1. With episode 2 versions of Obi wan and Anakin getting released this year [in The Vintage Collection], do you think it’s reasonable to hope that Anakin from episode 3 will get a re-release as well? It does have a premium aftermarket value right now, so getting it back would take some pressure off of collectors who missed it the first time (like me, for example).

--Derek

You don't have one? Wow. From about 2005 to 2011 we got a pretty steady beat of varying levels of Super Articulatedness, I assumed everybody was all Anakin-ed out since I got a lot of complaints for his ubiquity.

I know of no plans to reissue any Ep3 Anakin figures as I write this,.Since 2019 Hasbro hasn't done much of the "reissue an old mold to tie in to a new movie/show" program.  They could've just as easily cranked out so many old Boba Fetts for Book of Boba Fett or Obi-Wan or Anakin (or even the Grand Inquisitor) for Obi-Wan Kenobi. I have to assume Disney either didn't insist or shot Hasbro down. It could happen eventually, but as you can see, the ball was dropped. Or the boat was missed. Pick a metaphor, they're all good.

At this point I'd really prefer to see Hasbro just start over - recent figures like Fennec Shand and Bo-Katan Kryze in The Vintage Collection are among the very best 3 3/4-inch figures you can buy, so I'm increasingly hopeful they just stop reissues and give us new ones. We've seen greatness, I'd love more of it. Having said that, I would assume Hasbro will soon see the secondary market prices of Revenge of the Sith Anakin figures and bring him back.

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2.How drastically different, if at all, is the Kenobi Vader from previous releases of 6 inch Vader? Repaints and repacks are not worth the cash, but the new sculpts are fantastic. Is this one a new sculpt or a repaint/repack?

--Chuck

Without it being in hand I am unable to be 100% sure - but I'm leaning toward "just different enough to make you mad." Worst case scenario, it's the 2017 figure with glossier plastic and brighter silver paint, with the robes under the shoulder armor instead of over it. It might have new legs and a slightly retooled chest - I can't tell from the pictures, but in some angles, those look like the old double-jointed pin knees. The arms seem to be taken from there, especially with the slightly arched left index finger and the specific gloves.

If you want every last configuration of Darth Vader that you can get, the new robe position makes this one count as different, if not exciting. The fact that we can't easily tell is one of the reasons some figures in recent years leave me cold - so many are similar to things we already bought, and it's difficult to know for sure unless you pre-order it and compare it against the thing(s) you already own. This used to be less of an issue, mostly because it was obvious figures were repeats, but also because we sometimes got them packed with new figures, or with awesome vehicles. Remember 6- and 3 3/4-inch scale vehicles? Hasbro used to make vehicles.

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FIN

Before I blab about HasLab, I have a question for you guys - has anyone seen a good fan-made The Book of Boba Fett throne for Kenner-style figures they can recommend? Preferably something that matches the 1983 Jabba the Hutt throne, completed/no printing or painting required. You won't be surprised to hear I absolutely love the Retro-style Morak Boba Fett Kenner figure.

A few weeks ago I was hopeful that the HasLab Reva FX Lightsaber could succeed. Well, even toy industry people who have written about Star Wars for 27 years can wildly miss the mark. Having added 60ish supporers in a week with 21 days of backing to go and 3 days until the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale, it feels like this one won't work. It would be my assumption that fans do not want to give Hasbro the $2.5 million loan to produce a toy that seems less like a holy grail and more like a licensor obligation. I hope it gets made for those who want it, but the older fans with money still largely scream a bout wanting more vehicles.

So what would I guess Hasbro might do next as far as 3 3/4-inch scale vehicles go?

I'd personally love Tantive IV, Star Destroyer, and especially White Witch vehicles. But I think the most sensible option to pursue next may be something like The Ghost from Star Wars Rebels. Why?

1. The Ahsoka show is on next year and has some (possibly many) cameos from the Rebels show. This ship could be on it.
2. Rebels turns 10 in 2014 - having this ship produced for delivery in 2024 (perhaps after a funding period around SDCC 2023) would be excellent timing.
3. It would give an opportunity for Hasbro to crank out Star Wars Rebels figures in super-articulated The Vintage Collection style. I loved the 5-jointed cartoon figures and treasure them all. I would also be happy with Vintage (or Retro) figures. I assume Rex, Ezra, and Chopper would sell well now that this fanbase has grown up a bit, and maybe fans will actually buy Kallus this time. Oh, and a new Thrawn while we're at it.

4. The original 1977 kids who were 4-11 in 1977 are now 49-56. The Clone Wars kids are 18-25 now, and if they stuck through Rebels they may be ready to spend some first-job money.
5. The 10th anniversary of the ship being shown to the world will be July 27, 2023.

And my selfish picks for stretch goals?

1. The Phantom - reissue the existing Hasbro vehicle, with paint instead of stickers. It would dock with the bigger ship. It's like an old Mini-Rig - lots of fun and pretty sturdy. For those who missed the original it's $80-$100 boxed and at least $45 loose if it's in good shape.
2. Figures - Kanan Jarrus had a unique look for the final season of the show, he would be a great fit. Hera, if she's not already out, would also be good. If Hasbro is looking to save some money, reissuing Sabine with new and/or different armor colors would be exciting.
3. Sabine Wren's Captured TIE Fighter. Putting the "stretch" into "stretch goal," Hasbro has an excellent Kenner-proportioned TIE Fighter mold from the 2018 Solo line.
4. A stand.

If you take a look at the Star Wars Rebels toys, particularly Hasbro's vehicles, it's probably one of the absolutely best line extensions for fans of the original trilogy. The Kenner-like toy vehicles for the AT-DP, Phantom, Inquisitor's TIE Advanced, and Imperial Troop Transport were stunning examples of good toys for the $20-$25 price points. The AT-DP was like a mini-rig AT-ST, but huge. And let's not forget the speeder bikes, A-Wing, and that modified Y-Wing Scout Bomber mini-rig repaint. Obviously I'm kind of stuck in the 1980s, and Rebels ships are right out of the old McQuarrie and Johnston concepts - in some cases literally. I'd love for them to revisit some of this stuff.

As the older fans age out of the hobby, it's important and good to engage newer fans and collectors. I'd always recommend taking inspiration from things that people have seen and already enjoy, rather than try to push collectibles from a new show that people just saw last week. I'd be super interested in a toy of Reva's ship for my figures, too.

--Adam Pawlus

Got questions? Email me with Q&A in the subject line now! I'll answer your questions as soon as time (or facts) permit.

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