Warwick
Davis has been a Star Wars staple since he appeared as in "Return of the Jedi".
Davis was only 11 years old when he was cast as an Ewok and was originally not
supposed to have a big role in the film. When Kenny Baker (who was supposed to
play Wicket) fell ill, Davis was picked as a replacement. Lucas handpicked Davis
because the boy seemed joyful and enthusiastic on set, unlike other Ewok
actors, who were just sort of complainy. This turn of events was a big payoff for Davis who would eventually portray Wicked in two more “Ewok Films” in 1984 and 1985.
In
his late teens Davis would go on to star in “Willow” another Lucas production. Warwick's career didn't end in his childhood, either. Throughout the 90s Davis played in five Leprechaun horror films. He portrayed Professor Flitwick in 7 Harry Potter films. He even played himself in the mockumentary
“Life’s Too Short” which is a fictional account of his own life. Davis recently
played the memorable character “Porridge” in a Season 7 Neil Gaiman penned
episode of Doctor Who.
In 1999 Davis returned to Star Wars and played four characters in the Phantom Menace, including Wald (a
young Rodian), Weazel (a human Podrace spectator) and Yoda in some scenes where
Yoda had to walk.
Continuing
the tradition of playing characters that had W names (Wicket, Willow, Wald,
Weazel) Warwick played a character named Wolivan in "The Force Awakens". Yet
Davis is far from done with Star Wars films. This December he will appear in
Rogue One (his sixth Star Wars film).
There
is some debate as to what kind of character Warwick will be playing in Rogue One.
There have been rumors that he plays Bistan, a monkey-like alien, though Bistan
looks a little tall for Warwick. Other photos suggest he will not be in costume
at all. Maybe we will actually get to see Warwick act a little without a mask,
perhaps we may get a line or two out of him?
Even
if Davis only gets a second of screen time in Rogue One, we look forward to
further appearances in the franchise. Warwick is now 46 and we hope that he has
many years of Star Wars films ahead of him.
