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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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April Fools Prank May Pay Off for Star Wars Fans

Tens of thousands try to order a 'Tauntaun sleeping bag'

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(Newser) – What started as an April Fools joke may turn into a dream come true—almost literally—for Star Wars fans, LA Weekly reports. The Tauntaun sleeping bag seemed just plausible enough that retailer ThinkGeek was bombarded with orders—and raked over the coals when the truth came out. Now Lucasfilm, which holds the Star Wars merchandising rights, is in on the joke, and "it's looking good" for the actual product, a ThinkGeek rep says.

The sleeping bag is an homage the scene in The Empire Strikes Back when Han stuffs a hypothermic Luke inside an eviscerated alien steed to keep him warm. Consumer response to the prank ranged "from 'Ha ha, you got me' to downright angry at us, since the product wasn't real,” says the PR guy, adding, “We just can't say too much right now since it's still in the works."

The prototype of the Tauntaun sleeping bag.
The prototype of the Tauntaun sleeping bag.   (ThinkGeek)
The prototype of the Tauntaun sleeping bag.
The prototype of the Tauntaun sleeping bag.   (ThinkGeek)
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2 comments
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spacematic
Jul 10, 09 2:19 PM CDT
And you thought they smelled bad on the OUTSIDE! Reply
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+4
AClotfelter
Jul 10, 09 7:24 PM CDT
My favorite part is the guts printed on the inside =o) Reply
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+1
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