why were figures blacked out on back of the cardbacks?

[poncho]

always wondered

 

[jimmymindtricks]

your talking about the ewoks

i believe the toy's came out in stores before the actuale film rotj

and GL didnt want people to see the ewoks before they saw the film

excuse me if iam wrong 8)

 

[poncho]

cheers mystery solved!

 

[shawn_k]

Here is some more info from Tom N about this

As a former Kenner employee, I can tell you exactly why the Ewoks are blacked out on that ROTJ cardback. The reason mentioned by Mike (Canadian Collector) is true in part, that they were not yet produced, but not the real reason.

That cardback (regardless of country of distribution) was printed prior to the movie ROTJ hitting the theatres on May 25, 1983. The look of new characters, especially the Ewoks and Jabba the Hutt, were a closely guarded secret by Lucasfilms. By licensing agreement, Kenner could not reveal any images of those characters prior to the movie release. Even within Kenner, it was on a "need to know" basis.

For those of you with a 1983 Kenner Toy Fair catalog (February release), you'll notice the folowing:

- Pg. 1 - a black box where Chief Chirpa is to appear that says "Chief Chirpa, Ewok. Secret figure to be revealed May 25, 1983."

- Pg. 3 - same for Logray.

- Pg. 11 - a full page for Jabba. Description but no photo. "Top Secret" at top of page. Same black box as Ewoks.

- Pg. 22-23 - double-page spread of the Ewok Village. Not an Ewok to be seen.

- Pg. 24 - for Ewok plush. Similar to Jabba.

Actually, the toys were already in production, waiting to hit retail shelves on May 25, 1983. Any cardbacks showing the Ewoks were printed after the "blackouts" and timed for the movie release.

So there you go - the true historical perspective.

Tom Neiheisel

Also, if you have the early version of the kenner booklet with Vader and Royal Guards on the front cover it has those toys blacked out.

 

[weasel]

Is that because Lucas was afraid people would see the Ewoks and realise he had dropped a bollock!?

 

[Pompey1111]

Here is some more info from Tom N about this




Also, if you have the early version of the kenner booklet with Vader and Royal Guards on the front cover it has those toys blacked out.

Great info, does this mean that the figures with the blacked out 2 are slightly more Rare/harder to find?

 

[Cazza]

Great info, does this mean that the figures with the blacked out 2 are slightly more Rare/harder to find?

Nope! Very common.

 

[olisuds]

What about Paploo and Lumat on the Tri Logos? This was the 2nd wave of ROTJ figures and the film had been out a year?