“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” toys unveiled in series of original stop-motion animated shorts debuting online today
Launch heralds global UGC contest celebrating fan content, creativity and storytelling
A team of Star Wars superfans today revealed the new toy line for the highly anticipated “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” movie via a series of fan-made animated shorts launching on the Star WarsYouTube channel. As part of a competition in collaboration with creative network Tongal, a team was assembled to write, direct and produce original, fan-made stop-motion shorts starring key toys from the new line to kick off a global UGC contest that asks fans to share their own “Rogue Stories.”
“These fan-created shorts are a tribute to the incredible content that theStar Wars community posts online every day,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. “The Go Rogue campaign was designed with Star Wars fans in mind – we want them to be front and center in the run up to ‘Rogue One’ by imagining and creating their own Rogue Stories.”
When Star Wars news breaks, many fans worldwide react by sharing their own videos online. According to new research1, fans posted over 838,000 pieces of Star Wars-related content on YouTube in the past year alone, which is more than 2,296 per day and nearly 96 per hour. Star Wars fan-generated content is also incredibly popular, accruing more than 16.3 billion views in the last year – equivalent to everyone in the world viewing at least two fan-created videos.
The global contest, which kicks off September 30, invites fans to share their own short stories or skits set in a galaxy far, far away… Winning entries from around the globe will be chosen by a panel including “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” director Gareth Edwards. Beginning September 30, teen and adult fans can enter the Go Rogue contest on StarWars.com/GoRogue. In addition to the global contest on starwars.com, in the U.S. and parts of Canada, kids 8-12 can participate onDisney.com/MyRogueStory. Winners will be invited to Lucasfilm in San Francisco to attend a screening of “Rogue One,” and see their short story on the big screen.
The fan-created shorts showcasing the new line of “Rogue One” toys for the first time launches on the Star Wars YouTubechannel today, with new installments rolling out through September. The team was led by James DeJulio at Tongal, and the series was written by Kevin Ulrich and brought to life by stop-motion animators and directors Dan MacKenzie and Tucker Barrie. The stories follow the adventures of “Rogue One” toys from Hasbro, LEGO, FUNKO, JAKKS Pacific, Mattel and Disney Store as they try to track down the building instructions to the LEGO Star Wars Death Star set which have been misplaced by the Empire.
“I’ve been a Star Wars fan my whole life so this is a dream project,” says James DeJulio, co-founder of Tongal. “It’s been amazing to see what an inspiration Star Wars has been to so many members of our creative community, whether that’s coming up with their own Star Wars storylines, or playing out scenes with Star Wars toys at home with their kids. I’m excited to share this first ‘Rogue Story’ with the world and hope it inspires other fans to share theirs.”
Fans can pre-order a handful of select items seen in the “Rogue Stories” beginning September 2 at mass retailers, Disney Store locations and disneystore.com. The full range of new “Rogue One” and Star Wars products will be available globally starting on September 30. Join the global #GoRogue conversation on social.
Tongal’s creative network includes 120,000 writers, directors and animators across 150 countries. For more information, go towww.tongal.com.
HASBRO ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY
STAR WARS 12-INCH FIGURE Assortment (Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Fall 2016)
Recreate the mission to steal the plans for the Death Star in 12-inch scale! Choose between new heroes and villains from ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY such as JYN ERSO, CAPTAIN CASSIAN ANDOR, IMPERIAL DEATH TROOPER, DARTH VADER, and more. Each 12-inch figure features five points of articulation and an accessory. Each figure sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.
STAR WARS 12-INCH InteracTech Imperial Stormtrooper Figure
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Available: Fall 2016)
Experience The Galaxy’s most iconic soldier like never before with the 12-inch InteracTech Imperial Stormtrooper figure that responds to how you play! With more than 65 light and sound effects and accelerometer, this stormtrooper is ready for almost anything. March him into battle and listen as the InteracTech Imperial Stormtrooper leads the charge with unique sounds and phrases. Use the stormtrooper’s battle accessories to switch between blasting and flight mode. Get up close and personal with hand-to-hand combat sounds, or blast at the Rebels with a flick of the wrist. Or strap on the jetpack to unlock a library of sounds. And if the Rebels get the better of him, the InteracTech Imperial Stormtrooper yells out in defeat when falling! With these features and more, the InteracTech Imperial Stormtrooper surprises and brings your STAR WARS stories to life like never before. Includes 12-inch InteracTech Imperial Stormtrooper figure, jetpack, and blaster. Features more than 65 light and sound effects. Requires 2 AA batteries, included. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY RAPID FIRE IMPERIAL AT-ACT Playset
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $299.99/Available: Fall 2016)
Lead the charge against the Rebel Alliance with the 3.75-inch scale RAPID FIRE IMPERIAL AT-ACT Playset! The AT-ACT can be controlled by remote or smart device, and actually moves its head and authentically walks into battle. Features an armored cargo and cockpit that can transport multiple figures. Open up the playset to unload cargo and send Stormtroopers into battle. This powerful vehicle features rapid-fire NERF dart cannons and comes with 3.75-inch JYN ERSO, exclusive C2-B5, and exclusive IMPERIAL AT-ACT DRIVER figures. Includes one vehicle and three figures. Requires 4 1.5v D batteries, not included. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY 3.75-INCH REBEL U-WING FIGHTER Vehicle
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99/Available: Fall 2016)
Fly into battle with the 3.75-inch scale REBEL U-WING FIGHTER and its heroic pilot CAPTAIN CASSIAN ANDOR! This Rebel starship features NERF dart firing cannons and adjustable wings to switch between flight and battle action modes. Includes vehicle, figure, and 2 NERF darts. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY 3.75-INCH TIE STRIKER Vehicle
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $39.99/Available: Fall 2016)
Chase down Rebel starships with the 3.75-inch scale IMPERIAL TIE STRIKER piloted by the Empire’s best IMPERIAL TIE FIGHTER PILOT! Recreate epic battle scenes from ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY with a NERF dart firing canon. Includes vehicle, figure, and 2 NERF darts. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.
STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES 6-Inch Figure Assortment
(Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Fall 2016)
Bring home the adventure from ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY in impressive detail with STAR WARS: THE BLACK SERIES figures. Each 6-inch scale figure features extensive articulation and realistic character design for the ultimate collector. Characters include JYN ERSO, CAPTAIN CASSIAN ANDOR, K-2SO, IMPERIAL DEATH TROOPER, DIRECTOR KRENNIC, SCARIF STORMTROOPER SQUAD LEADER, and more. Each figure sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.
