No excuse for them not putting effort in getting correct sized person and dressed him properly. I think it is disrespectful to the true FANS.
John, they don't give a **** about the real fan.
Let me share you a story about SW.
It was 2002 and we went to talk to Fox Italia since we had like 20 costumes and wanted to be part of the italian premiere. After talking a bit, comes out that the lady tells us she doesn't want costumes that are not Lucasfilm originals, but she wants us to get dressed and be on some balconies of the theather so the people down on the streets could see us. Far, but present.
So the show begins, vips start to come in. We were relegated at the 4th floor of this big theather. After a while I just grow tired of being put aside and I decide to get my guys together get to the first floor and show up in front of everybody. So get into formation...20 costumes...we show up and all the media leaves VIPS behind and come to us. Delirious...
We even go to the outside where there's the red carpet. Same thing...media guys and regular people go crazy...tons of pictures...After a while, the lady from Fox comes to me and says: "I didn't know your costumes were so good-looking, congratulations! Wow"...
So you see? They don't care. To them, the fans are just that. Fans.
She could have just asked us to look at some pictures and take a decision after that, instead, sci-fi, fantasy fans are jsut considered "never-grown-up" people to treat like little kids.
I don't get surprised anymore.
And to say it all, the short guy in the armor, will probably be someone's friend who wanted to do that. Works like this here. Reccomendations. For almost everything.