If it's true, 2017 is looking up already!  As a possibly 40th Anniversary present, check out this article: "4K Theatrical Restoration of the True Original “Star Wars” possible for 2017."  A choice quote:

"According to recent comments made by Rogue One director Gareth Edwards, a 4K restoration of Star Wars Episode IV “A New Hope” does indeed exist and now the only real question is whether or not the cleaned up and sharpened version of the movie will be hitting the big screen once again."

This week in Q&A - The Gungan Bongo Sub! Who wants to be disappointed? Star Wars Merchandising! Is Disney losing money by not doing more? Maybe, but there's a bigger picture here. And Rogue One - what else might be fun?

And send in your questions for next week. Read on!

Ad: You probably haven't seen them in the wild, so get Bodhi Rook, Grand Admiral Thrawn, the Scarif Stormtrooper, a Death Trooper, Jyn Erso in Disguise, and Princess Leia in Star Wars Rogue One 3 3/4-Inch Action Figures Wave 3 Set at Entertainment Earth! They're in stock now and the set qualifies for free shipping.

Former retail giants Kmart and Sears have been finding their customer base becoming more selective, as some major cities have closed a store or three per year until all that is left is one or two stores to serve a couple million people.   This week, Business Insider posts Sears and Kmart are closing more stores - see if your store is on the list. (Mine wasn't.)   With only a handful of stores remaining, exclusives are tougher to come by and it's less frequently a stop on a typical toy tun for many of us. 

Ad: It's that time! The Entertainment Earth Year-End Clearance Sale is on now, with items up to 95% off. You can get items as little as $1! Star Wars, Hasbro, Batman, KISS, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, and much ore are up for grabs. Over 1,000 items, in fact - hurry, and get free shipping in the USA on select items!

Hey kids, it's Director Krennic!  The 6-inch figure has a cool gun, a nice cape, and a surprisingly good sculpt.   He's also showing up a lot more lately - you might find this one in stores now!  Read on.

This 6-inch 501st Legion Clone Trooper is in a gift set at Entertainment Earth right now!  It's pretty amazing - the damage deco is some of Hasbro's best, and the blue markings are indeed blue.   Read on for more!

Sources are reporting that following a heart attack, Carrie Fisher is dead at 60.  Entertainment Weekly has a full story.

This 6-inch C-3PO just hit this year, sporting a red arm from The Force Awakens.  There are two flavors of cherry arms - this is the brighter of the two.  There's one with two golden arms exclusive to Walgreens, hitting wider distribution as I type this.   Have you found yours yet?   Should you get this one?  Read on!

Walmart's 6-inch Scarif Stormtrooper is a lot like its exclusive 3 3/4-inch version.  Heck, it seems if you need one, Walmart.com still has a few.     It's a nice figure, with good deco, and you probably wish you could get more of it.  Such is the state of army builders in the Disney era.  Read on!

This week in Q&A - The Lost Vehicles of Rogue One - why aren't there more toys? Also Italian Exclusives - first our arctic circle candy, now Republic Troopers. And 3 3/4-inch super articulated figures. Who doesn't enjoy a few of those?

And send in your questions for next week. Read on!

If you IM me regularly throughout the work week, odds are you want a Clone Trooper (442nd Siege Battalion) action figure! This exclusive is at Entertainment Earth right now, and you can buy it as part of a set of 4 figures in a nifty slipcase.   If you got Christmas Money to spend, read on!

The reality of the Death Trooper may not be as cool as the mystery box provided to us by the marketing, but the armor design is pretty cool.  It has two blasters, Darth Vader's belt buckle, and a height above that of normal troopers.   Should you pick up this 6-inch Imperial trooper?  I assume you already have, but read on!

Captain Cassian Andor is one of the cool new characters in Rogue One, and this version is exclusive to Target.   It's an amazing sculpt that really could use a repainted head.   It's pretty good otherwise - how many figures have 3-piece blasters?   Read on!

Now that I've seen Rogue One, I assume you have too with a look at the 6-inch K-2SO action figure from Hasbro.  It's pretty good, and doesn't include a blaster like some early packaged press photos.   If you thought he was the best part of the movie, I have little doubt that you'll find him the best action figure.  Read on!