Will You Awaken Early to Buy New Star Wars Toys on Force Friday?

By JOE VINCE (Patch Staff)

That’s the idea behind Force Friday, the Sept. 4 release of action figures, play sets and other merchandise connected with the seventh film in the franchise. Retailers around southeast Michigan and the world are preparing for customers looking for a Lego version of Poe Dameron’s next-gen X-Wing fighter, an iPhone-controlled BB-8 droid or a Kylo Ren red lightsaber (complete with its controversial crossguard blades).

In fact, Disney, the company that owns and controls the Star Wars franchise, will be using one of its YouTube channels for a ”global unboxing live stream” to unveil its new, lucrative revenue stream all the new merchandise. The video streaming begins at 9:30 a.m. for Michigan residents.

Tell Us:

• Will you be waking up early for Force Friday to buy the new Star Wars toys? Are you going for your kids? Yourself? A “friend?” What items are you most interested in trying to find? Or are you already of sick of the hype for Star Wars: The Force Awakens? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.

Give Disney credit for its sense of irony. Force Friday – a day that’s sure to have retailers overworking their employees to handle the influx of crowds – is scheduled on the cusp of Labor Day, a holiday dedicated to celebrating the achievements of the U.S. labor movement has made to get fair wages, safe conditions and decent hours for workers.

Below, watch the global unboxing of the new Star Wars merchandise on YouTube.