‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Toy Promotion: 18-Hour Online Unboxing Event Scheduled Before Force Friday

Force Friday, or September 4, is the date when Star Wars fans can finally get their hands on a range of Star Wars toys for this year’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which is set to hit theaters this December. However, there is another marketing push to get fans even more excited.

As early as September 3, toy lovers and fans can get a glimpse of the toys that will be released. The 18-hour toy unboxing marathon can be viewed on Star Wars‘ YouTube channel. Popular fans from around the world will be unwrapping toys one by one. Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy, released a statement via Variety regarding the new line of toys.

“Star Wars‘ toys have always played an important role in how our fans interact with the saga. They’ve inspired multiple generations to relive the experience of the movies and to create new adventure all their own. These spectacular Star Wars: The Force Awakens‘ products will continue that tradition.”

The 18-hour event will be streamed on ABC’s mobile app and website, and Good Morning America will also be broadcasting the event live from New York. The event will conclude at Lucasfilm, located in San Francisco.

Chris Pirillo, a popular unboxer and an avid Star Wars fan, will be unboxing the last toy from the range at the Lucasfilm Studio. To say he is excited about the event is an understatement, especially after he named his daughter “Jedi.”

“I still remember the moment I got my first Star Wars figure. I have a deep emotional attachment to that toy. For a lot of people, Star Wars is a lifestyle. So many of us have it in common, and the toys are a connection point.”

The Independent reports that there will be 15 online celebrities unboxing Star Wars toys in 12 different countries. The first unboxing will be held in Australia.

Doing a global unboxing for 18 hours is a good promotional move, as Disney points out that 18 of 100 channels that are most viewed in the world are dedicated to unboxing toys and gadgets. In addition, there are plenty of Star Wars fans of all ages who will be tuning into the event and they will get to see what’s in store for them on Force Friday.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is expected to smash box office records when it opens in theaters on December 18. With that, research company Morgan Stanley states that consumers will most likely spend about $3 billion on Star Wars toys and other merchandise.

[Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images]