Photo Credit: Hasbro, Entertainment Weekly
Star Wars Hasbro has announced that it’s creating a replica toy of Jabba the Hutt and his iconic sail barge from Return of the Jedi via a crowdsourcing initiative.
One of the most recognizable vehicles among Star Wars fans is Jabba the Hutt‘s sail barge (true fans call it by its name – The Khetanna). The sand-dune yacht serves as the setting for the epic rescue and escape of Han Solo by Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Lando Calrissian. Now fans will be able to take home a replica toy version of Jabba’s personal barge – if they’re willing to shell out $500, that is.
Hasbro told Entertainment Weekly that they’re working to create a detailed collector’s toy of Jabba’s sail barge. The project is being completed via the company’s new crowdsourcing initiative called HasLab. Crowdsourcing is a method by which individuals or companies simultaneously raise funds to complete, and gauge consumer interest in, a product or project. In other words, you pay money now to help the product get made and receive a copy when it’s released.
Before committing to producing such a detailed and massive toy, Hasbro wants to make sure there are enough people willing to shell out the cash required to place the 4-foot-long sail barge on their shelf next to their black series figures and pop vinyls.
Therefore, the company is looking for 5,000 backers willing to part with $500 before they mass produce Jabba’s personal party boat. If 5,000 people don’t give up their credits by April 3rd, everyone who paid will receive a full refund. The campaign currently has the support of around 3,500 backers and counting.
Star Wars Toys CR: Hasbro
Hasbro even released a time-lapse video that showcases the creation of The Khetanna to really get your hyperdrive pumping.
If Jabba’s sail barge itself isn’t enough to excite the toy collector in you, the replica will come packaged with an exclusive action figure: Yak Face, a.k.a. Saelt-Marae. That’s right: you’ll finally be able to live your childhood dream of pitting Yak Face, the gangster who frequented Jabba’s social events, against Darth Vader in your homemade Hoth inspired diorama.
Photo Credit: Hasbro, Entertainment Weekly
All joke’s aside; this Yak Face action figure will likely be a favorite among collectors. It’s exclusive to Jabba’s sail barge and comes in unique “Power of the Force” packaging. The 3.75″ figure will also come bundled with an exclusive collector’s coin. That sure is a lot of unique collector’s stuff in one place.
Yak Face will surely enjoy yakking it up (see what I did there?) with all the other aliens and creatures on Jabba’s sail barge.
Photo Credit: Hasbro, Entertainment Weekly
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For more images of Jabba’s sail barge, check out the preview at starwars.com and Entertainment Weekly’s first look at the collector’s toy.
If you’re interested in reserving one for your Star Wars room, get your credit card ready and visit HasLab.