This year’s Force Friday, the designated launch day for product based on the next Star Wars movie, came with a little more forewarning than last time: rather than simply try to keep every new toy a secret, Hasbro and other licensees showed images beforehand of Rogue One action figures, giving us  a bit more time to acclimate to the entirely new cast of characters. But that doesn’t mean they showed us everything…over the weekend, a slew of new announcements have come out that are sure to excite fans both old and new, with figures from not just Rogue One, but spanning the entire saga.
The Hasbro four-pack depicted above will hit mass retail in spring, and features Edrio Two Tubes, the new character who was revealed at this past summer’s San Diego Comic-Con. He’ll be accompanied by Saw Gerrera (who first appeared in the Clone Wars cartoon), heroine Jyn Erso, and an Imperial Hovertank pilot.
Meanwhile, Entertainment Earth has an exclusive four-pack of Revenge of the Sith Clonetroopers in the 6-inch Black Series format. While Commander Cody has been released in this scale, and a plain white trooper was part of an Amazon four-pack, this style of Clone Trooper has never been released at mass retail in this scale, and these four scene-specific styles are a first in six inches. From left to right, we have the 442nd Siege Battalion sent to crush the Trade Federation homeworld, the 212th Attack Battalion for Utapau, Palpatine’s Shock Trooper from the Senate fight with Yoda, and a 501st Legion Clone to help Vader kill younglings.
You wouldn’t expect Hot Toys not to have a thing or two to show, right? First, from the beach planet Scarif, an Imperial Shoretrooper with colorful armor that may or may not bring a beach ball to mind.
And then, from The Force Awakens, the very first figure of Old Luke Skywalker to bear Mark Hamill’s likeness.
Via Kotaku, we also learn about a Walgreens exclusive 6-inch Black Series Threepio; while the mass-retail version will have the red arm from The Force Awakens, this edition will sport the more familiar Original Trilogy colors. While my first thought was, “Dang, why’d the more popular version have to be an exclusive?”, my second thought was, “Cool! The 6-inch Black Series are easier to find at Walgreens anyway!”
And that’s not all: stores as varied as Target and Kohl’s will also have special multi-packs and repaints, as it seems Hasbro has definitely learned from the shortages last year. So no Kylo Ren-like temper tantrums today, folks; for collectors, there’s a wealth of riches coming.
Which new Star Wars figures will you be looking out for and/or preordering? Give us the full Force of your opinions below.
Images: Hasbro, Hot Toys
