Hasbro announced fourteen Star Wars action figures will be released this year with re-creations of the original Kenner packaging from 1978 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Star Wars.  At this week’s New York Toy Fair 2017, Hasbro announced it initially will release the original twelve action figures in their classic cardbacks from 1978: Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, C-3PO, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, Ben Kenobi, Chewbacca, Han Solo, Stormtrooper, Jawa, Sandpeople, and Death Squad Commander.

We’ve all seen these figures not only in their original 3 3/4-inch size with this packaging, but in re-releases over the years for various editions.  The difference is the new 40th anniversary editions will include new sculpts in a six-inch format.  This size difference explains why you might notice the new versions don’t exactly match the original bubble card placement.

  

In addition to the original twelve figures, three figures will be released as exclusives: R5-D4 will only be available at Gamestop stores on retro card, the AT-AT Driver will only be available at Wal-Mart stores in the standard Black Series box, and the X-Wing pilot Luke foil edition on retro card will only be sold at Star Wars Celebration 2017.  A Snowtrooper will also be available in the same size in the standard Black Series box.

  

Darth Vader will also be sold with a recreation of the infamous Kenner Early Bird Certificate set, the empty cardboard box Kenner sold in Christmas 1977 to meet the demand for Star Wars toys after the movie’s surprise success.  The original Early Bird Certificate granted purchasers a voucher for figures of Luke, Leia, R2, and Chewbacca and had a special cardboard display set to display the first 12 figures.

The 40th anniversary edition “Legacy Pack” will include a display stand and two cardboard display backgrounds.

  

At least two versions of other display stands were shown to visitors of Toy Fair 2017, one with a snow scene and another with what appears to be a Death Star scene, for use with all Black Series figures.

  

You can pre-order Luke here, Leia here, and Ben here, now at Amazon.  The April-May release set of Luke, Leia, Ben, Han, and R2-D2 can be pre-ordered as a set now here at Entertainment Earth.  Pre-order links are not yet available for other figures or sets.  More to come as more figures are announced!

C.J. Bunce
Editor
borg.com