Although this might belong in the 30th AC forum, I didn't want to start a new thread. After seeing much of what is on the way this year, or at least getting a better idea of the near future, what do you think of the future of Star Wars collecting at this point? It seems like a fair amount of collectors (here and elsewhere) have been dropping out of the line, or scaling back considerably, which maybe marks a decrease in interest to some extent. Also, although there are still plenty of figures to be made - and plenty that I'd like to see - it really seems like we're getting a lot this year (and last year), I'm starting to wonder how much is left to be made. Of course, there will be the animated and live action series coming up that can support lines (as well as video games), but after this year's basic lineup and "vintage" figure lineup, many of the main characters (particularly OT characters) will have pretty good representations.
Like I said, I'm not saying there isn't anything to make - and I'm definitely not saying I want the line to end - I'm just curious what the future might hold. If you take a look at some segments of the Star Wars line after this year, lots of stuff is getting covered pretty well. Aside from repaints and/or resculpts, the majority of the clonetroopers (movie versions) will be covered by the end of 2007 (actually sooner). Looking at the main characters, we have some pretty nice representations that you could do little to improve at this point:
Han Solo (VOTC ANH, VTSC Endor, VTAC Hoth) - all good, plus you might consider the Comic Pack repaint covering the Stormtrooper version, a rumored Bespin version on the way in the basic line later this year, and a recent Carbonite version in TSC.
Luke Skywalker (VOTC/30AC/etc Tatooine Luke, VTSC X-Wing Pilot, VTAC Bespin, TSC Endor, TAC Jedi) - again, many good versions. We'll have to see with some of them, and I wouldn't mind seeing true "vintage" versions of Jedi Luke, Hoth Luke, etc., but with all the Lukes coming out this year, its getting pretty well covered as well.
Troops - (VOTC Stormtrooper, Evo Sandtrooper, SAGA TIE Pilot, VTSC Biker Scout, VTAC Snowtrooper, etc.) - although availability can sometimes be a problem, we've really been getting some nice troops these past couple years.
I could go on, but to keep it shorter those are just a few examples. Again, always more to be made/improved upon, but it seems like the list is getting thinner for some things. Heck, even our "Top 10" lists are having to stretch a little more all the time. As much as I like it, I can't see there being too many more waves of the "vintage" line with them getting closer and closer to wrapping up the main characters. With the prequels, there's always room for some more Padmes, re-done main characters (TPM/AOTC Obi, Qui-Gon, etc.), and there's quite a few POTF2 resculpts I wouldn't mind seeing either, but with all the new/different/resculpted characters coming out just this year it seems like it might be leading to a different collecting future. Sure, there can always be remakes, but I don't know how much some of the top figures can be improved upon in just the next couple years - maybe further down the road, but not right now. Anyways, just random thoughts, but what do you think of the future of Star Wars after seeing some of the lineups for this year, as well as a glimpse at later in the year at Toy Fair?