Rise of Skywalker: Babu Frick, BRANDS, and two questions from Chris Terrio

StarWars.com has formally introduced Babu Frik , the alien we saw briefly during the Force Friday preview livestream. The “tiny Anzellan droidsmith” works “among the Spice Runners of Kijimi and can reprogram or modify virtually any droid — regardless of the security measures protecting its systems.”

Continue reading “Rise of Skywalker: Babu Frick, BRANDS, and two questions from Chris Terrio”

There are actual Star Wars Barbies and they are amazing

I have no idea how this happened, but Mattel is putting out three Star Wars Barbies. Yes, Mattel. Yes, Barbies.

They’re fancy collectors editions that reimagine three iconic A New Hope looks through a high-fashion lens and they cost $100 each, so yes: Collectors items. But honestly, I mostly just enjoy the fact that they exist at all.

Continue reading “There are actual Star Wars Barbies and they are amazing”

The real problem with Forces of Destiny?

Youtuber Jenny Nicholson has a smart, measured (and sometimes hilarious) take on the Forces of Destiny line, how it’s failing the intended audience of young girls, and how it could be improved. As someone who was a girl pre-Bratz (let alone Monster High, a doll line I was only barely aware of), it’s a pretty intriguing look at a lot of things that wouldn’t even have occured to me – and here’s one real-life example from a dad.

(And yes, if you’re keeping track, there is a brief Mara Jade mention.)

Solo and the evolution of the Millennium Falcon

Over at Entertainment Weekly, Solo‘s Jon Kasdan and Alden Ehrenreich discuss the movie’s Millennium Falcon and how it evolves with each owner, from Lando’s “party vessel” to the grimy version we meet in A New Hope. Also at EW, a look at the movie’s Hasbro toy line.

It must be merch reveal day, because we also have io9 with the 6″ figures of Han, Lando and Qi’ra, while The Hollywood Reporter has the LEGOs.

#WheresRey? Only in the mail, apparently

Remember the Star Wars Monopoly game that launched the #WheresRey campaign? Despite Hasbro’s promises, it turns out that Rey never made to the U.S. version of the game “due to insufficient interest” from retailers, a Hasbro spokewoman told the AP.

People who buy the game here can request a piece from Hasbro – they’ve had just over a hundred requests in North America. The Rey game piece can be found (sometimes) in five other markets, including the U.K. and France.

The #WheresRey campaign did seem to have an impact on Rogue One marketing – Jyn Erso toys did not seem to be in any short supply, and hopefully the trend will hold for The Last Jedi.

First look at Kylo Ren’s starfighter in The Last Jedi

The Last Jedi toy leaks have begun! We have our first look at Kylo Ren’s starfighter, a new TIE variation. There are also various signs of what toys we’ll be getting in the early waves, including what seems to be two versions of Snoke.

We only see half of it at the link, but John Burns did a painting based on MSW’s previous report of the fighter; Check it out under the cut.

Continue reading “First look at Kylo Ren’s starfighter in The Last Jedi”