Star Wars Action Figures

How Star Wars forever changed the toy industry

It would prove to be one of the most lucrative economic decisions in modern entertainment history when George Lucas sacrificed his salary for directing the 1977 film Star Wars. In exchange for his salary, Twentieth Century Fox granted Lucas 40% of the film's box office and all merchandising rights. The film's unprecedented success not only changed the movie industry, the original Star Wars action figures, produced by Kenner Toys, would also revolutionize the collectibles industry.

From dolls to action figures

Before Star Wars and Kenner Toys, action figures typically stood 12 inches tall. But as Star Wars action figures would rely so heavily on vehicles and spaceships, the decision was made to produce Star Wars action figures that were only 3 3/4 inches tall.

They were a huge success, and by 1985, Kenner Toys had produced 250 million action figures. This change in scale, along with the movie's famous storyline, allowed children to create their own fictional universe, populated by dozens of distinctive Star Wars action figures. Other companies would emulate Kenner with action figure lines based on comic books and TV shows, but Star Wars action figures were the originals.

Nostalgia and collectibles

As the Star Wars movie saga stretched on into the 21st century, Star Wars action figures continued to be produced in association with each film. Long before Episode I hit theaters, an entire culture of Star Wars action figure collectors had sprung up.

Today, collectors young and old display and purchase Star Wars action figures on websites and at collectors' conventions. There are even bootleg Star Wars action figures to be found, hundreds of which are catalogued at the Star Wars Collectors Archive (http://www.toysrgus.com/collectors.html), such as the Hungarian Hans Solo or Turkish R2-D2.

For collectors wanting to keep tabs on the latest Star Wars action figure releases, sites like Rebelscum.com provide Star Wars collecting news. There you can hear about upcoming conventions or get a sneak peek at the Kotobukiya Luke Skywalker action figure due in July 2006.

Star Wars action figure collections

One of the interesting aspects of the online Star Wars community is the chance to see photos of other collections. Rebelscum.com features a Collector's Collection page with links to photos of Star Wars action figure collections from all over the world. Some Star Wars action figure collectors can literally line their walls with Star Wars action figures still in their original packaging.

If you're new to the world of Star Wars action figures and want to know where to start, the answer is anywhere you can. However, Star Wars action figures tend to be divided into 3 categories:

vintage Star Wars action figures (1977 to 1989)

neo-classic Star Wars action figures (1990 to 2000)

prequel Star Wars action figures (1999 to present)

You'll probably find it easiest to start with prequel Star Wars action figures, but keep an eye out for a convention in your area. Conventions are a great way to make contact with friends and collectors, trade Star Wars action figures, or maybe break your way into collecting vintage Star Wars action figures.

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