Princess Leia Organa & R2-D2 (As Jabba’s Prisoners) - POTF2 [FF/TKC] - Princess Leia Collection

After many unsuccessful attempts to bring change to the Empire as a senator, Princess Leia Organa became involved in the Rebel Alliance and immediately established herself as one of its most popular and influential leaders. During her struggle, Leia endured immense hardships at the hands of the Empire, including torture and the destruction of her homeworld by the ruthless Grand Moff Tarkin. But Leia took comfort in her newfound friends Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, R2-D2, C-3PO and Chewbacca. Leading the fight against the Emperor, the group became the inspiration for the struggling Alliance and heroes to the entire galaxy.

In an effort to save Han Solo from the clutches of the intergalactic crime lord Jabba the Hitt, Princess Leia travels to Tatooine, homeworld of Jabba's desert palace. But it is not long before Leia is captured and forced to dress as a slave dancer. Chained to the vile Hutt, Leia can only wait for the moment to make her escape.

In 1998, Hasbro introduced a line of both 3.75” and 12” action figures with a focus on young female Star Wars fans. Entitled the Princess Leia Collection, this special range of action figures included soft-goods clothing and heavy makeup application on Princess Leia Organa to give her a more girly look and appearance. Despite their efforts, the new range of action figures didn’t reach the female audience they wanted to engage in this lineup. The connection wasn’t there. Instead, adult male collectors took an interest in the Princess Leia Collection, because it gave us versions of Princess Leia Organa that we didn’t have in the regular format. Collectors were happy to receive any new figures in 3.75” scale. A much shorter-lived range didn’t get beyond a single release. Attempted as an FAO Schwarz exclusive, Kenner/Hasbro produced the lovely Princess Leia Organa & R2-D2 (As Jabba’s Prisoners) two-pack (also in Princess Leia Collection packaging and with different features than the standard Action Collection figures). Once again, the Princess Leia Organa & R2-D2 (As Jabba’s Prisoners) set appealed to adult male collectors mostly. And Kenner/Hasbro was once again at a loss on how to capture the interest of more female fans. Regardless, the Princess Leia Organa & R2-D2 (As Jabba’s Prisoners) set is nice, but the Princess Leia Organa figure has a strong Barbie vibe to it. Scantily clad and with very little articulation, Princess Leia Organa is a nice-looking figure but doesn’t offer much in terms of articulation. The figure’s head is a little too large as well. R2-D2 is based on the previously release R2-D2 Action Collection figure. However, the new parts are permanently attached to the figure. This, unfortunately, inhibits most of the droid’s movement. Most of it is rendered useless, including R2-D2’s third leg. An attractive, albeit expensive, set, the Princess Leia Organa & R2-D2 (As Jabba’s Prisoners) is a must-have release for all 12 Inch collectors.