
Stars War Uzay Savascilari "C.Po." Action Figure
SB Products, Turkey about 1988No, our action figures from the Stars War line are completely different from the Star Wars characters! At least that's what the makers of the Turkish Uzay bootleg action figures wanted you to believe. In a feeble attempt to avoid copyright infringement, some letters were omitted from character names: the AT-AT driver now only drives an AT, the fearsome Stormtrooper became a mild Stormtroper (see below), and everyone's favorite protocol droid became CPO or C3P depending on whether you read his abbreviation or spelled-out name.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
SB Products, Turkey about 1988No, our action figures from the Stars War line are completely different from the Star Wars characters! At least that's what the makers of the Turkish Uzay bootleg action figures wanted you to believe. In a feeble attempt to avoid copyright infringement, some letters were omitted from character names: the AT-AT driver now only drives an AT, the fearsome Stormtrooper became a mild Stormtroper (see below), and everyone's favorite protocol droid became CPO or C3P depending on whether you read his abbreviation or spelled-out name.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

"Speak Softly and Carry A Light Sabre" Prismatic Pinback Button
Star Trek Galore, USA 1977With the initial success of Star Wars, fans clamored for merchandise related to the movie. Buttons and bumper stickers were some of the earliest items to market (and were often unlicensed). The world had never heard of wookiees or lightsabers so it's understandable that they didn't know how to spell them.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Star Trek Galore, USA 1977With the initial success of Star Wars, fans clamored for merchandise related to the movie. Buttons and bumper stickers were some of the earliest items to market (and were often unlicensed). The world had never heard of wookiees or lightsabers so it's understandable that they didn't know how to spell them.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

Star Wars Intergalactic Seals Ass't 3 "tatooine residents"
H.E. Harris & Co., USA 1978H.E. Harris offered a Star Wars Stamp Collecting Album with several supplemental packs of Star Wars stickers. Their descriptions were frequently generic and often humorous: the vicious Tusken Raiders are referred to as mild-mannered "Sand Citizens" and Hammerhead (later named Momaw Nadon) is called "Gator Head."
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
H.E. Harris & Co., USA 1978H.E. Harris offered a Star Wars Stamp Collecting Album with several supplemental packs of Star Wars stickers. Their descriptions were frequently generic and often humorous: the vicious Tusken Raiders are referred to as mild-mannered "Sand Citizens" and Hammerhead (later named Momaw Nadon) is called "Gator Head."
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

The Empire Strikes Back "Death Squad Commander" Action Figure (31-Back Version)
Kenner, USA 1980Did Kenner decide that "Death Squad Commander" was an inappropriate name for a children's toy, or did they update the name to "Star Destroyer Commander" because there was a greater emphasis on Star Destroyers in the sequel to Star Wars? We don't know the reason, but the action figure's name was changed in early 1980 and remained that way throughout the remainder of the vintage era.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Kenner, USA 1980Did Kenner decide that "Death Squad Commander" was an inappropriate name for a children's toy, or did they update the name to "Star Destroyer Commander" because there was a greater emphasis on Star Destroyers in the sequel to Star Wars? We don't know the reason, but the action figure's name was changed in early 1980 and remained that way throughout the remainder of the vintage era.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

The Empire Strikes Back "Zuckuss" Action Figure (48-Back Version)
Kenner, USA 1982One of the more famous character name changes was the swapping of names between two of the bounty hunters seen in The Empire Strikes Back. Kenner originally identified the droid as Zuckuss and the tan-colored alien as 4-LOM. Sometime in the 1990s, it was determined that the droid was 4-LOM and the alien was Zuckuss.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Kenner, USA 1982One of the more famous character name changes was the swapping of names between two of the bounty hunters seen in The Empire Strikes Back. Kenner originally identified the droid as Zuckuss and the tan-colored alien as 4-LOM. Sometime in the 1990s, it was determined that the droid was 4-LOM and the alien was Zuckuss.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

Star Wars "Walrus Man" Action Figure (21-Back Version)
Kenner, USA 1979These days, it seems that writers give every new Star Wars alien an exotic name and a full backstory. While making the original trilogy, though, characters were typically named by the crew based on obvious physical attributes. Many of these characters weren't given "proper" names until West End Games developed their Star Wars Roleplaying Game in the late 80s and early 90s. Thus, Walrus Man and Yak Face became Ponda Baba and Saelt-Marae, respectively.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Kenner, USA 1979These days, it seems that writers give every new Star Wars alien an exotic name and a full backstory. While making the original trilogy, though, characters were typically named by the crew based on obvious physical attributes. Many of these characters weren't given "proper" names until West End Games developed their Star Wars Roleplaying Game in the late 80s and early 90s. Thus, Walrus Man and Yak Face became Ponda Baba and Saelt-Marae, respectively.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

Star Wars "Stoomtrooper" Action Figure
Takara, Japan 1978Japanese products often include English words to sound more "exotic." For Takara's line of 8-inch action figures, the misspelled word "Stoomtrooper" appeared on the cardback for each of the four characters. (Versions without that text were available, also.)
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Takara, Japan 1978Japanese products often include English words to sound more "exotic." For Takara's line of 8-inch action figures, the misspelled word "Stoomtrooper" appeared on the cardback for each of the four characters. (Versions without that text were available, also.)
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

Darth Vadar Lives Pinback Button
Factors Etc, USA 1977In the rush to meet public demand for Star Wars merchandise in summer 1977, early licensee Factors Etc went a little too quickly and missed the incorrect spelling of Vadar. This popular image appeared on several T-shirts, buttons, and other objects. Some of these items were sold uncorrected for several years.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Factors Etc, USA 1977In the rush to meet public demand for Star Wars merchandise in summer 1977, early licensee Factors Etc went a little too quickly and missed the incorrect spelling of Vadar. This popular image appeared on several T-shirts, buttons, and other objects. Some of these items were sold uncorrected for several years.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

"Bova Fett" Trading Card
Roadshow Magazine, Japan 1980If you've already visited our Boba Fett to Bo-Katan exhibit, you didn't see any Mandalorian named "Bova." Perhaps he's Boba's less-well-known cousin... or at least that's a more interesting theory than the more likely explanation that it's a simple typo.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Roadshow Magazine, Japan 1980If you've already visited our Boba Fett to Bo-Katan exhibit, you didn't see any Mandalorian named "Bova." Perhaps he's Boba's less-well-known cousin... or at least that's a more interesting theory than the more likely explanation that it's a simple typo.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

The Power of the Force "Hans Solo" Coin
Kenner, USA about 1984Hailing from Corellia and not Denmark, Han Solo would have taken offense to the misspelling of his name on the initial Power of the Force coin etching and die. Luckily, it was caught and corrected on the subsequent die. All of the coins released to the public had the right Han text but a few Hans coins had already been made as tests and are highly sought after by collectors today.
From the collection of Gus Lopez
Kenner, USA about 1984Hailing from Corellia and not Denmark, Han Solo would have taken offense to the misspelling of his name on the initial Power of the Force coin etching and die. Luckily, it was caught and corrected on the subsequent die. All of the coins released to the public had the right Han text but a few Hans coins had already been made as tests and are highly sought after by collectors today.
From the collection of Gus Lopez

Episode I "Nute Gunray" Action Figure
Hasbro, USA 1999One of the fun things you get to do when making a movie is include subtle (or not-so-subtle) tidbits like making the movie villain's name an amalgam of real-world people—in this case, politicians Newt Gingrich and Ronald Reagan.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Hasbro, USA 1999One of the fun things you get to do when making a movie is include subtle (or not-so-subtle) tidbits like making the movie villain's name an amalgam of real-world people—in this case, politicians Newt Gingrich and Ronald Reagan.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

Force Attax #68 "Pre Vizsla" Game Card
Topps, UK 2010In movies and TV, previsualization is the process of creating a rough version of a scene prior to filming. Often called pre-viz, it helped to inspire the name of this Mandalorian character from The Clone Wars animated series.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Topps, UK 2010In movies and TV, previsualization is the process of creating a rough version of a scene prior to filming. Often called pre-viz, it helped to inspire the name of this Mandalorian character from The Clone Wars animated series.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

"Javva the Hutt" Coffee Mug
Lucasfilm, USA about 2010If you were going to open a coffee shop in the offices of ILM and Lucasfilm, what would you name it? Javva the Hutt, of course! Did you know that there really is such a shop? Fans lucky enough to visit it can take home a branded mug or T-shirt, too.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Lucasfilm, USA about 2010If you were going to open a coffee shop in the offices of ILM and Lucasfilm, what would you name it? Javva the Hutt, of course! Did you know that there really is such a shop? Fans lucky enough to visit it can take home a branded mug or T-shirt, too.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

30th Anniversary Collection "Starkiller Hero" Action Figure
Hasbro, USA 2007Never throw away a good idea or name. The Star Wars franchise has followed that mantra since 1974, when the rough script of the original film had a hero named "Annikin Starkiller." His surname has since been given to the main character in the video game The Force Unleashed and to the First Empire's Starkiller Base in The Force Awakens.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Hasbro, USA 2007Never throw away a good idea or name. The Star Wars franchise has followed that mantra since 1974, when the rough script of the original film had a hero named "Annikin Starkiller." His surname has since been given to the main character in the video game The Force Unleashed and to the First Empire's Starkiller Base in The Force Awakens.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

"Intergalactic Passport" Crew Item
Lucasfilm, UK 1979The planet Utapau figures prominently in Revenge of the Sith, but the name is much older, first appearing in the rough draft of the original film in 1974. In 1979, producer Gary Kurtz created "Intergalactic Passports" for visitors to the set of The Empire Strikes Back, stamped with planets such as Tatooine and Utapau.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Lucasfilm, UK 1979The planet Utapau figures prominently in Revenge of the Sith, but the name is much older, first appearing in the rough draft of the original film in 1974. In 1979, producer Gary Kurtz created "Intergalactic Passports" for visitors to the set of The Empire Strikes Back, stamped with planets such as Tatooine and Utapau.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

Return of the Jedi "Klaatu" Action Figure (Trilogo 79-Back Version)
Palitoy, UK 1983In the 1951 motion picture The Day the Earth Stood Still, the phrase “Klaatu barada nikto” triggers the film’s resolution. In homage to that sci-fi classic, those words were used to name three different Return of the Jedi aliens. It was later decided that “Nikto” would be the name of the species shared by Klaatu and the character Kenner identified as Nikto, who has since been given the proper name “Lathe.”
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Palitoy, UK 1983In the 1951 motion picture The Day the Earth Stood Still, the phrase “Klaatu barada nikto” triggers the film’s resolution. In homage to that sci-fi classic, those words were used to name three different Return of the Jedi aliens. It was later decided that “Nikto” would be the name of the species shared by Klaatu and the character Kenner identified as Nikto, who has since been given the proper name “Lathe.”
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

"R2-KT" Action Figure (Comic-Con International San Diego Exclusive)
Hasbro, USA 2007Katie Johnson was the daughter of Albin Johnson, founder of the 501st Legion costume group. After she was diagnosed with brain cancer, Albin and the R2-D2 Builders Club gifted her with a companion droid in her favorite color: pink. R2-KT has since appeared in The Clone Wars and The Force Awakens.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Hasbro, USA 2007Katie Johnson was the daughter of Albin Johnson, founder of the 501st Legion costume group. After she was diagnosed with brain cancer, Albin and the R2-D2 Builders Club gifted her with a companion droid in her favorite color: pink. R2-KT has since appeared in The Clone Wars and The Force Awakens.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

"Commander Jorg Sacul" Action Figure (Celebration II Exclusive)
Hasbro, USA 2002In the early 2000s, it became fashionable to name Star Wars characters using anagrams or reversals of real names. So, Lucas became Sacul for this action figure, and prequel stunt coordinator Nick Gillard's cameo character became Drallig Cin (not pictured).
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Hasbro, USA 2002In the early 2000s, it became fashionable to name Star Wars characters using anagrams or reversals of real names. So, Lucas became Sacul for this action figure, and prequel stunt coordinator Nick Gillard's cameo character became Drallig Cin (not pictured).
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

Attack of the Clones "Achk Med-Beq" Action Figure
Hasbro, USA 2003A variation on the theme of naming characters by rearranging the letters of the performer's name is to make it phonetically similar. That was the case when Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks) had a cameo role as Achk Med-Beq in Attack of the Clones.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Hasbro, USA 2003A variation on the theme of naming characters by rearranging the letters of the performer's name is to make it phonetically similar. That was the case when Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks) had a cameo role as Achk Med-Beq in Attack of the Clones.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

Star Wars Customizable Card Game Hoth Expansion "Shawn Valdez" Card
Decipher, USA 1996Shawn Valdez was a lifelong Star Wars fan and Star Wars CCG player. After he died from leukemia at age 13, Decipher, with Lucasfilm's approval, gave his name to one of the officers seen in the Hoth Rebel Base.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Decipher, USA 1996Shawn Valdez was a lifelong Star Wars fan and Star Wars CCG player. After he died from leukemia at age 13, Decipher, with Lucasfilm's approval, gave his name to one of the officers seen in the Hoth Rebel Base.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

Force Attax The Force Awakens #14 "Ello Asty" Game Card
Topps, UK 2016J.J. Abrams named one of the pilots in Episode VII after the Beastie Boys song "Hello Nasty." The text on Asty's helmet translates to "Born to Ill," a reference to the Beasties' album License to Ill.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Topps, UK 2016J.J. Abrams named one of the pilots in Episode VII after the Beastie Boys song "Hello Nasty." The text on Asty's helmet translates to "Born to Ill," a reference to the Beasties' album License to Ill.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins

Guerre Stellari "D3BO" Action Figure (12-Back Version)
Harbert, Italy 1978Today, characters in the Star Wars Saga usually have the same name in every country. But even into the 1990s, latitude was sometimes given to non-English speaking countries to adopt names that better fit their particular dialects.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins
Harbert, Italy 1978Today, characters in the Star Wars Saga usually have the same name in every country. But even into the 1990s, latitude was sometimes given to non-English speaking countries to adopt names that better fit their particular dialects.
From the collection of Duncan Jenkins