R2-D2 is one of the most iconic and beloved characters from the Star Wars universe, being one of the very first characters ever seen in A New Hope. Doing justice to the fan-favourite droid was paramount!
LEGO® BRICKS
BUILD HOURS
Interestingly, this isn’t our first time tackling the resourceful R2-D2 in LEGO® form. Back in 2012, we built an earlier version that was proudly displayed at Myer Melbourne City. That initial build, while impressive for its time, utilized Bright Blue instead of the more screen-accurate Earth Blue and primarily relied on standard LEGO plates and bricks. This new exhibition provided the perfect opportunity to give our R2 design a thorough and exciting makeover, incorporating a wealth of new slopes, curves, and specialised elements to truly bring him up to date!
The expanded availability of LEGO slope pieces in Medium Stone Grey, White, and Earth Blue proved invaluable in refining the rounded shape of his leg tops and creating the perfect recessed area for his distinctive eyepiece to sit. These new elements allowed for smoother transitions and a more accurate silhouette.
The coloured lenses on his head were built using transparent plates with white bricks behind to make the colour pop. Many of his other details were created using round plates and dishes, and even some wheel rims to make the lenses on his head stick out.
The pistons on his legs were constructed using a diverse range of LEGO cylinder and round bricks, adding mechanical complexity and visual interest. For the cables running down to his feet, we threaded 2 x 2 plates over flexible LEGO tubing. This allowed the cables to bend and flex in a way that accurately replicated the look of the real prop.
To achieve the precise angle of R2-D2’s body, we built this model in four distinct sections. The head and main body were constructed separately from the legs and middle foot, allowing us to connect them all at a subtle but important tilt. This deliberate design choice ensures that the final model captures the character’s posture perfectly, an important feature to recreate the scene with Princess Leia.
Witness these incredible models and more at the world-first LEGO® Star Wars: The Exhibition. Embark on an epic, hands-on adventure through the Star Wars galaxy – Created by Ryan ‘Brickman’ McNaught and his talented team with over eight million LEGO bricks and 25,000+ build hours. Now open at Melbourne Museum.
