Version 1.0 Revised May 9, 2005
Compiled by Adam Pawlus 

I. Introduction

II. Packaging

a. OTC
b. Vintage (VOTC)

III. Toys

a. Basic Figures
b. Vintage Figures (3 3/4”)
c. Vintage Figures (12”)
d. Vehicles
e. Exclusives
f. Other Toys

IV. Conclusions

V. Distribution



I. INTRODUCTION

Launching in mid-2004, the Original Trilogy Collection (OTC) is Hasbro’s banner for the revision of the Star Wars action figure line after Saga (2002-2004) and prior to its Episode III line. Breaking tradition from the Saga line, it will include figures and vehicles only from Star Wars,  The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. The line seems to be an attempt to grab the attention of both kids and collectors with a friendly lineup of characters in which both audiences can find something to love.

The packaging is meant to tie in to the DVD release of these three films and will even be used on a few Prequel toys such as a talking Yoda doll and some electronic and non-electronic lightsabers.

Right now, the line will include 38 Basic figures, 12 “Vintage” Figures (VOTC), three 12-inch “Vintage” figures, and three vehicles. A number of exclusive items are coming as well but it is currently unknown if they will come in OTC packaging or Saga packaging, as it is not common for an exclusive to sport an older style of packaging during a transition.

The purpose of this document is to give you a quick rundown of what to expect from this series of Star Wars toys, which is presently not expected to last beyond May of 2005.

II. PACKAGING

The packaging was revised to an extremely collector-friendly retro look that Kenner and many other companies used for their Star Wars merchandise from 1977-1980.

a. OTC
The Original Trilogy Collection is the banner that will cover virtually all Hasbro merchandise released during this time period. The Vintage figures are part of the OTC, but prequel-based toys are supposedly not. The Prequel toys scheduled to come out in OTC packaging look just like the other toys, however they do not sport the black and silver sticker boasting “Original Trilogy Collection.” The vintage figures are also expected to have this label. The line also breaks the toys down into Rebel Alliance or the Evil Empire, placing third-parties like the Jawas with the Empire. In early 2005, 12 Post-OTC figures were released on very similar packaging from the first five films and without the OTC emblem.

b. Vintage (VOTC)
Vintage packaging is made to look like the vintage toy to the point where the front of the cardboard part of the packaging is taken from the toys from 1978—1985 right down to the photos of the old toys or the Kenner logo. These toys will also be packaged in a larger plastic container, and in the case of the 3 3/4” figures, it should look a lot like a Star Case.

To view a breakdown of the Original Trilogy Collection cardback, click here for our Cardatomy.

III. TOYS

The toy segment is split between several assortments and numerous lines, and as of now, a lot of things are still up in the air. This section will present information for what we know as of the latest revision.

Right now, the line has had:

38 Basic Figures, 12 Post-OTC Basic Figures
12 Vintage Figures
3 Vintage 12” Figures
3 Vehicles

…and several exclusive items, role-play goods, and so forth.

a. Basic Figures

38 basic figures are being released so far, with virtually all major players with speaking parts and a significant amount of screen time represented save for Emperor Palpatine and Grand Moff Tarkin. All basic figures are expected to be $4.99-$6.99.

-13 are from Star Wars: A New Hope
-13 are from The Empire Strikes Back
-12 are from Return of the Jedi
-7 figures are brand new
-3 old figures have never been packaged individually as basics before
-29 are unique characters
-22 are packaged as Rebels
-16 are packaged as Imperials, Villains, or Other
-10 figures were originally part of the Power of the Force collection
-10 were originally from Power of the Jedi
-11 were originally from previous incarnations of Saga
-16 were not easily made available in the past year
-4 are Bounty Hunters
-4 are Luke Skywalker
-3 are Darth Vader
-3 are Princess Leia
-2 are Han Solo
-2 are R2-D2
-2 are Obi-Wan Kenobi
-2 are Lando Calrissian
-1 figure is making its modern Star Wars debut
-4 are Droids
-9 are Aliens
-25 are Humans or Cyborgs
-2 were initially sold as toys based on The Phantom Menace
-1 is missing a significant part of its POTF2 incarnation (Logray from Ewoks)

The accessories of the figures as shown in Hasbro’s visual checklist are not necessarily final. Action figure bases, interchangeable arms, and other weapons are not shown in these images. Princess Leia from Return of the Jedi (OTC33) is not expected to include her deluxe Sail Barge cannon, but it is assumed that the Snowtrooper (OTC25) will include his E-web Cannon.

This lineup is by no means final nor is it set in stone. It’s entirely possible that figures could be added or removed as time goes on depending on what currently available figures are demanded by the market throughout the remainder of the OTC run.

b. Vintage Figures (3 3/4”)

While the basic figures are aimed at fans of all ages, the 12 Vintage Figures (VOTC) are aimed at the collector market, and will undoubtedly grab a few kids as well. These will ship in 2004 and Hasbro stated there were no plans for additional figures. Each will be packaged on a replica of an old Kenner cardback with an all-new back of package in a plastic clamshell. The figures will be released in three waves, each representing a film in the trilogy (Star Wars, Empire, Jedi), and each wave will feature the vintage Kenner card back for that particular film. These figures are sold for roughly $9.99 each and some were available in early 2005. They are:

A New Hope
Luke Skywalker
Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi
Princess Leia
Han Solo

The Empire Strikes Back
Darth Vader
C-3PO
Lando Calrissian
Yoda

Return of the Jedi
Boba Fett
Stormtrooper
Chewbacca
R2-D2

These figures will also include some accessories like their vintage counterparts, such as Yoda’s snakes. The vintage-style telescoping lightsabers, last seen in 2002’s Anakin Skywalker (Outlander Peasant Disguise) will not appear in this new Vintage action figure line.

c. Vintage Figures (12”)

Three Vintage Figures are confirmed for 2004 and rumors persist of additional 12” product, although there is no official word from Hasbro. They are:

-Boba Fett
-Luke Skywalker
-Stormtrooper

While early reports stated each figure will be packaged from a different movie, packaged samples show the characters as all being in a Star Wars box. The box front is an almost exact Kenner reproduction and will be encased in protective packaging.

d. Vehicles

The non-exclusive vehicle line for the Original Trilogy Collection is a short list.

- Millennium Falcon
- TIE Fighter
- X-Wing Fighter

As previous POTF2 releases, these are all based on the original molds used from 1978 onward. The Millennium Falcon has been revised to have a larger cockpit, new electronics, and supposedly better compatibility with the modern figures. The X-Wing Fighter has no electronics, a first for this mold in the USA. The TIE Fighter is a repackaged version of the 2003 Kay-Bee exclusive.

e. Exclusives

A number of exclusives are planned for the Original Trilogy Collection with new ones still being announced. Vehicles expected as part of the OTC are as follows:

- Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter with Darth Vader (Toys “R” Us, $29.99)
- Sandcrawler with Jawas (Diamond Comics and online distribution, price varies)
- Boba Fett's Slave I with Boba Fett (Target, $29.99)
- Y-Wing Fighter with pilot (Toys “R” Us, red repaint, $29.99)

Entertainment Earth offered its own figure set as well:
- Holiday Jawas (Entertainment Earth, $19.99)

Toys “R” Us had the following figure sets for about $19.99 each:

-Endor Ambush (Speederbike with Scout Trooper, Wicket, Logray, Han Solo, Rebel Trooper)
-Jedi High Council I (Qui-Gon Jinn, Yoda, Ki-Adi-Mundi)
-Jedi High Council II (Eeth Koth, Plo Koon, Obi-Wan Kenobi)
-Jedi High Council III (Shaak Ti, Stass Allie, Agen Kolar )
-Jedi High Council IV (Anakin Skywalker, Saesee Tiin, Adi Gallia)
-Naboo Conflict (Captain Tarpals and Kaadu, Naboo Royal Guard, Gungan Warrior, Battle Droid, accessories)

Wal-Mart will stock three DVD commemorative sets of figures that will have its own distinct packaging for $9.96 each:

- A New Hope (Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, C-3PO, Obi-Wan Kenobi)
- Empire Strikes Back (Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia)
- Return of the Jedi (Stormtrooper, Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine)

In addition to all of this, there were some action figure vehicle bonus sets.

- X-wing Fighter with Luke Skywalker vs. TIE Fighter with Imperial Pilot (CostCo, $30)
- Millennium Falcon with bonus Luke, Han, Chewie, R2-D2, Obi-Wan, C-3PO (Sam's Club, $50-$60)

f. Other Toys

The OTC isn’t limited to figures and vehicles. Also expected are:

Electronic Lightsabers:

- Anakin Skywalker
- Darth Vader
- Luke Skywalker
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Yoda

Buddies Plush Toys:

- C-3PO
- Chewbacca
- R2-D2
- Yoda

Other:

- Ask Yoda Doll 
- Basic Lightsaber Assortment
- Monopoly

IV. CONCLUSIONS

The OTC is sure to please newcomers to the line and fans looking for a small subset of toys to keep in the packaging. While collectors may find several toys from the older eras on eBay for in collector shops for less than the newly packaged versions will cost, this shows that Hasbro is making an effort to focus its attentions to an audience they’ve ignored since POTF2 started, and that’s new fans and kids who want to buy something from the original films.

Seeing the likes of Darth Vader in three flavors, several Lukes, and even repackaged new figures like General Madine show that they’re really trying to make sure fans have a shot at the latest and greatest.

Seeing as this is a line of repackaged figures, it should be noted that many fans have requested Hasbro to reissue Imperial Officers and Ephant Mon, none of which are rumored as a part of the OTC at this time.

V. DISTRIBUTION

Distribution of this document is welcome and encouraged as long as it is complete and unedited with credit given where appropriate.