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Kenny Baker Will Be In Ep2

linderdm writes: "It looks like, once again, we have been subject to misinformation concerning Episode II. According to the Official Star Wars Web site, Kenny Baker will indeed be returning to act in Episode II, making him and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), the only two actors to appear in all of the Star Wars movies to date." Good to hear that the old bit was just a nasty rumor.

126 comments

  1. Re:Jedi Mind Trick by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    This isn't about the "Media" manipulating Slashdot this is about Slashdot not researching any story. They just heard that he wasn't going to be shooting in Australia. Slashdot jumped to the conclusion that he wasn't in it at all.

  2. Re:*Subject* to misinformation is not an excuse... by vulgrin · · Score: 1

    Actually, quite a few "real" news organizations DID print that he was ousted. Just another point that the media is quite full of flaws and mis-truths.

    Perhaps posters should check "THEIR" facts before replying.

    Vulgrin the MAD

    --
    I sig, therefore I am.
  3. One generation? by xonix7 · · Score: 1

    The dark ages didn't come about in one generation. It took a lot longer than that. Say Vader was 40 or 50 in IV. Anakin Skywalker was 10 in I. It does NOT make sense for such rapid de-generation.

    --
    Everything is but a number spoken by itself.
    1. Re:One generation? by Chris+Hind · · Score: 2

      As I see it, it works like this: you're making a 6-part film about Vietnam. Parts 4, 5 and 6 are set in the jungle. Lots of fighting, not any particularly high-tech stuff on show (especially on the rebel's side). Everything that is on show looks battle-worn and knackered.

      Then you make part 1, going back 30 years to look at the politics behind the fight. Hey presto, you're in the 1930's, where technology is less advanced BUT everything looks nicer and the story takes place in the centre of some major cities rather than in some southeast Asian jungle.

      Kinda makes WWII the Clone Wars, doesn't it?

      --
      nal 11
    2. Re:One generation? by SquadBoy · · Score: 1

      This assumes that just because for the past 100 years or so things have been moving forward that they always have and always will yes one generation is a bit fast but then again it is fiction. Also in your example this is a rebel force that has been at war for several years and is getting almost everything second hand in any case. Now in EP1 you have two rather well funded governments going at it (and they have not seen much action on either side) of course things are going to look better. Also suspend disbelief for a moment on the rate of decline. I could come up with several scenarios that would account for it in 30 to 40 years extreme depression, ongoing war for most of that time, and new research being shut down put them all together and it would do it. Now go back about 150 years in our own history. Think about what things were like now go back 200 years from now and think about what things where like. Now think about oh say London 200 years ago now think about say Vietnam 150 years ago. Which is going to seem more advanced? This rapid and almost worldwide movement forward that we have at the moment is *very* unusual in history.

      --

      Cypherpunks: Civil Liberty Through Complex Mathematics. Those who live by the sword die by the arrow.
  4. Re:The nature of the rumors is the most interestin by Enoch+Root · · Score: 3
    To paraphrase Commander Rick from Prisonners of Gravity (although he was speaking of Star Trek, it still applies):

    "The old Star Wars movies were made despite the System. The new movies are made by the System."

  5. Oh my God... by Mtgman · · Score: 5

    They've resurrected Kenny! You bastards!

    Steven
    --

    --
    -- I have marked myself unwilling to moderate-- I don't have other accounts to artificially inflate the karma of
  6. Wow! by xonix7 · · Score: 1

    but he will be shot at one or all of the other locations.

    Sheesh! I didn't think he was THAT bad. Certainly not bad enough to get shot.

    --
    Everything is but a number spoken by itself.
  7. Re:Karma recipe: Star Wars edition by Enoch+Root · · Score: 2
    Doh! Forgot to plug a Nathalie Portman joke in there. Time for coffee...

    Incidentally, I expect hiding for 2000 years hasn't done wonders for your skin tone and nubile appeal? Or did you survive by being *gasp* naked and petrified?

  8. Rumors by RJack-45 · · Score: 1

    Wow... I gotta stop telling people about stuff I read on Slashdot.

  9. These aren't the rumors... by Tyrannosaurus · · Score: 5
    These aren't the rumors you're looking for.

    These aren't the rumors we're looking for

    You can go about your business

    You can go about your business

    Move along.

    Move along.

    ---

    --

    ---
    Gort! Klatu Barata Nikto!
  10. one more... by latro · · Score: 1


    Q

    (until he passed away)

    (and I'm not talking about Star Trek)

    -------

    --

    -------

    "It was people! People soiled our green!"
  11. Re:Down with the CGI! by NecroPuppy · · Score: 1

    Ahh.. Another anonymous moron.

    CGI has progressed to the point where a 'virtual' person can be added to a motion picture, and you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference between them and the 'real' people.

    The 'unnaturalness' refered to is probably because the movement of such a virtual person is generally too smooth, and you're left sitting there wondering what it is that isn't quite right about the character.

    NecroPuppy

    --
    I like you, Stuart. You're not like everyone else, here, at Slashdot.
  12. Re:R2-D2 written in Perl by meaple · · Score: 1

    Perl is not exclusively Linux. Check the site they have it for Windoze and others

  13. Both of these articles are correct by Plutor · · Score: 1

    Kenny Baker will be in Ep2, but then again so will a CGI R2D2. Kenny Baker has been quoted as saying "Of course I am disappointed. I missed the chance to go to Australia with the cast. I'm not in the movie to the extent I was expecting and no one has really explained to me why... George Lucas always told me that R2D2 really came alive when I was inside him. If they don't use human beings these movies are in danger of looking like Disney cartoons... The progress in digital and computer technology has been frightening. It was light years on from when I was in the first Star Wars movie." (from Cinescape). He will be in it, but not as much as in Ep1, and certainly not as much as in the Original Trilogy.

  14. Adolf Lucas by akikage · · Score: 1

    As much as we love George, it's a messed up, disfunctional affair. He's become the geek dictator, at once a man thinking himself to be both like us and above us where he can look down with contempt. Look at the tone of the answer to this question posed to Rick McCallum, a producer on the film:

    Q: Is it true that George Lucas has been consulting with some fans who have web sites to get help with writing Episode II?

    A: Absolutely not. How ridiculous. George has a very clear vision about the story of Star Wars that he won't allow to be swayed by the whims of the Internet, the media, critics or anyone. The Internet rumors this time around are possibly even more funny and off base than they were for the first film.


    Actually give his audience what it wants to see? Hell no! Don't be stupid. What could they, the people paying to see his silly films, possibly know about what those films should be like? They'll line up days in advance to buy tickets regardless of how many Jar Jars we put in the next one.

    -Akikage

  15. Re:More from the George Lucas rumor mill by AbbyNormal · · Score: 1

    Yes...and he's rewarded a 4 Insightful for his "hard" effort at fabrication of a story. The old saying "if the world were fair, we'd all be dead".

    --
    Sig it.
  16. Re:When did Kenny appear in Episode 1? by uhlmann · · Score: 2

    You definitely watched Episode I too seldom ;-)
    Secenes featuring R2D2 can be found here.
    Behind the scenes photos showing Kenny Baker at the Episode I set are here and there.

  17. Re:More from the George Lucas rumor mill by the_tsi · · Score: 2

    It's all part of my "Beatles Theory," which goes something like: If the three remaining members of the Beatles gathered to record an album and instead produced 60 minutes of their bowel movements, it would *still* go platinum and *still* win them Grammy awards. That being said, even if George Lucas edits together the cutting-room-floor pieces of THX-1138 (the first one, not the one that was "released"), and named it "Star Wars Episode Two," he'd have a bajillion people in line to see it for the first two months.

    I admit, I was there in line for Episode 1 (which I've since convinced myself doesn't exist), but I've come to realize that not only has Lucas grown up (a painful surprise) but he's sold out just like Spielberg and Ford. Which makes me REALLY worry about any new Indiana Jones movie, despite any rumors I hear about it.

    -Chris

  18. Re:R2-D2 written in Perl by qqaz · · Score: 1

    I only said that Perl runs on Linux.

    --
    sup :cool:
  19. Re:Jedi Mind Trick (OT) by Golias · · Score: 1
    This reminds me of things like Ford covering up problems with the Pinto and their tires.

    Cute.

    Ford's actions concerning the Pinto (back in the 70's) was utterly reprehensible. You will get no argument from me there.

    However, the way they handled this recent Firestone problem is more open and ethical than I've seen from any company in a long time!

    For those who are not up on the news... A recent Firestone tire has a flaw: if it heats up above 175 F (which is sometimes possible in southern states during the summer), ka-blooie. Ford uses that tire on their Explorer trucks. Although there have been no cases reported of accidents caused by this flaw, Ford and Firestone immediately put out a recall. The CEO of Ford has also bought up a shitload of prime-time TV spots to announce the recall, and they have committed millions to getting these tires replaced as fast as possible.

    I still think the Ford Explorer is a total piece of crap, no matter what tires are on it, but I gotta give props to both Firestone and Ford for going far beyond what was simply legally required of them.

    --

    Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

  20. Re:Truth somewhere in the middle? by SoulForSale · · Score: 1

    There was this episode in which Micky's height did play an important role: Kramer and Micky had a job as body doubles for a TV series, with Micky doubling a young boy. The boy has grown taller. Micky resorts to using 'special' shoes.

    This seems to be a tabu among short people. A big no-no.

    So, a female short person is attracted to Micky ("there's something new about you") but Micky's nemesis finds out about the footwear, spills the beans, and Micky loses big time. He's now a pariah.

    A good episode.

  21. Re:The supporting cast by Vuarnet · · Score: 1

    Actually, I prefer the guy that hides behind the doors and goes "WOOOOSH..." everytime he opens and closes them.

    Man, its 400 years into the future and Labor Unions still are in control!

    --
    Tongue-tied and twisted, just an earth-bound misfit, I
    Learning to fly, Pink Floyd.
  22. Re:Rumors and comments on Episode 1 by cameloid · · Score: 1

    I was seven when Star Wars came out. It was cool then, it's cooler now; mostly because I can comprehend the storyline better as an adult.

    --
    -- Cisk for the Cisk God
  23. Perfect Storm? by stubob · · Score: 1

    ...they live? I take it you haven't seen the movie, read the book or know anything about the true story that the book is based on. And what does CGI have to do with no plot? I understand your point that CGI can be used as a replacement for a good story, but with the level of crap put out these days with and without flashy graphic effects, I don't think that's a fair comparison. A bad movie is going to be bad no matter how much money the studio throws at it (Godzilla). Oh, and "The Matrix" has relatively simple computer graphic effects. Most of the more spectacular effects are camera tricks or ropes and pulleys. I'll defend CGI and say it can bring more variety to film than without. I'm waiting for FFVII:The Movie to come out.

    -----

    --
    Planning to be moderated ± 1: Bad Pun.
    1. Re:Perfect Storm? by AbbyNormal · · Score: 1

      Right. Ropes and Pulleys for the "Matrix". Simple effects? What about when they are IN the Matrix? Flight scenes? Robot Harvesting scene...Buggin device scene. Uh. I don't think you've seen "the Matrix." And please...the Perfect Storm HAD no plot (seen the film)..ZzzzzzzzZzz. George Clooney couldn't act his way onto Sesame Street.

      --
      Sig it.
  24. Re:Jedi Mind Trick (OT) by Golias · · Score: 1
    I was incorrect... so are you, though. Here's what a little googling through news sites produced:

    175F surface temp is not easy to accomplish north of the Mason-Dixon line. Nearly every documented case of tread separation has happened in the south. It ususally has to get over 100 degrees outside for this to happen.

    The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found out about the problem on Aug 3, and by Aug 9 Firestone had issues a recall on all 6.5 Million tires, even though there is evidence that some of the recalled models do not even have the defect in question. Confirmation from the NHTSA of 62 fatalities related to tire blow-outs (the vast majority of which were in Florida, Texas, and California) came on Aug 15.

    While making the tire was definately a f*-up, it reflects well on Firestone that they addressed it right away instead of trying to fight it and suppress it. I'm sure they had lawyers telling them that they could have disputed the claims.

    --

    Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

  25. Spelling blah blah by Stavr0 · · Score: 1

    Excuse the spelling, I am a product of the Canadian education system
    ---

  26. The way things are going... by Kid+Zero · · Score: 1

    I'll wait until the movie comes out on Videotape and watch it.
    -----------------------------
    1,2,3,4 Moderation has to Go!

  27. Slashdot readers do it again... by SEE · · Score: 3

    Tom of Tom's Hardware writes a critical review of the 1.13 gigahertz Pentium III, and posters claim that there's no problem ("no other reviewers detected it") and slam Tom for anti-Intel bias. Tom is then proven right with an Intel recall, and Tom gets slammed with a "he might have been right, but he's biased anyway".

    George Lucas is denounced for cutting Kenny Baker out of Episode 2, and a whole series of posts come out denouncing Lucas. Then it is announced that Lucas isn't doing that, and it is touted as proof that Lucas is as evil as the previous denunciations said.

    Now, I'm not saying Tom isn't biased, or that Lucas isn't evil. But it does seem that there are people who are awfully eager to denounce others at the drop of a hat, and who don't have enough courage to admit that they were wrong...

    Steven E. Ehrbar

  28. Dammit Slashdot by AbbyNormal · · Score: 2

    let this be a lesson to you! Next time when checking for valid information...USE THE FORCE!

    --
    Sig it.
  29. Re:Slashdot news by Mike+Buddha · · Score: 2
    Slashdot Discussion Process:

    You forgot:

    • Post long-winded, self-righteous comments slamming the Slashdot process, as though it were a subscription news service with some quality guarantee (rather than what it really is and has always purported to be: a DISCUSSION group with topics of interest appealing to Nerds) in a lame, sarcastic attempt at pseudo-intellectual humor.

    and,

    • Post terse, smart-ass, acidic comments poking fun at other peoples ego-inflated posts.

    --
    by Mike Buddha -- Someday the mountain might get him, but the law never will.
  30. Re:More from the Slashdot rumor mill by ChristTrekker · · Score: 1

    I think it's just another case of, "/. reported it, it must be true!" Nothing new to see here, move along.

    OTOH, if this was George's doing, he's quite good at it. Kenny and Anthony are all that remain of the "good ol' days" of SW. George knows what SW fans would respond to.

  31. Shame by Vanders · · Score: 4

    I'm actually quiet upset that Mr Lucas has choosen to go with Kenny after all. I mean, when i heard that he had done the sensible thing, and gone with CGI, i was really looking forward to EP:2. After, all, if it was anything as good as EP:1, it's going to be briliant!

    George Lucas should reconsider his decision not to use CGI for R2D2. It's not fair to abuse Kenny any farther by forcing him into that tiny costume to play a robot any more, when CGI can deliver the results much cheaper, and create a far more realistic looking robot than a costum ever could.

    Oh well, i can only hope George comes to his senses.

    1. Re:Shame by cecil36 · · Score: 1

      You missed the point. If Kenny Baker appeared in the Star Wars films to date as R2D2, he must have some pleasure in rolling himself around in that costume.

    2. Re:Shame by NeuroManson · · Score: 1

      Ummmm... Do you know how much Kenny Baker gets paid to wear that "little costume"? A hell of a lot more than you or I make in a year, per day at the least... After all, he's essentially been in almost every George Lucas film to date, short of THX 1138 and American Graffitti... He wouldn't be in the flicks and costumes unless it was well worth his while... Hell, there's people out there who're willing to wear stupid gorilla costumes just to hand out fliers for the local car dealership for minimum wage... If it was me, I'd be envious of Kenny Baker because he's small enough in stature to wear a robot costume and get paid massive amounts of money...

      --
      Just because you can mod me down, doesn't mean you're right. Shoes for industry!
    3. Re:Shame by excesspwr · · Score: 1

      I wholeheartedly agree with you (sarcasm incase you couldn't tell) the CGI in EP:1 was used brilliantly i.e. Jar Jar Binks. Why without the annnoyance of Jar Jar in the movie what would I have done...oh wait I know...been annoyed with the horrible acting from the young Anakin!

  32. What ??? by Augusto · · Score: 1

    What do you mean "the way things are going ..." ?

    Did you already read the script ??? LOL

    And thanks, one less person to crowd the line !

    --

    - sigs are for wimps.
  33. Renting over the web by quecom · · Score: 1

    I have a fast internet connection, I wish there was some way that I could rent videos and view them over the internet.

    Anyone know of a website that does this?

    --

    1. Re:Renting over the web by zombieking · · Score: 1

      I don't know of any sites that you could rent movies on line, but if you like classic B-movies (they have the original Night of the Living Dead in streaming video in it's entirety), go to movieflix.com. If you like independent films, try atomfilms.com. They have some pretty funny stuff there. Both sites are free.

      --

      -----
      "The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." - Salvador Dali (1904-1989)
  34. Re:Constants in the Saga. by Nata!ie+Portman · · Score: 1

    he will end up with a finished Saga that just doesn't fit together well. Georgy told me he will keep re-editing parts 4-6 so that it all fits together smoothly. At least that what it sounded like, he was moaning and wriggling at the time. I had to pay for the casting in Indy IV somehow.

  35. The supporting cast by viktor · · Score: 1
    Why is it always the supporting cast that is most persistent?

    After all, the only actor to appear in as good as every Star Trek episode of every Star Trek series is Majel Barret (sp?) who "plays" the computer voice. :-)

  36. Misreported by Calixtus · · Score: 2

    I had a feeling this was being misreported when I read the original story, which featured this quote from Baker: "I'm not in the movie to the extent I was expecting and no one has really explained to me why..." Baker's statement implies that he knows he will be in *some* of Episode II but not as much as he would like. It wouldn't surprise me if someone just misheard or misinterpreted his statement at the beginning of all this. Likewise, the explanation on starwars.com, while not mentioning Baker's statement or the resultant confusion, has the answer between the lines: Baker will shoot his scenes when he "catches up with the Episode II production team in a few weeks" and that Kenny has always been "scheduled for a number of shots during the final week of shooting" - meaning he thought he was being left behind, and largely is, except for those few vital shots of R2 where his presence is required. At least that's what I gather.

  37. Re:More from the George Lucas rumor mill by SaiyajinTrunks · · Score: 1

    Sweeeeet! When shoud I start camping out to buy my opening-day ticket?

    P.S. what a poor, poor, little disgruntled troll.

    --


    "You point your finger at the moon, the fool stares at your finger."
  38. Re:More from the George Lucas rumor mill by Nata!ie+Portman · · Score: 1

    Hey, I'm the chick that lies all the time. On her back.

  39. Re:Truth somewhere in the middle? by gorilla · · Score: 2

    There are SOME good roles for short people. I don't recall any particular use of Danny Woodburn's height playing Micky Abbott on Seinfeld. He was just one of Kramer's friends.

  40. Re:Kenny might not make it for the third prequel by Stavr0 · · Score: 1

    (Score:2, Funny)
    I don't think it's funny lauging at shorter people.
    ---

  41. Slashdot news by maggard · · Score: 5
    Slashdot Editorial Process:
    1. Read the inbox for geek-interest press-releases or rumors
    2. Post highest hit-rate-potential press-releases or rumors as 'news'
    3. Ignore previous iterations of exact same or reasonably similar postings
    4. Editorialize upon said rumors - note comments need be only marginally relevant and may contradict source material
    5. When caught out in a particularly egregious mistake make an addendum or simply recycle the correction as a new item some hours or days later
    Slashdot Discussion Process:
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    • Attempt lame humor (it was funnier after a few hits in the dorm room)
    • Proudly state that you already invented this old chestnut yourself years ago but forgot to tell anyone or produce working code or finish all of the paperwork
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    --
    I don't read ACs: If a post isn't worth so much as a nom de plume to its author then I wont bother either.
    1. Re:Slashdot news by Eloquence · · Score: 1
      Of course you've forgotten:
      • rant & rave about Slashdot's editors, Slashdot's readers, Slashdot's moderators, "old news" "Karma whores" and "life, don't talk to me about life".

      --

    2. Re:Slashdot news by maggard · · Score: 2
      Oh, forgot:
      • What is - search engines confuse me!
      --
      I don't read ACs: If a post isn't worth so much as a nom de plume to its author then I wont bother either.
  42. original report mostly true by Cyberllama · · Score: 1

    From what I understand, George Lucas WILL be using the computer generated R2 for most of the movie. You'll notice this artcile mentions that Kenny would be scheduled for a "few shots". In other words, he is still playing second fiddle to the cgi one.

  43. Cynical by supabeast! · · Score: 1

    Call me jaded, but I just have a hard time believing that George Lucas gives a damn about anything but the cash after I saw how much merchandising he allowed Episode I to get wrapped up in. Then again, maybe there is still good in him, and he is trying to avoid falling to the dark side.

  44. false; I'm glad by jafac · · Score: 1

    I'm very glad that R2D2 is not going to be done with all-CGI in EP2, because, frankly, if EP1 CGI was state-of-the-art (I suspect it wasn't), then "the-art" isn't quite ready yet; some of the CGI in EP1 ranged from "not good enough" to "sucky".

    Some scenes that stand out in my mind as really bad; The announcer at the Pod Races: Cartoony in quality, totally bottomed-out my suspension of disbelief. . . The scene where queen Amidala's ship landed on Tatooine; the shadow cast on the ground looked like the drop-shadow filter from Alien Skin 2.1. . . The scene where the two Jedi sneak out of an air-duct into the landing bay of the trade-federation ship - can you say "poor understanding of physics"? While there was a lot of good stuff in this movie, there was also a lot of really, really bad stuff. Bad enough for me to think that the technolgy for CGI isn't quite ready to replace live actors for some time, even if the live actor is an R/C mockup. Sometimes, the old, tried-and-true methods are best.

    if it ain't broke, then fix it 'till it is!

    --

    These are my friends, See how they glisten. See this one shine, how he smiles in the light.
    1. Re:false; I'm glad by jafac · · Score: 1

      It wasn't necessarily the poor design of the characters (with NO thought at all to realism), nor was it the incredibly STUPID dialog - but the overall quality of the images was just too poor. The quality of the shading and animation, coupled with the unbelievability of the design concept, is what blew it more than anything else. The whole package was just stupid.

      if it ain't broke, then fix it 'till it is!

      --

      These are my friends, See how they glisten. See this one shine, how he smiles in the light.
    2. Re:false; I'm glad by SpryGuy · · Score: 1

      I have to agree with you completely on one point: That stupid two-headed pod-race announcer. More than Jar-Jar, that single character pained me more than anything else in the movie.

      Additionally, the pod racer who's 'pod' broke down and wouldn't start (along with Aniken's). He was way too cartoony too... not at ALL realistic. My suspension of disbelief (already taxed mightily, what with that whole 'traveling through the core' thing back on Naboo) napped and broke. Thankfully the REST of the scene was done very well (and Subulba was great)...

      Please, no CGI just for the sake of CGI. And no more cartoony crap. And no more 'exqueeze me', or accents that are stolen off this world. Either make them speak with a seriously new accent (see Yoda), or make them speak a new alien tongue (see any OTHER alien from any of the first three movies, dammit).

      - Spryguy

      --

      - Spryguy
      There are three kinds of people in this world: those that can count and those that can't
  45. Re:Argh! by (void*) · · Score: 1

    CGI = Computer Generated Imagery

  46. Troll? by Kid+Zero · · Score: 1

    I make a fucking JOKE and the Star Wars Movie and I get voted "troll"? Excuse me, but not everyone holds the opinion that the movie is "Holy" or something.
    -----------------------------
    1,2,3,4 Moderation has to Go!

    1. Re:Troll? by Augusto · · Score: 1

      Looks like some moderator doesn't like you :)

      --

      - sigs are for wimps.
  47. George would never leave Kenny! by zombieking · · Score: 1

    You see, I had a feeling that Lucas has a soft spot in his heart for Kenny. My original theory on this...


    I know I'm milking the same joke twice, and I know a jedi craves not these things. Consider it influence of the dark side of the Force... Or maybe it's Bert's fault.

    --

    -----
    "The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." - Salvador Dali (1904-1989)
  48. An actor? by Alternity · · Score: 2

    To say the thruth I always wondered why they used an actor for R2D2 anyway. Do you remember those nifty remote guided robots radioshack used to sell? WOuldn't that have done the job?? Seriously the only way Mr Baker is acting when playing R2D2 is by his movements which could have easily been reproduced by a guided robot. Anyway... just my opinion...

    --


    "If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear"
    1. Re:An actor? by lostcarpark · · Score: 1

      There have been a mixture of robotic and "live" R2s. Even in the first movie there were some simple robotics used. Generally, three-legged R2s are robots, while ones standing and doing stuff have Kenny inside. If you look closely, you can see tubes from the body into the legs for Kennys feet!

      While I agree they could do a lot with robotics, shots like the one of R2 stretching up to see into Yoda's hut would be difficult and would probably require a specially constructed R2 for each shot!

      I'm glad Kenny's in Ep2. I met him once and he's a very nice man.

      James
      --

      "I will crush you like a tiny ant"

    2. Re:An actor? by garethwi · · Score: 2

      Seriously the only way Mr Baker is acting when playing R2D2 is by his movements which could have easily been reproduced by a guided robot.

      I think there were some technical problems in getting a robot to act like a, erm, robot.

    3. Re:An actor? by Fishstick · · Score: 1

      Well, I thought I heard that while making the original movie Lucas did try something along these lines and it wasn't workable. Dunno if it would even make sense to do something like that at this point given the crap that flew into the fan about not using Kenny Baker in favor of CG R2. Seems like having Baker and Daniels still in the series is about the only thing Lucas has left to keep fans older than 11 happy.

      --

      There is much cruelty in the universe, John.
      Yeah, we seem to have the tour map.

    4. Re:An actor? by gorilla · · Score: 2
      In particular, in 1979 it wasn't possible to place a controller inside a R2D2 sized body. Therefore, it had to be radio controlled. However, interference meant that it was not reliable enough to do much more than scoot around from place enough.

      Most of the shots with a 2 wheel mode R2D2 in the earlier films are using a model, while most of the 3 wheel mode shots are with Baker inside.

    5. Re:An actor? by turd+ferguson · · Score: 1

      I think there were some technical problems in getting a robot to act like a, erm, robot.

      My understanding was that Kenny Baker is used mostly in the instances where R2D2 is acting like a human, such as when he bounces around and whistles to show excitement or unhappiness. In those cases, they had an R2 "suit" that KB got into and could put his feet just above where R2's wheels are. Especially towards the later movies, most of the shots where R2 drives around were remotes and just the closeups with human-like movements were done by Kenny Baker

    6. Re:An actor? by FortKnox · · Score: 1

      "The character of R2-D2 continues to play an important role and requires much more movement in Episode II." George Lucas said. "The robotics technology inside the Artoo models have advanced to the point where they can achieve most of the performance I need right along side the other actors. Still, there's an element of humanity to Artoo that comes from having Kenny Baker inside. We've always had Kenny scheduled for a number of shots during the final week of shooting at Elstree Studios."

      Lucas wants a bit of 'human' in R2D2. I think you are right and they should use a robot, but ever since Lucas came up with Midiclorians, I don't know whats going on in his head...


      -- "Almost everyone is an idiot. If you think I'm exaggerating, then you're one of them."

      --
      Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
  49. Down with the CGI! by pocketlint · · Score: 1

    Good to hear, I couldn't stand the way that CGI version of R2D2 moved about, it just didn't look natural.

  50. Re:Truth somewhere in the middle? by Quincunx42 · · Score: 1

    for example Jerry's discomfort at his (Jewish) dentist making Jewish jokes.

    That's becase Jerry is an anti-dentite!

  51. Re:Are you people nuts? This isn't news! by aphr0 · · Score: 1

    Mom isn't watching right now, timmy. You can use bad words.

  52. Slashdot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5

    News for Nerds. Stuff that is unverified.

    1. Re:Slashdot by ackthpt · · Score: 3

      News for Nerds. Stuff that is unverified.

      You make it sound like a bad thing! ;-)

      N00zPH145h:
      Sir Alec Guiness' was cloned before he died. The clone, named Skippy, will appear in Ep3 with the shocking revelation that he is [a legal gnome slips in and attempts to serve a C&D, but to his utter embarrassment realizes this isn't an Apple leak and slips back out again] Han Solo's father's cousin's mother's hyperdrive mechanic's valet's kid brother's best friend's lawn bowling partner! Needless to say, this comes as a stunner to everyone, including Natalie Portman Sources close the story claim George Lucas vigorously denied this claim, retorting, "The clone's name is not Skippy, it's Fred!"

      Vote Naked 2000

      --

      A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  53. Star Wars Rumors by fat_mike · · Score: 1

    Just about anything that ever comes out about the Star Wars movies is going to be a rumor. I don't think one rumor yet has been accurate. Look how many names were thrown around as a sure "lock" and "confirmed" to play Anakin. That is why sites like Dark Horizons CHECK THEIR FACTS.

    1. Re:Star Wars Rumors by talesout · · Score: 1

      I made a vow that if Leonardo Dickcrapio had gotten the part of Anakin I would have hired a hit man to take out Lucas (anyone that insane needs to be 'put down' like a rabid dog).

      You have no idea how happy I was to hear it was actually going to be someone else (anyone else).

      --


      Bite my yammer.
    2. Re:Star Wars Rumors by SpryGuy · · Score: 1

      Well, I heard about the midicholorians at least six months before Episode One premiered... so at least SOME of the rumors and leaks are generally true.

      I'm VERY glad THIS one isn't, however.

      - Spryguy

      --

      - Spryguy
      There are three kinds of people in this world: those that can count and those that can't
  54. Re:Jedi Mind Trick (OT) by Tower · · Score: 1

    True - it doesn't happen nearly as often, but if you try, it really isn't all that hard to get them that hot ;-) Certainly not within normal limits (speed, turning, etc)...

    I do think that Firestone acted as responsibly as they could in this situation, and I would applaud them for their actions. The defect seems limited to one plant during one stretch of time, but they did the 'right thing' by issuing the larger recall. Myself - I only buy Pirreli 8^)

    --

    --
    "It's tough to be bilingual when you get hit in the head."
  55. measuring geekiness in movies by jesterzog · · Score: 4

    making him and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), the only two actors to appear in all of the Star Wars movies to date."

    I guess you can really judge the geekiness of a movie when the only two guys that have a social life are a couple of robots. :)


    ===
  56. "Horrible acting" in STAR WARS by hyacinthus · · Score: 3

    Young Anakin was annoying at times, yes, but I don't think it's entirely just to blame this on the "horrible acting" of Jake Lloyd. (Aside: am I the only one who thinks of another child actor, Danny Lloyd, _alias_ "Danny Torrance" from Kubrick's THE SHINING, when I see Jake Lloyd? They even look a bit the same. And some might say that young Danny was every bit as annoying as young Ani.)

    It's fashionable too to scorn Mark Hamill for his horrible acting, especially in A NEW HOPE; but is this entirely Hamill's fault? He was quite good in another film which appeared a few years later, Sam Fuller's THE BIG RED ONE; but then Sam Fuller was a better director by far than Lucas.

    And this, I think, is the problem. To get good performances from actors, good direction helps, a lot. A good director can flog a decent performance out of a mediocre actor (consider Ray Liotta in Scorsese's GOODFELLAS, or Ryan O'Neal in Kubrick's BARRY LYNDON--they're good in those movies, and forgettable in almost anything else.)

    George Lucas, though...consider, for example, Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor in PHANTOM MENACE. Both have superb performances to their credits (e.g. SCHINDLER'S LIST for Neeson, TRAINSPOTTING for McGregor.) But, if you'd seen these actors for the first time in PHANTOM MENACE, would you have seen _anything_ which suggested that they had great talent? Hardly! I can only conjecture that so uninspiring was Lucas's direction that Neeson and McGregor didn't feel themselves called upon to expend more than the minimum effort needed to act out their parts.

    And now I'm remembering Hamill's words to the effect that if Lucas could make movies without actors, he would. I suspect that Lucas doesn't really know _how_ to direct actors, perhaps feels uncomfortable doing so; he'd rather play with computer graphics. It's not just the creation of fully animated characters like the androids or Jar Jar; if the IMDb is to be believed, Lucas also resorted to computerized "directing" (altering Natalie Portman's voice electronically, altering which way Jake Lloyd's eyes looked in a particular scene. And need I mention the alterations to the "Special Editions"?)

    I'm a little saddened. STAR WARS holds a special place in my heart, all the more so because I'm a latecomer to it (I first saw all three films, in their entirety, only upon the theatrical release of the Special Editions.) But THE PHANTOM MENACE left me with little hope for the second and third films. I'm pinning my big-budget fantasy-film dreams to Peter Jackson's LORD OF THE RINGS movies :]

    Hyacinthus

  57. Re:Somebody should by AntiNorm · · Score: 1

    overclock r2d2 to make him more interesting then c3po

    I can only wonder what a robot's version of "I am Cornholio" is....

    =================================

    --

    I pledge allegiance to the flag...
    of the Corporate States of America...
  58. The nature of the rumors is the most interesting by Enoch+Root · · Score: 3
    With rumors like that, regardless of whether they're true or not, the fascinating aspect is what makes it spread around like wildfire.

    Consider some of the rumors floating around before Episode 1: the one that stuck up the most was that Lucas considered using a digital version of Sir Alec Guinness to play the young Obi-Wan. The fact the rumor spread around meant that people were excited at the upcoming special effects and dreamed of wild innovations.

    Now, post-Episode 1, we get rumors that even R2D2 will receive an unwanted CGI facelift. This goes to show that people are now jaded of SW special effects, and fear the movies are losing their dimension of humanity.

    By extension, these rumors then expose the bias a particular news source. How often do you see positive rumors about Episode 2, lately? What about the comments themselves?

  59. Re:Slashdot should be changed from by vulgrin · · Score: 3

    I'm really confused about this whole "blacklash on slashdot" recently. People complaining that news items don't fit THEIR ideals for "news for nerds" or that Slashdot occasionally posts something that is wrong.

    First off, we "Nerds" are a pretty diverse group. Therefore your idea of "news" may not be the same as my idea of "news." If you are that pissed off about it, then DON'T READ THE TOPIC, let alone reply to it. It always amazes me how out of the way people go to make themselves and others around them miserable.

    Second, tell me if I'm wrong, but Slashdot is NOT an associated press. They produce news items based on submitted postings and interesting tidbits that they find. So if anyone is to blame on the content, blame yourselves. And if you don't go as far to submit a story to /. then don't complain about the content. If you want the content to be more "nerdy" then submit something. /. is NOT CNN, it is a COMMUNITY. I don't go to /. because I think they've checked all of the facts. (face it, even major world-wide news organizations cannot check their facts first, and if you think differently, why don't you try it out?)

    Of course, I'm being a hypocrite just by posting this, but I gotta vent my frustrations that have been building up for the past month. Sorry.

    Vulgrin the MAD

    --
    I sig, therefore I am.
  60. don't blame slashdot... by Jish · · Score: 2

    I believe the previous story came from imdb.com which is a pretty reliable and respected site. They are the one who had their information wrong and should be the ones to blame for stating rumor as fact... slashdot had no reason to assume they were wrong

    Josh

  61. Damnit Malda, You lied to us! by AFCArchvile · · Score: 1
    This is obviously another occurence of a situation that has happened all-too-often on Slashdot: The posting of false stories. Please, Rob, Hemos, timmy, JohnKatz (wherever you are), verify the source of the stories before you post it. If it's too good to be true, it probably is.

    Slashdot is supposed to be "News for Nerds, Stuff that matters," not this technical tabloid for all the linux gnomes out there, like we've been seeing for the last six months.

    --
    "Ancillary does not mean you get to rule the world." --U.S. Circuit Judge Harry Edwards, speaking to the FCC's lawyer
  62. Official Slashdot Screening Procedure by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1
    1. receive news from anonymous source
    2. post it
    3. read comments, fix broken URLs
    4. read comments, ignore "this is false", "wrong..bzzt", "here's proof this is wrong" type comments
    5. wait for non-anon source to refute article
    6. sit on it for a day or two
    7. post retraction
    8. rinse, repeat
    1. Re:Official Slashdot Screening Procedure by agentZ · · Score: 1
      The scary thing is that sounds like the Microsoft fix-it-with-a-patch mentality.

      I think James Thurbur worte a short story about something like this. I forget the name of it, but I remember the moral was: "Don't get it right, just get it written."

  63. Re:More from the George Lucas rumor mill by lucius · · Score: 1

    FUNNY

    Mod this up

  64. Constants in the Saga. by xonix7 · · Score: 1

    ever since Lucas came up with Midiclorians, I don't know whats going on in his head...

    I think you're right. I always imagined the Force as more of a spiritual than biological/chemical thing. Anyway, back to the subject at hand.

    I'm actually glad Kenny is going to be inside R2 again, it will give the Saga a greater measure consistency. With all the technological changes happening in the real world, the Star Wars universe will seem extremely lopsided. Think about it - a universe that was more advanced in Episode I, II and III than in Episode IV, V and VI? That doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense, so it would be wise to at least take the precaution of making some parts of the story consistant in effects, character personalities, etc.

    Unlike a lot of Star Wars viewers, I didn't think Episode I was bad. I liked it, and I liked Jar Jar too. So sue me. "Midichlorians" were the thing that partially messed up the scope of the movie, for me.

    So really, yes. Even if a robot would be more "Realistic", they should keep Kenny in the role just for the sake of a constant in the series. If Lucas loses touch with elements of the previous movies and goes off on a cinemalogical tangent, he will end up with a finished Saga that just doesn't fit together well. He should avoid that at all costs!

    --
    Everything is but a number spoken by itself.
    1. Re:Constants in the Saga. by SquadBoy · · Score: 1

      The idea of lostech is very common in SF Battletech and several other stories use it. The explanation given sometime in the early 90s was that the empire poured everything into repression and control and as a result things went backwards. Think Dark Ages if you need a Earth example many things were more advanced before that period. As a result of economics and politics a lot of things where lost.

      --

      Cypherpunks: Civil Liberty Through Complex Mathematics. Those who live by the sword die by the arrow.
  65. Are you people nuts? This isn't news! by DigitalDreg · · Score: 1

    Who the he** cares?!?

  66. Nothing has changed by shagrat · · Score: 1

    Kenny says in the original article "I'm not in the movie to the extent that I had hoped". The new article says that he "will be catching up with the crew in a few weeks'. Sounds like he isn't going to be in the film to the extent he had hoped.

  67. Truth somewhere in the middle? by jalefkowit · · Score: 5

    Judging from the story on starwars.com, it's not entirely clear whether Lucas is 100% disavowing this rumor or not. Take a close look at Lucas' exact words:

    "The robotics technology inside the Artoo models have advanced to the point where they can achieve most of the performance I need right along side the other actors. Still, there's an element of humanity to Artoo that comes from having Kenny Baker inside. We've always had Kenny scheduled for a number of shots during the final week of shooting at Elstree Studios."

    Lucas certainly isn't enthusiastically stating that only Kenny Baker can play R2D2. It sounds to me like Lucas is saying that most of the R2D2 shots can be done with robotic technology; he just wants Kenny to come in for a few specific shots that, for whatever reason, the robotics can't handle. (I'll leave speculation as to whether this is due to technical limitations or to avoid looking publicly like he was dumping Kenny Baker as an exercise for the reader.)

    Truth be told, for all the to-do about this story, my sentiments are mixed. While Baker made a great R2D2, Terry Gilliam makes a great point in his commentary track on the Criterion Collection DVD of Time Bandits , which Baker starred in. He says that it's a shame that actors like Baker are forced by their height to spend their lives playing robots and Ewoks, hidden under costume and makeup, rather than playing actual human beings who just happen to be shorter than most. Something worth thinking about while we all wring our hands over whether Kenny gets to spend a week in a robot suit.


    -- Jason A. Lefkowitz

    1. Re:Truth somewhere in the middle? by lostcarpark · · Score: 1

      Kenny was also in Amadeus, as an opera-singer of, er, diminished stature. Aparently he actually sung himself (as opposed to miming).

      --

      "I will crush you like a tiny ant"

    2. Re:Truth somewhere in the middle? by gorilla · · Score: 2

      I must have missed one, however, that sounds like an interesting exploration of short person culture, rather than an explotation of his height. Seinfeld did explore other aspects of culture, for example Jerry's discomfort at his (Jewish) dentist making Jewish jokes.

  68. Rumors and comments on Episode 1 by SuperJ · · Score: 1
    First of all, anyone who is familiar with Star Wars knows that they do an extremely thorough job of keeping things secret, and most rumors that are posted on various sites are largely untrue. The only true source of information is starwars.com or interviews with George Lucas or Rick Madsen.

    As far as Episode 1 goes, I'm sick and tired of hearing people trash it. People who didn't like Episode 1 are simply not true Star Wars fans. Their either:

    a)fringe fans who see Star Wars as infantile and finally have an excuse to bash it and distance themselves from it, or
    b)people who were 5 years old when the old ones came out and were expecting the same magic they felt then, now.

    Get a grip people! Seeing the new Episodes isn't going to be as magical as when you were 5 because you've grown up now and your tastes have changed. The same age group who liked Star Wars when it first came out is liking the new Episodes. I haven't talked to one person under 12 who didn't like Episode One. If you're just a fringe fan, bashing Star Wars doesn't make you look cool any more than liking it does. Star Wars came out before I was born, and I've only come to like in the past couple of years. I really liked Episode 1, even if Jar Jar was a little annoying. I think the people who bash Episode 1 wouldn't have been happy no matter what the movie had ended up like.

    --

    Sheepdot: Open Source good, Closed Source baaaaaaad!

    1. Re:Rumors and comments on Episode 1 by SuperJ · · Score: 1
      Yeah! The people that I'm talking about in the post are the people who were kids when it came out, and thought it was really really mind bogglingly cool (because they were kids and Star Wars blew their minds). Now these guys have grown up and they expect Episode 1 to be as mind boggling as Star Wars was when they were kids, but it just can't be. They just expected way too much out of this movie.

      On the other hand, I see little kids all the time that think Episode 1 was really cool, just like the little kids that liked the first three.

      --

      Sheepdot: Open Source good, Closed Source baaaaaaad!

  69. Argh! by slothbait · · Score: 1

    Why the heck do people keep calling special effects 'CGI' around here? What the heck does the 'I' stand for?

    CGI stands for "Common Gateway Interface", and is for web pages. CG stands for "Computer Graphics" and is for special effects.

    Has someone come up with some clever meaning for the "I" so that they can ignore the difference between the two acronyms?

    I'd feel like I'm nitpicking except that every post I've seen mentions "CGI".

    --Lenny

    1. Re:Argh! by erroneous · · Score: 1

      Computer Generated Image, oui?

      --
      erroneous: look me up in a dictionary
  70. Re:Slashdot should be changed from by j_snare · · Score: 1

    Actually, this is one of the most lucid posts I've ever read, I think.

  71. Dammit Slashdot by bfree · · Score: 3

    let this be a lesson to you! Next time when checking for valid information...USE THE SOURCE!
    And remind that Kurt the debian reviewer while your at it :-)

    --

    Never underestimate the dark side of the Source

  72. Slashdot "news" hits rock bottom by Jebus_Christ · · Score: 1

    Midget keeps job.

    Right that's it ... this place officially sucks.

  73. What misinformation? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1
    I don't see where this a correction or retraction of what was originally said:

    From the original IMDB article:
    [Baker] says, "Of course I am disappointed. I missed the chance to go to Australia with the cast. I'm not in the movie to the extent I was expecting and no one has really explained to me why..."

    From today's article at Starwars.com:
    Lucas said. "The robotics technology inside the Artoo models have advanced to the point where they can achieve most of the performance I need right along side the other actors. Still, there's an element of humanity to Artoo that comes from having Kenny Baker inside. We've always had Kenny scheduled for a number of shots during the final week of shooting at Elstree Studios."

    Nothing about these statements is mutally exclusive. Lucas' comments are only corrective for those that misread Baker's comments as meaning he wasn't going to be in Ep2 at all, which is clearly not what he said.

  74. That's a lot of makeup ... by JMZorko · · Score: 1

    My brother once told me of a movie entitled "The Legend of the Loch Ness Monster" or something like that. He then said that it starred Ted Danson.

    My immediate response was, "Wow, that's a LOT of makeup!" :-)

    Regards,

    John

    --
    Falling You - beautiful
  75. Thank the Maker! by cameloid · · Score: 1

    Kenny Baker's got balls of steel. Two of them.

    I think the best bit of Ep1 was when R2D2's chums were getting creamed on the stainless steel Royal Starship.

    --
    -- Cisk for the Cisk God
  76. Droids by Xenious · · Score: 1

    this is good. Wasn't the whole star wars saga supposed to be originally about the 2 droids (3po and r2)?

    --
    -Xen
  77. ep2 cast list by JEDi_ERiAN · · Score: 1

    this is strange though, when this story first ran on /., according to the cast list for episode 2, Kenny Baker was NOT on it. now after they announce that he will return, he is added? that's just odd. it could very well be that they didn't need kenny for the shooting in australia, but he will be shot at one or all of the other locations. either that, or lucas reads /.



    -

    --

    -
    This Post has been brought to you by the letter "E".
    1. Re:ep2 cast list by SpryGuy · · Score: 1

      He doesn't have to read /.

      I actually heard the same "he's not going to be in Ep II" story from several sources, including on the morning radio news.

      This is a rumor that a lot of people bit into...

      - Spryguy

      --

      - Spryguy
      There are three kinds of people in this world: those that can count and those that can't
  78. midgit by panic911 · · Score: 1

    that guy is funny looking

  79. Re:Are you people nuts? This isn't news! by panic911 · · Score: 1

    i do

  80. Robo World Cup by TeVi · · Score: 4

    Cool! Will he appear in Robo World Cup as well now?

    1. Re:Robo World Cup by Phokus · · Score: 1

      Hehe good one :)

  81. Somebody should by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    overclock r2d2 to make him more interesting then c3po which is better then Ben Kenoby and much better then anything I've ever overclocked

  82. Here's my two cents by funk_phenomenon · · Score: 1
    I bet Lucas just puts Baker in the R2D2 to not have him hanging around:

    Lucas: "Get in the robot"
    Baker: "Inside the robot?"
    Lucas: Gives Baker a glare
    Baker: "Yes sir..."

    Lucas also couldn't separate Daniels and Baker. It wouldn't be the same. Like Minoru Chiaki and Kamatari Fujiwara in the Hidden Fortress. It had to be them.

    Even the samurai
    have teddy bears,
    and even the teddy bears

    --

    Even the samurai
    have teddy bears,
    and even the teddy bears
    get drunk

  83. Recipe for R2D2: by Lonesmurf · · Score: 5

    CGI Version:

    o 1 part Cylinder,
    o 1 part Sphere,
    o Various Cubes,
    o 1 part Chees-O(tM) blue and white random splotch texture map

    Instructions -

    1. Place Sphere on Cylinder.
    2. Place Cylinder and sphere on Rectangles
    3. Place Chees-O(tM) blue and white random splotch texture map on everything.
    4. Hit Frapee!

    Real life Version

    o 1 part trashcan
    o 1 part dome-thingy
    o Various size shoeboxes
    o VerySmallMan(tM) (note that midgets don't work in this recipe)
    o Silver and light blue spray paint.
    o Duct tape. Lots and lots of duct tape.

    Instructions:

    1. Place VerySmallMan(tM) in trashcan and place dome on top of trashcan. Seal with duct tape. Ignore ear shattering screams from VerySmallMan. Yes, he can breath, you did punch holes in the trashcan, right? RIGHT?
    2. Duct tape shoe boxes to trashcan.
    3. Spray paint.
    4. Frapee!

    Rami
    --

  84. (OFFTOPIC) Nope, look again. It *IS* a troll. by SvnLyrBrto · · Score: 1
    >this isn't a troll.

    Yes it is.

    >But hey, it goes against the opinion of the
    >average /bot, so it must be a troll eh?

    Wrong. Look at its posting history. Not just those on its user page, go back in the /. searches too. This "Jon Erikson" is a fabricated uber-conservative fascist-xtian character that has frequently countered the uber-liberal bleeding-heart characters such as martinez/woston.

    Or try another approach. Google for the London "IT consulting agency called NPO Technologies" that it supposedly works for. That's right! No such company; just like the woston troll's "jjjjulius games"!

    You *HAVE* been trolled, YHL, HAND.

    It's just too bad that the moderators fall for this nonsence so often; and that gullible people are so egear to bite.

    More and more, I wish that Taco, et. al. would dispense with the "lameness filter" nonsence, and just implement killfiles (Hell, there's already code for killfiles on sourceforge). That way I could block worthless rubbish like "Jon Erikson" and woston/martinez, no matter how many alternate accounts they have to mod up their own posts. But I would still be able to see the genuinely funny trolls like OGG.

    john
    Resistance is NOT futile!!!

    Haiku:
    I am not a drone.
    Remove the collective if

    --
    Imagine all the people...
  85. Now that Kenny's back... by KaiShin · · Score: 1

    I kind of miss the old R2D2. Sure, he was all shiny and computer generated, but they way they turned his bleeps into musical, almost rythmic tones was so cute, and how he'd pop in at the most tense situation with a hilarious remark that was sure to make us all laugh, even when we didn't know what the hell he was saying. And the way he managed to defest those evil battle droids by walking through their impenetrable shield, and the obvious affection between him and that cute little Anakin...

    *smacks self in the face*

    Yeah, its good to have the old R2 back :)

    --
    "I live in a world of make-believe, with faeries and leprechauns and tiny little frogs with funny hats."
  86. Jedi Mind Trick by webword · · Score: 2

    So, we've seen that Star Wars information has been mixed up recently. One thing becomes another, all in a blink of an eye. Poof! Pop! Bang! Does anyone else get the impression that somehow Lucas is pulling strings? Is the Lucas machine tweaking the media, like a puppet? (I doubt all this, but it is interesting, no?)

    This reminds me of things like Ford covering up problems with the Pinto and their tires. I mean, corporations have such power to manipulate the media. And, the media, Slashdot included, is very willing to help the spindoctors. How many times has a press release turned into "news", eh? Information, disinformation, ahh! What a pain in the arse. Who can we believe? Who should we believe?

    Damn, I'm just going to basically ignore any Star Wars news I read. Or any news for that matter. I'm heading back into the cave now...The Future Doesn't Need Us anyway.

    John S. Rhodes
    WebWord.com -- Industrial Strength Usability.

  87. Re:More from the George Lucas rumor mill by The+Queen · · Score: 2

    Crap! Now instead of being 'that chick who knows all the inside stuff' I'm gonna be 'that chick who lies all the time.'
    Grrrr....

    The Divine Creatrix in a Mortal Shell that stays Crunchy in Milk

    --

    The House Between - Original Sci-Fi Series
  88. Re:The nature of the rumors is the most interestin by AbbyNormal · · Score: 1

    Good point.
    I think they are cheapening the movies themselves. All the CGI and no plot, sometimes just plain eye candy. I mean look at some of the movies that have used them in the past. "The Haunting"=monster in house, people try to stop him. "The Perfect Storm"= People on a fishing boat during a big a$$ storm..they live.

    The reason why I loved "the Matrix" was that it both broke the mold of chop shop movies by reinventing the wheel of effects so to speak and it carried out a kickass plot. I think everybody I know, upon viewing this film, fell down the spiritual "rabbit hole" themselves.

    --
    Sig it.
  89. CGI Movies by qqaz · · Score: 1

    I'd love to see a movie written in Perl.

    --
    sup :cool:
  90. Re:More from the George Lucas rumor mill by excesspwr · · Score: 1

    Well seeing how Kenny was dropped from the cast list and then magically reappeared today there does seem to be some logic behind where this story may have originated and why it would be considered as true to begin with.

  91. R2-D2 written in Perl by qqaz · · Score: 1

    Well, from other people's posts, I've gathered that, in some parts of the movie, R2 is actually a CGI script. This script was most likely written in Perl. Perl runs on Linux.

    --
    sup :cool:
  92. Nitpick, but... by mblase · · Score: 3
    ...making him and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), the only two actors to appear in all of the Star Wars movies to date.

    Isn't that a bit of a misnomer? After all, neither Kenny Baker nor Anthony Daniels actually appeared in either movie. Anthony wasn't even physically in Episode I, either, for that matter, just his voice.

  93. HYPE HYPE HYPE by spankfish · · Score: 1
    Thank you, Star Wars fans, for acting as George Lucas' free (beer) marketing department.

    As a token of our company's appreciation for you saving us millions of dollars in commissions for pesky sales people, we'd like to say, well, thanks!

    We look forward to your continued baseless conjecture.

    ILM

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    NO TOUCH MONKEY!
  94. Jedi Mind Trick(s) by Kinetic+Kit · · Score: 1

    I wouldn't say it's so much Slashdot's fault as it is the original reporter who didn't check his/her facts. A fact would be that Lucas has only a dozen or less full copies of the script which only the principal actors (yes, /.ers, including Natalie Portman), George Lucas, and Rick McCallum will ever see. And they're locked up at night. So, even though Kenny Baker did not go to Fox Studios in Australia, I don't imagine either he or the reporter could speak intelligently about Lucas's plans for R2 in the next movie. And the rumors about CmdrTaco having a red phone next to his bed with a direct line to George Lucas are all untrue. Face it, when it comes to Episodes II and III, we have as much knowledge about what Lucas will do with things like midi-chlorians and Jar Jar Binks as we could have guessed Darth Vader was Luke's father in 1978.

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    Can what is formed say to that who formed it, "Why have you made me thus?"
  95. you forgot... by Pope · · Score: 2
    ignoring or ignorent
    *ignorant*

    Correct spelling! :)

    Pope

    Freedom is Slavery! Ignorance is Strength! Monopolies offer Choice!

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    It doesn't mean much now, it's built for the future.
  96. Re:Jedi Mind Trick (OT) by Tower · · Score: 2

    >. A recent Firestone tire has a flaw: if it heats up above 175 F (which is sometimes possible in southern states during the summer), ka-blooie. Ford uses that tire on their Explorer trucks. Although there have been no cases reported of accidents caused by this flaw, Ford and Firestone immediately put out a recall.

    Two quick points:
    the 175F+ tire temp can happen in northern states (i.e. Minnesota) in 95-100 degree weather, too...

    Two: As of several weeks ago, nearly 50 *deaths* were directly attributed to the tire failures. The newest government study looks to place that number somewhere between 70-90... No cases? I think you are quite misinformed....
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    "It's tough to be bilingual when you get hit in the head."
  97. More from the George Lucas rumor mill by Jon+Erikson · · Score: 5

    Why are people here naive enough to actually believe anything they hear about the next Star Wars movie? It seems blatently obvious that all of these rumours are being put about deliberately by Lucas and co. just to drum up extra interest in the film without paying for it.

    After all, he's already shown how little he cares for the people that buy his films with his DVD and "special edition" video policy, so what's a bit of public manipulation to him? Just ignore the hype, go see the film if you have to (it must be nice having fans that will go no matter how crap the film is) and then realise that it's another massively overhyped CGI-driven movie for ten year old kids with no tolerance for a plot.

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    Jon E. Erikson

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    Jon Erikson, IT guru