Star Wars’ R2-D2 auctioned for US$2.8m

(AFP) LOS ANGELES — Artoo-Detoo, or R2-D2, that famous droid character from the Star Wars movies, has been sold for almost US$2.8 million (S$3.85 million), a southern California auction house said on Thursday (June 29).

The droid was put together from parts used in the filming of the original Star Wars trilogy and two of the prequel films, auction house Profiles in History, based near Los Angeles, said in its catalogue.

While the 1.09m character, played largely by English actor Kenny Baker, is known for his tenacious loyalty and snarky sense of humour, there are internal mechanics in the aluminium, steel and fiberglass unit, that was sold on Wednesday.

The unidentified buyer nevertheless shelled out US$2.76 million, making it the most expensive lot at a three-day auction of Hollywood memorabilia that included numerous props from the Lucasfilm franchise, raising a total of US$14 million.

Luke Skywalker’s lightsabre from the first two movies, A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, fetched US$450,000 while Darth Vader’s helmet from the original film sold for US$96,000.

A collection of 23 spaceships from space series Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rodgers made US$1.8 million dollars while the iconic illuminated dance floor from Saturday Night Fever went for US$1.2 million.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s costume from Titanic and the sword wielded by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Conan The Barbarian (1982) went for US$192,000 each.

Other notable lots included a script and the front door to Rick’s Cafe from the classic film, Casablanca (1942); Lucille Ball’s signature polka dot dress from 1950s sit-com I Love Lucy; and Evel Knievel’s 1976 Harley-Davidson XLCH 1000 from Viva Knievel! (1977).

A golden ticket from the 1971 film, Willy Wonka And the Chocolate Factory went for a staggering US$90,000. AFP