Update! First Behind the Scenes Image from Star Wars: Episode 7. R2-D2 is Back!

star wars

Bad Robot just posted on Twitter the first official image from the workshop of Star Wars: Episode 7…



On the image are J.J. Abrams, Kathleen Kennedy and… R2-D2!?

I guess it’s normal that Bad Robot posts an image with a robot. 🙂 
Or maybe it’s a hint. After all Kenny Baker played R2-D2 in all 6 Star Wars movies…


Hi from the workshop! #StarWarsVII pic.twitter.com/9R7JGSfxlC
— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) November 14, 2013


 

I really hope there will be more behind the scenes images in the future. Recently many Hollywood directors started to use Twitter to tease the fans with non-spoilerific images from the production of their movies. Which is great.

Update!

Thanks to John Stuart from the comments section we’ve got some more info on the photo.

On ‘The Replica Prop Forum’ Replica Astromech maker ‘R2Dan’ posted about the Twitter photo:

That’s a fanmade R2 – Oliver Steeples is in the pic and this is his droid. An R2 builders council member and a top guy, I might add. I sent him a quick message, here’s what he replied:
“Oh that. Me and jj hanging out you mean. They wanted some reference r2 stuff and jj wanted his photo taken, was very lucky”

Whatever that means… will try and squeeze some more info out of him.

Source: The RPF

So this kinda confirms that we’ll see R2-D2 back in Star Wars. I doubt that they will need reference for the animation show and it’s too early to start working on the spin off-movies. So probably R2-D2 is indeed wanted for Episode 7.

Here’s a look inside of Steeples’ R2-D2. 🙂

star wars



Also according to The Wrap:

R2-D2 has closed a deal to appear in J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: Episode VII,” an individual familiar with Bad Robot’s Twitter account has told TheWrap.

D2 had been holding out for the same star perks as returning cast members Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, but now that negotiations have concluded, director Abrams and producer Kathleen Kennedy have welcomed back the veteran Astromech droid with open arms.

I see many comments about fans wanting Kenny Baker to reprise his role. It would be really great but don’t forget that Keny is almost 80 and playing inside a tin box is not one of the easiest tasks. So I’m not sure about that.

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Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.Born on April 24, 1980.

50 thoughts on “Update! First Behind the Scenes Image from Star Wars: Episode 7. R2-D2 is Back!

  • November 14, 2013 at 10:56 pm
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    NIIIIICCEEE!!! First Mofo’s!

    • November 15, 2013 at 9:35 am
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      what is mofo’s?

  • November 14, 2013 at 11:05 pm
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    Finally, the project seems “real” now that we have a picture of people working…

    • November 15, 2013 at 3:13 am
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      Wasn’t his performance mostly done in so-called practical effects in the prequels?

    • November 15, 2013 at 2:17 pm
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      Abrams has told us before that he wants to, as much as he can, bring back those lost elements from the OT like model effects, puppeteering and so on. That’s his idea of “innovation”; bringing a familiar to some, but new to others kind of vibe to the screen that everyone can enjoy. He’s really focusing in on the artistic side of these movies.

  • November 14, 2013 at 11:46 pm
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    It almost looks like they might have “whited out” some things in the upper left quadrant of the image, over the work benches.

    • November 14, 2013 at 11:57 pm
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      lmao pretty sure that’s lighting mate

    • November 15, 2013 at 12:11 am
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      Yeah, there’s no doubt the bulk of it looks overexposed due to the lighting, but there’s a few areas where it looks like they may have dabbed a few white spots in too.

      Look closely at the guy sitting in between JJ, and the dude to his right. Now look just over his head. Looks like someone went in there with a white paint brush in photoshop and painted something just to the left of his head.

  • November 15, 2013 at 12:01 am
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    WAIT WAIT. I’ve always just kind of presumed R2-D2 and C3PO would be coming back. But is this actually proof ?! Well for R2 at least, but what is R2 without 3PO?!

    • November 15, 2013 at 12:17 am
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      Mr.Lucas himself has said many times: the story is told from the robots point of view, (c3p0/r2d2) it is a multigenerational saga & we will follow the skywalker family, but the only ones being present in all movies/trilogies & being the “glue” so to speak; is the two robots, so I am pretty sure we will see them , regardless if the “big 3” will return (although i REALLY hope they will) PS. they would never have one of them without the other, either we will see both or none… They are kind of like the “Laurel & Hardy” of the Star Wars universe 🙂

    • November 15, 2013 at 12:23 am
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      ..um yes, this is exactly my point. I’ve always PRESUMED they would be, based on simple logic and assumptions, I just wonder if this is the confirmation we needed

  • November 15, 2013 at 12:08 am
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    On ‘The Replica Prop Forum’ Replica Astromech maker ‘R2Dan’ posted about the Twitter photo:
    “That’s a fanmade R2 – Oliver Steeples is in the pic and this is his droid. An R2 builders council member and a top guy, I might add. I sent him a quick message, here’s what he replied:
    “Oh that. Me and jj hanging out you mean. They wanted some reference r2 stuff and jj wanted his photo taken, was very lucky”

    Whatever that means… will try and squeeze some more info out of him”
    http://www.therpf.com/f47/star-wars-episode-vii-164999/index211.html#post3113566

  • November 15, 2013 at 2:26 am
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    yes11

  • November 15, 2013 at 6:29 am
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    Why isn’t Kennedy facing the camera?

  • November 15, 2013 at 9:12 am
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    Probably because she thought she wasn’t in shot.

  • November 15, 2013 at 9:16 am
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    Kathleen Kennedy is one hot MILF for sure.

    • November 16, 2013 at 4:36 pm
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      Looks like me is not the only one thinkin the same, ay?

  • November 15, 2013 at 10:11 am
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    Umm…….is that a flannel JJ?

    So it looks like R2-D2 is the 1st confirmed cast member to return to Episode 7

    Hope that means Disney hired Kenny Baker!

    • November 15, 2013 at 10:50 am
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      Kenny is almost 80. It won’t be an easy task.

    • November 15, 2013 at 12:05 pm
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      Yes true. But…….it’s not like he’d be doing more than a few close up shots.

      Baker & Mayhew…….

      We all know that people will complain if they don’t!

      Disney will hopefully hire the just to add their names to the cast, for old time’s sake you know : )

      Just my opinion, but I hope they do.

  • November 15, 2013 at 10:46 am
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    Just curious… why did they have a fan bring in his home-made R2-D2? I mean you would think they would have tons of old units from the previous movies, right? Surely Lucasfilm didn’t destroy all of their R2 models after filming… Kind of baffling to me… And I would say R2 more so than some other props / costumes since it’s one of the smaller ones and more easily marketable and portable… You would think the director of the new Star Wars movie might have access to some official shit…

    • November 15, 2013 at 10:49 am
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      Unless this guy (the fan) is just really good at what he does and has actually brought something new to the table as far as what he can do with his R2 unit as far as functionality… That I could see.. otherwise I don’t get it…

    • November 15, 2013 at 12:26 pm
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      Maybe Disney, Lucasfilm & JJ want include the fans on certain levels?

    • November 15, 2013 at 4:36 pm
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      Some of these guys are very good model builders. IIRC they’ve collectively pooled their knowledge over the years, spoken to the original LucasFilm/ILM effects guys, and have gotten a pretty good idea of how the original props were built. Why employ a ‘professional’ prop builder to make an approximation, when you’ve got a bunch of guys who have done it already?

  • November 15, 2013 at 12:46 pm
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    I’m not sure how I would feel about Kenny Baker returning. Mark, Carrie and Harrison are all able to come back. Similarly with Peter Mayhew for Chewbacca because of his height, eyes, and specific mannerisms to that character. and Antony Daniels for c3po, his voice and mannerisms etc etc. But it’s not like Kenny is hugely important for R2 and his age would be a big issue compared to the others. The only thing that makes me want Kenny to return is so that he doesn’t feel upset. Hopefully he at least comes down to the production studio to give tips to whoever controls the movements.

    • November 15, 2013 at 5:22 pm
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      Yeah, put Billy D in the R2D2 model.

    • November 15, 2013 at 5:53 pm
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      Why would anyone be offended if Kenny Baker is asked to come back as R2? Christ!!!

  • November 15, 2013 at 5:10 pm
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    When I first saw the picture I though what a spoiler, R2 is squeeky clean and new. Glad to read that the particular R2 is not actually a current movie prop. Just think we are on the verge spoiler territory to begin gaining momentum. I hope most of what is to be remains under lock and key.

  • November 15, 2013 at 5:23 pm
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    I really don’t think there’s anything to this photo. It’s probably somethink like: “Hey, this guy made a terrific R2D2 model, can you meet him and take a photo?”

    • November 17, 2013 at 6:44 pm
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      that’s exactly it

    • November 19, 2013 at 10:34 pm
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      I posted the OP. Looks like I was wrong. The update is the guys that made that R2 unit are going to be working on the movie! Great for those guys!

  • November 15, 2013 at 6:34 pm
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    “I’m not sure how I would feel about Kenny Baker returning.

    GET A LIFE!!!

  • November 15, 2013 at 7:29 pm
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    Really there’s people out there that don’t know how they feel about Kenny Baker coming back?…….

    I would hope he would. If he doesn’t, so be it…….but even George Lucas paid his salary for Episodes 1-3. Even though Kenny only did a few of the close ups.

    Peter Mayhew walks with a cane, his performance will be limited at best. Does that mean we totally write him off as Chewy and hire someone who will in any event only be able to “mimic” only so much of the character? In my opinion, NO!

    Yes, I do realize, at their age their performances will be only so much. NEVERTHELESS…….

    The reason Kenny was put inside of R2-D2, and it is one of the reasons why Artoo is such a loved character. Is because George Lucas wanted someone to bring the character to life. By putting Kenny inside, it added a lot of character to Artoo.

    Kenny Baker is R2-D2!

    If you bring back Hamill, Fisher, Ford, Mayhew, Williams & Daniels (hopefully Lawson is asked back as well :)), then Disney should at least ask Kenny in my opinion.

    May the Force be with you all…….always!

    • November 15, 2013 at 8:50 pm
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      Wouldn’t it make sense for a much older Chewey to walk with some sort of external support? Isn’t it normal for an elder Wookiee to have a walkingstick of some sort? I think it’d make sense, but only if Mayhew is willing to even play the part anymore. And I agree, The least they could do is ask if Kenny wants to play the part. I sure he’s aware of his own physical boundaries at his age.

    • November 15, 2013 at 9:04 pm
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      Dude, Chewy with a walking stick…….that is so a good idea!

    • November 15, 2013 at 9:16 pm
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      Not sure if you’re serious or not…
      I don’t think it’d be a bad thing to include since the movie is supposed to take place decades after ROTJ, when he’s already an older Wookiee as it is.

    • November 16, 2013 at 12:57 am
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      I’m serious. Your right and remember that in ANH he’s already 200 years old. So your idea makes perfect sense.

  • November 15, 2013 at 7:44 pm
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    What’s this I hear about Abrams not speaking with Hamill about coming back for episode VII? I thought they were already on good terms about his role?

    • November 15, 2013 at 8:28 pm
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      I heard that today as well…….I’m hoping that’s just some kind of misdirection.

    • November 15, 2013 at 8:46 pm
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      Yeah, that’s a good way for Abrams to lose a lot of his audience’s interest, unless he makes up for it in a huge way, somehow.

    • November 15, 2013 at 8:48 pm
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      But, in reality, nothing he could possibly do would really make up for it.

    • November 17, 2013 at 4:37 pm
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      What’s going on…, first Lucas said the big 3 are returning and now this?

      Could this means the ST will take place hundreds of years into the future instead of some 40 years?

      Anyway, if that is the case. I hope Hamil will appear in Indy 5!

  • November 18, 2013 at 12:25 pm
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    I love the fact JJ has a plait shirt on as well !

  • November 18, 2013 at 12:26 pm
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    I love the fact JJ has a plait shirt on as well !

  • November 19, 2013 at 10:26 pm
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    Star wars will kill all movies in 2015 and will be highest grossing movie of the year and may be even highest grossing movie of all time. Star Wars won’t be just entertaining like marvels and DC films! Expect a lot of mythology in it with master of mythology and best sci fi creator JJ Abrams(more mythology than in original trilogy) and great new characters with SW original writer like Lawrence Kasdan! This will be best sci fi movie of the decade. I want to see kings of the Sith species & sith kingdom( homeworld- Korriban) will be insane! Star Wars never show us that. If darth vedar is there even for one second will be best news ever. More sith lords like darth vader/darth maul(they are fan favorite of all time)! And female sith lord sound outstanding cool!!! I hope they create one as darth malgus(really like his face costume etc) and may be one new hot sith with mask helm etc. Like raven.I want the humour, great story, the mythology, war, evil and good, and the magic that made up star wars. The war between Sith and Jedi is amazing and what makes Star Wars greatest sci fi franchise of all time.NO politics.

    A bearded Hamill, training new jedi & to see Leia as a jedi also.

    I want too see an original story, something NEW, not anything from the EU (although i don´t care if the borrow names from it)

    Hopefully familiar design from original trilogy on vehicles etc. .. Hopefully forceghosts: Obi Wan, Qui Gon, Anakin & YODA (as a puppet) & as many as possible from the orginal cast, to see what has happened to their lives.

    & i want lightsaber duels with some new lightsaber colours and lightsaber models.

    & finally i would very much like to see Warwick Davis in many roles & maybe wicket decides to leave endor & travel in space with the crew of millennium falcon? & yes, as much screentime as possible for siths, jedi & new wookie!!!

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