Director Orson Krennic - TVC - Basic (VC302)

Cruel but brilliant, Director Krennic has staked his reputation on the completion of the long-delayed Death Star project for the Emperor.

Well, well, well. As we arrive at the 41st wave of The Vintage Collection, we see new changes to the packaging approach. The card front looks identical, but the card back is what's changed. Gone are the silver and black theme with color-blocked character cross-sells. Instead, Hasbro resurrected the many aspects of the original card design, complete with character focus (and this time a bio), a color sweep that matches the nameplate and figure backer, and an enlarged image outside of the packaging standing next to a proof card (with about the worst photography we've seen Hasbro take in YEARS). We're happy to see Hasbro pay homage to the card style that originated with The "Vintage" Original Trilogy Collection and "Vintage" The Saga Collection lineups, as well as 50% of the 2010-2012 first run of The Vintage Collection. Director Orson Krennic is part of this rejuvenated wave, and it's a character fans of the line have wanted to see added for years. The action figure looks fantastic, and we're happy to see this character added to the 3.75-inch super-articulated action figure range.

Thanks to the well-received Admiral Piett (VC270) action figure, Hasbro has been going to town to release various Imperial officers to the collecting community, including Moff Jerjerrod and Grand Admiral Thrawn (and others). Director Orson Krennic comes from the same source material. Hasbro took Admiral Piett and gave this figure a new head sculpt, torso, and belt/skirt combination piece to make it specific to the Rogue One character. The final action figure turned out well. With the white upper body and the dark pants, Krennic matches the character's onscreen appearance well. We only wish they included a removable officer's cap so we could recreate the scene at the beginning of the film where they're trying to capture Galen Erso to bring him back to finish the Death Star. Hasbro has this variation cooking in the pot somewhere and will inevitably release it as a second version of this character in the film. Because Hasbro used the Admiral Piett tooling, Director Orson Krennic has fluid movement and articulates well. You're going to be pleased with how this action figure moves. The sculpting is excellent.

Director Orson Krennic comes lightly accessorized. Much to our disappointment, the figure comes with a molded cape. Strong opinions exist on which style or form works better for action figures in the 3.75-inch super-articulated action figure scale. We believe Hasbro should always utilize soft-goods materials to produce outerwear like capes and cloaks. But they followed the same approach as they did with The Black Series [Phase III] Director Krennic (27) figure here, which we find to be a setback. They did the same thing for the Rogue One Director Krennic 5POA figure so that they could have offered collectors of The Vintage Collection a premium mixed-media action figure here. Director Orson Krennic also comes with a blaster that fits into a functioning blaster. The figure's portrait is good, but it could also be better. It has a slightly odd expression that gives it a bizarre affectation. However, the shape and size of the head and the hairstyle match the onscreen character perfectly. Overall, Hasbro will please most collectors with Director Orson Krennic. It will be interesting to see how everyone feels about it.