Star Wars: A Droid Story is unlikely to overshadow the likes of Ahsoka when it comes to hype, but it's a testament to the draw of C-3PO and, of course, fan-favorite droid R2-D2 that there are plenty of fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming animated Disney+ series. Across the nine main series Star Wars movies, R2-D2 has been one of the stars among the side characters.
R2 is smart, resourceful and loyal until the end, so it's no surprise that fans on social media love producing memes about the iconic plucky astromech droid and his escapades in the Star Wars universe.
R2-D2 Isn't A Droid To Be Underestimated
R2-D2 was unfortunately a relatively minor element in the sequel trilogy but he's had his moments throughout the movies that prove he packs a real punch. Maybe he doesn't quite turn into a massive battle droid but, especially compared to his impact in the sequels, R2-D2 was insanely strong in the prequel movies.
In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, R2 jumps straight into a hazardous Geonosian droid factory and begins flying around and dodging obstacles like they're nothing. Along with his powerful range of tools, it's not surprising that fans feel he was slightly nerfed in later movies.
R2-D2 Needs Attention Too
The Mandalorian's Grogu had the rare honor of being one of the Star Wars characters that became memes and he managed to do it by simply being an incredibly cute character in a harsh, unforgiving universe. R2-D2 might not have Baby Yoda-level cuteness but there's no doubt that he was the first to fulfill this role.
With his beeps and whistles and his slightly petulant attitude, R2-D2 was the first Star Wars side character that made it cool to be cute. While he still has his own unique appeal, complaining because his popularity has been overshadowed by Baby Yoda is something that R2-D2 would totally do.
Never Bet Against R2-D2
From making crucial repairs to the Naboo royal starship on his very first mission to keeping hold of the Death Star plans for the rebellion, R2-D2 has been constantly beating the odds and saving the day throughout the Star Wars movies. Nowhere is this more obvious than in his big action scene in Revenge of the Sith.
Making use of his entire arsenal of tools, R2-D2 makes short work of intimidating armored battle droids. This moment perfectly sums up how R2-D2 is the franchise's ultimate underdog and, like every good underdog, he tends to come out on top.
There Throughout It All
Fans agree that one of the most heartbreaking moments of the Star Wars movies was Leia's death in The Rise of Skywalker but it was made even more so for some because R2-D2 was right there to mourn her. It's hard to believe but R2-D2 did indeed see Leia's birth and her death.
While that's a bittersweet fact on its own, it's also the perfect illustration of just how reliable R2-D2 has been throughout the Star Wars movies. The little astromech has remained more or less the same even as everyone else changed.
R2-D2 Is The Ultimate Ally
Tons of R2-D2 memes have poked fun at the fact that the astromech knew more than almost anyone else about Darth Vader's origins and Ben Kenobi's identity in The Original Trilogy but kept it all to himself. Whether it's purposeful or a classic example of a lack of cohesion between different eras, it being a result of R2-D2's unerring loyalty makes the most sense.
R2-D2 was constantly entrusted with far more information than C3PO with the other droid having his memory wiped to stop him from spilling secrets. It's little wonder that's the case when the little astromech manages to always play his cards incredibly close to his chest when it comes to important information.
R2-D2 Makes For The Best Fights
The Star Wars prequels are full of epic duels between the most skilled of fighters and The Clone Wars animated series is no exception. Just as with the prequel movies themselves, R2-D2 ended up outshining a ton of the other side characters especially when he got to face R3-S6 in the "Duel of the Droids".
It might not actually be the best duel in the series, but it's a prime example of the different kind of entertainment that R2-D2 brings as well as the support from fans he inspires. In the duel, he gets to showcase his trademark intelligence and determined spirit instead of physical prowess.
R2-D2 Knows Obi-Wan's Secrets
For a droid who only speaks in hoots and whistles that not that many people can understand, R2-D2 usually knows how to get his message across. That's why it's funny to imagine a situation where R2 tried to tell Luke the truth in A New Hope but only Old Ben could understand him.
It's also hilarious because R2-D2 is an incredibly loyal droid and the idea that he would immediately try and sabotage Obi-Wan on being reunited with him is ridiculous on its own. In reality, R2-D2 always found a way to communicate what he needed to in the end anyway.
An Underappreciated Droid
From aiding the Jedi in the Clone Wars to playing a part in the final battle of Exegol, it's not an exaggeration to say that R2-D2 has saved the galaxy multiple times in his adventures. Despite that, he's rarely given much more than quick thanks and maybe an extra polish if he was lucky.
Plenty of Star Wars characters are underrated but it's hard to think of one that goes more underappreciated than R2. Then again, the astromech manages to make saving the day look so easy half the time that it's understandable people think it's all in a day's work for him.
R2-D2's Unique Way Of Speaking
Obviously, no one actually thinks that R2 swears in every line of dialogue, though it wouldn't be that out of character for a droid that's happy to speak his mind when he can find someone that understands him, but it is funny to think that the audience never really knows what R2 says.
With only the tone of the different beeps and whistles as well as other characters' reactions to go on, it's a part of R2's charm that the audience is forced to guess what exactly he's saying.
R2-D2 Is A War Hero
There are very few major characters that lived through the Trade Federation invasion of Naboo and the Resistance victory at the end of The Rise of Skywalker but R2-D2 is one of them. The medal ceremony at the end of A New Hope rudely excludes the droids (and Chewbacca) but there are countless other battles he could just as easily be commended for.
It's yet another sign of how the hard work of R2-D2 goes sorely under-appreciated by the Star Wars universe that he doesn't carry around a dozen medals to show for all that he's done. Then again, it's fitting that R2 would rather just let other people continue to underestimate him.