This concept Stormtrooper was released individually carded in 2003 as part of The SAGA Collection. The Stormtrooper is based on concept art created by Ralph McQuarrie for the original Star Wars movie.

The figure has a total of 10 joints, lacking knee and ankle joints. When we first removed the figure from its packaging and tried to reposition the arms, both arms broke and snapped in half at the elbow joints. This is the first, and the only figure in our collection since 1995 which had such stiff joints that it broke. Because you can't adjust the Stormtrooper's stance, the figure stands very shaky and will very likely fall over if not placed on the included stand. The trooper's shield can be attached to either arm, and it's an overall good fit. The lightsaber fits well into the figure's right hand, but it's not a good fit for the left hand. The blaster can be stowed away in a pretty bulky looking holster on the left side of the belt. The blaster is also a decent fit for either of the figure's hands. The Stormtrooper's helmet is not removable.

The paint application on the McQuarrie Stormtrooper is pretty simple, with off-white and black. The armor is in a pristine condition without any weathering or battle damage. All in all, this concept Stormtrooper is only slightly above average. There are some balancing issues, super stiff joints and no articulation in the knees and ankles. If you are looking to add a McQuarrie Stormtrooper to your collection, you might want to add the 2007 concept Stormtrooper from The Anniversary Collection to your line-up, and pass on this one.

This stormtrooper is based on a conceptual art from the film A New Hope, depicting the Empire’s shock troopers in a corridor of the Death Star as they hunt down the escaping Luke, Han, Chewbacca and Princess Leia. While armed with blaster pistols or blaster rifles in the movie, this Imperial soldier is unusual because he holds a lightsaber, the weapon of a Jedi.