Star Wars Dying As A Brand?

[spockoda]

On another forum I watched a Youtube video where a collector made a case for the Star Wars brand overall losing its luster, with Disney in the hot seat as far as blame. The video maker went through several stores showing the glut of unsold and on clearance Star Wars merchandise. Unfortunately, I tend to agree. First off as soon as Disney got involved, prices for items soared and quality went in the opposite direction for the most part. I don't buy the 6" figures but at a Wal-Mart a few weeks back I saw some marked down to $5 each. I got my readers on and took a good look at some of the figures. On most I felt the paint jobs were subpar. The sculpts were reasonably good but I feel the paint jobs took away from that. Hasbro used to know how to paint a figure. Then the 3.75" figures. I think if Hasbro hadn't brought the brand along and got us fans used to overall good figures with good sculpts, paint jobs, and articulation the obvious decrease in quality that has happened since 2012/2013 might not be as vexing. The video maker stated "no one" is buying the figures from the new Disney movies. I wouldn't go that far but I think even the prequel stuff sold better. Personally, I bought a lot of TFA figures and had them on a shelf for a few weeks. One day I looked at them and I just came to the opinion they just weren't what I wanted in my collection quality-wise and I sold all my TFA figures(except Han Solo)and vehicles. The only figures from the new movies I have bought since are the two versions of Luke, General Leia, and Chewbacca. I am starting to wonder if Star Wars has simply run its course as a brand.

[Thor Laserpunch]

There's definite oversaturation of the Star Wars brand in general. It's kind of overwhelming tbh.

Disney's Elite series of figures are basically clunky garbage with terrible paint and joints. Low quality crap like this at the price point and with artificially created scarcity are really a turnoff.

I have a few quibbles with Hasbro in general but they've treated the SW property fairly well over the years. I do think that when I see a 2-pack of 5 poa figures in fancy redundant packaging with snap on armor junk accessories and spring loaded weapons for $15 at TRU that that would be kind of discouraging if I were a collector of that style of figure. It sort of reminds me of the old POTF2 days of giant goofy guns and horribly pre-posed limbs, but at least the sculpts are like a million times better now and pretty accurate to the source material. They are also getting a lot of coverage of characters and doing a lot of vehicles and higher-priced accessory items that most other companies and properties are shying away from.

The Black Series 3.75" and 6" lines are both pretty neat imho, as well as the Vintage Collection. The quality on these lines is the best we've ever seen for mass market SW merchandise. I think Hasbro is pretty good at spreading out the love between fans of the OT, PT, Rebels, the new movies, and EU fans alike and they're giving us some pretty decent stuff. One thing I kinda hate is the face-printing technology that seems to be popular now (also in Marvel Legends), because there are too many flaws and issues with it. That said, I only bought a few of the TBS 6" figures that were released this year because most of that product was not particularly interesting to me, but I'm aware that the line can't revolve exclusively around the OT. When we see the newer movie figures languishing on shelves for months and years, I don't know that that is necessarily Hasbro's fault. It's hard to gauge who will be popular sometimes. Aside from those points, the other thing Hasbro does that drives me crazy is exclusives. There were so many Black Series exclusives and retailer exclusives in 2017, just maddening really.

This is the best time ever to be a SW collector though. There is just so much out there. You have SH Figuarts, Bandai's model kits, Revoltech, Beast Kingdom, and MAFEX all going in their own directions as well as the very high end Hot Toys and Sideshow stuff... not to mention the high end props collectibles that are available now. On the lower end, aside from the Hasbro toys, you also have Funko and stuff like that.

So I'd say it's definitely not dying as a brand, but it is getting harder and harder to follow and more unfocused--or at least less focused on the OT. I have had the same thoughts as you about not really wanting to have stuff from the newer series entries from TFA onward. I'm not consciously avoiding it, but I am pretty selective and haven't seen too much that has made me say "I NEED THAT!"

[spockoda]

I recently found a mostly complete Clone Turbo Tank from 2009 at a thrift store. Unfortunately, this is the most exciting Star Wars find for me in quite a while and I found out that its original msrp was $99.99. If anything like this was released today by Disbro, it would probably be $250+. The higher end Star Wars stuff is probably the most exciting area of collecting Star Wars right now but I tend to ignore that stuff due to the fact of not being in a position to even consider paying $450 for a 12 inch figure although a lot of the face likenesses are fantastic.

[Thor Laserpunch]

When I see people post pics of their 1/6 scale collections online I have to wonder what they do for work or if they are completely unattached from spouses and families. Not for me from either a space or money perspective, but it's nice to know they're out there and I could stand to pick up a couple faves if I were ever so inclined. I like having the options with the high end 6" scale figures and also the Black Series. That is more manageable to me and much closer to my price range.

I think the most expensive action figure toy my parents ever got me was the Technodrome and that mighta been around $40. The fact that the economy hasn't grown along with inflation makes for some interesting sticker shock such as the example you provided. I do like that they make such things though. It takes me back to some of the big vehicles from the original Kenner line like the Falcon, AT-AT, and Imperial Shuttle. Those were all perfect toys imo with immense play value and great engineering and design. I can't see most families spending $100 on a giant toy for their kids though, but I guess enough do that they continue making such things.

[spockoda]

I saw the new Vintage Collection figures on clearance at a Wal-Mart this past weekend. Wow, that was quick. No Hoth Rebel Soldier, though.

[Thor Laserpunch]

I can’t even fathom why 3.75” would be dying on the racks. I guess the kids aren’t as into them and the adult collectors of the scale are possibly feeling screwed by dearth of product across many brands over the years. Or maybe they are just pushing out new product at such a pace that they have to clear out that fast.

[10incher]

Jul 3, 2018 18:29:13 GMT -6 Thor Laserpunch said:

I can’t even fathom why 3.75” would be dying on the racks. I guess the kids aren’t as into them

That's exactly it, my kids have seen the new movies and other than a second showing of Force Awakens, have shown no further interest in anything Disney Star Wars. I even bought them a whole bunch of marked down Force Awakens figures and they sit in the case in the closet forgotten. Its the Marvel 3.75" figures that my son is into - the movies are great. Star Wars nowadays, not so much. He does play with the tub of older figures I have in the basement from the OT and PT.

[Thor Laserpunch]

Apr 30, 2019 23:07:06 GMT -6 10incher said:

Jul 3, 2018 18:29:13 GMT -6 Thor Laserpunch said:

I can’t even fathom why 3.75” would be dying on the racks. I guess the kids aren’t as into them

That's exactly it, my kids have seen the new movies and other than a second showing of Force Awakens, have shown no further interest in anything Disney Star Wars. I even bought them a whole bunch of marked down Force Awakens figures and they sit in the case in the closet forgotten. Its the Marvel 3.75" figures that my son is into - the movies are great. Star Wars nowadays, not so much. He does play with the tub of older figures I have in the basement from the OT and PT.

I feel similarly. The new films don’t have the magic to me. They’re ok. TLJ actively annoyed me. I like the toys but without the love for the movies they serve me no purpose. OT is where my heart’s at. I did get a little excited seeing TFA but they didn’t sustain my interest. 

[imj]

Millenials and younger aren't into collecting the way that previous generations are. But I've got to say that the rejection of new Star Wars stuff by the people that would be keeping the line alive has nothing to do with oversaturation. I'd say that it's a clear rejection of both the studio political agendas and their apparent animosity towards long term, cross-generational fandom.

The market could support a Star Wars movie every year and not be oversaturated. The truth is that people are choosing to reject Star Wars, not that they are tiring of Star Wars.

[spockoda]

I had been a fan of Star Wars for around 40 years but I feel like Star Wars has run its course and needs to go away. That may seem harsh but the only reason I went and saw TFA and TLJ was because some of the original characters and actors were dangled in front of me to disappointing results. This miscalculation will not happen again. It's sad but I rarely think of Star Wars or even seek out any of the figures anymore. There was a momentary spark when I saw the retro collection figures but I couldn't find them in a store or online on a legitimate website and I wasn't paying some jerk $20-30 for a $10 figure on the secondary market so I gave up on that idea pretty quickly. The crap will probably continue to sell and the franchise will probably go on but in my opinion stick a fork in it, it's done.

[rihia2k]

My closure comes in December. Doubt it will satisfy, but it will be closure.
Quite sure I won't be attending a cinema for Star Wars ever after that.

I liked TFA enough. TLJ just disregarded all the trusted ingredients and tried way too hard in all the wrong places. Expecting ROS to be better, but not expecting more than that.
I'm only looking forward to it as much as I'd be looking forward to seeing an old friend for the last time.
An old friend who having lost an eye, an arm, a leg and a lung, has finally lost their mind and barely recognizes you, but you still have to pay respects by staring at them for 2 1/2 hours eating popcorn ... nyom ... nyom ...

But anyway! ....
Even if The Mandalorian (or any SW TV material) is technically good. I have zero hype.
Modern Star Wars just rings hollow when I tap on it.

[spockoda]

Sept 7, 2019 4:22:12 GMT -6 rihia2k said:

My closure comes in December. Doubt it will satisfy, but it will be closure.
Quite sure I won't be attending a cinema for Star Wars ever after that.

I liked TFA enough. TLJ just disregarded all the trusted ingredients and tried way too hard in all the wrong places. Expecting ROS to be better, but not expecting more than that.
I'm only looking forward to it as much as I'd be looking forward to seeing an old friend for the last time.
An old friend who having lost an eye, an arm, a leg and a lung, has finally lost their mind and barely recognizes you, but you still have to pay respects by staring at them for 2 1/2 hours eating popcorn ... nyom ... nyom ...

But anyway! ....
Even if The Mandalorian (or any SW TV material) is technically good. I have zero hype.
Modern Star Wars just rings hollow when I tap on it.

I wasn't planning on TLJ to be my moment of closure it just happened that way when Luke died. The only original characters left are R2 and C3P0 and they just had them around as window dressing. After having Star Wars such a part of my life growing up and being loyal to it all these years I guess I just figured I deserved more. I just hope all involved in making the decisions on the direction of these new movies are happy and got what they wanted.

[10incher]

I think if the Expanded Universe was followed for upcoming movies, they would have retained fans interest and thus not killed the toy market for the movies. Was there even a Rise of Skywalker figure line released for the last movie? Yeesh, what a fall.

[Thor Laserpunch]

Put Jaxxon the Green Rabbit in a Star Wars feature film and now you really got my attention again Disney people that may be reading this.

[rihia2k]

Feb 27, 2020 0:30:05 GMT -6 10incher said:

I think if the Expanded Universe was followed for upcoming movies, they would have retained fans interest and thus not killed the toy market for the movies. Was there even a Rise of Skywalker figure line released for the last movie? Yeesh, what a fall.

[spockoda]

At the store I work at almost all the Star Wars figures are on clearance except the 6 inch 40th Anniversary ESB figures and the 5 inch cartoony ones. The 3.75" Vintage Collection, 6 inch Black Series, and the Jabba's Palace diorama with the two bonus 3.75" figures are all being clearanced off.

[Thor Laserpunch]

RIP Star Wars. We hardly knew ye.

[figurecollector]

Too bad they only had a 30 year run.

[Thor Laserpunch]

Man you lost a decade!