It’s Time For Hasbro To Invest In New Protocol Droid Tooling

Two years ago, I wrote THIS ARTICLE imploring Hasbro to invest in some buck-based tooling. I suggested the Imperial Officer (check), the Phase II Clone Trooper (check), and the C3-Series Protocol Droid (Family Feud buzzer). With all due respect to the late Meatloaf, 2 out of 3 is bad in this case. It's high time that Hasbro put some funds towards a new C3 protocol droid buck. The existing C-3PO tooling is universally derided in the community. I'm frustrated that a new 3PO happened yet, but it's not because I want the figure (which I do). I'm frustrated because Hasbro is defying logic by not making one.

First and foremost, C-3PO is the last remaining priority from from the A New Hope #MakeTheMains. C-3PO has never been released on his debut Episode IV card in the Vintage Collection:


For some unexplained reason, we've been relegated to 3PO on Empire Strikes Back cards for every modern release on a vintage Kenner style card:


Even 2004's Vintage Original Trilogy Collection C-3PO came on an Episode V card. Again, why Hasbro released a modern 3PO on a vintage Kenner style card three times, and chose the Ep 5 card each time, is beyond me. A new C3-Series protocol droid buck would be the perfect opportunity to correct this misstep. The tooling could then be pressed into use for Episodes II and III C-3PO's, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. A lot of fans were clamoring for the blue protocol droid from the Plazir-15 episode of The Manadlorian:


That droid even got a custom under the non-canonical name of RG-255. A new protocol buck would then naturally lend is self to one of the white-boxed troop builder packs. Hasbro could do an OT set consisting of U-3PO, R-3PO, E-3PO and K-3PO:


This is still just scratching the surface. Protocol droids are ubiquitous throughout animation, publishing and video games. I think it would be really cool to get a figure of H1-NT from LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga:


That would make for a fun, kitschy convention exclusive (assuming we ever get another one of those). If Hasbro made the 3PO tooling, it could easily be cranked out for a dozen releases. If it were my money, I would consider it a no-brainer. Next, we need to talk about how the BAD Astomech mold needs to be put out to pasture.

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