The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Rome man boasts Star Wars collection
ROME » Jon Stokes’ collection of StarWars action figures has gotten bigger and bigger since the original series of toys was released in the late 1970s.
Growing from those humble, hand-sized figures of those days that offered little in articulation, he can now sometimes be found walking close by a working, life-size R2-D2 --complete with all the lights and sounds of the actual movie version. It’s a sight that truly catches the attention, and imagination, of passersby whenever he and R2 make the scene.
Stokes said he liked the Star Wars film series since he saw his first movie, and collected the original three-inch action figures from the 1970s and early 1980s. But after Return of the Jedi in 1983, the furor for Star Wars items had dwindled … at least until it was refueled by the re-release of the original movies in allnew special editions in 1996.
“That perked everything back up,” he said, including his interest in the toy line. But the newer three-inch figures weren’t to his liking, since he had the originals. He found the new 12-inch sized figures -- the same as his vintage G. I. Joes from back in the day -and began a collection of the larger toys, not realizing his collection would soon include an even bigger model.
Inspired by his Star Wars action figures more than anything else, he started the earliest planning of his R2-D2 building project in 2002. He had seen life-sized statues of R2, but wondered if anybody had ever made one that would move the way the astro droid does in the movies. Research online showed him there indeed was an official group of R2-D2 builders formed in 1999 in Australia dedicated to faithfully recreating the famed canister-shaped threelegged hero.
“They made it seem so doable,” Stokes recalled. He said he found it wasn’t just movie magic making R2-D2 move, but a group of sub-assemblies and radio controls similar to those used in hobby cars. But locating parts for hisR2 building was quite a quest in itself … there is no “kit” available with all of the needed parts for putting together an R2 from scratch, Stokes said.
There are also copyright issues to be aware of, as Lucasfilm and now Disney own the rights to R2-D2 and would surely stop any non-authorized sale of a kit to make any of their characters. Stokes said theR2 builders all do this for a love of the films and the droid, and he certainly would never infringe on that copyright. For that reason, each of his sources might only offer single or few parts for the completion of the project, sales that don‘t raise the ire of the suits.
And since none of the builders are out looking to make a profit from their R2-D2 once it is built, their appearances don’t get much attention either, he added. Although he does know of an instance where a builder had to explain to the tax collectors the thousands of dollars that changed hands in buying parts for an R2-D2 assemblage.
It took some six years to finally have a completed R2D2, and thatwas only after his wife Julie told him tomake up a spread sheet of what items he needed to finish the task so they could work the expense into the family budget. Once he finally had a working R2D2 in 2008, Stokes had spent about $3,500 on the project, he said.
His R2 made his first appearance at his son’s Rome school that October for Halloween, giving him a good shakedown performance. But one of his biggest appearances ever came a year later with the intriguing invitation for an R2-D2 builder to bring his creation to New York City with “no questions asked.” Stokes sent a video of his droid to the people in charge, and they approved himto come to the Big Apple for the top-secret event.
It turned out to be a Lucasfilm gig for the Today Show, with his R2-D2 sharing some quality time on camera with Matt Lauer dressed as Luke Skywalker, Meredith Vieiraas Princess Leia, and Kathy Lee Gifford as C-3PO. Stokes himself was even seen at one point accidentally walking into the shot, and Gifford acknowledged him for his contributions to the show on the air.
Most recently the duo, along with Stokes’ youngest son Peter, visited the Uticon comic book show at Mohawk Valley Community College, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. R2 was once again a big hit with the kids and kids at heart, shocking youngsters and adults alike with how true-to-life, or at least true-to-film, the droid appeared. Stokes walked with his hands behind his back close behind R2 as he made hisway through the hall, nimbly working the droid’s controls without the spectators really noticing, all to keep up the magic.
R2 spoke in the traditional beeps of the movie star, occasionally adding some dialogue fromthe films, and even broke into a dance routine from time to time.
Peter revealed a bit of a sib- ling rivalry with the droid. He is more of a fan of anime, he admitted, and not really of Star Wars. He pretty much just accepts R2 being around, his dad said.
“He treats R2 like his brothers treat him,” Stokes said.
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