JTA Presents: Evolutions - AT-RT Driver

Welcome to another one of our JTA Presents: Evolutions features! Let’s check out how close or far we are from having an ideal Hasbro 3.75″ AT-RT Driver action figure. Have we arrived at definitive status yet? Weigh in and let us know what conclusion you’ll come to by clicking through and adding your two cents in the comments!

The AT-RT Driver wasn’t readily seen in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith, but the character was part of the Revenge Of The Sith line and one of the few characters in the range to receive super-articulation. They’d have a much larger role years later in The Clone Wars television show, but they always remained a part of the Hasbro Star Wars action figure line before that. With a brown and green color scheme and outfitted with a strapped blaster, the AT-RT Driver was seen after the catastrophic Battle of Kashyyyk as the Republic Army searched high and low for any remaining Jedi after Order 66 was enacted by Emperor Palpatine. Hasbro made a couple of versions of this character, but do we have a definitive version yet?

AT-RT Driver (III 54) from 2005’s Revenge Of The Sith line.

The very first AT-RT Driver entered the tail end of the Revenge Of The Sith line. Loaded with super-articulation, collectors were thrilled to add this action figure to their collections. As the years moved ahead, collectors began to realize that this 2005 figure wasn’t as great as they first thought. His joints are extremely bulky and he didn’t possess the range of movement needed for dramatic posing. Still, it was a great release for the time. And with so few figure receiving true super-articulation, it was a nice treat to get the figure with this enhancement. A short time after this figure’s original release, Hasbro repainted it all-white to create a concept AT-RT Driver and it was added to the 2006 TAC Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith (3 of 6) Commemorative Tin Collection set.

AT-RT Driver from 2005’s Revenge Of The Sith AT-RT With AT-RT Driver vehicle set.

Pack-in figures are lovely, but the AT-RT Driver packed alongside the 2005 Revenge Of The Sith AT-RT With AT-RT Driver was a massive disappointment for collectors. This version of the AT-RT Driver arrived months before the basic figure did, and it came with little articulation. Pre-posed, static, and with a minimal purpose in the toy line except for piloting the AT-RT, this release was a significant letdown for longtime Star Wars collectors. It would take over half a decade before collectors would have their dreams answered.

AT-RT Driver (VC46) from 2011’s The Vintage Collection line.

2011’s The Vintage Collection AT-RT Driver (VC46) was a surprising release. At the time, collectors weren’t sure if we needed an update so soon, but hardcore collectors, disappointed with past efforts, were thrilled to see a major update like this figure added to the toy line. The figure is rather wonderful. It comes with a removable helmet and is loaded with incredible articulation. And all of the figure’s major accessories are included here as well. Planned for a re-release in The Black Series [Phase I] line, that secondary release was cancelled and the figure has yet to be reissued. It’s alright though because we’re not sure if a re-release is necessary at this point.

AT-RT Driver Group Shot

Questions for discussion:

1. In your opinion, do we have a definitive version of this figure?

2. If we don’t have a definitive version of this figure, should Hasbro tool a new figure from the ground up again, or should they tweak a current sculpt to perfect it instead?

3. If the figure ranks as definitive for you, do you want to see it repackaged in vintage Kenner packaging (The Vintage Collection) if it isn’t already?

4. Add any other points of note or interest in the comments about any of these versions of AT-RT Driver action figures.

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