More pieces doesn't necessarilly denote more labor involved though...  In the case of CT Han, he's more "complex" to put together...  VOTC's vastly simpler in construction.

As a comparison, VOTC Han is made of 17 individual pieces NOT counting the "pin" in each ball/socket joint (other than neck), but the pin would count as a single piece technically I believe, since they are all the same I think, just unique colors.  The pistol, which I counted, technically isn't new either.  The figure's construction is simply a matter of popping each limb into the appropriate socket in a sequence.

The Commtech Han is made of 15 pieces (not counting the 2 knee pins again whicha are a single mold I'd assume, and its construction is that which requires sonic welding for the torsoes, which costs more, as well as the articulation points being "constructed" at the knees.

In that view, they're fairly close in pieces, but not close in construction style, with one being noteably more complex.  

The articulation points on VOTC (As well as many ball/socket style joints on SW figures) are using a method where the pins are molded to the individual piece as well, which is actually a cost-effective method that 21st Century Toys has used on part of their figures (the torso) for making the removable limb feature more "sturdy".  It's only possible on the pliable plastics both cmpanies use now for the majority of their figure's construction.

The thing to remember is that EACH of these figures has a base cost that's unique to them, and with every unit produced Hasbro's costs increase variably, but fixed costs depreciate to a greater extent.  IE: it costs a little to cast the parts, etc., and get a figure on the shelves frm a previous set of molds, but in the end it's taking $ off the long-term fixed costs like the mold toolings.

The Han Cantina's really being played out...  VOTC's not (yet, as it is too early to say they won't run him into the ground now), and his costs are still relatively high given that he's not a figure that is going to see the pegs (so far) as much as Cantina Han.  I think Hasbro's going to address this and produce more...  The figure's construction is simple, it requires no more plastic than any other figure (just more individual pieces, and how that breaks into costs isn't necessarilly more), and from a "consumer happiness" standpoint it's vastly superior and "untapped".

I think we'll see VOTC Han for cheaper someday, somehow.  I think we'll see most, if not all the VOTC released again someday, but again this all boils down to Hasbro...  Some of their decisions are so clearly perplexing to us, and cannot really be explained ANY which way, that it's just so hard to predict anymore.

I like to THINK the Stormtrooper will see a wide release...  I hope it does, really.  Like Jeff said above though...  It could just be too logical a choice for it to ACTUALLY happen, haha.  

but just because something makes sense, doen't mean they will do it

Hasbro's crede.  

Someone around here may be able to help you out Keldor.  I can keep my eyes peeled for you anyway.  

The thing is, the more they make of a figure, the more the fixed costs (mold toolings in this case) depriciate over time...  They can keep cranking out Han Cantina but it's not affecting what it cost them to do Han VOTC, PLUS, and this is a biggie...

How many more Cantina Han's are you going to sell?  At some point the figure does become an outdated resource.  Only something "new" is going to sell...  This is a varying concept with certain figures, but it's pretty solid with the Han.

On a Stormtrooper, CT's are gonna sell still, but at some point I'd think you'll alienate your market even, and sales may drop off.  A VOTC's going to sell better, and costs are only going to depreciate.

They really have the control when you think about it...  I wholely believe they see this though, and will someday at least re-release some of these figures.

Also, the more parts doesn't really cost more...  You're into just raw plastic totals used (very minimal) and even with more parts it's not cost effective for Hasbro to mold a "simpler" figure in any way other than final construction.  Costs saved is minimal at that point.  Negligible really due to the simplicity of construction.

Not to mention, modern figures are single-piece torsoes, and cheaper plastic...  Even VOTC.  Cantina Han's a multi-piece torso (both upper and lower), with a more complex construction system.  

Again though, the costs at this point are negligible.

The "cost" for these VOTC's carding and packaging.  That's the short-term variable costs since it's a limited run.  It's pretty elaborate too, even when compared to other action figure lines with similar types of elaborate packaging.

Cool, but could use some additional "stuff" for a VOTC.  It's the more disappointing figure of the bunch I've felt Dave.  At least comparable to 3PO.

I'm less than pleased with the droids from the wave...    At least everyone else is looking great.

See my post in the VOTC thread...

Even at $10 I'm buying at least a few extras if I see them.  I'll just have to hope I can build a 100+ army like the CT army...  

I'm still going to make a hand/gun set for my CT's though and fix them up special too.  I just want these new ones for EVERY pose possible.

Hasbro, if you're reading, you can have my $...  Just make these available at some time for $5 a piece (or less in big army builder sets).

A neat idea would be a set of 6 figures like their Cobra set...  5 Stormtroopers, maybe a black tuniced officer, and maybe 1 of the Stormies with a white pauldron and the other 4 with black or something.

THAT would kick ass.  Unlikely to EVER happen, but it would be so nice.

I got Saga extras from a case that Paul Mundheim here traded to me...  Felt lucky to have them (Thanks again Paul).

I'm hping to get a 2nd set and some extras of Madine and Han as well on the OTC card.  The Madine is, without a doubt, one of the better figures in the Saga line.

Lando and Han tie for the weaker figure of the wave, but they're still good.  Lando's left arm's disappoionting though, and paintjob sucks.  Great holster and blaster though.

Han's neat as an army builder if you do headswaps...  The molded-in communicator sort of bites though.