Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) (Theater Edition) - POTF2 [R/G] - Basic (Exclusive)

HEIGHT: 1.72 meters
STATUS: Jedi Knight, Rebel Commander and Pilot
CLASSIFICATION: Human
AFFILIATION: Rebel Alliance
WEAPON OF CHOICE: Lightsaber
HOME WORLD: Tatooine
VEHICLE OF CHOICE: Incom T-65B X-wing Fighter

March 7, 1997, was the original release date for the Return Of The Jedi Special Edition in theaters. But to prevent unnecessary competition, the film’s release was delayed a week and March 14, 1997 became Episode VI’s official launch. To help commemorate the event, participating movie theaters (most commonly AMC), worked a deal with Kenner/Hasbro to produce a specially packaged version of a previously released Luke Skywalker action figure. Dubbed the Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) (Theater Edition) action figure, it created happiness, stress, anxiety, misery, and general aftermarket values to skyrocket like no other Star Wars toy release before it. Although styled in The Power Of The Force “2” [Green/Freeze Frame] line look, Kenner/Hasbro revised the packaging with new additions which made it exclusive. Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) (Theater Edition) comes with the original theater release date of March 7, 1997 on it, but those who attended the film know what the correct date is. Other than the packaging, Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) (Theater Edition) is a straight repack of 1996’s POTF2 [R/G] Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker basic figure.

One of the fastest selling action figures Kenner/Hasbro released in 1996, it made sense for Hasbro to offer this figure up to participating movie theaters, especially since the figure focuses on the lead character in Return Of The Jedi. Limited to 150,000 units, there are more Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) (Theater Edition) than the world needs, and we expect this to be very common in time. It’s hard to believe how hot it was at one point because that is a lot of one action figure produced. Interestingly, at the time of the film’s release, many assumed the exclusive figure giveaway would be Luke Skywalker (In Ceremonial Outfit) because he was unnecessarily delayed from the basic figure line. But this rumor was proven not true in the end. Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) (Theater Edition) comes with only two accessories: a molded Jedi cloak and a green lightsaber. They’re simple accessories but interact nicely with the figure. We’re not huge fans of plastic-molded clothing, but this Jedi cloak seems to work well with Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker. The one drawback, however, is that it completely inhibits the figure’s articulation. You’ll even struggle with posing him with his lightsaber while wearing the cloak.

The other accessory, a green fully lit lightsaber, can be placed in either hand. And for what it is, it’s a nice accessory. You may come across two different versions of the lightsaber. The first release had concave ringlets on the hilt. Kenner then updated the accessory so that the ringlets became convex. But we haven’t come across any of these re-released versions of Luke Skywalker having the earlier variation. Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) (Theater Edition) is not that great of an action figure. But it has its charm. Our biggest complaint would be the head sculpt. Kenner/Hasbro keeps using slight variations of the same Luke Skywalker head sculpt, and his appearance changed throughout the saga. By the time Return Of The Jedi came around, Mark Hamill was fully healed from his injuries and sported a truly new likeness for himself. We would love to see that represented in the action figures as well. It’s still a monumental action figure despite its criticisms. But we know better is in the future. Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight) (Theater Edition) has novelty, and it marks an important place in the Star Wars collecting timeline. But it will never go down in history as a great action figure.