In 2001, Hasbro's main focus is on our Star Wars collectors who have been with us day in and day out," explains Andy Espenshade, Hasbro's Director of Marketing - Star Wars Toys. "Star Wars is as important to them as it is to us, so we're doing everything we can to make them happy. Specifically, the collectors have asked for more obscure characters, more from the original trilogy and more detail and authenticity in the figures, so that's what we're trying to deliver."

This focus can be seen in the most recently released 3 3/4" figures - Lando Calrissian, Tessek, R2-Q5, Jar Jar (Tatooine) and next month's Sandtrooper - and even more so in the line-up for the remainder of the year.

Collectors desiring more unique characters represented and fewer variations of existing figures should be pleased. "We are only creating one basic Luke this year," offers Espenshade. "It's a new X-Wing Luke, which is one variation of him that we've been itching to do because we're not completely satisfied with prior versions. The last Luke Skywalker X-Wing was produced for the original relaunch six years ago, and was a bit over-pumped in scale."

Much of this year's excitement will come from four new deluxe figures. "In a non-movie year, we want to give the collector the kinds of things they've wanted for a long time but that we haven't been able to do before," Espenshade says.

Espenshade describes the first deluxe figure, Bacta Tank Luke, as "so cool we can barely fit it in the package". He adds, "We had to cut some things around and take it apart to fit it in the blister. When you take it out and put it together, it's going to be awesome. We're already planning a great compliment to this piece for next year."

When visitors to Hasbro's web site selected Amanaman their "fan choice figure", Hasbro decided to give him the deluxe treatment as well. "The character is so tall that we had to make him deluxe to give him the proper scale," says Espenshade. "That also allows us to give him his detailed staff with skulls and to include a Salacious Crumb figure in the package."

The third deluxe figure is Princess Leia as she appeared on Jabba's sail barge, along with the cannon that ultimately destroyed the vessel. "It'll be a completely new sculpt of her", Espenshade reports, "and we're considering possibly using real-feel hair rather than sculpted hair."

While the fourth deluxe figure features an often-varied Darth Maul, Espenshade is sure fans will enjoy this first-time sculpting of the character's upper-body tattoos as designed by Episode I and II artist Iain McCaig. "It looks very cool. When you can offer something truly unique to enhance someone's collection, I think they'll be pretty happy with it."

        

Alongside these deluxe figures, each new offering in the basic assortment should appeal to collectors as well. In addition to X-Wing pilot Luke, 2001 will bring...

Shmi Skywalker and Sabé - long-requested figures of the Episode I female supporting characters

Ellors Madak - this first ever "Fan's Choice Figure" selected by fans online at starwars.hasbro.com should arrive later this summer

Ketwol - the cantina alien added in the Special Edition will come packed with his legs off, revealing his stilts

Obi-Wan Kenobi (Cold Training) and Qui-Gon Jinn (Jedi Battle Armor) - based on concept designs developed for Episode I, but not used in the film

Han Solo (Death Star Escape) - a different take than has been done before

Darth Vader (Emperor's Wrath) - special materials used for this figure will hauntingly recreate the eerie juxtaposition of Vader's skull and helmet as the Emperor's Force-Lightning sealed his physical demise

"We've had great response on this new direction and we're happy to continue it through 2001," Espenshade says. "But weplan to push for even cooler items for fans next year, particularly before the film comes out. 2002 isn't all about Episode II. We're going to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of A New Hope in a big way.