When I read this rumor list I had to go back and do some research. Because I could've sworn that R2-A5 had been covered in the EE exclusive Astromech 5-packs. Much to my chagrin, I was mistaken. I'm glad to see Hasbro taking on this particular R2 unit, even if it ammounts to a glorified repaint. Astromechs may not be as common in the line these days. But they're like Clone Troopers - an existing sculpt/tool that Hasbro can apply some different paint apps to, and voila! New figure!
Darth Maul? It's certainly not a surprise that Hasbro would touch on him. He's a popular character. Will it be the kind of Darth Maul collectors want? That's debatable. Because I could see this offering being a slightly different offering of the Evolutions Maul on a TVC card, and the selling point would be "It's the first Darth Maul on a vintage card". But with TPM coming out in 3D next year, I could see Hasbro getting more of Darth Maul to market. Perhaps a kid focused one, and then a collector focused one. Perhaps my cynicism on resculpts of main characters is showing, but Hasbro has had quite a track record of doing this with SO many main characters that I refuse to be surprised by that sort of thing any more.
Jar Jar? This is one that I am genuinely surprised to see on a 2011 rumor list. Perhaps it will be part of some sort of TPM preview wave? We haven't seen anything like that since early 2005, and maybe it's an idea Hasbro would like to revisit.
As for hopes for a theatrical version of Sy Snootles? Hey, you can definitely be hopeful, scockery. My own optimism for that is low. And this is coming from someone who thinks the new "Jedi Rocks" musical number sucks, and that "Laptinek" was much better musically, and fit the Jabba's Palace scenes much better. I think since there have been some changes at the Hasbro Star Wars team I have lower expectations from some of the marketing folks in that group. And they're some of the ones that help steer character choices for the line.