In the Pinky and the Brain final series "Star Warners" who parodies Star Wars Brain plays R2-D2 and Pinky plays C-3PO. In the various Star Wars novels and comics, the droid duo have played a small but significant role. In the Expanded Universe novel The Swarm War, R2-D2 inadvertently helps Luke and Leia come to grips with their heritage when an electronic glitch unearths long-concealed images of Anakin relating his fear of losing Padmé, and of Padmé's death.

In Return of the Jedi, R2-D2 plays a critical role in rescuing Luke, Leia, and Han from Jabba the Hutt. He later joins the Rebel strike team on Endor. He is badly damaged during the battle between the Imperial troops and the Rebels, but is repaired in time for the celebration marking the second Death Star's destruction and the fall of the Empire. R2-D2 was inducted into the Robot Hall of Fame in 2003 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A replica can be seen at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. The Smithsonian Institution included R2-D2 in its list of 101 Objects that Made America. [37] In 2022 R2-D2 was surveyed as being the most popular movie robot in the United States. [38] Chris Hamilton (28 March 2014). "Star Wars: The Muppet Connection". starwars.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021 . Retrieved 1 January 2021.McMillan, Graeme (November 8, 2014). "R2-D2 Was Almost in 'The Lego Movie', Directors Say". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023 . Retrieved April 2, 2018. The Man Behind R2-D2". New Mexico Museum of Space History. September 30, 2015. Archived from the original on April 10, 2016 . Retrieved March 30, 2016.

Uses Bluetooth technology to communicate with other Astromech Droid Units* and certain other elements and objects on Batuu and at Disney Parks and Resorts In the second season finale of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, R2-D2 accompanies Luke Skywalker as he goes to retrieve Grogu to be trained as a Jedi. R2-D2 also appears in Star Wars Rebels in the episodes "Droids in Distress" and "Blood Sisters", and in several episodes of Star Wars Forces of Destiny. Towersey was also one of the two puppeteers, along with Hassan Taj, who operated the droid in The Rise of Skywalker. In the Italian version of the original trilogy, R2-D2 was named "C1-P8". [46] Anglicisms were not common in the Italian language during the 1970s and 1980s, and the names of various characters were changed to be easier to pronounce and recognize for Italian speakers. Some of these changes were reverted in the dubbing of the prequel and sequel trilogies, where the original name R2-D2 was used instead. Other name changes in the Italian version of the original trilogy include C-3PO, Han Solo, Leia Organa and Darth Vader, who were called respectively "D-3BO", "Ian Solo", "Leila Organa" and "Dart Fener" (or "Lord Fener").

Markoff, John (November 29, 2013). "A Night Watchman With Wheels?". The New York Times. New York City. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022 . Retrieved December 11, 2013.

Fullerton, Huw (December 18, 2016). "11 of the best Star Wars Easter Eggs in Rogue One". radiotimes.com. RadioTimes. Archived from the original on December 18, 2016 . Retrieved December 18, 2016. a b "Deep Roy Biography". Archived from the original on October 15, 2016 . Retrieved March 30, 2016. Jason Ward (September 16, 2015). "LITTLE ACTOR JIMMY VEE IS ARTOO-DETOO IN STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII". Makingstarwars.net. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015 . Retrieved December 22, 2015.The sound effects for R2-D2's "voice" were created by sound designer Ben Burtt, using an ARP 2600 analog synthesizer, as well as his own vocalizations processed through other effects. [33] Original props of R2-D2 and C-3PO are used as Audio-Animatronics in the queue area of Disneyland's Star Tours–The Adventures Continue attraction. Cinema Raiders- Star Wars Holiday Special". 20 December 2011. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016 . Retrieved March 30, 2016. R2-D2 appeared in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, with actor Jimmy Vee taking over the role from Kenny Baker, who retired from the role due to his age and health. Baker died in August 2016. [8] [9] Nortronics NAS-14V2 Astroinertial Navigation System". Time and Navigation. Smithsonian. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018 . Retrieved November 22, 2018. In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, set approximately 30 years after Return of the Jedi, R2-D2 is revealed to be kept in storage at the Resistance base on the planet D'Qar, having put himself in a low-power mode after Luke Skywalker's disappearance. He later awakens and reveals Luke's location by combining map data stored in his memory with that of the droid BB-8. He then travels with Rey ( Daisy Ridley) and Chewbacca to the planet highlighted on the map, where they find Luke in self-imposed exile. In the credits, Kenny Baker was credited as 'R2-D2 consultant,' while Jimmy Vee provided an uncredited portrayal in some scenes.

R2-D2 appears in Marvel's 2015 Star Wars comic series, which is set between the films of the original trilogy. He also appears briefly in the miniseries Star Wars: Shattered Empire.Disney and Random House announce relaunch of Star Wars Adult Fiction line". StarWars.com. April 25, 2014. Archived from the original on May 14, 2016 . Retrieved May 26, 2016.