Totally agree on the idea that the "perfect project that everyone wants" doesn't exist. I keep seeing the Cantina and Death Star thrown around, but the playsets are never as good as what fans are already making. For example, the Jabba's Palace (Bib's, Boba's, whatever) is a cool piece, but I have no intention of keeping it, other than the figure, props and throne (so if anyone wants the walls for cheap, let me know). Ditto with the Cantina. I would definitely buy it for the Tonnika Sisters if they were included, but would sell it off since I don't think I'd like it as much as the one I built. It certainly wouldn't have lights.
A Death Star playset always seemed ridiculous to me. It would always look like a big toy, and would never really capture the scale of the thing. I was born in '76, so I'm not a young fan rolling his eyes about the OT by any means.
Ed, one thing I have to ask is why you're choosing to wait until the tiers are unlocked before you back. If everyone does that, then the tiers don't get unlocked. It makes no sense and it's counterintuitive. Obviously it's your choice, but I'm just trying to follow the logic there.