Millennium Falcon Drone Causes A Splash With Fans As Disney Unveils New ‘Star Wars’ Toys
The Millennium Falcon drone is just one of the many toys released by Disney today for the new Star Wars film. Disney decided to launch the new line of Star Wars related merchandise with an 18-hour global unboxing event that began on Thursday.
Starting today, fans can go to stores to pick up all the newest Star Wars merchandise. This day is being called Force Friday, and Disney plans to open their stores early for all those Star Wars geeks willing to spend their money as fast as possible.
Fans were able to see the new Millennium Falcon drone in action on Thursday. The drone flew through air, and it is controllable by remote control. It has a range of 200 feet. Geeky Gadgets revealed that, “There are four tiny propellers built in the Falcon’s body so this will be good for indoor use, since it also has a “high density foam” body to protect it and you against bumps and crashes.”
Air Hogs developed both a Millennium Falcon drone and an X-Wing star fighter. Fans will be able to pick up one of the drones for their very own today.
A closer look at the remote control Millennium Falcon. A definite must-have for all @starwars fans! #ForceFriday pic.twitter.com/EEitcf65Da
— Indigo Chapters (@chaptersindigo) September 3, 2015
How much will one of these drones cost you? Gizmodo has all the inside scoop on the cost and the design of the new Millennium Falcon drone.
“Air Hogs’ Star Wars Ultimate Millennium Falcon Quad is a powerful remote controlled quad copter with 2.4 GHz control, 4 channel and gyro-stabilization that provides amazing stability and flight performance. Authentic lights and sounds, and a push button Hyperspace mode will have users convinced they are Han Solo. MSRP: $109.99 USD.”
However, The Mary Sue reported that at least one shopper found the Millennium Falcon drone on Walmart store shelves in advance of the announcement on Thursday. It retailed for $88.
The new line of Star Wars merch should sell big at stores. The release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is still months away, but fans have been waiting for the release of this film for months already. Some might say they have been waiting for the next Star Wars film for years.
There are plenty of new toys available for the new film. The drone is causing the most buzz, but Hasbro, Mattel, and Lego have plenty of other toys available today. Fans can pick up action figures, light sabers, and more at their local store. Screen Crush released the full list of new toys available for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Stores are getting ready for the fans to arrive. Walmart, Target, and Toys R Us are the biggest sellers. Toys R Us made big plans for Force Friday.
“‘We are putting our flag in the ground,’ says Barry. Toys ‘R’ Us is also planning to double the shelf space it typically allocates to the brand. On Thursday evening, the retailer adjusted its stores to showcase the latest gear in time for Friday’s opening.”
Merchandise is big business, and that is definitely the case for these new films. Hasbro paid $225 million to Disney to create merchandise for the new film trilogy. That means they are paying $75 million per film for the rights to create merchandise.
Star Wars merchandise has done well for Hasbro in the past, according to Fortune.
“There’s a reason Hasbro is willing to put up serious money for the licensing rights. Take a look at the toymaker’s 1999 results, when the Star Wars “prequels” debuted. Hasbro’s annual revenue soared to $4.23 billion from $3.3 billion the prior year, bolstered by two big hits: Furby and Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Star Wars gear accounted for 36% of Hasbro’s U.S. revenue in 1999. The prior year? Just 13%.”
Fans will not only have toys connected to the movie to buy. There is more coming from Disney related to Star Wars.
Girl fans will be able to feel the force with a line of Covergirl cosmetics. People will be able to head to grocery stores to pick up Campbell’s soup themed for Star Wars. In addition, CNN reported that 20 new books are coming for those that love to read. Fans on a budget can pick up items too. Dog tags and more will go on sale too.
This is not the first time a Millennium Falcon drone created buzz. In February, a do-it-yourself Millennium Falcon model generated big buzz on Reddit, according to an Inquisitr report. Oliver C shared his creation with a few videos, and fans quickly wanted one of their own. Now they can head out today to pick up a drone of their own.
What do you think? Will you be buying a Millennium Falcon drone today? Star Wars: The Force Awakens will arrive in theaters on December 18.
[Photo credit: Screengrab from Star Wars YouTube]
