The Emperor was released late to keep it a surprise just like they did with Yoda. Seperate thing, I like the Royal Guard figure more than the Emperor figure. That nuts that they were going to make the Imp. Dignitary so early. I wish they had made a Mon Mothma figure. I'm guessing that the Rebel Dignitary was General Madine. Thanks for the video
Interesting that Yak Face could’ve been released earlier and as for Nien Nunb, I always called him “Space Monkey” or “Monkey Man” as a kid when I first watched the Star Wars movies.
The Imperial Dignitary figure may have been the "Imperial Ambassador" character that got cut from the finished movie, he was going to appear to Vader on the Executor as a hologram but was replaced by the Emperor himself. I think he was also breifly advertised on a box sticker as the hologram in the Darth Vaders Star Destroyer playset, you may even have done a video about it JM. 🤔
They released Wicket the Ewok in 1984 when most kids were too busy thinking about Transformers and GI Joe to care. I still remember a toy store in 1984 having nothing but unsellable Wickets on the pegs.
Fun fact: The Grand Viszier from the Star Destroyer KENNER toy box, that labels " ... blah blah Grand Viszier talking to Vader in his chamber....". We never got a Viszier toy.... BUT, there was a mention of him in: Droids. Some good guy ugly alien guy was mentioning how the " Grand Viszier took over our ppl ...". Maybe it was a coincidence?
I'd say the Royal Guard before the Emperor because some people were already doing more than one figure of the characters there was more than one of in the movie..... Nobody needs two Emperors (unless one could sit!).
Imperial Dignitary for 2 reasons..... Number one is that they wanted a figure that would match Jedi Luke for number of nose rubs. Number two....to add some colour to the toy line.... In Star Wars the creatures added some colour in the second wave...blue, orange, red and green....the colours were so biege,grey, browns for Return of the Jedi that it reminds me of the episode of Seinfeld where Elain finds out that her boyfriend is a communist. and she clues into it when George asks "Well does he were bland drab olive coloured clothing?" and Elain answers "He does dress a little drab!"
Id say Rebel Dignitary may be Admiral Ackbar. Hes not in a very flashy uniform, is tall with his head, and possibly unnamed in early production material.
Imagine a world where Yak Face is just as common as Ree Yees or Squid Head. You can still find mint on card Ree Yees and Squid Head figures today for under $100. However, good luck finding an authentic, loose Yak Face for under $500.
That alien would have been sweet. I still wonder why they made Madine and the Dignitary. Bounty hunter Leia is sweet. I wish I had Squid Head. I loved the guard and scout.
Without looking at deleted scenes or anything and just going by the info given here I'd say that Rebel Dignitary probably had a silly hat and was the reason for the extra height.
Mt best guess would be Rebel Dignitary was most likely the Rebel Soldier figure for Endor and they gave him the goofy name so it wouldn't get confused on the list with Rebel Soldier from Hoth.
oh man if they had made Imperial Dignitary he would have kept the shelves warm years earlier. i like the design but little kids probably didn't want the guy who stood in the background and didn't interact with Luke and Darth Vader.
I'm still waiting for my Black Series Imperial Dignitary! It would actually look pretty cool I bet. Or will. Just a matter of time. They'll do that Crystal dog animal from Last Jedi I bet too.
