Update – 8/17/17, 8:30am: Looks like someone at Hasbro goofed and perhaps jumped the gun. After being live on their official YouTube Channel for more than 12 hours, three of the four new commercials have been removed. I’ll replace them in this article if/when they’re restored.
As we approach the next “Force Friday” event on September 1, the folks at Hasbro have updated their official YouTube Channel tonight with a look at some of the new STAR WARS toys set for release ahead of Rian Johnson’s STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI this December. The big one (literally) has already elicited a verbal “I want that!” from the youngest of The Rock Daughters™, along with a mental of “I want that…” from yours truly. Indeed, Hasbro is releasing a playset, and I honestly can’t remember the last time that they did a proper 3.75″ playset that wasn’t just a fold-out vehicle. In this case, they’re releasing a large BB-8 that opens up into a First Order Star Destroyer, complete with four levels of play and figures of Supreme Leader Snoke and an Elite Praetorian Guard. Take a look at the new commercial below!
Back around Toy Fair (Feb/March), it was rumored that there would be a playset done in a similar style to what we’ve seen from the TMNT Sewer Lair sets or Hasbro’s own recent Spider-Man: Homecoming set. Personally, I think this one looks pretty good, and am looking forward to seeing it first-hand. Here at Rock Father HQ, my girls have been using my late 90s Ultarama Displays as makeshift playsets, so I’m excited for the prospect of something a little more similar to what we had as kids when STAR WARS hit the first time around.
They’ve also uploaded a pair of TV spots for their new “Force Link Band,” a piece of wearable tech that interacts with the new figures (they’re touting “over 30!”) in a similar manner to the old CommTech Chips from the prequel era. This wristband activates lights and sounds for vehicles like Kylo Ren’s TIE Silencer, and gives voice to the figures themselves.
And finally, we’ve got a quick spot for the excellent new collection of FORCES OF DESTINY Adventure Figures. We’ve already picked up Sabine during a recent Target run, and there’s more of these dolls in our future…
In the merchandising run-up to the new film, I’m hoping that all of the licensees are a little more cautious in their offerings and bring forth more toys like these, rather than some of the oddball stuff that’s been out there from THE FORCE AWAKENS and ROGUE ONE. As not only a fan, but also someone with a past retail background, STAR WARS, like many brands, has been getting overkilled by too much “junk” that skews from the bread and butter that kids and collectors love.
Stay tuned for more STAR WARS news as I have it…
