Hasbro Reignites Star Wars Controversy With “Rey Skywalker” Force FX Elite Lightsaber

The Star Wars toy companies sure do like to stir things up, don’t they? First there was the subtle, non-renaming renaming of Boba Fett’s iconic ship, Slave-I. We learned from a LEGO box that it would now be known as “Boba Fett’s Starship” for marketing purposes. (We’ll leave the debate of whether or not it’s new name will be the Firespray for another day.) This time, though, it’s Hasbro that’s turning heads with the name of its new toy: The Rey Skywalker lightsaber.

The character of Rey (Daisy Ridley) stirred emotions (and not necessarily in a good way) among the Star Wars fan base from the moment The Force Awakens hit theaters. Some call her a “Mary Sue” for the ease with which her power in the Force grew so quickly without training. Others see her as Luke Skywalker 2.0, with her character arc nearly perfectly mimicking that of her master. It’s that latter issue that led to one of the character’s most controversial moments in the sequel trilogy: declaring herself “Rey Skywalker.” Given the less-than-stellar response that Star Wars moment received, it’s interesting that Hasbro nonetheless used that name for its latest addition to the Force FX Elite lightsaber line of toys.

Hasbro unveils Rey Skywalker Force FX Elite Lightsaber

Now don’t get me wrong; the saber she wielded at the end of The Rise of Skywalker was one of the coolest sabers I’ve seen in live-action. Its design, incorporating the yellow “Sentinel” blade of the Jedi Temple Guards, is exquisitely unique. Hasbro has recreated the Rey Skywalker lightsaber in extraordinary detail with the new Fore FX Elite reproduction. For $264.99, it had better be detailed.

The new FX Elite offering includes some new features, including the never-before-seen yellow blade. Hasbro tells us that the Rey Skywalker lightsaber also includes “battle clash effects, blaster deflect effects, and molted blade tip effects.” It even has a twist to ignite feature, just like the weapon in the film.

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Like the character of Rey or not, there’s no denying that her lightsaber is one for the ages. Look for it to hit retailers sometime in the Spring of 2022.