R2-D2 facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids R2-D2
Star Wars character

First appearance	Star Wars (1977)
Created by	George Lucas
Portrayed by	Kenny Baker (Episodes I-VI and consultant in Episode VII) Jimmy Vee (Episode VII-IX)
Voiced by	Ben Burtt (vocal effects)
Information
Nickname(s)	R2
Species	Robot
Occupation	Astromech droid
Affiliation	Kingdom of Naboo Jedi Order Galactic Republic Rebel Alliance New Republic Resistance C-3PO

R2-D2, also known as Artoo-Detoo, is a famous robot character from the Star Wars movies. He was created by George Lucas. R2-D2 is a small astromech droid, which means he's a robot designed to help with spaceship repairs and navigation. He is a very important character and appears in most of the Star Wars films.

Throughout the movies, R2-D2 is a loyal friend to many characters. These include C-3PO, Padmé Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The English actor Kenny Baker played R2-D2 in the first three Star Wars films. He was also given credit for the character in the prequel trilogy. In those films, R2-D2 was mostly played by remote-controlled robots and computer graphics (CGI). For the sequel trilogy, Baker was a consultant for The Force Awakens. Jimmy Vee also helped perform the character in some scenes. Vee then took over the role completely starting with The Last Jedi. The unique sounds and "voice" of R2-D2 were made by Ben Burtt.

How R2-D2 Was Designed

The idea for R2-D2 came from different places. George Lucas was inspired by a 1958 Japanese film called The Hidden Fortress. In that movie, two funny characters act as sidekicks to a general. Lucas and artist Ralph McQuarrie also got ideas from robots in the 1972 film Silent Running. Those robots were named Huey, Dewey, and Louie.

The Name R2-D2

The name "R2-D2" has an interesting story. It came about when George Lucas was working on an earlier film, American Graffiti. A sound editor named Walter Murch asked for "Reel 2, Dialog Track 2." He said it in a short way: "R-2-D-2." Lucas was in the room, resting while writing the Star Wars script. He woke up when he heard the sounds. He asked what it meant and then said it was a "great name" before going back to writing.

Later, a Star Wars encyclopedia said that R2-D2 stands for "Second Generation Robotic Droid Series-2."

Building the R2-D2 Models

Tony Dyson, who owned a special effects company, helped build the robots for The Empire Strikes Back. He made several R2-D2 units that could be controlled remotely. Some were worn by Kenny Baker. There were also two stunt models. These were used in a scene where R2-D2 was shot out of a swamp onto the shore of Dagobah.

R2-D2's Adventures in the Movies

Original Trilogy Adventures

A New Hope (1977)

R2-D2 and C-3PO first appear on a spaceship called the Tantive IV. This is when it's being attacked by an Imperial Star Destroyer. Princess Leia puts secret plans for the Death Star battle station inside R2-D2. She also records a message for help. The droids then escape in a small pod. It crashes on the desert planet Tatooine.

Jawas find R2-D2 and C-3PO and sell them to Owen Lars. He is the step-uncle of Luke Skywalker. While cleaning R2-D2, Luke finds part of Leia's message. He removes a special bolt that was holding R2-D2 back. Once free, R2-D2 pretends not to know about the message. That night, R2-D2 leaves the farm to find Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Soon, Luke has to leave Tatooine with Obi-Wan, Han Solo, and Chewbacca. They fly on the Millennium Falcon to deliver R2-D2 to the Rebel Alliance. When they arrive at Alderaan's location, they are pulled in by the Death Star's tractor beam. They land on the Death Star but manage to rescue Princess Leia. They escape and deliver the Death Star plans to the Rebels. R2-D2 then helps Luke during the attack on the Death Star. R2-D2 gets badly damaged but is fixed before the celebration at the end of the movie.

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

In The Empire Strikes Back, R2-D2 goes with Luke to Dagobah. Later, he goes to Cloud City. There, he helps rescue and fix a very damaged C-3PO. He also helps turn off the city's security computers. R2-D2 even manages to restart the Millennium Falcon's hyperdrive. This allows them to escape from the Imperial forces just in time.

Return of the Jedi (1983)

In Return of the Jedi, R2-D2 is very important in saving Luke, Leia, and Han from Jabba the Hutt. He then joins the Rebel team on Endor. He gets damaged again during a fight between Imperial troops and the Rebels. But he is repaired in time for the celebration. This party marks the destruction of the second Death Star and the end of the Empire.

Prequel Trilogy Adventures

The Phantom Menace (1999)

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace takes place 32 years before A New Hope. In this movie, R2-D2 belongs to the Naboo defense forces. He is one of four droids sent to fix Queen Padmé Amidala's starship. This happens as it tries to get past the Trade Federation blockade. R2-D2 is the only droid to survive. He then joins Qui-Gon Jinn's group on Tatooine. There, he meets C-3PO and Anakin Skywalker. Later, he serves as the droid for Anakin's starfighter during the Battle of Naboo.

Attack of the Clones (2002)

Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones is set 10 years after The Phantom Menace. R2-D2 still helps Anakin and Obi-Wan. He goes with Anakin and Padmé to Naboo. Then they go to Tatooine when Anakin tries to save his mother, Shmi. Here, R2-D2 meets C-3PO again. The two droids have many funny adventures on Geonosis. R2-D2 and C-3PO later witness Anakin and Padmé's secret wedding.

Revenge of the Sith (2005)

In Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, R2-D2 helps Anakin and Obi-Wan. They are on a mission to rescue Chancellor Palpatine from Count Dooku's ship, the Invisible Hand. Battle droids attack R2-D2, but he cleverly defeats them. After Anakin becomes Darth Vader, he takes R2-D2 with him to attack the Separatist council. But he tells R2-D2 to stay with the ship.

At the end of the movie, the Galactic Empire is formed. C-3PO's memory is erased so he won't reveal where Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia are. However, R2-D2's memory is not wiped. This means R2-D2 is the only character at the end of Return of the Jedi who knows the whole story of the Skywalker family. Both R2-D2 and C-3PO end up with Captain Raymus Antilles on the ship Tantive IV.

Sequel Trilogy Adventures

The Force Awakens (2015)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes place about 30 years after Return of the Jedi. R2-D2 is kept in storage at the Resistance base on the planet D'Qar. He put himself into a low-power mode after Luke Skywalker disappeared. He later wakes up and shows Luke's location. He does this by combining map data from his memory with data from the droid BB-8. R2-D2 then travels with Rey and Chewbacca to the planet on the map. There, they find Luke, who has been living alone.

The Last Jedi (2017)

R2-D2 appeared in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Actor Jimmy Vee took over the role from Kenny Baker. Baker had retired due to his age and health.

R2-D2 has a short but important part in the film. He meets Luke again on the Millennium Falcon. He shows Luke Leia's message from the first movie. This helps convince Luke to train Rey. R2-D2 is later seen connecting to the Falcon's computer. This happens while Rey and Chewbacca fly the ship during the final fight with the evil First Order.

The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

R2-D2 is expected to return in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Jimmy Vee will play him again.

Other Appearances

Rogue One (2016)

R2-D2 makes a quick appearance in Rogue One along with C-3PO.

Animated Shows and Comics

R2-D2 is in the 2008 animated movie Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He is also in the TV series of the same name. In the movie, he helps Anakin and his student Ahsoka Tano save Jabba the Hutt’s son. In the series, he helps them fight the Separatists.
R2-D2 appears in Star Wars Rebels in two episodes: "Droids in Distress" and "Blood Sisters."
R2-D2 is in Marvel's Star Wars comic series. This series takes place between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. He also appears briefly in the comic miniseries Star Wars: Shattered Empire.

Legends Stories

Many Star Wars novels and comics made before 2014 are now called Star Wars Legends. They are not part of the main story anymore.

R2-D2 and C-3PO had their own animated TV show called Star Wars: Droids. It was set before Luke Skywalker owned them.
In some Star Wars books, R2-D2 helps Luke and Leia learn about their family. An electronic problem shows old images of Anakin talking about losing Padmé and her death.
In a comic called Star Wars: Legacy, R2-D2 is still around 88 years later. He has been updated with new technology. In this series, he helps another member of the Skywalker family, a reluctant Jedi named Cade Skywalker.

R2-D2 in Other Movies

Besides Star Wars, R2-D2 has made guest appearances in other movies.

In Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness, he was seen flying in space debris.
In Close Encounters of the Third Kind, he is on the bottom of an alien spaceship.
In Raiders of the Lost Ark, he is on a wall in the room with the Ark.
In Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the robot was seen flying among rubble.
In Ready Player One, R2-D2 appears as a toy model.
He also appears in the Wreck-It Ralph sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet.

R2-D2 was supposed to be a main character in The Lego Movie (2014). But the directors could not get the rights to use the character, so he was not included.

How R2-D2 Was Made for the Movies

For the original Star Wars films, there were different R2-D2 models. One was controlled by remote and rolled on three wheels. Others were worn by actor Kenny Baker and walked on two legs. Deep Roy also helped as Baker's double in Episodes V and VI. He did stunts and filled in when Baker was not available.

The remote-controlled R2-D2 was operated by John Stears in A New Hope. Brian Johnson operated it in The Empire Strikes Back. Kit West operated it in Return of the Jedi.

Kenny Baker was not involved in the Star Wars Holiday Special. R2-D2 was completely played by a remote-controlled unit. Mick Garris, who was Lucas's receptionist, operated it. In the credits, R2-D2 was listed as playing himself. Garris later operated the remote-controlled R2-D2 at events like the Oscars.

For Attack of the Clones, there were 15 R2-D2 models. Eight were remote-controlled. Two were worn by Baker. The rest were stunt models that could be moved with strings or wires. The robot R2-D2s often had problems, especially when filming in Tunisia.

Remote-controlled units were used a lot for the Prequel trilogy. This was because technology had improved. But Baker was still used in some scenes. R2-D2 had three main operators: Don Bies, Jolyon Bambridge, and Grant Imahara.

The sounds for R2-D2's "voice" were made by sound designer Ben Burtt. He used a special ARP 2600 analog synthesizer. He also used his own voice, changed with other effects. Real R2-D2 and C-3PO props are used as Audio-Animatronics at Disneyland's Star Tours–The Adventures Continue ride.

Even though Kenny Baker is credited, Anthony Daniels (who plays C-3PO) said Baker did not film any scenes in Revenge of the Sith. Baker himself said he probably only appears in footage from the previous two movies.

For The Force Awakens, producer Kathleen Kennedy hired two fans, Lee Towersey and Oliver Steeples. They built new R2-D2 robots for the film. She was impressed by their working replicas at a Star Wars event in 2013.

Images for kids

A fan-made R2-D2
In 2015 All Nippon Airways showed a Boeing 787-9 airplane with a special R2-D2 design. This plane is seen here at Tokyo International Airport in March 2016.
Zweibrücken Observatory in 2019