This week in Q&A - let's talk figure variants. If you haven't tuned on yet, we can talk about the seemingly strange Rogue One figure selections. Given Disney, it's hard to know what's good, what's bad, and what's meant to be a masked spoiler. And speaking of spoiled - hoarding! Oddly, it's not something I hear about very much in our circles.

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

Ad: Order Star Wars Relic First Order Stormtrooper Hikari Figure from Entertainment Earth! Due in March 2017, this weathered warrior wearily wields no weapon, although appears awesome alone or among allies. $79.99, due in March, and shipping is free in the USA!

Not one, but four new 3 3/4-inch figures were revealed by Hasbro to us today!  Admiral Raddus, Lt. Sefla, Fenn Rau, and Galen Erso are all now revealed in their packaging.  You might have seen some of these before elsewhere, but if you haven't?  It's new to you!  Pictures after the break.

From the press release:

STAR WARS 3.75-INCH FIGURE Assortment
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $7.99/Available: Spring 2017)
Enter the world of STAR WARS and launch into action and adventure! Each 3.75-inch figure features five points of articulation and comes with their iconic battle accessories. Characters include heroes and villains from ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY such as JYN ERSO, K-2SO, IMPERIAL GROUND CREW, GALEN ERSO, and IMPERIAL STORMTROOPER, STAR WARS REBELS characters including KANAN JARRUS (Stormtrooper Disguise) and SABINE WREN, and KYLO REN and REY (JAKKU) from STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. Each figure sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com. Compatible with the HASBRO STAR WARS STUDIOFX App.

There is another two-pack! Hasbro sent along this block of copy and two shots of what looks to be the action figure set of the season.

From the press release:

STAR WARS 3.75-INCH DELUXE FIGURE 2-PACK Assortment
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2017)
Pick a side in the galactic battle between good and evil! Choose between the IMPERIAL DEATH TROOPER and REBEL COMMANDO PAO or the SCARIF STORMTROOPER and MOROFF from ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, or relive the events from STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS with POE DAMERON and the FIRST ORDER SNOWTROOPER. Each 3.75-INCH DELUXE FIGURE 2-PACK comes with 2 figures and multiple accessories, including a dual-projectile launcher. Each pack sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com. Compatible with the HASBRO STAR WARS STUDIOFX App.

From the press release:

IMPERIAL DEATH TROOPER 12-INCH ELECTRONIC DUEL FIGURE
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Fall 2017)
Bring ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY to life with this 12-inch electronic figure! Jump into action     with the elite IMPERIAL DEATH TROOPER, by squeezing the figure’s legs to activate authentic battle sounds. Each figure sold separately. Requires one 1.5V AA battery. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com. Compatible with the HASBRO STAR WARS STUDIOFX App.

Hasbro sent along a bunch of goodies today, plus a new press release!  First up: the Star Wars Bladebuilders Jedi Knight Lightsaber.  With a gold blade and purple light daggers, it's pretty spiffy.  The press release says:

STAR WARS BLADEBUILDERS JEDI KNIGHT LIGHTSABER
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Available: Spring 2017)
Build a custom lightsaber fit for the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy! Extend the JEDI KNIGHT LIGHTSABER with a flick of the wrist and attach the double lightdaggers for close combat. Compatible with BLADEBUILDERS LIGHTSABER components, each sold separately. Includes yellow lightsaber, 2 purple lightdaggers, and 5 adjustable connectors. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.

Our pals at PPW Toys announced this awesome Princess Leia Mrs. Potato Head!  You can get her at Entertainment Earth. She's part of their ongoing line of Poptaters toys, which include numerous licenses. There was a cool Breaking Bad "Friesenberg" a couple of years ago, and there are numerous other Star Wars pieces as well as Marvel and Ghostbusters. And hopefully more we'll see at Toy Fair in a couple of weeks.

Hey kids, it's Unkar Plutt!  This 2016 figure has a removable hand and a claw replacement - serious toy stuff.   You might even be able to find this figure at a store near you still, as he wasn't necessarily the most popular bad guy in the movie - get him if you can.  Read on!

Today it's the swell Sergeant Jyn Erso (Ground Crew Disguise) figure!   This is interesting - it seems Jyn's body is the same as the regular ground crew figure, only with a different head and some new accessories.  It's great!   Read on.

Posted by director Chris Miller, on Twitter, we see that filming has commenced on the first and also untitled Han Solo anthology film.  Its working title is "Red Cup"  as in Solo will no doubt inspire new waves of fan merchandise. (I'd buy a Red Cup logo shirt.)   The film is supposedly slated for May 2018 but it would not surprise me if that moved.

Han
First
Shot pic.twitter.com/KReR6rgKFT

— Chris Miller (@chrizmillr) January 30, 2017

This week in Q&A - Timing! Is it true big box retailers can be impatient when new toys come out around a seasonal reset? Yes. And Rebel Pilots - boy howdy, are there a lot of them. Also Trooper References - it would seem Rogue One fans are fan of going black and also tan! Also white. Look, we love armored figures.

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

Ad: The Star Wars Nocturn First Order Stormtrooper Hikari Figure is coming soon! Cast in black and covered in purple and blue, this sharp shooter also sports blue fists and feet. It's expected in March, and new orders are welcome at Entertainment Earth today. Click through for pricing and availability.

Previously known as the Shock Trooper, the 6-inch version of this figure said Coruscant Guard on the box.  The red and white Clone has marvelous paint applications including big scratches and awesome scuffing that make it look like it had seen some action.   It's also part of a swell four-pack.  Read on!

Rounding out the main group of Rogue One heroes, it's the pilot!  Bodhi Rook is fairly loaded with gear, including a cool blaster and a backpack that actually looks like the gizmo in the movie.  You can take his vest off, but the goggles are part of his head.   I haven't seen this one in stores yet - so will you want to order yours online?  Read on!

Today is the day!  StarWars.com reveals Episode 8 title, and now let's all hope this means the packaging templates are being updated as the first stuff will be in your grubby little hands in about 8 months.