Episode II loses the 'humanity' of R2-D2

George Lucas has denied reports that Star Wars veteran Kenny Baker has been replaced by a computer-generated R2-D2. Alongside Anthony Daniels, who plays his robotic sidekick C-3PO, Baker is the only actor to have appeared in every film of the sci-fi saga. But earlier this week, the midget actor complained that his role in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode 2 had shrunk alarmingly.

"I missed the chance to go to Australia with the cast", said the R2-D2 star. "I'm not in the movie to the extent I was expecting, and no one has really explained to me why. Of course I am disappointed."

A new report on the official Star Wars site says little, initially, to reassure him. "The character of R2-D2," Lucas is quoted as saying, "requires much more movement in Episode II. The robotics technology inside the Artoo models have advanced to the point where they can achieve most of the performance I need right along side the other actors."

Not much comfort for Baker so far. But "there's an element of humanity to Artoo that comes from having Kenny Baker inside," Lucas continues, adding that "we've always had Kenny scheduled for a number of shots during the shooting at Elstree Studios."

If we were Kenny Baker, we'd smell a rat - since when, after all, did George Lucas care about 'humanity'?