So, there was definitely some hoopla created from the “cancellation” of the two TVC figures that were originally scheduled to be part of wave 5 of The Black Series. (I saw the release schedule with my own eyes. I should know.) AT-RT Driver and Republic Trooper (gasp!) have been axed from the latest confirmed assortments from JTA sponsor Dorkside Toys. But with some help from a close friend, we’ve come up with a solid answer that may explain this all. And no, it’s not the obvious [unannounced] revision case defense that has already been considered. This is more speculation, but we think it holds water. Click through for more.

You probably already know from our multiple intense Toy Fair reports that Hasbro confirmed wave 4 and wave 5 were Spring 2014 releases. And these figures would be released in the orange and black phase I packaging. Wave 6 was the first The Black Series wave to sport the TIE Fighter Pilot on the card back as well as the updated blue highlights on the packaging. Now wave 5 is a Fall release, which logic dictates that it may come in the blue packaging as well. This technically means that wave 4 is the “last wave” of The Black Series in the phase I/orange packaging. And because last wave is directly tied to last wave syndrome, it’s clear that this wave will be produced in sparing numbers. Imagine the backlash and anger Hasbro would feel from the collecting community if they finally get these figures out to us again, only to make them limited?

But because these are all-new sculpts (or won't have a fair chance at retail), Hasbro MUST get them back out in the Fall again. And because repacks are next to never and there is a desperate need to help collectors get these figures once and for all into their collections, it’s likely that Hasbro has pulled them back to be placed in the blue packaging so they have a longer shelf life, and can be new for the updated line look. This of course only makes sense if Hasbro changes the Assortment Number between orange and blue, and none of us know that answer yet. This theory makes a solid argument. And we think it’s pretty logical. But what do you think? Could we be in for a huge treat this Fall when we see one TVC figure re-released one after another, supplementing The Black Series line?