JJ Abrams‘s much anticipated Star Trek prequel movie hits theaters this Spring and the movie tie-in merch is already on the way. A new batch of action figures (ie. boys’ toys) have been created to correspond with the major characters in the movie as well as a batch of Barbie dolls (ie. girls’ toys) created in the vague likenesses of a select few ST characters … this way, both boys and girls (of all ages) can get in on the fun of playing with their fave Star Trek characters. First up the boys’ toys action figures:

A new Star Trek film without new toys would be, as Spock might say, highly illogical. So action figures and other items are beaming down to stores in advance of the J.J. Abrams-directed film, opening May 8. The Playmates Toys’ products, in stores starting April 19, are part of a marketing mission that includes Mattel Barbie collector dolls (Kirk, Spock and Uhura), trading cards, radio-controlled spaceships and board games. The action figures re-energize a franchise that “helped prove figures based on science-fiction properties not directly created with kids in mind were a viable market,” says Cliff Annicelli of Playthings magazine. “They paved the way for the development of what today is a cottage industry for collectible toys targeted primarily towards adult males.” The starring triumvirate of Kirk, Spock and McCoy will be available in 3¾-inch ($7), 6-inch ($9-$10) and 12-inch ($30) models. Also available will be figures of the original Spock, who meets the young Spock in a time anomaly. Other crewmembers will be available in the smaller sizes. Playsets include the Enterprise Bridge and Transporter Room. The goal: to “make the brand more accessible to not only existing fans but to a new generation,” says Liz Kalodner of CBS Consumer Products. “It’s important to us that we honor the iconic property for what it has contributed to American pop culture. Since this is a whole new take on the franchise, we followed (Abrams’) lead with a new approach including collectible features, new figure and vehicle scales, and new materials,” Playmates’ Paul Fish says.

Here is a photo of what the Star Trek Barbie dolls look like — check out Spock, Kirk and Uhura:

Form the press release: CBS Consumer Products has just released images of the eagerly anticipated Star Trek Barbie Dolls from Mattel. The dolls have been created mainly for collectors and are for ages 6+. The three dolls – Kirk, Spock, and Lieutenant Uhura – are modeled after the three actors playing the same roles in this summer’s blockbuster film STAR TREK hitting theatres on May 8th! The price point for the three dolls is $43.19. They will be on shelves April 20th. Mattel is distributing to Walmart and walmart.com, Barbiecollector.com and Barbie collector dealers. They are selling them as an assortment (but the dolls come individually wrapped, no two or three-packs). Select international markets will have the dolls as well.

Way to cover all the bases … these toys look kinda cool. If I were a bigger Trek fan, I might have to consider getting a few of these but now that I’ll be living with David … well, the time for childish things is over. Besides, there is no way David will let me fill our new home with too much stuff (junk, as he calls it ;) … but I’m sure there are a lot of fans/collectors out there who are very excited about this news.

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