The hype awakens for Star Wars: The Last Jedi on this Force Friday, as new toys, books, and experiences are unleashed across the world.
Force Friday II begins at 12:00 am on Sept. 1, and new looks at the exciting products released have just been revealed. A new droid known as BB-9E has immediately captured fans’ attention, as the familiar figure of BB-8 is replicated by the First Order.
Sorry, BB-9E — you might be evil, but you’re still super cute.
Fans can “meet” BB-9E in person at stores across the world, where they can use the Star Wars app to participate in an Augmented Reality scavenger hunt. And while they happen to be there, why not pick up some of the amazing new merchandise released for The Last Jedi?
The overwhelming lineup naturally includes a huge offering from Funko, which includes plushes, Wobblers, and Mystery Mini figures, in addition to the classic Vinyl collection. Fans can find everyone from Rey (with her new hair!) to BB-9E, to Supreme Commander Snoke and a majestic-looking General Leia.
There are also, of course, multiple Porg options for your Porg pleasure!
Sphero, the company that gave us all the ability to own our own BB-8s, has expanded their roster for The Last Jedi. BB-8 is joined on the Light side by the stalwart R2-D2, and on the Dark side by BB-9E. Maybe if fans get all these cuties together, they can solve the Galactic crisis in no time!
As always, LEGO and Hasbro are major forces in the new Star Wars lineup. LEGO is offering buildable figures of Rey, Chewbacca, and a Praetorian Guard, as well as their usual sets of ships and machines. Hasbro has their slick Black Series figures, sets of 3.75 inch figures, and most excitingly, a new, high-tech development.
The Force Link wristband will let fans “activate awesome features in more than 30 compatible Star Wars toys!” the company says. The technology will unlock “an extensive collection of sounds, phrases, and lights with compatible figures, accessories, vehicles, and playsets.”
Also on the higher-tech front are Battle Drones from Propel (in X-Wing, TIE Fighter, and Speeder Bike models) and a truly amazing Augmented Reality product from Lenovo, which allows fans to actually fight with a freaking lightsaber.
For those who like their Star Wars memorabilia lower-tech, there are also plenty of options. The Last Jedi-inspired bedding will be available at Target, various clothing items await at the Gap, Kohl’s, and more retailers, and there is furniture and home decor at Pottery Barn Kids and Teens.
In case that wasn’t enough, several Journey to The Last Jedi novels will be released on Force Friday, including Leia: Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Grey, and Phasma by Delilah S. Dawson.
And Force Friday II is hardly the end. More clothing, technology, collectibles, and books will be made available as December and Star Wars: The Last Jedi draw closer.
It may be time for the Jedi to end, but sorry Luke — the hype is just getting started.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters on Dec. 15.