controlled R2-D2 at various events, including the [[Academy Awards|Oscars]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2003/01/13/an-interview-with-mick-garris|title=AN INTERVIEW WITH MICK GARRIS|date=January 13, 2003|access-date=March 30, 2016|first=Ken|last=P|website=IGN|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207092444/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/13/an-interview-with-mick-garris|url-status=live}}</ref>

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 R2-D2s were prone to failure, particularly while shooting the Tatooine scenes in [[Tunisia]].<ref>{{Cite video|title=Bad Karma Droid|publisher=Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (DVD)}}</ref>

Radio-controlled units were extensively utilized for the Prequel trilogy due to advances in technology, though Baker was still used in some scenes. R2-D2 had three principal operators: Don Bies,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://starwarsinterviews1.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/don-bies-interview-star-wars-droid.html|title=Don Bies Interview|access-date=March 30, 2016|archive-date=April 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411181356/http://starwarsinterviews1.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/don-bies-interview-star-wars-droid.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/content.php?id=448|title=The Man Behind R2-D2|date=September 30, 2015|access-date=March 30, 2016|publisher=New Mexico Museum of Space History|archive-date=April 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410142546/http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/content.php?id=448|url-status=live}}</ref> Jolyon Bambridge<ref>{{cite web|url=http://flyingcamerasystems.com/about-us|title=Flying Camera Systems – About Us|work=Camera Systems |access-date=March 30, 2016|archive-date=March 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318004931/http://flyingcamerasystems.com/about-us/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bbfb96e05|title=Jolyon Bambridge, BFI Filmography|access-date=March 30, 2016|archive-date=April 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418200921/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bbfb96e05|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Grant Imahara]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/bios/grant-imahara/|title=Grant Imahara at MythBusters|access-date=March 30, 2016|publisher=Discovery|archive-date=July 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702000858/http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/bios/grant-imahara/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/bios/grant-imahara/|title=Meet Grant Imahara from MythBusters|access-date=March 30, 2016|publisher=mouser.com|archive-date=July 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702000858/http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/bios/grant-imahara/|url-status=live}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite video|people=[[Ben Burtt]]|title=Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope [[audio commentary]]|medium=DVD}}</ref> Original props of R2-D2 and C-3PO are used as [[Audio-Animatronics]] in the queue area of [[Disneyland]]'s [[Star Tours–The Adventures Continue]] attraction.

Although Kenny Baker is credited, [[Anthony Daniels]] (who portrays C-3PO) has stated that Baker did not film any scenes in ''Revenge of the Sith''.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Anthony Daniels interview|publisher=[[:pt:Revista Set|Set]]|date=April 2008}}</ref> Baker himself has said he probably only appears in footage caught while shooting the previous two movies.<ref>{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Williams|title=Kenny Baker|date=May 19, 2005|publisher=[[Associated Newspapers]]|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/interviews/article.html?in_article_id=1217&in_page_id=11|work=[[Metro (Associated Metro Limited)|Metro]]|access-date=2009-01-28|archive-date=2020-04-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404193515/http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/interviews/article.html?in_article_id=1217&in_page_id=11|url-status=dead}}</ref>

For ''The Force Awakens'', producer [[Kathleen Kennedy (film producer)|Kathleen Kennedy]] hired two fans, Lee Towersey and Oliver Steeples, to build new R2-D2 robots for the film, after being impressed by their working replicas that were brought to [[Star Wars Celebration|''Star Wars'' Celebration]] Europe in 2013.<ref>{{Cite video|title=Cast & Crew Highlight at Star Wars Celebration Panel Anaheim|publisher=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LnexDhOiS0| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211108/_LnexDhOiS0| archive-date=2021-11-08 | url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
Towersey was also one of the two puppeteers, along with Hassan Taj, who operated the droid in ''The Rise of Skywalker''.

[[Ewan McGregor]], who portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, said in an interview, "As soon as R2-D2 comes on the set, everyone goes a bit silly." He said "there is something about him that makes you feel great affection for him". In the DVD audio commentary for ''Revenge of the Sith'', George Lucas says R2-D2 is his favorite character, and that it is intentional that R2-D2 saves the day at least once in every film.

==Cultural influence==
{{see also|Cultural impact of Star Wars}}
R2-D2 was inducted into the [[Robot Hall of Fame]] in 2003 in [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]]. A replica can be seen at the [[Carnegie Science Center]] in Pittsburgh. The [[Smithsonian Institution]] included R2-D2 in its list of 101 Objects that Made America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/101-Objects-that-Made-America-228072031.html?c=y&page=73|title=R2-D2|access-date=October 31, 2013|publisher=[[Smithsonian Institution]]|work=100 Objects that Made America|archive-date=October 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028073007/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/101-Objects-that-Made-America-228072031.html?c=y&page=73|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2022 R2-D2 was surveyed as being the most popular movie robot in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|first=Marianne|last=Barber|url=https://www.mroelectric.com/blog/most-popular-robot-movies/|title=Most Popular Movie Robot in Every U.S. State|website=mroelectric.com|date=February 16, 2022|access-date=April 4, 2022|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207092445/https://www.mroelectric.com/blog/most-popular-robot-movies/|url-status=live}}</ref>

R2-D2 and C-3PO guest starred in a two episodes of ''[[Sesame Street]]'' in 1980.<ref name="StarWars.com">{{cite web |author1=Chris Hamilton |date=28 March 2014 |title=Star Wars: The Muppet Connection |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-thet-muppet-connection |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125174958/https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-thet-muppet-connection |archive-date=25 January 2021 |access-date=1 January 2021 |website=starwars.com }}</ref> The two droids were featured as presenters at the [[50th Academy Awards]].

The telescope dome of [[Zweibrücken Observatory]] in Germany was repainted to resemble R2-D2 in 2018.<ref name="R2D2_panda">{{cite web|title=German Professor Who Is A Hardcore Star Wars Fan Has Just Repainted An Observatory Into R2-D2|url=https://www.boredpanda.com/professor-germany-observatory-redesigned-r2-d2-star-wars-hubert-zitt/|website=Bored Panda|date=25 March 2019|access-date=2019-11-16|archive-date=2019-11-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122192404/https://www.boredpanda.com/professor-germany-observatory-redesigned-r2-d2-star-wars-hubert-zitt/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Volkssternwarte Zweibrücken.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Zweibrücken Observatory in 2019]]
In the Latin American Spanish dubbing of the ''Star Wars'' films, the name R2-D2 is pronounced as "Arturito" (Little Arthur), which sounds similar to the English pronunciation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ablognso.wordpress.com/el-verdadero-nombre-de-r2-d2/|title=El verdadero nombre de R2-D2|date=February 8, 2012|work=wordpress.com|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-date=July 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709221504/https://ablognso.wordpress.com/el-verdadero-nombre-de-r2-d2/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the Italian version of the original trilogy, {{nowrap|R2-D2}} was named "C1-P8".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Misculin |first1=Luca |title=Tutto Star Wars, spiegato per immagini |url=https://www.ilpost.it/2015/11/09/star-wars-riassunto/10maxresdefault/ |publisher=il Post |access-date=16 May 2020 |language=it |date=9 November 2015 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727070851/https://www.ilpost.it/2015/11/09/star-wars-riassunto/10maxresdefault/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Anglicisms were not common in the Italian language during the 1970s and 1980s, and the names of various characters were changed to be easier to pronounce and recognize for Italian speakers. Some of these changes were reverted in the dubbing of the [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|prequel]] and [[Star Wars sequel trilogy|sequel]] trilogies, where the original name {{nowrap|R2-D2}} was used instead.

Around the same time that ''A New Hope'' was being shot, [[Ray Harryhausen]] had already created "Bubo" for the 1981 film ''[[Clash of the Titans (1981 film)|Clash of the Titans]]''. In the film, Bubo is a mechanical metal owl that flies heavily and communicates through whistles and tweets. Harryhausen denied a relation.<ref name="Harryhausen">{{cite book |last1=Harryhausen |first1=Ray |title=Ray Harryhausen : an animated life : adventures in fantasy |date=2003 |publisher=Aurum |isbn=1-85410-940-5 |location=London |page=270 |language=en |quote=contrary to what some critics said at the time, Bubo was invented before R2-D2.}}</ref><ref name="Epic">{{cite book |last1=Santas |first1=Constantine |title=The Encyclopedia of Epic Films |last2=Wilson |first2=James M. |last3=Colavito |first3=Maria |last4=Baker |first4=Djoymi |date=21 March 2014 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-8248-5 |page=135 |language=en |chapter=Clash of the Titans |access-date=18 April 2022 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nWYmAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA135 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207092440/https://books.google.com/books?id=nWYmAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA135 |archive-date=7 February 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==

=== Footnotes ===
{{Notelist}}

=== Citations ===
{{reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* Wallace, Daniel. (2002). ''Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Characters''. Del Rey. p.&nbsp;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''.
* {{cite web|url=http://52motivationalinterviews.com/radio/2011/05/tony-dyson|title=Tony Dyson The man behind Star Wars R2-D2|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001145101/http://52motivationalinterviews.com/radio/2011/05/tony-dyson/|archive-date=October 1, 2013|df=mdy-all}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Star Wars Databank|subject=r2-d2|text=R2-D2}}

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