It's finally here. The first wave of the new 2012 Star Wars brand packaging is officially in stores now, and as you saw in this report...stores are gearing up for the big promotion of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace 3D hitting theaters on February 10th.

Hasbro has created a "new" line of realistic-style action figures called Movie Heroes, incorporating the 2012 line look featuring Darth Maul. Movie Heroes is a line of figures that are repacks/repaints of action figures from the past. Longtime collectors can ignore these, but newer fans may want to get them, because they are "new to you!"




Podracer Pilots
This 5-figure set of Boonta Eve Classic Podrace contestants is a great way for new fans to get all caught up with figures of these high-flying speed demons from Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace! Although every figure in this set has been released before, each one has been repainted slightly for this set. In addition, the podracers all come complete with flags & flagpoles, plus 5 2-sided Galactic Battle Game cards, 5 black battle bases, and a battle game die.


The figures include in this set are as follows:

Clegg Holdfast
Originally released in 2009's LEGACY COLLECTION line as Clegg HOldfast, this version has been repainted slightly (the suit is more tan now), and of course does not include the Build-A-Droid piece.




Dud Bolt
Originally released in 2006's THE SAGA COLLECTION line as Dud Bolt & Mars Guo 2-pack, this version has been repainted slightly (the suit is more "clean" that it was originally), and does not include the TSC stand.




Gasgano
Originally released in 1999's EPISODE I line as Gasgano with Pit Droid, this version does not include the Pit Droid or Commtech chip, and is a bit brighter in deco.




Mars Guo
Originally released in 2006's THE SAGA COLLECTION line as Dud Bolt & Mars Guo 2-pack, this version is the closest deco to the original, but it's still somewhat different. Plus, it does not include the TSC stand.




Teemto Pagalies
Originally released in 2002's SAGA line as Teemto Pagalies (Pod Racer), this version has been repainted the most, and of course does not include the Maintenance Spider Droid or debris piece.




With this set and the upcoming "Discover the Force" Walmart-exclusive Mos Espa Arena set, almost every podracer from the past is now back again, just in time to join the new Ratts Tyerell, Ben Quadinaros, and Mawhonic!

Only Ody Mandrell is not slated for a shiny new coat of paint (although his Pit Droid is back!), or at least no plans have been announced yet.