main
side
curve
  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

ST Jimmy Vee replacing Kenny Baker as R2-D2 in Ep VIII

Discussion in 'Sequel Trilogy' started by Seagoat, Jan 2, 2016.

  1. Seagoat

    Seagoat Former Manager star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jan 25, 2013
    Shaak Ti and arjank like this.
  2. Trebor Sabreon

    Trebor Sabreon Former Manager star 5 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Sep 15, 2010
    I suppose it's another 'passing of the torch.' For real, this time.

    Thank you, Mr. Baker, for bringing Artoo-Detoo to life for us!
     
  3. Blueandwhite

    Blueandwhite Jedi Grand Master star 2

    Registered:
    May 25, 2005
    Time marches on. Kenny Baker was awesome but he's also in his 80s. One can only wish him the best and appreciate him for bringing R2 to life for all of these years.
     
    Jedi Merkurian likes this.
  4. Palpatine2016

    Palpatine2016 Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Nov 12, 2012
    Baker was only credited as a consultant on The Force Awakens so not a surprise at all.
     
  5. thejeditraitor

    thejeditraitor Chosen One star 6

    Registered:
    Aug 19, 2003
  6. G-FETT

    G-FETT Chosen One star 7

    Registered:
    Aug 10, 2001
    I'm surprised they actually need anybody in the "can" to be honest.

    I wonder how Jimmy will get on with Tony? [face_laugh]
     
    Dewback likes this.
  7. DaddlerTheDalek

    DaddlerTheDalek Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2014
    Thank you, Mr. Baker and enjoy your retirement.
    Good to know that they found a succsessor in Mr. Vee.
     
    Darth Smurf and Seagoat like this.
  8. Django Fett

    Django Fett Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Nov 7, 2012
    Sorry this is old news, it was revealed last November.
     
  9. Seagoat

    Seagoat Former Manager star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jan 25, 2013
    So? Now we have a thread to discuss it
     
    Shaak Ti likes this.
  10. Django Fett

    Django Fett Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Nov 7, 2012
    What's with the attitude? I politely said it was revealed last November and not something new.
     
    Darth Sone and Ryan Hunt like this.
  11. littlewaves

    littlewaves Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Apr 19, 2008
    While this story may well be true I think if we trace it back it comes from an erroneous story that Kenny Baker was spotted at the Skellig shoot which initially caused people to jump to the (understandable) conclusion the R2 was in the scenes shot there. It then transpired that KB wasn't at the shoot and that journalists had actually spotted Jimmy Vee and lazily assumed he was Kenny Baker. So Jimmy could be playing a different character of course!
     
  12. Seagoat

    Seagoat Former Manager star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jan 25, 2013
    It wasn't my intention to come across with sour attitude. My apologies
     
    Django Fett likes this.
  13. DarthHavok

    DarthHavok Jedi Master star 2

    Registered:
    Feb 27, 2002
    It makes sense. With Peter Mayhew unable to fully play Chewbacca, and Kenny Baker in his 80s it's not surprising. They'll always be those two characters and Peter Mayhew may still portray Chewie to some degree but I can't see Kenny Baker continuing. There's no good reason NOT to recast those characters if only because the characters they portray are costumed characters. Life goes on.
     
    Artoo-Dion likes this.
  14. Artoo-Dion

    Artoo-Dion Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Jun 9, 2009
    I love Kenny Baker. Time Bandits is one of my favourite films. But his health and age are a bit of a limiting factor.
     
    Jedi Merkurian likes this.
  15. Sebulba's Vendetta

    Sebulba's Vendetta Jedi Padawan

    Registered:
    Jan 2, 2016
    Thank you Kenny! I'm happy he was able to partake in at least one movie in this new trilogy.
    Vee must be ecstatic to be in the most iconic droid of all time.
     
    Shaak Ti likes this.
  16. appleseed

    appleseed Chosen One star 5

    Registered:
    Dec 5, 2002
    Much gratitude to Kenny for giving R2 so much of his beloved personality, and good luck to Mr. Vee going forward.
     
    Shaak Ti likes this.
  17. kegs202

    kegs202 Jedi Knight star 2

    Registered:
    Jan 26, 2013
    It's inevitable that some of the old guard will retire and others will need to take their place. If we see Darth Vader make an appearance in any upcoming movies then it's highly unlikely to be Dave Prowse in the suit.
     
    Shaak Ti likes this.
  18. kip73

    kip73 Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Mar 30, 2003
    Did Mayhew sign on for VIII?

    That's one thing that sure sucks about life. Everyone gets older. Really sucks when it's your family/loved ones.
     
  19. Django Fett

    Django Fett Force Ghost star 5

    Registered:
    Nov 7, 2012
    I think we know why the change has been made now, the lack of involvement for Artoo in TFA meant they only needed the remote version. Still I wonder if they offered it to Warwick Davis first?
     
  20. Bran Kenobi

    Bran Kenobi Jedi Knight star 2

    Registered:
    Nov 1, 2012
    I want to know who is getting inside of BB-8 this time around.
     
  21. DarthIshyZ

    DarthIshyZ Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Jan 8, 2005
    It'd be interesting to give Baker an actual role in one of the films. Just for fun. Maybe a senator from a planet with really high gravity?
     
    Django Fett likes this.
  22. TheLateAdmiralPiett

    TheLateAdmiralPiett Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Oct 1, 2004
    Maybe the title should say VIII and IX? It's not like Kenny has any shot of coming back, nor is it likely that they'll recast Jimmy Vee at either point.
     
  23. DarthHavok

    DarthHavok Jedi Master star 2

    Registered:
    Feb 27, 2002
    Assuming R2 isn't destroyed in VIII ;)
     
  24. Jedi Merkurian

    Jedi Merkurian Future Films Rumor Naysayer star 7 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    May 25, 2000
    Nah, Threepio lampshaded it in TFA with the line that said something to the effect of "even if Artoo comes back, he probably won't be the same."
     
  25. DarthHavok

    DarthHavok Jedi Master star 2

    Registered:
    Feb 27, 2002
    Hahahahaha, clever.
     
    Shaak Ti and Jedi Merkurian like this.