Just thinking about the prequel trilogy overall here with the final chapter coming up in a few weeks, and I got to thinking about this.  Although TPM is somewhat universally disliked, or at least for the most part, it seems that the one thing people pick out of that movie is "the lightsaber battle is the best ever"...mainly relating to Darth Maul.  I agree with that, that battle was unbelievable, and to me...the best part of TPM.  I've watched just that portion of the DVD a number of times, while skipping through the rest.  While the other problems of TPM can take up a thread of their own, would anyone have liked to see Maul survive into AOTC or even into ROTS?  I've seen some people complain that he was offed too quickly, and he really isn't in the overall movie all that much.  Do you think that he could have assumed the "Dooku" role in AOTC, and maybe even ROTS?  Not saying I don't like Dooku, or that I would like to see more Maul necessarily, but just something I was thinking about.  I know seeing Anakin vs. Maul would have been kind of cool .

Do any of you collect these, or even buy 1 or a few?  Have you bought any in the past?  With seeing a number of the role play items on the shelves for the ROTS merchandise release, I've been somewhat tempted to get a lightsaber or gun, or both, since this is likely the last movie push we'll see.  I haven't ever bought a modern "role play" item, and the only one I have is one of those vintage "the Force" lightsabers that were out when I was a kid (I have the red, Vader one).  I know that these are actually more for the kiddies, and I respect that fully. However, part of me thought it might be cool to get a lightsaber, or perhaps a blaster, and was considering some of the ROTS ones.  I know that Master Replicas makes a much better "replica" product, but these are more affordable, and more fun to play with with our nephews .  Anyways, do any of you have any of these, or would recommend some fun ones to pick up...or accurate ones?  Has anyone picked up any of the ROTS role play items?

Well, we had a thread for OTC/VOTC, thought it might be nice to pass on into ROTS.  After all of the hoopla last weekend, are you still making purchases?  Have you spread things out a little so you have something to pick up over the next few weeks/months, etc.?  Have you bought anything since April 2?

After picking up most of the first 32 (that's as high as we got here as well), I'm still holding off planning to pick up figures like Mon Mothma and extras of others over the next couple of weeks.  Went to Wal-Mart and TRU yesterday to check for things (specifically Red Royal Guard and anything #33 and up), but nothing new.  Pretty much plenty of all figures 1-32, aside from Guards and Clonetroopers.  The Emperor figure seems to be somewhat scarce as well.  I did pick up an extra Chewie, after not finding anything else, because I like to keep one Chewie (and Han) carded from each line.  I was tempted to get the Force Battler Vader (only one I'm interested in right now), but held off for now.  $10 just seemed a bit much.  I have seen quite a few of these selling, although the rest of them are sitting.  Also, just happened to notice, but the Droid Tri Fighters seem to be pretty scarce around here.  I've only seen them at TRU so far, and haven't picked one up yet (not sure if I will yet or not).  AT-RT is also scarce, haven't seen any in town since Saturday...and I really wish I would have bought the one I saw at TRU .  Anyways, any recent purchases, finds, or general observations?

Has anyone here ended up hanging any of their vehicles/ships from the ceiling?  I have always displayed mine on shelves, but I've been considering trying the hanging option.  I'm starting to get tight with space (conserving an area for ROTS stuff), and would like to keep my ships out and on display....but if they were off of a shelf and hanging above, it would really help out.  Anyways, I was just wondering if any of you have (or are considering) ended up hanging ships, and how you felt about it.  Also, what do you use to hang them (fishing line?) and to bolt/screw/attach them to the ceiling.  Thanks for any advice you might have.

Rebelscum has a report up detailing a number of possible Target store exclusives (outside of the red, metallic, lava Vader).  Here's what is rumored:

Due on April 2nd:

087-06-0937 - Figures with Cups
087-06-1262 - Micro Vehicles
087-06-0311 - Collector Edition Darth Vader with Laval Reflection Figure

Due on May 8th:

087-06-1489 - Collector Edition Stormtrooper/SW Articulated Super Clone Trooper
087-06-1490 - 5-pack Collector Cases

Some of these sound quite cool, and I'm personally happy there might be more figure/cup combos...for the cups anyways .  Collector edition Stormtrooper/Clonetrooper sounds cool too.  Also, anyone have further info on the 5 pack collector cases?  I thought I heard these rumored awhile back as well.

With all of the ROTS hype, it seems that the 25th anniversary of ESB is being forgotten somewhat.  Now I understand that it isn't quite as big of a deal as the whole trilogy starting off in 1977, but it would be kind of neat to see it recognized somehow.  I don't know how many of you felt about the three 2-packs we got for the 25th of Star Wars, but I thought they were kind of a neat "limited" collectible.  Not limited in the sense that they were hard to find necessarily, but that there were just a few of them and that was it.  I personally wouldn't mind seeing something like this done for ESB, but it unfortunately doesn't look like its going to happen, unless Hasbro is getting real good at keeping secrets .  Would anyone else like to see something like this happen?  Even if it doesn't, I'll just use this post/thread as a tribute to my personal favorite of the Saga so far...Happy 25th Anniversary ESB .

After seeing the pics, information, and comments of what has been shown at Toy Fair (and around the web the past few weeks/months), are you starting to get an idea of what you will be (or would like to) picking up this year?  Although we still have some figures/toys yet to be seen, and hopefully some surprises, now that we have some official information (and prices), I've been trying to piece together what I'm hoping to pick up.

Basic Action Figures - $5.99
Most likely I'll be picking up the majority of this line, although I'm not a completist.  Collection 2 figures have all looked great, and I will likely buy those in their entirety.  Collection 1 figures I might be more selective with, although I will pick up all wookiees and clones, and then the "best" versions of the main characters.

Deluxe Action Figures - $9.99
Not sure about this yet, but I think I will probably get the "Anakin to Vader" deluxe figure.  Undecided on the Emperor, but I think I might get that one as well.  Passing on that leaping Obi-Wan thing though.

Battle Arenas - $19.99
These didn't turn out nearly as cool as I first thought, and I think I will likely be passing on these as well.  If they look better in person, I might reconsider, but now...at that price...I think I'll pass.

12" Figures - $19.99-$49.99
I'm not much of a 12" figure collector, so likely passing here as well.  I will probably pick up that ROTS Chewie we've seen some pics of here and there (even though it is a KB exclusive).  Wanted to get the OTC version, but just never did.

Vehicles - Battle Vehicles - $14.99
From what I've read, this consists of the BARC Speeder, AT-RT, and Boga.  I will likely be picking up all three of these, but I'll check them in person to be sure.

Vehicles - Assault Vehicles - $19.99
Again, from what I've read, this consists of Obi-Wan's Starfighter, the Droid Tri-Fighter, and Grievous' Wheelbike.  These I'll have to wait and see on (price and space), but I'd like to for sure get Obi's fighter and Grievous' wheelbike, and we'll see about the Tri-Fighter.

Vehicles - Gunship (Large) - $29.99
ARC 170 Fighter and Gunship repaint.  I'll be passing on the Gunship for sure, already have 1 and barely have the space for that one.  A really cool ship though I think, and quite large.  I would definitely like to pick up the ARC 170, providing I have the cash .

Playsets - $29.99
The Mustafar playset.  It seems a bit underwhelming from the pics, but I'm still considering picking it up, just because I haven't bought a modern playset yet and they were always kind of neat in the vintage days.  Undecided on this one for now.

Unleashed - $14.99
From what we've seen and know is coming, I think I'll be picking up all three.  I for sure would like to get the Anakin/Obi-Wan (I passed on the AOTC versions), and I think these would make a nice "centerpiece".  Grievous I may pick up as well.  I really like this line a lot, but finding the space for them is proving more and more difficult.  I've seen rumors of Chewie, Clonetrooper, Yoda and Sidious...and I'd consider each of those as well.

Force Battlers - $9.99
I'm guessing none of these for me.  The price is too high, and I'm not all that crazy about them.  If they produce a Chewie one, I'd probably pick it up, but otherwise for now I'm staying away from these I think.

Galactic Heroes - $4.99
Three new sets so far is all we've seen, and I'll pick up all three if I see them.  Another line that I think is fun, and relatively inexpensive, to collect.  I'll get the 3 ROTS offerings, and hope that we see more later in the year (hopefully more OT as well).

Jedi Force - $7.99
Surprised we're seeing these and "Force Battlers" side by side, seem like the same type of thing.  I have picked up a few of these previous releases (Chewie, Droids, Vader), and might be tempted to get some of these new ones.  I'll likely get a Han to put with Chewie, and the Yoda looks kind of neat too.  The others I will have to consider at the time, but again, not sure if I have the room for them...and they are more for the kiddies (but I guess all of this is....supposedly, right? )

Darth Tater - $7.99
Maybe.  Maybe.  That's all I can say at this point.  I sometimes like the little odd-ball additions to the collection.

Attacktix - $5.99 to $9.99
Nope, not interested in these at all.

Role Play - Various Prices
I've never picked up anything like this in the modern line (have one vintage Vader saber), so I'm kind of tempted to get one lightsaber, just to have one.  I'll also look at the nerfy Chewbacca bowcaster.  Might be fun to play with with our nephews (or kids someday).

Lots more coming this year, but this is a long enough post as it is.  These will probably be the main focuses for me, but it is more than enough on its own.  Lots of money spent this year, our checkbook is already shivering in corner .  Any idea of what you are looking towards picking up this year?