Is The New ‘Star Wars’ Droid A Sneaky Tribute To This Late Rock Legend?
(L) Ronnie James Dio / Facebook, (R) Movie Trailers Source / YouTube
New Star Wars Trailer Reveals New Droid With Interesting Name
So unless you live under a rock, it’s hard to have missed the commotion caused by the release of the new Star Wars Episode 9: The Rise of Skywalker trailer.
At just over 2 minutes in length, the trailer promises action and adventure for the discerning Star Wars fan, complete with a few faces you remember – Billy Dee Williams reprising his role as the ever dapper Lando Calrissian and the late Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa – and some you don’t, like the newest droid to join the franchise as the trusty, rusty sidekick to the adorable BB-8.
Introduced at last week’s Star Wars Celebration Chicago weekend, the franchise’s newest droid bears an interesting name – one that’s got us wondering if it’s a pointed nod to a late rock legend, or just a happy accident that made rock fans sit up and take notice.
He’s affectionately known as D-O, BB-8’s new pint sized friend that will be zooming right along with him, C3PO and R2-D2 in The Rise of Skywalker this winter, and when his name was announced it left fans wondering if D-O was a tribute to metal legend Ronnie James Dio, who died 9 years ago after a lengthy battle with cancer.
However, as much as rock fans wanted it to be a deliciously nerdy tribute to one of their heroes, it’s just a happy accident that he bears the same name as one of the greatest voices in heavy metal history.
D-O isn’t the only Star Wars character that’s raised hopes of a nod to the late singer, though. Dio, described as a modified ID10 seeker droid was first revealed in 2017’s “Star Wars Battlefront II” video game and made its first official appearance in Battlefront II: Inferno Squad that same year.
Even though we’re a little disappointed that D-O isn’t the hopelessly adorable tribute to Ronnie James Dio we were hoping for, we still plan on checking out Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker when it arrives in theaters just in time for Christmas on December 20, 2019.
Check out the trailer below to get excited!
