RX-91L, otherwise known as Gil, was an RX-series pilot droid augmented to operate as a cam droid.[1]
Characteristics
RX-91L was a little shaky at his new job, a common trait amongst RX-series droids. A camera was mounted on his arm and his visor features an aperture-style design. He spoke with a high-pitched voice.[1]
Behind the scenes
RX-9IL was commissioned by Lucasfilm for promotional use at Star Wars Celebration. Named in honor of Gilbert Taylor, the cinematographer of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Gil carries a camera that livestreams his viewpoint to audience members. The RX unit was designed by a crew of droid builders that included David Ferreira, Chris Stroud, Patrick Gray, Trevor Zaharichuk, Tim Bolt, Matthew Hammer, Psy DeLacy, and Matt Hobbs. Gil's color scheme was inspired by the color scheme of the Senate hovercam droid.[1]
Gil debuted at Celebration Anaheim in 2022. On his first day, he was kept behind the scenes at the Celebration LIVE! Stage, where he entertained crew members and special guests. Ferreira, one of Gil's operators, was pleased to note that actor Hayden Christensen took a particular interest in the droid. When onstage, Gil was typically operated by two individuals in tandem — often Ferreira and Gray — with Ferreira managing movement and navigation, while Gray controlled the arms and head. Between stage appearances, which included a notable interaction with C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels, Gil toured the show floor, engaging with fans and playing music from Oga's Cantina.[1]
At Celebration Europe in April 2023, Gil was upgraded with a voice. Operators could speak into a microphone, which modulated their voice to match Gil's high-pitched tone. Additional lighting was installed in his mouth to enhance expressiveness and interaction — an idea adapted from earlier RX droids used in Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett. Stroud and Zaharichuk developed a system in which Gil's vocal input automatically triggered synchronized movements in the head and blinking lights in the mouth.[1]
In preparation for Gils appearance at Celebration Japan in 2025, Gray led a redesign of Gil’s camera to align more closely with his original Super 8-inspired concept. Gray noted that the updated design draws from 1970s-era technology, reflecting the aesthetic often used for in-universe props, and includes a nod to the data disk Leia gives to R2-D2 as a hidden Easter egg.[1]
Sources
Closing Ceremony | Star Wars Celebration 2023 on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)- Meet "Gil" – The Custom-Built RX Droid Delighting Fans at Star Wars Celebration Japan on StarWars.com (backup link)
- New Droid "Cooki" Makes His Debut on the Star Wars Celebration Japan LIVE! Stage on StarWars.com (backup link)
