Princess Leia Organa (Imperial Captive) - SW [S - P3] - Basic (’03 #26)

Held captive in the Death Star, Princess Leia is interrogated by Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin. Leia is ordered to reveal the location of the secret Rebel base or see her home planet of Alderaan destroyed.

By the time the Star Wars “Saga” line came around, Hasbro realized that they needed to keep certain main Star Wars characters in the basic figure line at all times. These popular characters always sold through, but sometimes it wasn’t possible to release an all-new version of these characters to keep them in the line or even tweak them to make them relatively new. So Hasbro conceded that “straight repacks” were going to be the answer. They even advertised this by likening to what Kenner did in the vintage Star Wars line by re-releasing the same figures in every film’s specific packaging. OK, so maybe that was a good analogy, but the choices of action figures Hasbro chose to enter into the line again were good, and others were not so good. Another example of this was Princess Leia Organa (Imperial Captive) (‘03 #26). In all honesty, this figure is bit of a disappointment to see again at retail. Originally released as 1998’s POTF2 [FF/TKC] Princess Leia Organa [All New Likeness] figure, Hasbro now adds a clear display stand and makes it part of the “filler” of the Star Wars “Saga” line to keep core characters in the line.

Princess Leia Organa (Imperial Captive) doesn't have too many updates when compared to her 1998 release. But we do see some enhancements made to the paint operations, especially in the face. But does a five year old figure need to be re-released in a line where authenticity seems to be a major priority? Let’s recall her features. You will find a more tapered/pleated appearance to her gown and her belt is no longer completely silver. Hasbro was certain to provide her with a white belt with silver geometric shapes running around its perimeter. Her boots also have black soles which is a huge deal for screen accuracy. We’re impressed that something so “insignificant’ has been captured on the 1998 update. The 1995 POTF2 Princess Leia Organa figure just had white legs, from her hips down to her soles. This new version actually is wearing boots that stop around the knee and bare flesh above them. Princess Leia Organa (Imperial Captive) still has hands that are too chunky, but the rest of her frame is athletic and not exaggerated in any spots that we can tell. Overall we’re quite impressed with much of her design.

Princess Leia Organa (Imperial Captive) comes with two guns that she utilized in the film. The guns are still obnoxiously too big, but at least they mimic actual weapons in the film. The signature long-barreled blaster pistol is well-designed. It fits into her hands very well. The larger gun which is some sort of modified E-11 blaster has two “handles” so to speak which allows her pre-positioned arms to hold the gun appropriately in both spots. She also comes with a clear Star Wars display stand for an extra added premium we suppose. At this point in the line however we’re looking to see vast improvements made to these core characters and straight repacks really aren’t the answer at this point. Is it a bad action figure? No, it isn’t. And she weirdly fits into the Star Wars “Saga” line interestingly, yet peculiarly. If Hasbro needs to fill holes with straight repacks, we could have been given worse. She is just tired at this point. Princess Leia Organa (Imperial Captive) may not be our first choice, but we imagine it’s good new collectors will have a chance to purchase her.