Historically Hasbro has had "plussed up" toys sold at San Diego Comic-Con International - better accessories or variant deco are frequent upgrades. This time around Hasbro will offer two different versions of Luke's Landspeeder. A $59.99 mass retail version will be made, with a $89.99 one with weathered paint, an engine, and seemingly more gear for the big convention. Which should you get? Whichever you can find.
Our pal Shannon sent in some images from Orlando at Star Wars Celebration confirming Hasbro will be un-retiring The Vintage Collection yet again in Spring 2018. (It'd go nicely with the new Han Solo movie.) For those of you who are old, you may recall this is the fourth time Hasbro has relaunched the faux-1978-1984 format. The only confirmation I have (not being on the floor) is that of Rey on a The Force Awakens cardback - so if you missed the figure now on markdown at Walmarts for $5.86, you're in luck! All we know is that the Fan's Choice line is coming and, I hope, the format will return for a good long time.
Update: It's over! We're back with Fan's Choice! Hasbro has asked for your input on the next new 3 3/4-inch The Vintage Collection action figure. It's going to be just like last year - you can leave a comment below or email me at this address, and I'll tally the results. Last year the ballot box got stuffed for Jaina Solo, this is your chance to vote for a future 3 3/4-inch The Black Series action figure.
Note: Please do not request figures that have already been released or announced. Please do not send duplicate entries. Please do not send a list of characters - only one will be counted.
Here are the rules per Hasbro:
A few years ago we got a glimpse into a pretty cool Starspeeder 1000 from Disney, showing that they can make vehicles for the theme parks when Hasbro wasn't so inclined. Now according to Jedi News on Twitter, it looks like they're going to do a Sandcrawler. Start saving, it's going to be an expensive year for droid fanatics.
Secret #droidfactory playset coming soon to the #disneyparks With figure. Can you guess what it is??? #starwars https://t.co/Qkh1sPjjU4 pic.twitter.com/tEc6rUehw2
— Jedi News (@JediNewsUK) April 13, 2017
More! It looks like D-23, Halloween, Christmas, and whatever season BB-8 represents will be getting more exclusive figures at Disney parks and events. According to Vinylmation World, D23 will get R5-D23. Halloween gets a killer clear green R3-B0017. BB-8 will show up at Disneyland during D-23. R3-H17 is this year's Christmas Day of the Robot. Vinylmation World has more in a tweet.
Upcoming Astromech droids coming to Disney Parks #swco #disneyparks #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/ydlsOjxhjL
— Vinylmation World (@vinylmationworl) April 13, 2017
Adam gets another ulcer! New Protocol Droid Factory announced at Hollywood Studios! Vinylmation World posted some interesting stuff in the last day, including this tweet showing a new series of Protocol Droids launching, apparently, today! Exactly how many and which parts are there remain to be seen, so if anyone can catalog everything available so we can beg friends to help us out, that would be greatly appreciated.
Build a Protocol Droid launches tomorrow at Hollywood Studios #waltdisneyworld #swco #StarWarsCelebration #disneyparks pic.twitter.com/tNapHwzRyy
— Vinylmation World (@vinylmationworl) April 13, 2017
The info just keeps rolling in! Hasbro's PR department informed us that Commander Gree is coming to Toys R Us as an exclusive. When? We don't know, but the 6-inch The Black Series figure looks pretty sharp.
More information as we have it - and it's nice to see the prequels getting some love out there.
Back in 2013 Hasbro released the very first 6-inch The Black Series figures to mixed reviews - they were great, but a lot of fans opted out and that lead to cheap clearance prices on Amazon within a few months. Fast-forward to today, and people are upset they missed a few of those early figures. Hasbro is reissuing X-Wing Pilot Luke Skywalker for Star Wars Celebration this weekend, and there's a big process about how to line up to get yours.
The less I say, the better - because there are 4 items to buy with a grand total of 8 new robots. The good news: there's finally going to be an easier way to get Chopper, and that super-articulated C-3PO you like is coming back in style. With blessed little competition from Hasbro these days, you'll probably have the scratch to pull these down. From the Disney Parks article:
This month, Cody is part of a team rolling out a limited release, boxed set with four Astromech droid action figures inspired by characters from the animated series, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”
Additionally, three limited release action figures are making their debut including C1-10P “Chopper” from Disney XD’s animated series “Star Wars Rebels;” a two-pack featuring R2-D2 and C-3PO celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Star Wars: A New Hope; and a red Protocol droid, R-3D0, that was briefly seen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Sci-fi supersite io9 posted a preview of a new 6-inch The Black Series Rey's Speeder! This sizable, $60 vehicle should be out later this year and will undoubtedly be on display in Orlando at Star Wars Celebration this weekend.
I'd bet that you don't have this particular Finn figure. I got it from Mexico, it was also sold in Australia and presumably a few other countries - but not the USA. It's a 6-inch "value" figure, and that The Force Awakens premiere assortment from 2005 hasn't shipped here. Finn has 4 joints and a black blaster in his fist - is he nifty enough to buy? Read on!
Check out the 3 3/4-inch Imperial Hovertank Pilot! It's pretty sweet. You didn't miss the tank, because as of yet there isn't one - maybe it'll appear in a future movie line. At least you've got a pilot to staff it if/when it ever comes! Read on.
Today's the day! Without too much fuss, Target's exclusive AT-ACT Driver has joined the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story DVD and Blu-Ray at retail today. It's worth noting Target has an exclusive deluxe Blu-Ray set with bonus content as well, and the price may vary. The tag said $29.99 but it rang up $27.99. Go figure.
If you want to see if the 6-inch AT-ACT Driver figure is in your area, check DPCI 087-06-1115.
This 6-inch First Order Snowtrooper is not the Black Series figure - it has only 4 joints and was sold outside the USA. It's neat! Hopefully Hasbro brings it over hear some day, for now it's eBay or bust. Read on!