Is the New ‘Star Wars’ Droid a Tribute to Ronnie James Dio?
Wondering whether D-O, the latest Star Wars droid, has any connection with Ronnie James Dio? The answer, unfortunately, is no.
D-O, who was introduced today during the Star Wars Celebration Chicago weekend, will appear as a sidekick for fellow droid BB-8 in the upcoming Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Oddly enough, D-O isn't the first Star Wars character with a name similar to the former Rainbow, Black Sabbath and solo star. A droid named Dio was first mentioned in 2017's "Star Wars Battlefront II" video game and made its first official appearance in Battlefront II: Inferno Squad, a prequel novel from the same year.
A modified ID10 seeker droid, Dio was "utilized by Agent Del Meeko and Iden Versio of Inferno Squad during the Galactic Civil War," according to the fan-run Wookieepedia site. "After being disabled by an ion pulse during the Battle of Theed and subsequent reactivation, the droid received a new yellow-and-white paint job and also acquired a very affectionate personality which caused it to constantly hound the Duros Shriv Suurgav. Whilst Del thought it cute, Shriv found the droid's newfound liking of him to be annoying."
Ronnie James Dio, the former frontman for Black Sabbath, Dio and Rainbow, died of stomach cancer at age 67 in 2010. More recently, former members of Dio have made concert appearances with a hologram of the singer
Newly announced U.S. dates begin on May 21 and continue through June 29 with Craig Goldie, Simon Wright and Scott Warren. Former Judas Priest singer Tim “Ripper” Owens and Lynch Mob vocalist Oni Logan are also on the bill. The projection first appeared on stages in Europe in 2016.
Episode nine of the Star Wars saga comes out on Dec. 20, 2019. You can watch the teaser trailer below.