The Star Wars movies are, at their core, both thematically and literally, generational stories. New characters and cast members are consistently rising to the occasion, stepping into the shoes of their forebears, and either taking over classic roles or creating new ones that are designed to have a similar impact.
It’s a series full of beginnings and endings, and today we learned that a new beginning is already underway: Jimmy Vee has officially taken over the role of R2-D2 in the Star Wars saga.
R2-D2, a small and lovable droid who (against all odds) became an important player in multiple intergalactic conflicts, was originally played by actor Kenny Baker. Tucked inside a metal container he brought R2-D2 to such vibrant life that the character has become one of the most recognizable and beloved in popular culture. Kenny Baker recently reprised his role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, before passing away last summer at the age of 81, and Star Wars fans around the world mourned his loss.
LucasFilm
Also: Twenty Years Later, ‘Rogue One’ is the New ‘Star Wars’ Special Edition
Oh So Small has just announced that in the future, R2-D2 will be played by Jimmy Vee, an actor best known for his multiple roles on the popular television series Doctor Who. (Jimmy Vee also provided Kenny Baker some assistance on the set of The Force Awakens, although sole credit for the performance was given to Baker.)
The 57-year-old Scottish actor will officially take over the part in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the eight official “chapter” in the series, which is due in theaters on December 15, 2017.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to have worked alongside the legendary Kenny Baker,“ Jimmy Vee said in his official statement. “Kenny was a fantastic actor and taught me all the ‘tricks’ on how he brought R2-D2 to life which I will continue to portray in his honour. I’m so excited to be a part of the Star Wars universe and can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve been working so hard on for the last year.”
Slideshow: The Almost Stars of ‘Star Wars’
Top Photos: Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage & Lucas Film
William Bibbiani (everyone calls him ‘Bibbs’) is Crave’s film content editor and critic. You can hear him every week on The B-Movies Podcast and Canceled Too Soon, and watch him on the weekly YouTube series What the Flick. Follow his rantings on Twitter at @WilliamBibbiani.
Almost Stars of Star Wars
-
Sylvester Stallone as Han Solo
Sly did indeed audition for the role of Han Solo, and picturing the wise-cracking jet pilot as something more of a Rocky-like lummox is amusing to ponder. Stallone was, however, quickly looked over by George Lucas, and he never got a callback.
Photo – United Artists
-
Ryan Phillippe as Anakin Skywalker
When Attack of the Clones was in production, there was a bitter fight in Hollywood as to who would play the young Darth Vader, in the pre-mask days. The pouty-lipped Ryan Phillippe was already a known quantity in the biz, and got so far as readings with other actors, before he lost the role to Hayden Christiansen. Phillippe may have been too young, or perhaps not “dark” enough.
Photo – Columbia Pictures
-
James Woods as Han Solo
Harrison Ford may be irreplaceable in people's minds as Han Solo, but James Woods would have, I think, been an improvement. Han Solo is a flip, wisecracker, right? Who better to give off a cynical attitude than the excellent James Woods? He auditioned for the role, but was turned down.
Photo – Universal Pictures
-
Karen Allen as Princess Leia
Why she was not hired is anyone's guess, but Karen Allen – pre-Animal House – did indeed audition to play Princess Leia, long before she entered the action/adventure canon as Marion Ravenwood in Raiders of the Lost Ark. I feel she would have made a more human, earthier version of the character, as Carrie Fisher is, comparatively, daintier and prettier.
Picture - Paramount
-
Kurt Russell as Han Solo
One can find video evidence of Kurt Russell's audition online, meaning he came close to landing the role of Han Solo. I adore Kurt Russell, as does every right-thinking person, but his audition was a bit awkward, and he is perhaps too genial and heroic to be the cynical sidekick of the series.
Photo – Columbia Pictures
-
P.J. Soles as Princess Leia
There was once a rumor that Carrie Fisher was up for the P.J. Soles role in Brian De Palma's Carrie, and Soles was up for Princess Leia, but Fisher was rejected on account of nudity. Fisher would have done the nudity, however, and the rumors are not true. The spunky Soles, however, did audition for Princess Leia. Had she landed the part, it would have made for a very different movie.
Photo – New World Pictures
-
Robert Englund as Han Solound
Yes, there was a time when Robert Englund was not known for horror, and was merely a struggling actor just like all his contemporaries. Englund auditioned for Solo, but was considered too young for the part, and perhaps not '70s dashing enough. Legend has it, though, that it was Englund who encouraged Mark Hamill for the role of Luke Skywalker.
Photo – Mars Productions Corporation
-
Mel Blanc as C-3PO
The famed voice of Bugs Bunny, Barney Rubble, and a thousand others was once considered to dub over C-3PO's lines the same way James Earl Jones dubbed over David Prowse for Darth Vader. Blanc was, and is, a legend in the voice acting world, and there's no doubt he could have come up with an iconic and great vice for the fey robot. Lucas eventually let actor Anthony Daniels read his own lines.
Photo – public domain
