We recently had a chance to speak with Hasbro about some of the rumors and reports circulating around the net regarding next year's figure line. While most of the reports confirm the list we posted here several weeks ago, a couple exceptions have popped up. Running those down, we've found out the following:
Queen Amidala Travel Gown will be based on the black costume from Episode I with the feather headdress. The confusion over the color of the gown may have stemmed from the fact that different departments within Hasbro will sometimes name a figure differently. The only common identification for any figure is a number attached to the project. In the past this has lead to similar misunderstandings such as we saw with Theed Invasion/Naboo Throne Amidala.
As of Toy Fair, Obi-Wan Jedi Armor was put on indefinite hold, the feeling being that the Qui-Gon figure was similar enough and achieved the goal Hasbro had for this type of figure this year. Since then however, Hasbro has decided to add this
Art of Star Wars based figure back into the line for release later in the year. The figure will sport a similar costume as the Qui-Gon Jedi Armor, and act as a counterpart to the one currently shipping.
In other figure news, a prototype Darth Vader has surfaced on eBay featuring a very cool blaster deflection accessory. Based on the Dark Lords appearance in Cloud City, this figure, along with battle damaged Luke Bespin, was originally intended for the cancelled deluxe CD-ROM assortment. Now slated for late 2002, we should see both figures sometime after the release of Episode II. To view images of this prototype, visit eBay and search for item# 586832266.
586832266
