JTA reader Paul C. pointed out a few fascinating facts to us regarding the Original Trilogy R2-D2 character and we wanted to share the information with our readers. This may have been discussed in the bowels of some forums somewhere else, but we’re bringing it to you front page center. The Vintage Collection R2-D2 is technically incorrect. Click through to check out a brief but very cool analysis!

UPDATE: For our French readers, this article has been translated by our friends at Toyzmag.com.

Left to right: 2010’s TVC R2-D2 (VC25), 2006’s TSC R2-D2 (SAGA 010),
2009’s LC Resurgence Of The Jedi R2-D2

It is only in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope where R2-D2’s legs are assembled so that the two parallel silver squares are on the right side of the leg when R2-D2 is facing right. In both Episode V and Episode VI, R2-D2’s legs are attached in a manner where the reverse is true (where the two parallel silver squares are on the left side of the legs when facing right). So in the above samples, only the 2006 The Saga Collection and by deduction other Episode V and Episode VI versions using this mold would be correct. R2-D2 appears to be more closely related to Darth Vader than we first realized in that he is different for Episode IV and the same for Episode V and Episode VI.

This might be a really good point to address to Hasbro in the Q&A sessions we have with them.