Posted in: Movies | Tagged: collectibles, disney, entertainment, film, lucasfilm, Star Wars Day

Disney Stores Take Over Star Wars Day As We Feared

Published Fri, 02 May 2014 12:30:29 -0500

By Jeremy Konrad

When Disney purchased Star Wars from Lucasfilm about 18 months (!) ago, it would be safe to assume most people who call themselves fans of The Wars became skeptical about the future of our beloved franchise. Everything from Mickey Mouse crossovers to Captain America taking on a TIE Fighter was feared (and to a degree realized when he single-handedly took down that S.H.E.I.L.D plane in The Winter Soldier, but I digress). And then the news came out that the EU that so many of us hold near and dear may or may not be canon anymore, and that Marvel was taking over the publishing of Star Wars comics from Dark Horse.

And now they are going to start hitting us Star Wars fans where it really hurts: collectibles.

Every year on May 4, it is widely known as Star Wars day, or May the Fourth. Lots of libraries, comic shops, and even sporting teams do everything from host book readings to wear Star Wars themed jerseys that day to honor the Saga. Online collector sites have sales and exclusive items, and fun is had by all spending the day how most fans spend every other day anyway: talking and consuming everything and anything Star Wars.

This year, Disney has decided to almost in a way take over May The Fourth celebrations. While many Disney Stores have had a Star Wars display for months, featuring Hasbro figures and t-shirts, to celebrate May the Fourth they are going to put out what is sure to be the first of many, many pieces of Disney Store exclusive merchandise.

To start, the first 100 people through the door will receive an exclusive Star Wars pin. Disney collectors go crazy for these, and they command a high price on the secondary market, so getting one of those will be the tallest order of the day. Once you get inside, kids ages 3 and older can also partake in activities they are calling "Ways of the Force", where kids can do anything from learning how to perform a Jedi Mind trick to participating in a Medal of Bravery ceremony ala the end of A New Hope.

Really for us collectors it is all about the exclusives though. And there are many.

First, they are debuting a new wave of Star Wars plushies, which include a Bantha, Jawa, a new Chewbacca, and an articulated R2-D2. The Bantha and Chewbacca retail for $19.99, while the Jawa and R2 go for $9.99.

The biggest news is that they are offering four new giant size figures with full articulation, lights, and over 15 phrases from the films. The first four are Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker (X-Wing pilot), and a Stormtrooper. These come hot on the heels of Hasbro trying (and failing mightily) at reviving the 12 inch scale with figure that resemble shampoo bottles. They will retail at $29.99.

If any of this interests you, you will be there with bells on that morning I am sure.

And if you live in the U.K. not to worry, you can actually order them right now before we can even get them.

See everyone in line!

UPDATE: Since the writing of this article, Lucasfilm has indeed made a statement about the EU. Click here for the info and to discuss.