More pieces doesn't necessarilly denote more labor involved though... In the case of CT Han, he's more "complex" to put together... VOTC's vastly simpler in construction.
As a comparison, VOTC Han is made of 17 individual pieces NOT counting the "pin" in each ball/socket joint (other than neck), but the pin would count as a single piece technically I believe, since they are all the same I think, just unique colors. The pistol, which I counted, technically isn't new either. The figure's construction is simply a matter of popping each limb into the appropriate socket in a sequence.
The Commtech Han is made of 15 pieces (not counting the 2 knee pins again whicha are a single mold I'd assume, and its construction is that which requires sonic welding for the torsoes, which costs more, as well as the articulation points being "constructed" at the knees.
In that view, they're fairly close in pieces, but not close in construction style, with one being noteably more complex.
The articulation points on VOTC (As well as many ball/socket style joints on SW figures) are using a method where the pins are molded to the individual piece as well, which is actually a cost-effective method that 21st Century Toys has used on part of their figures (the torso) for making the removable limb feature more "sturdy". It's only possible on the pliable plastics both cmpanies use now for the majority of their figure's construction.
The thing to remember is that EACH of these figures has a base cost that's unique to them, and with every unit produced Hasbro's costs increase variably, but fixed costs depreciate to a greater extent. IE: it costs a little to cast the parts, etc., and get a figure on the shelves frm a previous set of molds, but in the end it's taking $ off the long-term fixed costs like the mold toolings.
The Han Cantina's really being played out... VOTC's not (yet, as it is too early to say they won't run him into the ground now), and his costs are still relatively high given that he's not a figure that is going to see the pegs (so far) as much as Cantina Han. I think Hasbro's going to address this and produce more... The figure's construction is simple, it requires no more plastic than any other figure (just more individual pieces, and how that breaks into costs isn't necessarilly more), and from a "consumer happiness" standpoint it's vastly superior and "untapped".
I think we'll see VOTC Han for cheaper someday, somehow. I think we'll see most, if not all the VOTC released again someday, but again this all boils down to Hasbro... Some of their decisions are so clearly perplexing to us, and cannot really be explained ANY which way, that it's just so hard to predict anymore.
I like to THINK the Stormtrooper will see a wide release... I hope it does, really. Like Jeff said above though... It could just be too logical a choice for it to ACTUALLY happen, haha.