Disney released startling promotional footage of a seemingly Dark Side Rey wielding a double-bladed collapsible hilt lightsaber in August 2019. Two months later in October 2019, Hasbro has yet to release a Dark Rey collapsible hilt lightsaber or even a Dark Rey action figure. Here’s why toy giant Hasbro may NEVER release a Dark Side Rey lightsaber, despite the lightsaber’s popularity and hype.

Although a collapsible hilt lightsaber is not a new creation (Jedi Temple Guards have been depicted using collapsible hilt lightsabers), Rey’s ‘folding lightsaber’ will be a new design to Star Wars fans and lightsaber enthusiasts who only follow the Star Wars movies and not other Star Wars media.

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The most likely reason why Hasbro has not released any products related to the Dark Side Rey lightsaber is because the lightsaber will only play a small role in the movie. In fact, the scene depicting the lightsaber may only be a brief Force vision or dream that doesn’t come to pass.

1. The Lightsaber Lacks Importance in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Hasbro is much less likely to make a lightsaber only shown briefly in a film. A good comparison would be the Ben Solo lightsaber portrayed in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Although many fans like the Ben Solo lightsaber, the lightsaber is given minimal screen time in the film. Hasbro has not created a Ben Solo lightsaber toy or Force FX lightsaber. If the collapsible hilt lightsaber is similarly only shown in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker very briefly, then Dark Side Rey lightsaber get the same snub from Hasbro.

2. Passing the Triple Force Friday Product Release ‘Deadline’

Another reason Hasbro may never make the Dark Side Rey lightsaber is due to timing. Hasbro released a massive amount of new Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker items on a product release ‘holiday’ called Triple Force Friday, which occurred on Friday, October 4, 2019. The release included many lightsabers of different price ranges including: a Scream Saber lightsaber toy, new Kylo Ren and Rey lightsaber toys, and a $299.99 Supreme Leader Kylo Ren Force FX Elite Lightsaber.

If Hasbro wanted to release a Dark Side Rey lightsaber, the company would have released the lightsaber on Triple Force Friday. By comparison, the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released in December 2015. Kylo Ren actions figures and crossguard lightsaber toys first entered the market during the very first Force Friday on September 4, 2015, over 3 months in advance of the movie release.

Now it’s 2019 and longer we wait, the closer we’re getting to the release date and the strong buying season and gift giving season of November and December. In order to property promote new lightsaber products, Hasbro would want to release new products well in advance of Thanksgiving because around Thankgiving is when people start thinking about purchasing gifts for Christmas and the holiday season.

3. Complexity and Safety Issues Regarding a Folding Lightsaber

The design of a collapsible hilt lightsaber would be much more complex than other standard single hilt lightsabers. A folding lightsaber design would demand additional safety precautions and concerns, assuming the toy or collectible would fold with a hinge as shown in the promotional footage. Hasbro would need to insure that the lightsaber wouldn’t pinch fingers and hands near the hinge area. The lightsaber would also probably need to be spring-loaded/flip out which would also demand extra safety precautions. To be fair, Hasbro has already released many spring-loaded toys like Force Action Lightsaber Toys and a Z6 Riot Control Baton. Still, spring-loaded products must meet additional safety standards.

Appeal of the Dark Rey Lightsaber

The collapsible hilt feature of the Dark Rey lightsaber is a ‘love it or hate it’ feature among Star Wars fans. Some fans jokingly refer to the lightsaber as the ‘nutcracker lightsaber’ or the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ lightsaber. Other fans think the lightsaber is fresh, innovative and awesome. Still, the hilt does fold out into a double-bladed lightsaber, a lightsaber design that garner mass appeal. Generally many Star Wars fans and lightsaber enthusiasts look favorably on double-bladed, Darth Maul style lightsabers. If Hasbro did end up ultimately making a Dark Rey lightsaber toy or Force FX lightsaber, the product would likely sell pretty well.

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Would you buy a Dark Rey double-bladed collapsible hilt lightsaber?