J.J. Abrams is bringing us a new dose of Star Wars in 2015. Today it was learned that the next installment of the Star Wars franchise will feature everyone's favorite robot, R2-D2.
CNET's Crave reports that two British fans will be building the R2-D2 that will be used in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII. Lee Towesery and Oliver Steeples are both members of the R2-D2 Builders Club in the UK and were hired to work on the movie after producer Kathleen Kennedy spotted their handiwork at a fan convention.
The two told CNET that they're currently researching and designing drive options for all possible terrains.
"We have a few mocked up ideas which we hope to road test very soon."
Star Wars Episode VII is coming in December of 2015. The movie was announced after Disney acquired the Star Wars franchise from George Lucas at this time last year. In April of this year, Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn confirmed that the company plans to release new Star Wars episodes every other year starting with Episode VII in 2015.
LucasFilm, which was 100 percent owned by LucasFilm Chairman and Founder, George Lucas, was sold to Disney as part of a deal worth $4.05 billion last October. Disney said at the time that it would pay roughly half of the consideration in cash and then issue approximately 40 million shares at the closing stage. Lucas said that he felt it was time for the franchise to be passed on to a new generation.
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