On the first day of Star Wars Celebration VI, Disney Consumer Products and Design Group presented to a packed house of fans from across the galaxy, revealing some of their newest “Star Wars” related product lines. After recapping recent releases and special events, as well as exclusives available at the convention, the panel of designers announced a few new pieces of merchandise on the way soon to the Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts.

The highlight of the panel came in its conclusion with the surprise announcement of a “Cars” crossover with “Star Wars.” After years of product development for Cars Land at the Disney California Adventure theme park, the group decided it was time to bring these two popular franchises together in a new line of die cast vehicles and pins.

Initially, there will be six character crossover sets, including Lightning McQueen as Luke Skywalker, Mater as Darth Vader (Darth Mater?), Tractor as a Stormtrooper, Sally as Princess Leia, and Luigi and Guido together as C-3PO and R2-D2. The sixth will be revealed some time during the 4-day event at Disney’s booth, where collectible cards are also being distributed for each of these new characters.







UPDATE (8/26/12): The sixth card and character was revealed today – Fillmore as Yoda.

Those vehicles and pins are “coming soon.”

Beyond “Cars,” Disney also unveiled the next crossover figures between “Star Wars” and “The Muppets,” including Uncle Deadly as Emperor Palpatine, Bean Bunny as Wicket, and Chicken as a Stormtrooper.

Disney will continue to crossover their own classic characters with the “Star Wars” universe, including a Sarlacc attack box set in honor of the 30th anniversary of “Return of the Jedi.”

In the Vinylmation universe, a future “Star Wars” series will feature a 3″ Admiral Ackbar and a 9″ Jabba the Hutt with 1.5″ Salacious Crumb.

Speaking of Salacious, Disney plans to release a latex, articulated figure of that creature, in a limited edition of 1983. Another planned product that got big cheers is a thermal detonator “hot potato” game, a prototype of which was demonstrated during the presentation.

More product images can be seen in the slideshow below. Disney will host one other panel during Star Wars Celebration VI on Saturday, August 25, all about the remake of the popular Star Tours ride.

More photos of the Disney Collector Panel at Star Wars Celebration VI:

