Kenner had the SW license before the movie was released.

[LonnieFisher]

I didn't know that. For some reason, I thought the deal was made after the film was in theaters. I thought that's why the figures weren't out until the following year. The Kenner employees got to watch the movie and take pictures for reference before the movie was shown to the public.

[Iron Mego]

Yessirree.

[enyawd72]

I didn't know that. For some reason, I thought the deal was made after the film was in theaters. I thought that's why the figures weren't out until the following year. The Kenner employees got to watch the movie and take pictures for reference before the movie was shown to the public.

Yeah, that's why most companies passed on Star Wars merchandise initially. Everybody figures it would be just another flash-in-the-pan space movie.

[palitoy]

No, the SW license was offered before it came out, the most documented problem with it was that it was still too close to Christmas to make toys happen.

Marty Abrams once boasted "Mego would have made toys for Christmas '77" that's one I believe.

[Wee67]

I think I remember a story where some of the Kenner artists were actually given a screening where they took sketchpads to start on the toys.

[Iron Mego]

Y'all need to watch Plastic Galaxy.