Hot Toys Darth Vader Return Of The Jedi - 40th Anniversary

Hot Toys are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Return Of The Jedi with a new Darth Vader 1/6th scale collectible figure.

This is another stunning piece by Hot Toys, with an incredible head sculpt and fan service Deluxe edition.

You can pre-order now from Sideshow.

There is so much to like here for Star Wars fans, read on to find out more.

Price & Editions

Two editions will be available at launch, the Collector and Deluxe editions, expected to ship between July and December 2024.

Edition Type Expected Shipping Date Price Preorder
Collector Edition Jul 2024 - Dec 2024 $300 Preorder now
Deluxe Version Jul 2024 - Dec 2024 $345 Preorder now

Darth Vader remains as menacing as ever.

Features

The figure is feature-packed, with only one difference between the two editions.

Features Collector Edition Deluxe Version
Authentic and detailed likeness of Darth Vader in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
1 newly developed head sculpt with sculpted scars and separate rolling eyeballs
1 newly crafted helmet with detachable outer helmet
1 translucent black coloured helmeted head (power operated)
Specialised body with over 30 points of articulation
Approximately 35 cm tall

Firstly, we are finally getting a 1/6th scale Return Of The Jedi Darth Vader from Hot Toys. The unmasked Vader head sculpt is beautiful, on the same level as the upcoming Hot Toys Spider Man No Way Home figure.

Rolling eyeballs make for more realistic posing

The rolling eyeballs are another great feature, adding more realism to your poses. The newly crafted helmet looks excellent too, with the detachable outer.

The detail in the head sculpt and mask is incredible

The interchangeable LED light-up head is a nice fan service to the Emperor Palpatine electrocution scene, exclusive to the deluxe edition. It's a nice fan service piece, but it's likely not the head that you will use to display the figure (more on that later).

The light-up head is a nice fan service piece, but not the star of the show.

Costume

Taking a closer look at Vader's costume, both editions share the same features, complete with USB-powered light-up chest and belt panels.

Darth Vader costume detail is excellent
Costume Collector Edition Deluxe Version
1 Darth Vader armour and suit
1 black cape
1 newly crafted chest panel with LED light-up function (red light, power operated)
1 system function belt with LED light-up function (white light, power operated)
1 pair of calf armours
1 pair of black boots

Accessories

Darth Vader also comes with a USB-powered red lightsaber, including a red-coloured blade in motion, and 12 interchangeable gloved hands, available in both editions.

The complete Darth Vader Return Of The Jedi Package (Deluxe Version)

Accessories Collector Edition Deluxe Version
1 LED-lighted red lightsaber (red light, power operated)
1 lightsaber hilt
1 red-coloured lightsaber blade in motion (attachable to the hilt)
1 pair of relaxed hands
1 pair of lightsaber holding hands
1 pair of hands for holding belt boxes
1 pair of Force-using right hands
2 pieces of gesture hands
1 right hand without palm
1 left fist
LED-lighted circular figure base (power operated) with Star Wars logo and character nameplate
2 figure base arms (attachable to circular figure base)
Specially designed staircase diorama base
1 lightning effect accessory

The Deluxe version includes the diorama base, 2 figure base arms and lightning effect accessory.

The Kenner style packaging is a nice touch (Deluxe Version Shown)

The diorama base is ok, it doesn't blow me away, especially as it's not to scale. I do think the Deluxe version is worth it for the additional 2 figure base arms, which allow you to display both helmets, along with unmasked Vader. This is the best presentation of the figure in my opinion.

The additional diorama base and 2 figure base arms

The lightning effect accessory is a bit of a gimmick, I'm not sure it goes too well with the light-up head, but it's down to personal taste. The light-up head looks good displayed on the base arms without it.

Is It Worth it?

Any fan of Darth Vader will want to pick this one up.

Of course, there is another excellent Darth Vader available to pre-order, the Hayden Christensen version from Obi-Wan Kenobi. The cracked masked with another incredible head sculpt and rolling eyeball makes that an excellent choice.

Hot Toys Hayden Christensen Darth Vader (Obi-Wan Kenobi)

The ideal scenario is to get both, but what if you could only get one? I would probably lean towards this classic Return Of The Jedi version, but it's a tough call to make.

You certainly won't go wrong with whichever one you decide to go with.

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