Editing R2-D2 (section)

==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 upon 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 three 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 three, 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]]).

===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>