“Princess Leia Organa & R2-D2 as Jabba’s Prisoners” (FAO Schwarz Exclusive 12″ Figure Set)

This set was an FAO Schwarz exclusive, and originally retailed for $69.99. Believe it or not, it’s the only 1/6 scale version of Slave Leia that has been made up to this point, and the same goes for the drink-serving R2-D2. It was released in 1998, back when Hasbro’s figures were the only game in town if you wanted larger scale figures. I wasn’t collecting back then, but I can only imagine that a lot of people look back in embarrassment on what they bought back then (and what they paid for it). Most of them don’t come close to what is available now from companies like Sideshow.

One of the best parts about this is the box. It opens up to reveal a sort of “pop-up” display with Jabba, Leia and C-3PO on the left. And Salacious Crumb is hanging from the ceiling on the far right.

Leia is essentially a Barbie doll. She has very little in the way of articulation, and the rooted hair and stylized head sculpt really make her seem like a doll rather than a high-end figure. (As a side note, they originally were going to use a different head sculpt, but I’m not sure it’s much of an improvement.) It’s too bad, since as I mentioned, this is your only choice if you want a 1/6 scale Slave Leia figure. I personally could never display this with my other 1/6 scale figures, as it would stick out like a sore thumb. Her outfit is not too bad, though. I used some of the cloth components (from another set) when I modified my Kotobukiya Slave Leia vinyl statue.

The R2-D2 figure, on the other hand, is actually quite nice. While it’s a bit toy-like, it wouldn’t look out of place amongst Sideshow figures, and in fact I use one of these in my 1/6 scale Jabba display. His middle leg can retract into his body, and his head can rotate. I imagine most of the demand for this set nowadays is for people who want the drink-serving R2.

I’m hoping that Sideshow will eventually come out with a Slave Leia figure that is both articulated and attractive, but that’s no small order. Putting a standard 1/6 scale action figure body into the metal bikini outfit just doesn’t look very good, and I’m sure that’s the main reason that they haven’t made one yet. But with new bodies that have more subtle joints (or even joints completely covered with rubber) it should be possible to finally make a good looking Slave Leia.