why are Star Wars action figures so small?

[Extrocomp]

These days, Star Trek, Stargate, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, Halo, Alien vs Predator, Marvel, DC and just about every other popular franchise has action figures that are 6-7 inches tall.
Except Star Wars. Star Wars action figures are still the same poorly detailed 3.75 inch toys that existed in the 70s. Does anyone know why this is? Wouldn't it be easier to play with larger action figures?

 

[CaptainWacky]

So they can fit into the vehicles.

 

[MeanJoePhaser]

Poorly detailed? What the heck are you talking about? 3 3/4"/4" figures have made a big comeback, including MARVEL, DC and Star Trek figures in that size. Most of the Pirates of the Carribean figures were that scale. This is a turn around, since in the 90's almost everything was 5" to 7" tall, until Star Wars cameback.

As to why they are small..

-Same reasoning as the 70's...so figures can interact with vehicles. Larger figures and vehicles become unfeasable if not unaffordable and unmarketable.

-Fans like em that size. Those who grew up 3 3/4" liked the scale. Hasbro plays to that market as well as kids.

-More plastic used = higher retail prices. They are already $8 each. Part of that is licensing fees to Lucasfilm.

It seems past experiments in larger, non-12 inch "doll" figures, failed or were cancelled early or were goofy-looking stuff aimed at small children. I'm surprised they didn't attempt more.

 

[nx1701g]

The new Trek line also has figures the same size as the Star Wars ones.

 

[miraclefan]

Because smaller figuers mean more product, and more product equals more money(in most cases) besides, have you seen the NEW & IMPROVED (BIGGER) M Falcon? I really doubt they could have done that to scale with 6-7 inch figuers.

 

[Broccoli]

It's not the size...it is how you use 'em!

 

[kalysto]

It's not the size...it is how you use 'em!

But yeah, they are tiny compared to all my other guys and overpriced usually for the size, but mostly they look quite nice regardless.

 

[DWF]

Size matters not. Judge them by their size do you?

 

[Extrocomp]

3 3/4"/4" figures have made a big comeback, including MARVEL, DC and Star Trek figures in that size. Most of the Pirates of the Carribean figures were that scale. This is a turn around, since in the 90's almost everything was 5" to 7" tall, until Star Wars cameback.

I don't think 3 3/4 inch figures have made any kind of comeback. The only Star Trek figures of that size are the ones for the new movie. The only Pirates of the Caribbean action figures I've seen were 7 inches. The majority of modern action figures are 7 inches tall. At least that's the impression I got from various comic stores. I haven't been to a toy store in a long time. Maybe that's were all the smaller figures have been hiding.

I started this thread after I watched the Marvel/DC action figure comedies on YouTube and it occurred to me that Star Wars action figures would not be able to interact with other figures the same way because there are so few other figures with the same height. Kind of sad.

 

[SeerSGB]

3 3/4"/4" figures have made a big comeback, including MARVEL, DC and Star Trek figures in that size. Most of the Pirates of the Carribean figures were that scale. This is a turn around, since in the 90's almost everything was 5" to 7" tall, until Star Wars cameback.

I don't think 3 3/4 inch figures have made any kind of comeback. The only Star Trek figures of that size are the ones for the new movie. The only Pirates of the Caribbean action figures I've seen were 7 inches. The majority of modern action figures are 7 inches tall. At least that's the impression I got from various comic stores. I haven't been to a toy store in a long time.

I started this thread after I watched the Marvel/DC action figure comedies on YouTube and it occurred to me that Star Wars action figures would not be able to interact with other figures the same way because there are so few other figures with the same height. Kind of sad.

There was a ton of 3 3/4 figures for POTC, same with Indiana Jones. If you toy shop at a retail dept. store (Target, Wal-Mart) you see a lot more of the smaller figures than you do the larger (ie more expensive) figures that you find in comic shops.

And Terminator Salvation is getting a line of 3 3/4

 

[Corran Horn]

3 3/4"/4" figures have made a big comeback, including MARVEL, DC and Star Trek figures in that size. Most of the Pirates of the Carribean figures were that scale. This is a turn around, since in the 90's almost everything was 5" to 7" tall, until Star Wars cameback.

I don't think 3 3/4 inch figures have made any kind of comeback. The only Star Trek figures of that size are the ones for the new movie. The only Pirates of the Caribbean action figures I've seen were 7 inches. The majority of modern action figures are 7 inches tall. At least that's the impression I got from various comic stores. I haven't been to a toy store in a long time. Maybe that's were all the smaller figures have been hiding.

I started this thread after I watched the Marvel/DC action figure comedies on YouTube and it occurred to me that Star Wars action figures would not be able to interact with other figures the same way because there are so few other figures with the same height. Kind of sad.

Star Wars and GI JOE, what have to be two of the top action figure lines for the past 30+ years, were 3 3/4". They are what other lines aspire to be.

 

[The Wormhole]

Star Wars action figures have always been a little over three inches and that's what works for them. And considering Kenner/Hasbro has had over 30 years of success with them, who are we to argue?