Star Wars fans were ecstatic when the alleged breakout star from the film, stormtrooper FN-2199 affectionately referred to as TR-8R, seemingly removed his mask and revealed himself on Twitter as aspiring professional actor Alex Rolt. Fans quickly took to the beloved baton-spinning stormtrooper and showered him with praise for his role in the box office hit. However, as fans continued to praise the actor for the iconic one-liner, “TRAITOR!,” LucasFilm was exposing Rolt for being just that, a traitor to the film for taking credit for a role he didn’t actually play. The official Star Wars page revealed that professional stuntman Liang Yang was the man behind the mask, not Rolt.
@TheWookieeRoars @AlexRolt awww yea pic.twitter.com/i8CODwGKze
— Theodore (@THEOxNICHOLSON) January 6, 2016
The Daily Mail reports that First Order Soldier FN-2199 quickly surged to the status of Star Wars legend after fans created memes from his epic battle with one of the main character’s in the film, Finn. During the battle, the beloved stormtrooper speaks a single word before twirling his Z6 Baton in an elaborate display that left fans wanting more. The one-liner of “traitor” became a signature of the new film; therefore, fans were over-the-moon when the alleged actor who played FN-2199 revealed himself on Twitter.
Aspiring actor Alex Rolt claimed to be the stormtrooper in a Twitter post in which he claimed he loved shooting this scene for the film.
Fans were so impressed with Rolt’s performance that he was asked to be interviewed by a local paper with others taking to Twitter requesting his manager’s information so that they could contact him about potential convention appearances. Despite knowing his claims were all a big lie, Rolt continued pretending to be the stormtrooper and gave the interview to the local paper outlining what it was like to film the scene. In his interview, Rolt claimed he was chosen to play the role because of his fencing experience and described how the scene played out in detail.
“They got me in the stormtrooper outfit but the prop didn’t have a clip or anything on the uniform, so I had to hold it in a certain way then deliver the line: ‘Traitor!’”
However, fans now know that Rolt wasn’t selected for the part and instead had a bit part as an extra in the film. Fortunately for fans, due to Rolt’s blatant lies, the film franchise has released detailed information about the real man behind the TR-8R mask , Liang Yang. Star Wars reveals that the voice of the character wasn’t Rolt either, but instead a Skywalker Sound sound editor.
“FN-2199’s voice (including, of course, “Traitor!”) was provided by David Acord, a Skywalker Sound sound editor. Acord’s production credits include Attack of the Clones , Revenge of the Sith , Star Wars: The Clone Wars , Star Wars Rebels , and Star Wars: The Force Awakens . Pretty good training for a stormtrooper. (Inside the armor is Liang Yang, a veteran stunt performer. Without his baton spinning, you wouldn’t be reading this.)”
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3392162/STORMBLOOPER-Aspiring-English-actor-caught-pretending-man-Star-Wars-mask.html#ixzz3wnygipbD Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
@AlexRolt shame claiming for this role. I do not remember you coming to rehearsal this fight with us. #StuntTeamVII #Imposter
— Florian Robin (@fl0WRobin) January 7, 2016
@RADIO1138 @AlexRolt @JediNewsUK Alex Rolt is lying about playing that part. I was on set for 6 months. Never saw him.
— Clare Glass (@ClareCFied) January 7, 2016
Since learning that Rolt pulled a traitor move of his own, many people who were actually in the film took to Twitter to call him out for his poor behavior. Following the backlash, Rolt has removed all of his social media accounts and claims his career is ruined.
“Sorry for doing this to all the fans. Was a joke that got out of hand. My career is tarnished.”
Shortly after the apology, his social media accounts were deactivated as it appears the backlash was too much to handle for the fake stormtrooper.
[Image via Twitter]
