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IN PHOTO : People dressed as Star Wars characters from the 501st New England Garrison stand for the U.S. National Anthem before the MLB baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, United States May 4, 2015. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Hot Toys officially announced on May 12 that it was releasing the "Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope" Sandtrooper Collectible Figure. The figure was shown for the first time during the "Star Wars Celebration" in Anaheim in April.

"Today we are very happy to officially present this 1/6th scale Sandtrooper Collectible Figure from the classic Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope!" Announced Hot Toys via Facebook. It also added that fans at the "Star Wars Celebration" were awed by how well crafted the Imperial soldier was.

According to Hot Toys, the Sandtrooper collectible figure is based on the image of the Squad Leader on Tatooine. The trooper has the famous Sandtrooper armor and helmet with the signature weather-beaten effects.

The post also said the figure includes 3 types of blasters, a detailed survival backpack and a "specially designed desert-themed figure stand." The Sandtrooper Collectible Figure will also come with a Patrol Droid from the Special Edition of "Star Wars: A New Hope."

In the "Star Wars" universe, the Sandtroopers were the Stormtroopers who were equipped to work on desert planets. Their armor had cooling fans and a helmet sand filter. The desert troopers also carried a backpack containing extra rations and water. The Sandtroopers first appeared in "Star Wars: A New Hope" where they were shown searching the missing Death Star plans in the planet Tatooine.

Earlier this month, on May 4 or "May the Fourth" for Star Wars fans, the official website of the franchise announced that merchandises of the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will be released on Sept 4, 2015. The so-called "next generation" of collectibles, apparels and books will be available at midnight in stores around the world.

Josh Silverman, the executive vice president global licensing Disney Consumer Products said that "every lightsaber, every action figure, every LEGO set" told a story for generations of "Star Wars" fans. He added that they were "excited" to be a part of the "countdown to this enormous movie moment."

The report also included an image of a product package showing the “mysterious new villain” Kylo Ren from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." It also urged fans to use the hashtags #ForceFriday and #MidnightMadness during the launch.

"Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" is set to hit theaters in the U.S. on Dec. 18, 2015.

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