Wow, lots of Star Wars-related fan film stories this week. Curto over at the collecting site Rebelscum.com posted a picture of a new action figure set, Disturbance at the Lars Homestead, and by his way of thinking, it bears a striking resemblance to a certain fan film by Kevin Rubio that single-handedly kicked off the wave of fan productions that we enjoy today. To whit, here’s Curto’s comments:
This set includes repacks of Uncle Owen, Aunt Beru, a Sandtrooper, a moisture vaporator, an all-new baby womp rat, and the Lars domicile! Anyone who thinks this set is inspired from the legendary fan-film Troops….you’re not alone.
Apparently it’s going to be a Toys-R-Us exclusive. You have to admire the marketing guys at Hasbro; they keep finding new ways to sell action figures on a 30-year-old movie, going from comic-book editions, where the characters look like they did in the early Marvel comics, to stuff like this, which happened—but not on-screen!
So, who’s gonna be first to do a stop-motion remake of Troops using this playset? All you need is a tiny thermal detonator and a stormtrooper in white high-heels (No, really; click the still from Troops there and see for yourself).
I didn’t know about this attempt by Hasbro to capitalize on Troops until today when I saw the set at Toys R’ Us. I called my wife over and explained the history behind it and wondered how they were getting away without giving any credit to Kevin Rubio and company. Oh well, I guess those who matter know.
That’s cool that you found it–I have to admit, I’m not much of a figure collecting person but ever since I wrote about it, I’ve wanted to see it in person, but no stores near where I live seem to have it. Well, at least I know it really exists–thanks for writing in!
It is in fact inspired by TROOPS. Daryl Depriest and the good people of Hasbro are big fans, and I was told that it was made with TROOPS in mind. In fact, they actually had a recreation of one of the frames from the film as a backdrop, but were asked by Lucasfilm to change it at the last minute.
I’m supose to receive the “proof set” which still includes the TROOPS art work later this year.