I guess you don’t have to wait till Triple Force Friday (October 4th, 2019) to see new Star Wars toys. Disney-owned Star Wars franchise has previewed a slew of products from Hasbro, Funko! and LEGO that it will be bringing to Star Wars Celebration Chicago, happening from April 11-15 at McComick Place, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999, Lucasfilm). Man, 20 years! It seems like it was just yesterday we were treated to the most non-defining Star Wars yet. Oops. Sorry, I didn’t mean it to come out that way.
Anyways… Hasbro, on its part, is dishing out an exclusive set of action figures with a card design that pays homage to the red card backs from the original toy line introduced when Episode I hit the theaters. Hasbro’s offerings include 6-inch Black Series Darth Maul and young Obi-Wan Kenobi figures blister packed with special Episode I card backs printed with Photo Real paint application technique. Funko!, on the other hand, will be bringing a series of Funko POP! bobblehead figures, featuring Watto, Darth Maul, and a special chrome blue series comprising of six key characters who, if you ask me, are not all in direct relation to the movie from 20 years ago.
They are welcome additions nonetheless – even for a person like me who are not particularly fond of adorable versions of iconic Star Wars characters. The special chrome blue series include Princess Leia, Yoda, Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, Chewbacca, and Boba Fett. But what really had our earnest attention is this: LEGO 75227 Darth Vader Bust. Yes! Finally, there is going to be a Darth Vader bust. Little is known about this Darth Vader bust, except for the fact that it has 327 pieces to it and the box will come with the celebratory emblems. Then again, there’s really nothing more we need to know. It is a Lord freaking Vader bust for the love of the Emperor!
One thing for sure is, this ain’t no UCS (which is kind of disappointing). You can learn more about Star Wars Celebration Chicago 2019 at its official website.
Hat tip: FBTB.
