Unproduced vintage Kenner Star Wars figure?

[enyawd72]

I have long held a suspicion about this and thanks to a photo from Plaid Stallions I now believe I have the proof.
In Kenner's 1990 Swamp Thing line there is a playset called the Transducer that comes with a Mutated Insect figure,
which doesn't really fit in with the other figures in scale or sculpting style. It appears to be from a different line.

I began to suspect it was originally intended to be the Mantis Alien from the Star Wars cantina scene as part of series two
but was scrapped due to being too expensive and possibly inaccurate, like blue Snaggletooth. . Then today I saw this photo from Plaid Stallions showing the
vintage Kenner prototypes from Star Wars series two, and lo and behold, THERE IS THE MANTIS HEAD!! It's on the Death Star Droid
prototype and is clearly not the head they ended up using for that figure.

I now have no doubt that the Kenner Swamp Thing Mutated Insect was originally the cantina Mantis Alien.
Hasbro would even go on to officially release this character in the 2006 Saga Collection.
The photo below shows all three figures and a shot from the film. The second photo shows a custom Prototype Death Star Droid figure
using the Swamp Thing Mantis head.

[hedrap]

Why do I not remember seeing that thing in the cantina scene?

[enyawd72]

Why do I not remember seeing that thing in the cantina scene?

It's one of those blink and you'll miss it scenes.

[drquest]

That's a cool find.

I will say, I would pay money to Hasbro to produce those prototype figures as pictured there.

[Werewolf]

Isn't it the wrong scale and sculpting style? The cantina assortment was very smooth with not much detail. Almost a retro 50s sci fi look to them. The Swamp thing bug is too large for a 3 3/4 inch Kenner bubble. It's also has a much more detailed sculpt in a modern military style army man outfit with rolled up sleeves and gi joe type of bandoleer with realistic non sci fi looking grenades.

From what I remember the insect head for the Death Star Droid was quickly kitbashed from a model kit for catalog photography and never intended to be used.

[Nostalgiabuff]

It's one of those blink and you'll miss it scenes.

I don't recall this thing either and I have watched the movie probably hundreds of times

[Mr.Marion]

That's a cool find.

I will say, I would pay money to Hasbro to produce those prototype figures as pictured there.

Walrus man looks good. The rest don't do it for me. Hammerhead and blue Snaggletooth look like the finish product.

[drquest]

Walrus man looks good. The rest don't do it for me. Hammerhead and blue Snaggletooth look like the finish product.

I agree and that's why they are so cool. Check out that X-Wing pilot, LOL...

[enyawd72]

Isn't it the wrong scale and sculpting style? The cantina assortment was very smooth with not much detail. Almost a retro 50s sci fi look to them. The Swamp thing bug is too large for a 3 3/4 inch Kenner bubble. It's also has a much more detailed sculpt in a modern military style army man outfit with rolled up sleeves and gi joe type of bandoleer with realistic non sci fi looking grenades.

From what I remember the insect head for the Death Star Droid was quickly kitbashed from a model kit for catalog photography and never intended to be used.

I'm sure a lot of it was probably retooled for the Swamp Thing line. But Kenner was famous for reusing old discarded sculpts. A series three Swamp Thing Arcane figure ended up retooled into a Robocop villain called Toxic Waster.

[enyawd72]

Andy confirmed the prototype Death Star Droid used an MPC Gigantics Praying Mantis head.

So much for my theory...DEBUNKED! LOL

[J.B.]

Check out that X-Wing pilot, LOL...

Looks like one of the Fisher Price Adventure People wanted to fly an X-Wing.

[cjefferys]

Andy confirmed the prototype Death Star Droid used an MPC Gigantics Praying Mantis head.

So much for my theory...DEBUNKED! LOL

Yeah, I was always under the impression that they quickly kit bashed the figure for catalog photos, using a Threepio body painted silver and black, with a "bug like" head that they grabbed from whatever was available, and the MPC kit had something close that could be used in a pinch.

[Ninersphan1]

Looks like one of the Fisher Price Adventure People wanted to fly an X-Wing.

BNothing new for Star Wars prototypes. the initial presentation Kenner made to Lucas, used Adventure People to show the concept before they won the contract.