Force is with Star Wars fans as souvenirs hit the shops

YOU MIGHT think it would take light years for Star Wars souvenirs to make their way into the shops?
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Sep 2015, 13:08 BST
A fan dressed as a Star Wars character shops at a toy store at midnight in Hong KongA fan dressed as a Star Wars character shops at a toy store at midnight in Hong Kong
A fan dressed as a Star Wars character shops at a toy store at midnight in Hong Kong

Not so. In fact, they are already here, ready to cash in a new generation of sci-fi fans as Star Wars: The Force Awakens is due out in December.

As part of the epic global event marking the countdown to “Force Friday” when merchandise from the anticipated new movie went on sale, some of the items caused a stir.

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You can buy your own your own droid like Luke Skywalker. There’s a miniature version of BB-8 from the film.

The droid can be controlled by a smartphone, responds to your voice and even conjures holographic videos.

At 15cm tall it comprises a sphere, with a head attached using a magnet – or ‘the Force’ – and stays upright as the droid’s body rolls along.

Rob Maigret of Sphero, a company known for robotic toys, said; “We want you to feel like he’s present and potentially even a friend. We’ve incorporated a playful element and there’s a driving experience.”

The movie, which has had $200m invested in it, is predicted by film experts to be a major hit.