Star Wars theory says R2-D2 planned Obi-Wan's death out of revenge

R2-D2 might be the most loyal and trustworthy droid in the entire Star Wars universe (sorry BB-8, but you did abandon Poe to hang out with Rey on Tatooine).

However, according to a new theory from Reddit user Zaius_MD, you cross R2-D2 at your peril and the droid actually has a long memory – and a penchant for calculated and deadly revenge as Obi-Wan Kenobi found out to his cost.

You know what they say: never underestimate a droid.

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The brilliant – if very unlikely – theory goes back to that fateful event on Mustafar when Obi-Wan dismembers and leaves Anakin Skywalker for dead. R2-D2 was in attendance, in case you forgot, and the droid leaves with Obi-Wan.

Unlike, C-3PO, R2-D2's memory isn't wiped so the droid remembers everything that happened and he's onboard the Tantive IV when the prequel trilogy ends. It's where we meet the loveable (but also possibly lethal) droid years later, and eventually he's reunited with Obi-Wan – who acts like he's never met R2-D2.

R2-D2 then sees Obi-Wan lie to Anakin's son Luke Skywalker about what happened to his father and, so the theory goes, assumes that Obi-Wan is trying to cover up what really happened all those years ago. (That's obviously not the real reason, but it could be how R2-D2 saw it.)

Around the same time, R2-D2 also works out that Anakin and Darth Vader must be the same person (since Obi-Wan only had one apprentice) and, fuelled by anger at Obi-Wan's actions, R2-D2 starts to plot revenge. It's not long before the perfect opportunity arises on the Death Star.

After Obi-Wan disables the tractor beam that has trapped the Millennium Falcon, he tries to reunite with Luke, Leia, Han Solo and Chewbacca. We know he never gets there as he runs into Darth Vader and Obi-Wan sacrifices himself to allow the others to escape, as well as giving Luke the motivation to fight.

But according to the theory, this showdown was manufactured by R2-D2 who was plugged into the Death Star, seemingly able to open and close doors at will. It was the droid who somehow led Obi-Wan down this path where Vader was waiting, allowing Anakin to have his revenge for what Obi-Wan did to him all those years ago.

However, before you believe R2-D2 is the real villain of the Skywalker Saga, the theory adds that the droid saw what Anakin had become and realised he couldn't be saved. So with his thirst for revenge sated, R2-D2 vowed to protect Anakin's children – even if it meant he'd be going against his former master.

Before you get angry at us for besmirching R2-D2's legacy, it's worth noting that the idea the droid sabotaged Obi-Wan's escape has no basis in established Star Wars canon. Obi-Wan sacrificing himself was a necessary step and likely planned, so there's every chance R2-D2 knew that the Jedi Master wasn't leaving the Death Star.

It's still fun though to think that the loveable droid could hold a serious grudge and actually prove to be one of the deadliest characters in the galaxy. As one person who replied to the theory said: "[R2-D2] always seemed so emotional and annoyed for a robot."

Beep boop.

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Movies Editor, Digital Spy  Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor.  Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world.   After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.