‘Star Wars: Rogue One’ Toys Make Debut in Superfan-Created Film
“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, on the heels of last year’s blockbuster “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Merchandising is an integral part of the “Star Wars” universe, and some of the new “Rogue One” toys were just unveiled via a superfan-created stop-motion film.
The film debuted Tuesday on the Star Wars YouTube Channel. As part of a competition in collaboration with creative network Tongal, a team was assembled to write, direct and produce original, fan-made stop-motion shorts starring toys from the new line to kick off a global user-generated contest that asks fans to share their own “Rogue Stories.”
Check out the first entry below.
Among the toys featured: LEGO, Funko Bobble-Head and Hasbro versions of the Empire Stormtroopers, as well as figures of leads Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and Cassian Andor (Diego Luna).
At one point, Jyn Erso asks the Lego figures, “Aren’t you guys a little short to be a Stormtrooper?” Fans will remember that Princess Leia famously posed that question in “Star Wars: A New Hope.”
Beginning September 30, fans are invited to create and share their own Go Rogue videos. Teens and adults can submit their entries via the Star Wars site, while a separate contest will be held for kids on Disney’s website. Winners will fly to Lucasfilm in San Francisco to watch their winning shorts and of course, “Rogue One.”
Additional stop-motion shorts like the one above created by Tongal will roll out through the month of September as part of a four part series. While in the live-action film, the Rebels are trying to secure plans for the Empire’s Death Star, the “Rogue One” toys in the shorts will be tracking down the building instructions for the LEGO Star Wards Death Star.
The live-action version hits theaters on December 16.
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