This was posted at Slashdot. According to this article at IMDb, George Lucas has decided to convert R2D2 to a computer-generated character for episode 2, firing the actor who previously played him.
For those of us who held out hope that episode 1 was an isolated incident, I think it's time to give up and write off the modern-day SW franchise completely. Apparently, George Lucas has simply become a demented lunatic, and needn't be paid any mind any longer...
------------------ "It's like the Star of David or something. But without the whole Judaism thing." -Frank Gerratana, 17-Aug-2000
[This message has been edited by TSN (edited August 29, 2000).]
posted
I don't see why Kenny Baker is famous, or should be considered 'THE' R2D2.
He was a guy in a can.
IN. A. CAN.
How does that bring fame? I can't imagine why anybody would want his autograph or care if he's in the new prequel, because he. was. in. a. can.
------------------ "What happens if a big asteroid hits the Earth? Judging from realistic simulations involving a sledge hammer and a common laboratory frog, we can assume it will be pretty bad." - Dave Barry
posted
This could probably go in the Star Wars forum, but I'm not going to move it just yet, as the Lounge has only two threads with new posts today, and I don't want one of them to move away. Maybe tommorrow.
No, the man is not seeking fame. That's for sure. He's probably a struggling actor looking for work and wants a pay check. And if it involves walking around in a can, so be it.
You have to remember people aren't out in this grizzled world seeking fame or prominance; but a paycheck. It's that simple. It's Freudian subconsciousness even.
You could relate this situation to the "machine replaces man" argument. People are continually being being put out of jobs because a machine can do the same work for no pay. Whether it was the shoe maker back at the beginning of the industrial revolution, or Kenny Baker, people do not like losing their jobs to technology.
quote:screw quality, let's make it bring us money...
No matter what Voyager has done to lower itself in Trekdom, it is still furlongs ahead of Star Wars.
And Voyager is certainly not the embodiment of a profit cash cow. All of modern Star Trek combined is not the embodiment of a cash cow. Something as mindless as Survivoris the embodiment of a cash cow.
------------------ -Small Computer Systems Interface "Scuzzy" Emperor
Operator of the Goulag Hotel, maintainer of the workhouses.
"Woman is deprived of rights from lack of education, and the lack of education results from the absence of rights. We must not forget that the subjection of women is so complete, and dates from such distant ages, that we are often unwilling to recognize the gulf that separates them from us."
Tolstoy, on a more objective note.
[This message has been edited by SCSImperium (edited August 30, 2000).]
I really have no idea how switching R2D2 to CGI would achieve anything other than raising costs and adding a few shots to the movie where the thing will, despite ILM's best efforts, look CGIish. I looks like Lucas is trying to be all modern(tm) again to the detriment of quality filmaking and to the detriment of a poor starving actor who's being playing bit parts as a dwarf actor for thirty years on and off...
------------------ "...I was just up in Canada, Toronto actually. You know, they really hate you guys [Americans] up there? The funny thing is, they think you hate them back, when in fact, you just couldn't be bothered to care. Now in Ireland, it's a different story. At least we had the common decency to wait until the English invaded before we started hating them. I guess the Canadians are hating you in advance..." -Irish Comic Ed Byrne on Canada-US relations
"Woman is deprived of rights from lack of education, and the lack of education results from the absence of rights. We must not forget that the subjection of women is so complete, and dates from such distant ages, that we are often unwilling to recognize the gulf that separates them from us."
Tolstoy, on a more objective note.
[This message has been edited by SCSImperium (edited September 01, 2000).]
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