But the adventure doesn't stop in Orlando. We’re heading to a galaxy far, far away to discuss the "Big One": A potential HasLab Death Star. If Hasbro actually pulls the trigger on a $1,000+ station, what figures must be included? And is it time for Hasbro to finally offer a payment plan? Join us for some serious toy-vantage and vacation vibes!
Glen and Jason are back in the Smugglers Galaxy studio, basking in the post-Christmas glow! This week, we’re unwrapping our holiday toy hauls and diving deep into a seismic shift in the action figure world.
In this episode, we discuss:
The End of a 38-Year Legacy: Viacom and Playmates have officially ended their partnership. With no more Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys on the horizon, we ask the unthinkable: Could Star Wars and Hasbro ever go their separate ways?
HasLab Dreams & Nightmares: We brainstorm what we want (and definitely don't want) for the next Star Wars HasLab. Is it finally time for a Death Star playset? Plus, which pack-in figures would make it an instant back?
2025 Star Wars Bingo: It’s time to face the music. We pull out our 2025 Bingo Cards to grade our hits, our misses, and the "what were we thinking?" predictions.
Get ready for some holiday cheer in a galaxy far, far away! In this episode of the Smugglers' Galaxy Podcast, we kick things off with our festive Christmas Movie Title Game. We’re taking holiday classics and giving them a Star Wars twist. Can you guess the real movie title before our hosts do?
Beyond the holiday fun, we dive deep into the latest gaming leaks and toy reveals, including:
New Star Wars Video Games: We break down the reveals of Fate of the Galaxy and Star Wars Galactic Racers. What do these titles mean for the future of Lucasfilm Games?
Star Wars in 2026: We look past the bingo cards and make our boldest "non-bingo" predictions for the franchise’s future.
The Black Series News: Is the new Mandalorian and Grogu Black Series figure a must-buy? We discuss the sculpt, accessories, and whether it belongs on your shelf.
The Great Batman Debate: Are Batman Forever and Batman & Robin actually sequels to the Tim Burton films? We settle (or restart) the argument over the 90s DC movie timeline.
Play along with us and let us know your scores in the comments!
On this episode of the Smugglers’ Galaxy Podcast, Glen and Jason report on all the fun from the Georgia Alliance of Star Wars Collectors (GASWC) Winter Social. They cover the gift exchange, the chili and mac-and-cheese contest, and Jason’s big 2026 collecting predictions called Force Cubes. You'll feel like you were right there!
Plus, the guys dive into the latest Hasbro action figure reveals for the Vintage Collection (TVC), Retro Collection, and Black Series. Jason shares his awesome finds from Ross! The Force Awakens turns 10, and Finally, get ready for the Rogue Fun II: Fun and Villainy panel announcement (tickets are selling fast now!).
Join Glen and Jason on Smugglers Galaxies Podcast as they tackle the biggest issue in toy collecting right now: the collectibles selling market slump. If you’re trying to sell action figures or general Star Wars memorabilia, you know that items, unless truly rare and in high demand, are sitting for a long time.
To get an updated pulse on the hobby, we get an exclusive report from Jordan Ghastly on the latest deals and discoveries at the Powder Springs Toy Show (Atlanta area)!
Jason celebrates by showing off his newest Star Wars collectibles: the premium Sideshow Collectibles Doctor Evazan figure and the massive articulated Home Depot R2-D2 figure.
From there, the episode embraces its chaotic side with a hilarious, keyword-rich free-for-all! Get ready for:
~ Muppets (including the Kermit statue in Atlanta and Muppets in Disney Parks)
~ Discussions on '90s pop culture and looking at old technology through a 2025 lens
~ Tangents on Stranger Things, dragons, and Rogue Fun Panels
Whether you collect vintage Star Wars or modern figures, this episode is packed with market insight and hilarious nostalgia!
Get ready for the latest news from the galaxy far, far away!
On this must-listen episode, hosts Glen and Jason tackle the stories everyone is talking about:
The Theft Accusation: An independent filmmaker claims a Star Wars Visions short stole their work. We break down the controversy and what it means for Lucasfilm.
What's Happening with Lando? We discuss Donald Glover's recent health scare and we speculate why it has ignited the online rumor mill about the future of the highly anticipated Lando movie.
Hasbro's History Problem: Did a major toy company just destroy its own priceless Star Wars history?
Game-Changing Rewrites: Shawn Levy recently discussed the dramatic third-act rewrite for his movie, Star Wars: Starfighter.
Musical Secrets Revealed: Find out who is scoring the mysterious new Shawn Levy Star Wars project.
PLUS: In a massive reveal for any true fan, we dedicate the final segment to a thorough breakdown of everything we've learned about George Lucas' original treatment for Star Wars: Episode VII—it's not what you think!
Don't miss the only Star Wars news podcast that digs deep and pulls no punches!
On this action-packed episode of the Smuggler's Galaxy Podcast, we dive into two major topics: an exclusive event report and the current state of Disney Star Wars content.
Our special guest, Tony, joins us to give a detailed, fan-focused review of his experience at Retro Toy Con in Greenville, SC. Hear his insider perspective on:
The famous room sales and crowded vendor floor, and whether you should make plans to attend this toy collector's convention next year!
Plus, in our deep-dive Star Wars discussion, we cover the biggest rumors and developments across the galaxy:
Creative Content vs. Actual Content: We dissect Leslye Headland's statement suggesting that fan-generated creative content may soon eclipse Disney's official output.
The Status of Star Wars Trilogies: What's the latest on Rian Johnson's rumored Star Wars trilogy? Is it happening or not?
Andor's Massive Budget: We reveal and react to the staggering cost to produce just two seasons of the critically acclaimed Andor series.
The Ultimate Disney Star Wars Ranking: We wrap up by attempting the impossible: ranking all of the Star Wars content produced under the Disney era.
Join hosts Glen and Jason with special guest, Jordan Ghastly, the ultimate toy hunter and collector! In this keyword-rich episode, we dive deep into the biggest debates and trends shaping the current toy collecting landscape.
What's Inside This Episode:
Toy Industry Crossovers: Are massive brand collaborations a creative low point, or is the industry evolving? We continue our discussion on the state of mainline toy creativity.
The Rise of Indie Toy Companies: How are small-scale independent creators and custom toy makers filling the frustrating gaps left by major brands?
Funko Pop! Viability: We analyze the recent decline in Funko's popularity, market saturation, and the company's long-term business viability.
Scalper Frustrations: We vent about our hunt for high-demand items.
Star Wars Deep Dive: We discuss Emperor Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker and celebrate the legacy of Life Day.
Behind the Scenes: Jordan shares insider stories from his time working at the renowned Center for Puppetry Arts.
Tune in for the definitive take on toy collecting, Star Wars lore, and market trends!
On this episode of Smugglers Galaxy, Glen and Jason celebrate their birthdays by sharing their latest collection pickups and experiences during their birthdays, including Glen’s trip in Nashville. Plus, Jason dives into the week's news, including the alarming rumors about Funko's future. The guys also take on two perplexing collector crazes: the popcorn bucket phenomenon and the rise of mashup figures, which Jason just can't seem to wrap his head around!
On this episode of the Smugglers Galaxy Podcast, we cover the latest Star Wars news! Catch all the reveals from MCM London, including new Hasbro Black Series, Vintage Collection, and Retro Collection figures. Plus, we discuss Star Wars heading to IMAX for its 50th anniversary, the latest rumors about Rogue Squadron potentially shifting to a Disney+ series, and the recent revelations about The Acolyte's mysterious character, The Stranger. All this, and the fever dream that is a pink Ewok!
Get ready, smugglers, because we're discussing the biggest "what if" in the galaxy: The Hunt for Ben Solo. This fully-scripted, Lucasfilm-approved Star Wars movie was blocked by Disney Studios! On this episode of Smugglers' Galaxy, we pull back the curtain on how corporate politics and mega-corporations can kill storytelling and prevent incredible projects from ever seeing the light of day. Was The Hunt for Ben Solo too dark? Too controversial? We discuss the implications.
PLUS:
David Fincher's Star Wars? We speculate why this film didn’t move out of the development phase.
Ross Dress For Less: the Hunt for Sabine Wren’s lightsaber continues.
Scary Movie Scramble: Can you guess the classic horror film after we rename it with a Star Wars title? The twists are strong with this one.
Get ready for the ultimate Star Wars collector deep dive and a massive toy hunt!
On this episode of The Smugglers' Galaxy, the crew hits the road for the legendary Ross Con, targeting Ross Dress for Less locations across Atlanta and Charlotte.
The main event: We break down Hasbro's new strategy of reusing HasLab tooling, a practice recently deployed in the G.I. Joe Classified line. We intensely debate the future of Star Wars HasLabs: What previous campaign vehicles (like the Razor Crest or Jabba's Sail Barge) could be retooled for a new product, and what does this mean for the value of your most premium collector items?
We tackle the tough questions from Hasbro veteran Steve Evans' viral poll regarding the alchemy of price vs. detail. Should collectors expect a higher price point for hyper-realistic 6-inch Black Series figures, or is sacrificing detail for current pricing the new norm?
Finally, we analyze the latest, candid statements from George Lucas on the current direction of Disney's Star Wars. We discuss his apparent distance from the franchise and what his comments reveal about the sequel era. Don't miss this crucial debate on collecting, pricing, and the fate of the galaxy far, far away!
Get ready for an action-packed episode of the Smugglers' Galaxy Podcast!
Toy Reveals & Action Figures: We dive deep into the exciting toy news from New York Comic Con (NYCC)! Tune in for our thoughts and opinions on all the latest reveals, including Star Wars Black Series, The Vintage Collection (TVC), and Retro Collection action figures. We break down the must-haves and share our opinions for these upcoming figures.
Tron Talk: Jason gives his initial review of the highly-anticipated movie, Tron: Ares. Plus, we discuss Hasbro's latest crowdfunding project: the Tron HasLab offering inspired by the original film. Is it worth backing?
Pop Culture & Theme Park Experience: Glen is back from Orlando with an update on Epic Universe—six months after its grand opening! Find out what's new and different at this massive theme park. And finally, Jason shares his unique experience at a themed Ghostbusters Pop Bar.
This episode is a must-listen for fans of Star Wars action figures, Disney/Tron, and pop culture collecting.
Star Wars collectors, get ready! On this episode of the Smugglers' Galaxy Podcast, host Jason is joined by special guest, David Quinn from the Star Wars Prototype and Production podcast. We discuss latest news affecting the Star Wars collecting community.
Key discussion points include:
Hasbro's $3 price hike on Black Series and The Vintage Collection figures. We analyze how this will impact collectors' budgets and the future of the hobby.
The GI Joe Classified "variant cardback." Could this be a sign of things to come for Star Wars action figure collecting?
A leaked plot for the rumored Star Wars Starfighter game. Is this new story a rehash of old Star Wars stories or a clever retcon of the Disney sequel trilogy? We break down the fan debate and offer our take.
We also have a heartfelt conversation about our favorite things about the Star Wars collecting hobby, Rogue Fun, and so much more!
Get ready to journey to the galaxy far, far away! In this episode of The Smugglers' Galaxy Podcast, we provide a full analysis of the new Mandalorian & Grogu movie trailer. Join us as we break down every scene, discuss key possible plot points, and uncover Easter eggs that went unnoticed.
But that's not all! Jason gives his full review of the highly anticipated Sideshow Collectibles Labria action figure. We also get Glen's take on the spectacular Back To The Future musical. And finally, we share some exciting updates on our progress for the upcoming Rogue Fun 2 convention. Tune in for all the latest in Star Wars, collectibles, and pop culture!
Join us on Smugglers Galaxy Podcast as we debate if large, multi-million dollar toy companies use crowdfunding platforms to fund their products?
Historically, these platforms empowered independent creators and small businesses to bring their passion projects to life. But now, big corporations are using them to fund massive toy lines. Is this a misuse of a tool built for the "little guy," or an evolution of how products are funded?
We also tackle a crucial question for any brand: What happens when a crowdfunding campaign fails to get funded? Does it damage a company's reputation or is it just a business risk?
Tune in to our latest episode for an insightful discussion on toy crowdfunding, brand strategy, and the future of product launches.
Join Jason, the world traveler, as he recaps his journey to Toronto, Ontario for "May the North Be With You," a premier fan-hosted Star Wars event in Canada. This episode is a must-listen for Star Wars collectors and fans, offering an in-depth look at the convention experience.
Jason gives listeners an exclusive recap of the three-day event, from the engaging Star Wars panels and the toy show to the special welcome dinner held at 43 Hanna, the historic site of Irwin Toys, the original Canadian distributor of Kenner Star Wars products. He shares insider information learned from the panels and stories from after- hours discussions.
The conversation continues with a trip down memory lane as Jason and his friends visit a Toys “R” Us store in Canada. The hosts also dive into the latest Hasbro HasLab project, discussing the crowdfunded LAAT/i Gunship and the surprising group of "mystery backers" who helped unlock its first tier after the campaign officially closed. Tune in for all the Star Wars collecting news, behind-the-scenes stories, and toy hunt adventures!
Join Glen and Jason as they explore the Star Wars galaxy! In this episode, they break down the HasLab LAAT/i Republic Gunship, offering their predictions on its funding before the final outcome was known. They also discuss the upcoming Star Wars Starship movie, starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Shawn Levy. Jason offers his theories on the film's plot. They also look at a possible price hike with action figures. Plus, Jason shares his latest Vintage Collection acquisitions and gives a full review of the enormous HasLab Cantina playset from last year.
Finally, they talk about the latest GASWC meetup at Lewis’ place!
Join us as we welcome writer and collector Laurie Goulding to the show! We talk about his career, from his time as a writer for Warhammer to his current work on video games.
In this episode, Laurie shares his passion for legendary sci-fi franchises like Star Wars, Terminator, and Predator. Plus, you'll hear a behind-the-scenes story and get an exclusive look at an unproduced Predator action figure from his personal collection.
Welcome to a new episode of the Smugglers' Galaxy Podcast!
Join hosts Glen and Jason as they discuss the increasingly complex world of prototype collecting. This episode unpacks the challenges collectors face today, from navigating a market flooded with fakes and paint-stripped action figures to identifying factory-produced extras and broken pieces. Discover why the pursuit of these rare collectibles has never been more complicated.
We also look into the latest news from Hasbro, starting with a crucial update on the HasLab LAAT/i. Plus, we explore exciting fan suggestions for future HasLab projects that have been buzzing around the web.
Whether you're a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, this episode offers essential insights into the state of the Star Wars collectibles hobby.