Star Wars Robot Inspiration For Wall-E?

A friend of mine pointed me to this old deleted Star Wars scene that has Luke talking to one of his droids named “Treds”. Treds as tank tread feet and boxed cone like eyes… sound familiar? Maybe Pixar’s new Wall-E? I know there have been some other comparisions to Johnny-5, but this looks pretty close too. I’m not saying there is a definite connection, but take a look at the first minute of the video and tell me if you think there is at least some inspiration:

Star-Wars-Wall-E-1

Star-Wars-Wall-E-2

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29 thoughts on “Star Wars Robot Inspiration For Wall-E?

  1. Lol! to be honest I didnt bother reading all the posts, but,I looked for this because I did see it in one of the scenes , and i screamed wall-e!! to ma bf!! I mean! youve got to say its really similar!!

  2. The similarities between movie robots are like the similarities between cars. Technically you could say that PIXARS “Cars” was not original because the cars looked very similar to the cars seen in every movie that has ever had cars in it. I think PIXAR brilliantly knowing that everyone is talking about it. We are all thinking about WALL-E that’s just great marketing.

  3. I’m sorry BUT WAL-E is just a midget J-5. That other robot was just two eyes, a pole and some treads. WAL-E’s got the hands, eyes, treads and lil box middle. If you squished J-5 down into a lil midget robot, you would certainly get WAL-E.

  4. Considering Pixar was created at LucasArts (Steve Jobs later bought it) and a few “old timers” at Pixar worked on the Star Wars, this isn’t a big deal. Even Ben Burtt, the genious behind all of Star Wars sound effects (lightsabers, R2-D2 “dialogue”) is doing all the sound for Wall-E.

    Pixar and LucasArts have a close relationship. Even The Incredibles had ties to Star Wars with the “droid” character. Check out the end credits for more info.

  5. You name it, ET, Johnny 5. This damn Wall-E is all to familiar in imagery.

    What the fuck’s wrong with PIXAR, change the fricken bot design!

    And here we thought these Pixar guys scored points for originality??

  6. I’m surprised no one said that the robots the bomb squad use to disarm bombs look too much like Johnny Five or Luke’s droid. It’s just a common and practical design. It would be like complaining that one kind of automobile looks like another because it has four wheels and a windshield. Other than that I am looking forward to seeing Wall-E.

  7. holy crap am i getting tired of the johnny 5 comparison.

    somebody freakin’ google an image johnny 5 and update your memory!!!

    they look nothing alike! wall•e’s eyes look more like a pair of binoculars than anything else.

    the only thing that’s similar to any of these robots is two big eyes and treds. that’s it. period.

    the reason wall•e rings as so familiar to everyone is it’s brilliant design; anatomical proportions, big emotive eyes, compact size. IT’S CLASSIC CARTOON PROPORTIONS FER CRYIN’ OUT LOUD!!

    that’s why it strikes a chord with everyone. that’s why it’s brilliant.

  8. Alfie I think you may only be thinking story here.

    What Star Wars did for technology in film was nothing short of spectacular. How many films have you seen that use THX sound? If you are watching a movie with sound, chances are they are using something to do with THX, even the competing companies who based their technology on creating something better than THX.

    The special effects? How much do you want to bet “No Country For Old Men” uses special effects? What film could possibly have jump started the use of special effects? How many studios make use of Industrial Light and Sound?

    Boys Don’t Cry, wasn’t that an independant film? Hey wait a second I wonder what else was an independant film?, or special effects

    Why, Star Wars alone set a precedent for the “Blockbuster” films that we are getting overloaded with today. Sure, back then there were big movies. But after Star Wars things changed. No, not every movie had space aliens and laser swords (although a hell of a lot of them tried), but we are talking about the movie industry in general. Remember, George Lucas is (was) an independant film maker and because of what he accomplished, you get to see what you see today in film.

    Am I wrong?

  9. Well, if it was inspired by Star Wars I’m sure they got George Lucas’s ok on moving forward with the look since Wall-e’s voice was also produced by the same guy that created R2D2’s voice! Which, the more of the trailers I’ve seen is growing on me. The first time I saw it I was put off by a character that doesn’t really have a voice, but now its almost as charming and personable as R2D2’s.

  10. What the fuck are you talking about? There was a very famous scene in Goodfellas where Joe Pesci stole an X-Wing fighter, flew into a night club and saved Ray Liotta from a very drunk and abusive Yoda.

    Chewbacca was there in silver underwear.

  11. “Star Wars has had an impact on every single movie made since its release”

    please explain the impact it had on no country for old men? goodfellas? scarface?
    when harry met sally? hitch? naked gun? boys don’t cry? mystic river? philadelphia?platoon?

    look I love star wars but lets not over state it…you could say that it has had an impact on a majority of blockbuster popcorn type films but to say it has an impact on every single film since its release is… wrong.

  12. Hmmm, it’s quite possible. Especially when you consider everything people draw inspiration from for design purposes; usually passed off as improvement or a nice little homage. But if anything, I would have to say that Johnny 5 from Short Circuit would be the bigger influence.

    But then again, Number 5 could have been drawn into existence out of this Star Wars footage so…it’s all one big cycle. Star Wars has had an impact on every single movie made since its release, and in turn has had a major impact on us.

  13. Saying there is any inspiration from that is REALLY stretching it a bit.
    They both have 2 eyes and treads, that’s about it.
    You could just as easily say the lost in space robot was the inspiration since it also had treads and 2 eyes.

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