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Star Wars Insider: When Artoo Met Wicket |
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Warwick Davis and Kenny Baker have a lot in common, and it's more than just what meets the eye.
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Both of the talented actors were hidden beneath elaborate costumes in the original Star Wars trilogy - in which Kenny played R2-D2 and Warwick was Wicket the Ewok - yet they made their characters two of the saga's most beloved. Both are British, and though neither of them ever set out to be actors, both of them are the world-famous stars of some of the most timeless and celebrated movies in cinematic history. (In addition to their Star Wars stints, Kenny starred in Time Bandits and also appeared in David Lynch's The Elephant Man, Mona Lisa, Flash Gordon and the Oscar-winning Amadeus, while Warwick took the title role in George Lucas' fantasy epic Willow - 'nuff said.)
As if all that wasn't enough, Warwick and Kenny are both returning for next year's Star Wars: Episode I, with Kenny reprising his legendary role as Artoo and Warwick coming through with no less than three new characters. And yes, there's also the obvious trait these two actors share: both of them turned around expectations for little people by becoming giants of both the silver screen and the Star Wars universe.
As R2-D2 - the fearless, inquisitive, do-gooding droid with a storied past - Baker projected his own zest for life with every one of Artoo's trademark shakes and jiggles. With help from Star Wars sound designer Ben Burtt, as well as a remote-controlled Artoo used as a double for shots that required the robot to walk, fly through the air, or perform other such stunts, Baker turned the little astromech droid into an unlikely Rebel hero.
Davis, meanwhile, made his Star Wars debut in Return of the Jedi, when his naturally enthusiastic and energetic performance as a background Ewok won him the plum role of Wicket, the trusting Ewok who befriends Princess Leia. Wicket became such a popular character that he was made the focal point of two Ewok TV-movies (released theatrically overseas) and the Saturday morning Ewoks cartoon.
Wicket's emergence as one of the trilogy's most popular characters was all the more amazing considering that the actor who played him had never before acted - indeed, he celebrated his 12th birthday on the Jedi set, having joined the production after his grandmother heard an ad on the radio looking for little people to be Ewoks. But since going on to star in The Ewok Adventure: Caravan of Courage, Ewoks: The Battle for Endor, and Willow, as well as appearing in Labyrinth and now Episode I, Davis quickly became one of George Lucas' most prolific collaborators.
Now 26, Davis is also famous for playing the evil, madcap title character in all four Leprechaun movies - not to be confused with the recent British production, A Very Unlucky Leprechaun, in which he portrayed a nice Irish sprite. When he's not acting or playing dad with his infant daughter Annabelle and wife Samantha, Davis is helping other "short actors" with his Willow Management Company, which represents British performers no taller than five feet.
There was no such agency for Baker, 64, who got his show business start touring with an all-little-person revue, eventually hooking up with partner Jack Purvis. Together, they formed the popular cabaret act the Minitones. Film and television work soon followed for both, with careers skyrocketing when the two landed roles in the first Star Wars movie in 1976. (Purvis played the Chief Jawa, and went on to play the Chief Ugnaught in The Empire Strikes Back and the Ewok tribe leader Teebo in Jedi.)
Sadly, Purvis, who was paralyzed in a car accident in 1991, passed away last year (for more on Jack Purvis' life and career, see Insider issue 37). The death of his former partner capped a difficult period for Baker, who lost his wife of 26 years, Eileen, four years ago. But Baker, who is also the father of two sons and continues on with a solo cabaret act, retains an optimistic outlook on life, and told the Insider that he was happy to be returning to the Star Wars universe.
Recently, the Insider had the opportunity to catch up with both these Star Wars stalwarts, 15 years after they teamed up in Return of the Jedi, and just a few months after completing work on Episode I.
(The Kenny Baker interview is not presented here.)
Warwick Davis - Kick It With Wicket
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So let me get this straight - you play three characters in Episode I?
Yes, more or less. My main character is called Wald. He's best friend to Anakin Skywalker. He's a masked character. But another character I did, I'm a spectator at an event, and I spent the whole day at Leavesden basically sitting in bleachers and moving my head left to right. You'll recognize me as that other character because I only have hair extensions. I'm also watching the scene as Wald, so I'm in the same place twice!
The third role I did was very brief. I was standing there and lingering, and George just said, "Go and get on a costume." I ran into make-up and said, "Make me look different." so they made me very dirty and seedy, and George said, "All right, that'll do, walk behind the main characters." So you'll see me sneaking through.
Will you be performing the voice of Wald yourself?
I'm not sure what they're doing. I was speaking the dialogue under the mask. For Jedi, I understand it was an American Indian woman who did my voice. For this one, who knows? Maybe James Earl Jones will do my voice!
Was returning to Star Wars kind of like returning to your childhood?
Yes, it was. The Episode I first assistant director, Chris Newman, was known as the Ewok wrangler on Jedi, because he was responsible for coordinating all of the Ewoks. It was really great.
What was it like filming in Tunisia?
It was thrilling for me. The routine of filming out there - our calls each day in Tunisia were 4 a.m., because they wanted to avoid the heat. It was like a military operation every morning, everybody marching out to their jeeps in total silence, and then we're driven off through the desert.
It was just getting light when we got to our location about 45 minutes later. As soon as the sun came up over the horizon, you would immediately feel the heat. You haven't even got a shadow - the sun is that high. That's why I think George loves to go there - because it looks like a different world.
The set they built in the desert - Mos Espa - the things that stood out for me were the moisture vaporators. That was Star Wars for me. I was standing in the middle of a three-dimensional Star Wars. Some people trekked off to try and find the old sets. They were looking for the rock where Ben Kenobi sat. I think they found it. I don't think rocks like that move. Actually, we filmed in a little area called Tataouine. I think that's where George got the idea [for Tatooine].
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What is Wald like?
The character is kind of similar to Wicket, being a young character. I think that inquisitiveness of looking at R2-D2 was my own personality coming through in Wicket, and I tried to recreate that with Wald.
Is it difficult to convey those nuances through a mask?
It's a different approach. You don't have your eyes or mouth. You have to ask yourself, "How can I use my body to make this mood come across?" I started with this walk. I just observed. I thought, what would I pick up on if I was six years old. There is thought that goes in - you can't just throw on a head and stand around there.
How do you deal with the heat inside the costume, especially out in the desert?
In everything you do with a head or where you're enclosed, you're going to get steamy - your own personal sauna. But how it affects you is all in your mind. You just have to chill out with it.
When you first played Wicket, you were 11 years old. What did you think of young Jake Lloyd, with whom you share most of your scenes in the prequel?
He was great. An older actor would have collapsed under the pressure, but every line, he had right. You never had to re-shoot it because Jake didn't get it right. A very nice boy.
Was there as much excitement on the set this time around as there was for Jedi?
From my point of view, more excitement, because the Special Editions had just come out, so there was a feeling that we were really working on something special. I went to the Star Wars Special Edition premiere in London. It was fantastic to sit there in the cinema and watch it again.
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Warwick, let's face it: some fans claim that the Ewoks are too cute to be in the Star Wars saga. As the cutest Ewok of them all, please set these misguided souls straight.
Well, I can see it from both sides of the coin, but I kind of like Ewoks. I wouldn't be right where I am now if George hadn't thought of Ewoks! But I just like the concept - these little, primitive, peace-loving creatures overthrowing this technologically advanced and totally evil Empire. I think they're fun, and kids love them. The fans have got The Empire Strikes Back if they want to get all dark and moody.
Are you still interested in directing?
After Jedi, I got really into directing. I bought a video camera and started making home videos, won some competitions. Then I started taking it seriously, and it became a lot less fun! But I did bring my camera to Tunisia and filmed the drive across the desert.
Tell me about Willow Personal Management.
I started it four years ago with my father-in-law, Peter Burroughs. I have an agent, ICM in London, but by and large there really wasn't any proper representation for short actors in London. They weren't treated as actors - it was just, "We need some dwarves for these shows."
We try to be more personal with it. We push them for their abilities. We represent over 80 actors, and our only criterion is you must be five feet or under. Basically, all we ask is enthusiasm. I think that's the most important thing in this business.
We had two people in Star Wars. One of our clients, Michaela Cottrell, played a Jedi Councilor, and Ray Griffiths was the stand-in for Jake Lloyd, and he played "Gonk" [also known as Power Droid]. Officially, he was filmed for a reference scene for a CG character. He was involved in the whole shoot.
Getting that phone call from [casting director] Robin Gurland, I'll never forget - "George would love to talk to you about playing a new character, and I'd love to talk to you about Willow Management and using some of your actors!" I think I probably had the same enthusiasm now that I did back then [for Jedi]. It was an honor and a privilege. I was thrilled to get that call.
Have you gotten any calls about Episodes II and III?
I don't know yet. I've made suggestions for the characters I could play. I told
[casting director] Robin Gurland I'd love to play a baddie! That would be fun.
