The original R2-D2 costume/prop had a removable dome for Kenny Baker to climb in and out. There was also a set inside the set. According to Ryder Windham, the costume was fitted with grips that allowed Baker to rotate the dome and to maintain his balance during scenes when R2-D2 was required to wobble.
The Invasion of Naboo. R2-D2 repairs the shield generator of Queen Amidala's Royal Starship. In 32 BBY, R2-D2 was in the possession of the Royal Engineers of Naboo, and was assigned aboard Queen Amidala's Royal Starship as a maintenance droid.
Kenny Baker was likely in there. At least for the Star Wars movies that he worked on (Original Trilogy, Prequel Trilogy, and The Force Awakens). Why was he needed? Back during the making of the original film, George Lucas wanted the ability to give R2-D2 a little more personality at times.
He's had several owners over the course of the movies. He is initially property of Naboo - an emergency repair droid on the queen's ship. The R2 appears to become Padme's property although Anakin seems to have a “personal” connection with him.
While working with Purvis and the Minitones, Baker was selected by George Lucas to operate the robot ("droid") R2-D2 in the fantasy feature film Star Wars, released in 1977.
During the Clone Wars, it was common practice to wipe the minds of astromech droids after every mission to avoid the risk of Separatists taking valued information. But Anakin remained staunchly against this idea for R2-D2, meaning the droid never had to worry about losing the memories of his past.
Since Obi-Wan and Anakin often fought together, Obi-Wan was friends with R2-D2 as well. This means that although R2-D2 might not have immediately recognized Obi-Wan on Tatooine due to his age, Obi-Wan should have recognized the droid.
They aren't abbreviations — they're model and serial numbers. R2 is a second generation R-series astromech, serial number D2. * And C-3PO is a C-series protocol droid with the serial number 3PO.
secondly, in Legends, R2 was given programming that actually restricted him. from sharing any information with Luke or Leia. about their parents or relation to one another. this was all part of the plan. to conceal this information from the twins.
Darth Vader's true identity as Anakin Skywalker was a highly guarded secret, known only to a select few individuals including Palpatine, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke, Han, Leia, R2-D2, C-3PO, Master Yoda, Bail Organa, Ahsoka Tano, Darth Maul, Grand Moff Tarkin, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Jocasta Nu, Ferren Barr, Verla, Reva, ...
R2-D2 was present when Padmé gave birth to Leia and Luke, so he knew Luke was Anakin's son – but what he didn't know was that Anakin became Darth Vader. In addition to that, Anakin's fall was surely a painful event in R2-D2's life, one that he definitely wouldn't like to remember or even talk about.
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.
With the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance, C-3PO reluctantly agreed to have his memory erased so the runes could be read. Fortunately, this mechanical amnesia was only temporary, as R2-D2 had backed up his friend's memories before C-3PO left.
Shortly after the Galactic Empire was formed, Bail Organa, in order to protect Princess Leia, had C-3PO's memory wiped clean in order for the droid to not spill any confidential information, especially information related to Leia's true lineage, which would make her a target of the Emperor.
R2-D2 doesn't utilise wheels when moving because they're actually not wheels. He is fitted with three motorised, all terrain treads that propel him around on any surface. This explains how the astromech can manoeuvre freely in rocky, sandy, muddy and harsh terrains the galaxy over.
A grateful Amidala acknowledged R2-D2's bravery, and ordered her handmaiden Padmé' to clean up the battered droid by way of thanks. With its hyperdrive damaged, the royal starship landed on Tatooine.
R2-D2, operated by Kenny Baker in Star Wars, is 3 foot 7 inches (1.09 m) tall. R2-D2 is a fictional droid and sassy messenger of the Skywalker family in the Star Wars movies and their extended franchise.
A C-3PO head from the private collection of Star Wars actor Anthony Daniels has sold for $843,750 dollars at auction. The light-up prop from 1983's Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi, was sold as part of the Anthony Daniels Collection in Los Angeles.
