While preparing to make the original “Star Wars” in the 1970s, George Lucas took a big-time gamble. The filmmaker, then known for the dystopian sci-fi flick “THX-1138” and the coming-of-age drama “American Graffiti,” agreed to accept a smaller fee for writing and directing “Star Wars” in exchange for 100 percent of the merchandising rights. The Force was clearly with Lucas. Not only did “Star Wars” become a global phenomenon. The revenue from toys inspired by that galaxy far, far away made Lucas a multibillionaire.
In 2012, Lucas sold his company, Lucasfilm, to Disney, meaning the Mouse House is now in charge of Star Wars sequels, prequels, spinoffs, video games and, you guessed it, more toys. And, sure, while the recently completed sequel trilogy made oodles of cash, it’s doubtful that action figures of Rey and Kylo Ren will make enthusiasts salivate the same way they would for a vintage Han Solo or Luke Skywalker.
Certain high-quality Star Wars action figures can actually fetch an ungodly price on the resale market. These are the most expensive to try and add to your collection. Or rather, as Yoda said: “Do, or do not. There is no try.”
Bottom Line: Cantina Playset (1978)
We all fondly remember the Mos Eisley cantina, what with its “wretched hive of scum and villainy.” The year after “A New Hope” hit the big screen, Kenner fashioned a toy recreation of that interstellar watering hole, replete with a certain blue-skinned Snaggletooth (remember him from earlier?).
Scoring the original “mistake” blue Snaggletooth as part of the original Kenner playset would be totally cool, but expensive.
Bottom Line: Obi-Wan Kenobi With Double-Telescoping Lightsaber (1977)
Homer Simpson once scoffed at a toy that cost $50, decreeing, “No kid is worth that!” Good thing TV’s most bumbling dad didn’t know about toys worth many, many, many, many times that.
Enter one Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi toy from 1977, whose 2020 value is no doubt helped along thanks to Ben sporting a yellow telescoping lightsaber. We all know that Ben’s saber was and always will be blue, but nonetheless, here is the wizened old Jedi with a sunshine-colored laser sword before the toy was “corrected.”
But, really, $76,000? As Kenobi himself once observed: “Who’s more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?”
Bottom Line: Rocket Launcher Boba Fett
Ever seen “Pawn Stars,” where folks walk into a Las Vegas pawn shop hoping that something they found underneath the radiator in the basement is worth a fortune, only to have their hopes dashed as their dreams of megabucks collide with reality? Well, for one very, VERY lucky visitor to said pawn shop, the seller was able to get a Boba Fett with rocket launcher backpack appraised for an incredible $125,000.
Amazingly, the seller wanted more and held firm for a price of $150,000 — and then took his business to an eBay auction. Now, that’s some serious dough.
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