Spoken in hushed tones as rumor for nearly as long as I've been a reporter on all things toy related, the new MILLENNIUM FALCON is finally a reality.

 

A few months ago some images of the new, significantly larger and ever-more detailed Falcon appeared on galactichunter.com (one of my favorite sources for Star Wars toy news) and we, along with just about everyone else, linked to that site.

 

At the time, I simply wasn't sure if the images were real or some elaborate hoax perpetrated by some wishful collectors.

 

Well, now we know. Time to start saving those Republic credits, kids.

 

Let's salivate on the details by looking at a comparison chart (New Falcon/Original Falcon):

 

SIZING THEM UP…

Features	The All-New Star Wars Legacy Collection Millennium Falcon	The Original Star Wars Millennium Falcon
Approximate Size (LxWxH):	32”x23”x8”		23"x17"x6"
Includes 3.75-inch Han Solo & Chewbacca action figures:	Yes		No
3.75-inch action figure capacity:	18		8
Light-up headlights:	Yes		No
Light-up engines:	Yes		No
Authentic movie sound effects: engine boost, cruise mode, fly-by, firing cannons, etc.	Yes		No
Authentic movie phrases:	Yes		No
Light-up cockpit:	Yes		No
Medical bay:	Yes		No
Auto-opening boarding ramp w/ sounds:	Yes		No
Secret smuggling compartments:	Yes		Yes
Pivoting gunner station:	Yes		Yes
Rotating radar dish:	Yes		Yes
Light-up, "holographic" Dejarik game table:	Yes		No
Electronic, rotating laser turret w/ sounds:	Yes		No
Electronic, 3-missile launcher w/ sounds:	Yes		No
Electronic docking bay:	Yes		No
Electronic Jedi training probe w/ sounds:	Yes		No

 

 

Updating the fan-favorite MILLENNIUM FALCON for the first time since its introduction in 1979, Hasbro is launching the largest MILLENNIUM FALCON toy to ever travel the galaxy.  The new STAR WARS LEGACY COLLECTION MILLENNIUM FALCON includes electronic lights and sounds, and is approximately 30% percent larger than the original version of the toy.

 

Over the last 30 years, ever since it was introduced on the screen in 1977 and to toy enthusiasts two years later, Han Solo’s signature starship, the MILLENNIUM FALCON, has become one of the most recognizable “characters” in movie history and one of Hasbro’s most popular STAR WARS toys.  Last year, the toy’s steel production mold – which was used to create hundreds of thousands of MILLENNIUM FALCON toys – suffered a crack that rendered the tool damaged beyond repair. 

 

When creating a new mold, Hasbro used the opportunity to improve its toy’s play value by increasing the ship’s size (which now accommodates 18 action figures, sold separately) and adding authentic lights and sounds, making this the most exciting Corellian freighter in the galaxy. 

 

“We’ve always wanted to make a bigger MILLENNIUM FALCON.  When we literally “broke the mold” we seized the opportunity to fulfill ours wishes as well as the fans.  Legions of young STAR WARS fans have grown up playing with the original MILLENNIUM FALCON toy,” said Derryl D. DePriest, director of marketing for STAR WARS at Hasbro.  “In designing the new MILLENNIUM FALCON for a new generation of fans, Hasbro’s design team succeeded in adding new features that will both excite kids and thrill our devoted collectors.”

 

The new STAR WARS LEGACY COLLECTION MILLENNIUM FALCON will soar onto retail shelves on July 26 with an appropriate retail price of $149.99.  Fans attending San Diego Comic-Con (7/23-7/28) will have a chance to see it first hand a few days before the toy arrives in stores.