The Fans Strike Back is the world’s largest private fan-made Star Wars collection, and it’s a complete celebration of the beloved sci-fi franchise. Located near Union Square at 526 6th Avenue, the experience is spread across a 20,000-square-foot space with life-size figures and famous costumes and more than 50 one-of-a-kind sculptures, highlighting 40 years of passionate work.
There are over 600 figures in the exhibit, so we decided to highlight some top pieces and areas you will find throughout!
Darth Vader Section
One of the most notable characters in the Star Wars franchise has his own section on the first floor. In the middle of the display, there is a looming, tall, masked Darth Vader figure. On each side, there are cases that show pieces of the well-known mask and a model of his face. The Darth Vader Bust is a piece that shows the character’s uncovered face where you can see scar wounds from his battle with Obi-Wan.
Speeder and Podracer Room
One of the coolest things you first see is a display of Anakin Skywalker comfortably seated in his Podracer. Fans first got a taste of Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. In the middle of the display hangs an intricate figure of junkyard, lover of betting and podracing, Watto. The character is a brighter green (than in the movies) but the lines and expression gives fans the unique characteristics of Watto.
Darth Sidious Throne
The Darth Lord of the Sith awaits visitors as they move to the second floor. The setting gives off the vibes of impending doom as you walk down the steps toward the spectacle. It’s a perfect photo-op, the menacing red lighting and eerie features of the figure are elements fans will appreciate. An added bonus in the section is a first look at a life-size Storm Trooper next to him.
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Life Size Jabba The Hut
A big and powerful character with a large personality such as Jabba the Hut deserves a massive showcase. At 16-feet long, fans step into the sketchy underworld of the sluggy, slimy alien creature. The design and details of the Jabba the Hut structure is extraordinary with Salacious B. Crumb by his side. He sits surrounded by appropriate decor and many pillows. Fans know this setting as his desert palace on Tattooine. It’s also one of the best photo opportunities of the exhibit with a bench directly in front of the display!
Yoda’s Hut Diorama
Mega Star Wars fans will always appreciate the tiniest details. Despite being small scale, the intricate aspects of this diorama of Yoda’s Hut were especially creative and meticulous, it is sculpted out of resin and hand-painted. The diorama shows the humble home of one of the most beloved Star Wars characters, portraying Yoda’s place of rest at the base of a hollowed out tree, with earthy elements such as mud pots, wooden stools, a stove carved inside. Outside of his residence is a mossy, woodsy setting with snakes slithering nearby.
Samurai Stormtrooper
Towards the end of the exhibit, one life-sized figure that stood out from the rest was a Stormtrooper that was a piece of cosplay from Japan. The cosplay won first place at the Spanish science-fiction convention CIFIMAD in 2016. The Samurai Stormtrooper is the perfect representation of how many cultures the Star Wars universe touches upon and that the franchise is known and loved globally here on Earth.
If you want to take home some special Star Wars items of your own, there is also a gift shop full of merchandise. There is even a green screen to take pictures (with a lightsaber of course!) in the Star Wars universe at the end of the exhibit.