Yeah, I see your point.  Red Skull was the worst offender of the chase figures.  The ones that are just "variants" with different paint apps, or perhaps a different head, etc. aren't quite as bad since there is at least another more readily available version out there too.  I certainly hope Star Wars doesn't go this route, its hard enough to find the figures themselves the way it is!

I'm disappointed that ML 8 is getting pushed back until next year (I'm guessing, or end of this year), because that had some of the figures I was looking forward to the most (Doc Ock, Iceman, etc.).  I did read on the TNI boards that the "art deco" is referring to variants like Cable and Dark Phoenix, so just changes in the paint...or...art, I guess.  Jay C from those forums posted that over there anyways.

I'm with those of you who aren't fans of "hard to find" figures.  I'm certainly not a completist with this, or any other line, but I could see where it would be really frustrating.  Maybe re-releasing past chase figures will help some people find those.  The color/paint variants wouldn't be so bad if it were the collectors that could find them in the stores.  However, they all end up in seller/scalper hands usually, and end up being on ebay.  Like you said Morgbug, they end up in collections, but for a ginormous markup.  Its too bad this trend seems to be passing on to a variety of lines now, with that Unleashed Red Clonetrooper showing up this week as well.  Not a trend that needs to spread .

The Digital Bits rumor mill has some information on the possible revamping of the Special Editions for DVD release.  You can check out the story here:

Digital Bits Star Wars SE Rumors

They have a picture of what could possibly be new footage of Ian McDiarmid replacing the actor/monkey that was used in the holograph in ESB.  Interesting to say the least.  They also mention the CGI Jabba being fixed up in ANH.

Looks like there's a little bigger picture at SSG, wasn't sure if I could post it here or not though...you can get to it through their front page though.

Many of you may have already read this, but I saw (via TheForce.net) that fye.com has posted a summary of the extras included on the fourth disc of the box set.  I'm not sure if this is entirely accurate or not, but thought it was interesting either way:
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Star Wars Trilogy DVD Special Features:

Star Wars: A New Hope IV
Commentary by George Lucas, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren, and Carrie Fisher
Easter Egg - Credit Roll (2 min.)

The Empire Strikes Back V
Commentary by George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, Lawrence Kasdan, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren, and Carrie Fisher
Easter Egg - Credit Roll (2 min.)

Return of the Jedi VI
Commentary by George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren, and Carrie Fisher
Easter Egg Credit Roll (2 min.)

Bonus Disc:

Star Wars: The Independent Films feature length documentary - The story of Star Wars is the story of the most successful independent series film ever produced. It's the story of a Hollywood outsider named George Lucas and a low-budget labor of love space saga that defied the odds and reinvented the rules. It's the story of a revolution born of a dream. It's the story of an independent filmmaker who had to innovate and invent an entirely new way of creating motion pictures. It's the story of a fundamental paradigm shift in the creative process made, not by the studio system, but by a single filmmaker with a simple dream. (150 min.)

The Evolution of Characters featurette - Get an in-depth look at how all your favorite characters came to be with exclusive concept art and discussion with George and the people who shaped what ultimately became out favorite heroes and villains. Includes a separate still/video gallery cut to Star Wars music with access to artwork and classic scenes for each major character. (30 min.)

The Influence of Star Wars featurette - Without Star Wars, there would be no... The groundbreaking special effects that were pioneered to make Star Wars movies not only helped viewers escape to a galaxy far, far away, but they changed the way every movie was made thereafter. Experience never before seen effects innovations from the films and learn how pivitol the films were to modern effects wizards and filmmakers. (20 min.)

Lightsabers/Fights featurette - Forget laser pistols, the lightsaber is the coolest weapon in the Star Wars galaxy. What were George's influences for creating the lightsaber? How did Mark Hamill, Alec Guiness, and Darth Vader stunt people approach wielding a saber? How did the effects guys figure out the lightsaber beam? How did each fight escalate from the previous one? And what influences did this creation have on movies thereafter? (10 min.)

1977 featurette - Transport people back in time to the opening of each Star Wars film. Menus will showcase all the pop culture features from the 1977 opening such as: TV references, toy ads, promotional partner commercials, news clips, songs inspired by Star Wars, Star Wars magazine and newspaper coverage, classic video game demos. (20 min.)

Star Wars Battlefront X-Box Video Game Demo (15 min.)

Teasers and Trailers from the original theatrical releases of each of the movies along with the 1997 re-releases. (15 min.)

TV Spots from the original theatrical releases of the movies along with the 1997 re-releases (5 min.)

Episode III Behind the Scenes Preview
Section One - The Creator: Finally the birth of Vader. George talks about finally bringing Vader back to the series and teases about Anakin's descent to the Dark Side and the powers of seduction in play.
Section Two - The Costume: Black is back. For the last Star Wars movie ever and the birth of the ultimate villain, a new costume was forged. This segment answers some key questions: who created it? was it made for Hayden?
Section Three - The Actors: Finally I get to become Vader. Key interviews with the cast (including Hayden) and crew sharing their thoughts and experiences about working on the last Star Wars film and finally seeing the completion of the Saga. (10 min.)

Stills - A comprehensive gallery of posters from around the world, classic artwork, and never-before-seen photos from all three films (approximately 300 images.)

DVD-ROM Features - DVD ROM link to exclusive Star Wars website.
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If anyone cares, it appears that KBToys.com is blowing out all of their MOTU stuff.  Not too much there for figures, but what they do have are all $3, as well as Castle Greyskull for $10.  They also have some other miscellaneous items, you can check them out right here:

MOTU Sale Items

Jabba the Hutt (Ultra)
The one character you don't skimp on, and it's skimped on in every way. Reused mold, dodgy paint apps (and should have been semigloss, not flat), incomplete dias, lack of articulation, and slightly underscale. We may never see this character done right at this point.

That's a really good point Tydirium.  Although I do like this figure, and its my only modern Jabba, it could have been a little better.  Your comment about the semigloss rather than flat paint is quite true I think.  Plus, if you look at the version shown on the back of Jabba's box, it seems to look much better in that picture than the final product.  However, I am very happy to have it too...still the best modern version I think.....but like you said, they should have went all out on this one.  Also agree with the joints on the Jedi Luke, that would have made it about perfect.