The Star Wars Collection Mini Jawa Santa Statue Star Wars: AT-AT Metal Model Star Wars: Millennium Falcon Metal Model Star Wars: R2-D2 Metal Model Star Wars: Imperial Star Destroyer Metal Model Star Wars: Destroyer Driod Metal Model Star Wars: TIE Fighter Metal Model Star Wars: Yoda Ceramic Shot Glass Star Wars: R2D2 Ceramic Mug Star Wars: "Freeze You Rebel Scumbag" Mug Star Wars: Episode VII Ceramic Mug Star Wars: Tritan Water Bottle Star Wars: Storm Trooper Sculpted Mug Star Wars: Darth Vader Scultped Mug Star Wars: Ugly Christmas Sweater Mug Star Wars: Character Glass Set Star Wars: Episode VII Tin Tote Star Wars Darth Vader 18 oz. Ceramic Oval Mug Star Wars: Yoda Mr. Potato Head Lightsaber Thumb Wrestling Book Star Wars: BB-8 Ceramic Sculpted Mug Star Wars: R2-D2 Ceramic Sculpted Mug Star Wars: Chewbacca Huggie Star Wars: Darth Vader Foam Huggie Star Wars: R2D2 Foam Huggie
Star Wars: Lego Stormtrooper LED Head Lamp Star Wars: Darth Vader LED pop-Up Torch Star Wars: Stormtrooper LED Head Lamp Star Wars: Boba Fett Jet Backpack Buddy Star Wars Darth Vader Embossed Tin Tote Star Wars Mini Lightsaber Flashlight Keychain: Luke Skywalker Star Wars 4 pc. Star Wars, Death Star Tea Infuser Return of the Jedi Darth Vader Can Huggie Star Wars C3PO Can Huggie Star Wars Yoda 18 oz. Oval Ceramic Mug Star Trek 4 pc. 16 oz. Glass Set Star Wars Darth Vader 18 oz. Acrylic Travel Cup Star Wars 16 oz. Plastic Travel Mug Star Wars: 20oz. Hand Painted Glass, Yoda Star Wars: Yoda Holiday 18oz Travel Cup Star Wars: Yoda Holidays 18oz Oval Mug Star Wars: Darth Vader Humbug Travel Cup Star Wars: Darth Vader Holiday 18oz. Ceramic Mug Star Wars: Dark Side Ceramic Cookie Jar Darth Vader Character Apron Princess Leia Character Apron Star Wars R2-D2 Deluxe Silicone Ice Mold
Star Wars Deluxe Silicone Millennium Falcon Ice Tray Han Solo in Carbonite Silicone Ice Cube Tray Death Star Ice Mold R2D2 Ice Cube Tray Star Wars Lego Light Up Keychains Darth Vader and Son Book Darth Vader and Son Journal Vader's Little Princess Book How to Speak Wookie BookHave yourself a merry “Star Wars” Christmas. Let your heart be light (as in light-saber). From now on there are plenty of “Star Wars” gifts in sight. This could be the caroling mantra of anyone looking for merchandise related to the juggernaut movie franchise. In step with the Dec. 17 premiere of the latest feature film in the popular sci-fi series, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” retailers have flooded the galaxy with a wide assortment of items, and the variety isn't limited to toys like the “Star Wars" BB-8 remote-control robot — far from it. The “Star Wars” marketing machine has launched full “Force” with everything from Darth Vader toasters and shower heads, Stormtrooper cuff links and Chewie jackets to Yoda Christmas ornaments, Darth Vader bicycle helmets (to wear when riding “Star Wars”-branded bicycles) and French vanilla R2D2 Coffee Mate.
Months ago, the marketing blitz began making headlines of its own. In October, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on the introduction of “Star Wars”-branded fruit. (Yoda green seedless grapes, anyone?) In short, there's no stealth-fighter approach here, which is no surprise since this isn't Disney's first merchandising rodeo. That's good news for folks on the search for “Star Wars” items destined for Christmas stockings or a place under the tree. Chuck Cornelison, general manager of the Norman SuperTarget, 1400 24th Ave. NW, said the “Star Wars” marketing campaign has tapped into a movie series that “crosses generations.” People drawn to the merchandise include those who watched the original trilogy as youths and those who grew up watching the prequels. There's Yoda and Darth Vader, who evoke nostalgic memories for vintage “Star Wars,” and now BB-8 and Kylo Ren for newer fans. “I just feel like it's because they have done a great job reinventing it,” Cornelison said.
“They had the original ‘Star Wars,' then the prequels and now the new movie.” Cornelison said there's also another important reason behind the popularity of “Star Wars” merchandise: “It's fun for people to be a part of.” He said “Star Wars” items bring enjoyment to people in lots of different ways, from Halloween costumes to items that collectors hunger for. Disney purchased Lucasfilm, which included the “Star Wars” franchise, from director and creator George Lucas in 2012. The merchandising and licensing rights from the franchise were included in the sale, according to Forbes magazine. Cornelison said “Star Wars” merchandise may be found in almost every department at Target — “across the whole store.” “There's a lot of cool items, obviously anticipating the movie,” Cornelison said. During my recent visit to his store, Cornelison showed off things like a Darth Vader men's 26-inch Huffy all-terrain bicycle ($209.98) and a matching bicycle helmet ($24.99), plus vintage “Star Wars” pictures featuring iconic images from the first trilogy, scooters, night lights, serving bowls, tumblers, T-shirts, hats and jackets, all bearing the images of several “Star Wars” characters.
For people wishing for a “Star Wars”-themed Christmas, Cornelison showed Christmas Chewie, Darth Vader and R2D2 stockings ($13), Christmas bulb ornaments ($14 for a set of nine) and character ornaments (prices vary). As for toys, Cornelison said a remote-control toy replica of R2D2's adorable robot predecessor, BB-8 ($79.99), is a big seller. He said the remote-control version of BB-8, a character being introduced in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” is one of several Target exclusives. Other Target exclusives include a “Star Wars E7" (Episode 7) Hero Series Six-Figure Pack ($44.99), featuring action figures of new characters BB-8 and Kylo Ren along with vintage “Star Wars” favorites including a Stormtrooper and Chewbacca. Cornelison said a “very realistic”-looking “Star Wars” light saber that sells for about $200 is so popular that the store sells out of it quickly. He recommended customers seeking this light saber call the store first, although they might consider other smaller versions of light saber toys that are on hand.
The Force has awakened at other retailers, too. Many stores offer a variety of “Star Wars” toys, clothing and bedding, but other items also are available for purchase. At Kohls, “Star Wars” merchandise includes a “Star Wars: Episode VII" Kylo Ren Character Hugger (stuffed toy) and Throw Set ($49.99), a “Star Wars Death Star” melamine snack bowl ($19.99) or a “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens" BB-8 16-inch hard-side pilot case ($49.99). Bed, Bath and Beyond offers a Darth Vader toaster ($49.99), shower head, silk ties (prices vary) and silver-plated cuff links ($59.99) and Yoda and R2D2 ice cube trays ($9.99). Walmart has a variety of light sabers, including the “Star Wars" Nerf BladeBuilders Luke Skywalker Lightsaber ($14.99), plus other merchandise including a Darth Vader lotion pump, "Star Wars" Funko Pop Vinyl Figure Obi Wan Kenobi ($8.99) and a Lego "Star Wars" Stormtrooper Head Lamp ($17.95). J.C. Penney offers a bevy of “Star Wars”-related merchandise, too, including a Chewie Jacket ($100), Darth Vader and Yoda men's slippers ($40), Darth Vader and Episode VII water bottles ($20), and a BB-8 Pillow Buddy ($50).
Meanwhile, fans of the original “Star Wars” trilogy might recall that the franchise merchandising (back then, Lucas retained the rights) machine ran into a bit of a snafu with the Ewok stuffed toy, which was supposed to be the it toy when it hit retail shelves. Some fans accused Lucas of inserting the cuddly albeit feisty little creatures into 1983's “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” just to entice parents to purchase the stuffed toys. There's ongoing debate about Lucas' motivation for placing the Ewoks in the film, but there's no question that parents did indeed flock to stores to get the plush Ewoks and action figures for their little “Star Wars” fans. From my perspective, the Ewok dolls didn't seem to make as much of a splash with youths and the young at heart as compared to the furry critters from the movie “Gremlins,” who became less friendly and mild-mannered when sprinkled with water. The "Gremlins" film, which came out in 1984, made its own furry little character “Gizmo” a household name.