Update - [4/23/02] - Even though a number of stores broke the "On Sale" date of April 23rd, the new line of figures based on the upcoming Star Wars Episode Two have finally come out. You instantly notice a slight difference in the new figures. The packaging is blue and unlike every line that came before, the figure is placed more centrally on the blister card. Also, Hasbro states that they've used a facial scanning technology (as seen before in the Lord of the Rings figures) to make the facial models well detailed. I would have to say that for the most part it works. The figures are better detailed and painted fairly well.

A Sneak Preview lineup came out in the older green packaging, including Jango Fett, R3-T7, Zam Wessell and a Clone Trooper. (See picture to left.) The lineup for the new series includes: Anakin Skywalker, Padmé Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Boba Fett, C-3P0, Tusken Raider, Yoda, Jar Jar Binks, R2-D2, Jango Fett and others among 27 figures. Also, there is to be a Deluxe line that includes Obi-Wan, Jango Fett, Mace Windu and Darth Tyranus. 12" figures include Anakin, Obi-Wan and a Clone Trooper. There will also be vehicles, lightsabers and Legos coming out, but it's obvious that Lucas was true to his word when he said there was going to be less merchandise this tiem around.

Pictures are also floating around (I haven't seen them yet) of some figures for the new line that show characters from other movies in the series, including Chewbacca, Han Solo, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker and Darth Maul, to name a few. I will have to say that this new series of figures holds a lot of promise. Hopefully, Hasbro won't overdo it like last time.

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Well before the movie's release and just before the Toy Fair 2001, Hasbro Toys has decided to release a few teaser shots of lifelike busts and figures for the new Star Wars movie. Shots of six busts, including Christopher Lee, Natalie Portman and Ewan McGregor, have hit the internet, namely IGN.com.

One of the more interesting busts is of Temura Morrison, who is dressed in the Mandalorian armor of Boba Fett. There currently doesn't seem to be any confirmation that he is actually Boba Fett, but that will all come out in the wash.

While the computer-scanned and scultped busts themselves are nice as fan-boy keepsakes, they aren't actually for sale. Hasbro's intention is to show the level of detail they plan for the toy line when the movie does release. Also shown are full-body shots of Morrison in the Mandalorian armor (see left). Without knowing the actual scale of the photo, we can't quite say how well-detailed the figures will be at this point.

If they're as good as the last series that came out, most, if not all fans should be well pleased. Heck, at this point, anything Star Wars would make most of them happy.

- - Vane