Saga Artoo Deetoo, where are you?

He holds the key to everything. He comes out of nowhere in TPM. No history. Lucas said he basically is telling the entire SW saga through the droids eyes. Of course, R2 needs threepio to tell us what he is thinking. The both of them will play a major role either in Ep 8 or 9. I think the Journal of the Whills will also come into play and hold the key to where R2 came from and where this saga is going!

 

It's interesting how you mention that he has no history. He's a mass produced piece of seemingly insignificant machinery. But a theme I love in Star Wars is how the mundane becomes extraordinary, and how nobodies rise to accomplish amazing feats. Star Wars is the only series that can make us emotionally invested in a robot that looks like a trashcan.

While an astro droid is expendable, R2 manages to beat the odds, and pretty much becomes a close friend to the main cast. He's something of an impressive piece of technology in TPM ("Wow, a real astro droid!"), but already somewhat antiquated by ANH. By TFA, R2 is pretty much ancient.

His relationship with 3PO is also interesting. Sharing scenes in all seven movies, I really want to believe in the significance behind the Whills story. Though I don't see that as a plot point, rather an epilogue to bookend the series, as told through the eyes of the two droids.

 

R2 shoud have signifigance. Maybe he is SNoke's.

 

He is one out of the millions of astromechs that has lasted for so long and continues to save the day. He is truly one of a kind

 

Was there pre-TPM fiction written about R2?
Stories from before she was on the Queens ship?

 

Well, he's also pretty much the gang's dog. Maybe if you're not a dog owner you wouldn't see it, but dogs are clearly what Artoo's sounds and mannerisms mimic. That scene on Dagobah where he's outside in the rain making that whimper sound looking inside the hut at Luke and Yoda is exactly the way my dog looks and sounds when she wants to come in the house.

 

Funny thing, I named my dog Artoo

 

I don't recall anything, and judging by the Legends section of R2's page on Wookieepedia, doesn't look it. Though who knows, the new EU might cover that or would there be much to cover? Was R2 fairly new in TPM?

 

I think he will have deeper meaning