Interview with Tony Dyson, the man behind Star Wars' R2-D2 – part two

B: Kenny Baker was inside R2-D2 – we can’t imagine that it would have been very comfortable.

TD: The idea was to bring the personality to R2-D2, which worked perfectly, we built these R2 units fitted with a small car seats plus springs in both legs so Kenny could rock back and forth but without the third leg that retracted back into the main body of R2, this really would have made Kenny’s eyes water!

Given enough time R2 could have probably been built totally computerised or remote-controlled. But we’re all restricted with budget and time when it comes to movie making and this was the quickest and easiest way of bringing a personality to R2 that we have all come to love so much. Kenny being the great trouper actor that he is, put up with the discomfort of it all, just to make it work for us and in the end he added that magic that is the very lovable R2-D2.

B: What did the actors of the Star Wars films think of R2-D2?

TD: The actors in the film loved him; I mean there is something about R2-D2 that people just want to cuddle! Other actors would talk and treat R2 as an equal even when it was the robot version of R2 (without Kenny inside) that’s how strong the personality had grown. R2’s one of George Lucas’s favorite characters; he even has a R2 clone down at his ranch, that makes me feel really proud.

B: What do you think is essential in a good movie robot?

TD: From my point of view, what makes a good movie robot is any Robot that fulfills exactly the dreams of the writer and director. It’s has to be that and only that. I don’t design a robot for me or just to be my favorite robot", that simply cannot come into the equation. If it fulfills the requirements of the writer and director then it is a really great robot for me.

B: What do you think about CGI and its use in movies to depict enormous robots like those in Transformers?

TD: The technology is amazing and the Transformers are brilliant you can do some wonderful things with this new and improved computerised animation, but it is so very new and it is still evolving all the time, that we still need to find CGI’s full potential and therefore its true place in the world of special effects, so film directors can understand how this will fully bring to life the story they need to tell.

B: Are there any movie robots on screen currently that you like?

TD: Yeah – I like the transformers, they’re pretty cool and R2-D2 made a quick guest visit on the film! I think I, Robot the film was great. There are a few film robots that I love; I’m very open minded when it comes to robots in films… As long as it does its job, that’s good enough for me.

B: Have you ever bought any R2-D2 merchandise?

TD: Actually I have been very lucky; the film studios normally provide most of the merchandise that I may need or that has taken my fancy.

B: What do you think of Boxwish?

TD: It’s a fabulous site. I really love it, it’s very cool. I think all movie fans will love it too plus I found a great cutout of R2-D2, so would highly recommend it!

Cheers for the words of support Tony!

Tony is currently working on his new exciting project; ‘Robotworld Membership Site’ which he is launching in the New Year and needs volunteers to help him. So if you’re interested in joining in or want to find out more on Tony, hit his website at www.TonyDyson.com.

UPDATE: Love Star Wars? Get some great SW merchandise here!