Having appeared in all three Star Wars trilogies, the Clone Wars (both 2D and 3D), Rebels, the original Holiday Special, the recent LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special and been the subject of a quest, this astromech and Jedi offsider – along with a certain fussy protocol droid – has been a stalwart of the Star Wars universe’s timeline since showing up in The Phantom Menace as part of the Naboo Royal Starship’s robotic crew.
Making its first appearance in the LEGO Star Wars universe in 1999, the original R2-D2 minifigure arrived with 7141 Naboo Fighter during the very first Midnight Madness product release on May 3rd, and got an oversized debut as 9748 Droid Developer Kit, which was part of the Technics subtheme, later in the same year.
It wasn’t until 2012 that the most famous astromech in the Star Wars universe got properly recognized when 10225 R2-D2 was included in the Ultimate Collector Series subtheme. This +2000 piece set, which hit the LEGO shop@home website and shelves of their branded stores on May 4th, was only around for a year and a half before it was retired..
That’s all set to change on May 1st when the improved and updated 75308 R2-D2 gets released, in advance of May The 4th Be With You explurganza, but for now you’ll have to make do with the official press release.
The galaxy’s most lovable droid can now be recreated in stunning detail with this 2,315 piece set, the most feature-packed LEGO brick version of R2-D2 from the LEGO Group to date. Adult LEGO builders and Star Wars fans alike can recreate their favourite moments from the films as they craft R2-D2’s unique retractable mid-leg, rotating head and a periscope. The model also has hidden tools tucked away, such as a lightsaber hilt hidden in a secret compartment in the head.
This set is perfect for any hero looking for a fun and immersive building experience. When finished, the R2-D2 replica makes an impressive focal point when displayed with the set’s exclusive minifigure version of the iconic droid and a special Lucasfilm 50th anniversary LEGO brick.
Commenting on the new set, Jens Kronvold Frederiksen, Creative Lead of LEGO Star Wars at the LEGO Group said: “We have had the pleasure of creating hundreds of Star Wars-inspired models over the past two decades since we first launched LEGO Star Wars sets. As Lucasfilm celebrates their 50thanniversary, it seemed fitting to challenge ourselves and push the limits of what is possible with LEGO bricks by recreating a fan-favourite Star Wars character in great detail like we have never achieved before. We are delighted with the result and hope our fans get as much joy out of building the sets as we did designing it.”
Included with 75308 R2-D2 is a special brick that marks the 50th anniversary of Lucasfilm, and will form part of a series of “brand-new products, games, and publishing offerings” that will capture the legacy of Lucasfilm and celebrate the ongoing future of their ongoing TV series as well as their upcoming feature films and .
Aimed at the 18+ market, this 2,315 piece set – which measures 12.5 in. (31 cm) high, 7.5 in. (20 cm) wide and 6 in. (15 cm) deep – will be available exclusively from LEGO.com and LEGO Stores globally from May 1st, 2021 priced from US$199.99/EU€199.99/UK£179.99 and forms part of this year’s May The 4th Be With You experience.
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