R2-D2

R2-D2 (Artoo-Detoo) is a character that starred in each of the Star Wars films and appeared on the big screen for the first time in the original Star Wars in 1977, the fourth film in the series. Artoo is an astromech droid designed by Industrial Automation to repair and service Rebel Alliance spacecraft. Chronologically in the storyline, he first comes on scene in service on the royal ship of Queen Amidala, the elected monarch of Naboo in Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. Naboo is Artoo's homeworld.http://www.starwars.com/databank/droid/r2d2/

Artoo received his name when a technician working on the film asked writer-director George Lucas for Reel 2 (R2), Dialogue Track 2 (D2).http://www.kennybaker.co.uk/film-tv.html

The mechanics for controlling Artoo consisted of both remote control units and a standing model, operated by actor Kenny Baker. Baker would be utilized to animate the droid in all six Star Wars films.http://www.kennybaker.co.uk/film-tv.html

In an incident that required Artoo to make repairs to the shields of Queen Amidala's ship during battle, his efforts were recognized and he was personally thanked by the queen, identifying himself as a very resourceful droid to be used in the future. http://www.starwars.com/databank/droid/r2d2/

R2-D2 and C3PO

After the blockade in Naboo and Artoo's temporary repairs allowing the royal ship to make an escape, the crew set down on the planet Tatooine to find permanent replacement parts. Here, Artoo's technical knowledge was utilized as he accompanied the Royal Handmaiden Padmé Naberrie to find the necessary parts for the repair. While the group waited out a sand storm, Artoo met C-3PO and the two instantly became companions. It wouldn't be until his later return to Tatooine and C-3PO became property of Anakin Skywalker that the two would be inseperable.http://www.starwars.com/databank/droid/r2d2/

Throughout his career Artoo was utilized more as a personal assistant than a simple repair droid. He would find himself in the service of Queen Amidala, the Royal House of Alderaan, Luke Skywalker, Jabba the Hutt and dozens others. As a droid, Artoo did not have a defined life span and his death/dismantling is never discussed.http://www.starwars.com/databank/droid/r2d2/

Behind the scenes, the droid was controlled by a combination of remote control units and a standing unit, utilized by actor Kenny Baker. A special suit was designed allowing Baker to actually sit inside and control the droid. During the first three films, there were various problems with the remote control units, but by Return of the Jedi the droid's movements were operating efficiently and the standing unit was needed only on scenes that required more "personality" from the character.http://www.starwars.com/databank/droid/r2d2/ In 1978 Baker put his footprints in concrete as R2-D2 at he Graumann's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles.http://www.kennybaker.co.uk/film-tv.html

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