My guess is that Salah might be a deluxe figure, along with the ark. Odd, but a good way to get a "boring" figure and a great accesory. I think that the playsets will be for the 3 3/4 figures, as will the vehicles, because I believe that Hasbro hinted at them being so. But I might be dreaming.
I'm sure the high price tag is for the launch, then after a few weeks they'll be Star Wars prices.