Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,291: Han Solo (The Vintage Collection)

HAN SOLO Just Begin Again
The Vintage Collection 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. E7763 No. G0921
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #372
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $16.99
Availability: September 2025
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: As captain of the Millennium Falcon, Han Solo and his co-pilot Chewbacca came to believe in the cause of galactic freedom, joining Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa in the fight against the Empire. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

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Commentary: Since 1999 we have had several pretty good Han Solo figures, each with slight improvements and other changes that make them a little better and a little not-the-best. Since the 1990s it became increasingly obvious that replicated Harrison Ford's face is difficult. I remember back then that a lot of fans said Toys McCoy's 1:6 Indiana Jones was the best. It was good! It wasn't amazing. Kenner did a 12-inch Han that was pretty good but the coloring and nose weren't quite right. The CommTech 1999 one was very nice, and we've had a lot of pretty good ones ever since. I wouldn't call any of them definitive, just because the face is never really perfect. He's just so weirdly expressive that a replica feels wrong, even some photos don't look right. When looking at this figure's head at certain angles, in certain light, you can see that the sculptor absolutely is trying for Harrison Ford - but turn it a bit? And it's not right. It's quite the oddity in that it's close to right, and very likely the best one we have, but it's still not quite where I think we're going to say "OK, perfect, let's stop." It's the best face so far, but I feel like we'll see another attempt soon.

The head and some elements of the figure seem a little wider than necessary. Han's hair has a little bit of horizontal floof, his legs seem a little thicker, and his face seems barely - just barely - older than his appearance in 1977. I think if the plastic wig were placed better, I'd not think this, because you can see his trademark smirk and a hint of the wry smile that's exceptionally hard to get right. There are also elements that make me wonder if they took a 2015 scan and de-aged it a bit to get it right. I may never know - because it's close. I'd love to see this same face with a wig that's a little less fluffed out to the sides, I bet it would look great.

The texture is pretty neat, as Hasbro made some great choices to avoid paint issues. Han's neck and chest seem to be inset, molded plastic. (That costs extra.) The vest being molded separately makes it feel like it's different material from the shirt - which it is. Really, the only thing I don't like are the wrists. If you compare the final figure's pants texture to the prototype shots, it looks like there was a tiny bit of generation loss. You can still see the denim texture, but the production figure just seems a little smoother than what we saw during the pre-order online. This is to be expected.

Articulation is functionally better in the 2025 figure, but probably visually cleaner in 2004 if only because the hip cuts are simpler and the thigh swivels are something of a mixed blessing visually. For those who want the best range of motion, 2025 is the way to go with rocker ankles and a pivot waist. The bend-and-swivel wrists are stiff, but allow for more emoting. I think the swivels look better, though... perhaps Hasbro would be better off having swappable hands rather than the extra joint piece. Who wouldn't love a finger to point in C-3PO's face? Both hands do great at holding a blaster.

The new head deco has that separate wig plus a printed-on face that looks a lot more lively. He's got a twinkle in his eye and a hint of shine on his lips - it' very nice. The costume itself is fundamentally the same as always, as there's not much you can really improve on here. The blue pants, the red stripes, the black boots, the painted belt detail... what else is there to do? Other than finding a way to make a more authentic portrait, it's going to be a struggle to ever improve on the paint this guy.

Recommending a figure like this is tricky, because it's the best-ever figure, but it doesn't necessarily carve out new space. If you don't have a classic Han Solo? Get this one. It's the best. If you need a good - but not perfect - Han just to sit in the Falcon or a Cantina booth, the 1999 figure (or its 2004 reissue) gets the job done with a holster molded to his thigh, so nothing gets in the way. But the head isn't perfect. If you need a Han figure to stand around and look cool, the 2004 version you already own does a perfectly fine job. There are other variations in there too, like with a Stormtrooper belt or other minor changes, and if you have all of those Han figures you might not need one more. This is the first 1977 movie one with a removable vest, and a separately molded glued-on wig, and the super-real face paint, and rocker ankles, and improved hip articulation. It's an unquestionable upgrade - but it may not offer much above and beyond your hypothetical existing collection of Han figures.

So for newbies or the Hanless? A must-buy. For lifers? I'd still recommend it because I love the first movie so much, and it's an improvement across the board. But if Hasbro never made it, I'd be just as happy deploying my existing figures in various playsets and vehicles. That's not a critique of their capabilities, it truly is the best version of this figure at t his scale. Right now they could pop a new head on the old body and it'd still be very good - and I think we're going to be chasing that perfect Harrison Ford likeness for quite some time even though this one is a real improvement.

For those asking what the best Hasbro Han head ever is? I'd say the 2019 Han Solo in Stormtrooper Disguise [FOTD #2,592] was a little pale but nailed it. Hair's a little thin on side floof, the lips are perfect, the forehead has a couple wrinkles, and there's a sign of a scar. Maybe it's just rose-colored glasses.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,291: November 6, 2025