Pepsi’s 1999 Star Wars Episode I collector cans
This week, I’m looking at many of the Episode I promotions. Yesterday I looked at some of the current promotions for the 3D release of Star Wars Episode I. Today, I’m going to go back in time to 1999 and look at the original Pepsi Star Wars collector can promotion during the original release of Episode I. Being a soda enthusiast as well as a Star Wars enthusiast any cross promotion between the two is a huge deal for me. So this giant Episode I promotion is one of my favorites.
Pepsi’s 24 collector character cans were the huge promotion everyone probably remembers even to this day. There were 24 character cans in the entire set. There were 8 Pepsi and Mt Dew cans and 4 Diet Pepsi and Pepsi One cans. Pepsi One was newly released in 1999.
I actually bought cases of Pepsi, Mtn Dew, Pepsi One and Diet Pepsi to get all the cans. Cans were released in waves (see the list here) every 2-3 weeks and each 12 and 24 pack of cans only contained one character. So, obviously, like everyone else, I wound up with a ton of extras. I remember the very last character can I needed to complete the set was the Diet Pepsi with the Battle Droid. It took months to find it but I finally did and had to buy a 24 pack of cans to get it. The pic above is, I believe, a salesman’s sample of the complete 24 can set. There are no tops on those cans. I acquired this a few years after Episode I. It came together in a lot with a bunch of Pepsi promo material, the cool black Pepsi can holder you see holding the cans in the pic and the cool Pepsi Destiny can (which I’ll discuss in a minute).
Inserted randomly into cases of these character cans was a chase Gold Yoda can. If you found one, you could send it in to receive $20.
Each soda flavor had it’s own Gold Yoda can, so in actuality there is a set of four Gold Yodas, one each for Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mtn Dew and Pepsi One. Pepsi One being the most rare.
The 12 and 24 packs of soda for each of the participating flavors had Star Wars character art on them. Below are the 12 pack boxes for Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mt Dew and Pepsi One. These are cool, I guess, but there was much more colorful Pepsi packaging artwork for the Star Wars Special Editions two years earlier in 1997 (here, here and here). It makes these seem a little plain. Especially with just the black/white/gray head shots.
After the Gold Yoda promotion, Pepsi released a second chase can. The Pepsi Destiny can. It featured a color picture of Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader. Here’s an ad from TV Guide promoting that can. I’m not sure how rare this can is as it was also sold by the Star Wars Fan Club with an acrylic case.
I actually have the Pepsi Destiny can. Like I said, I got it in a lot from the same guy that got me the salesman sample Pepsi cans above.
Also in 1999, Pepsi was test marketing a new soda called Storm. It was a caffeinated lemon-lime soda and possibly the precursor to Sierra Mist. The test market Storm cans also had Star Wars characters on them. They were essentially copies of the Pepsi Qui-Gon Jinn and Pepsi Jar Jar Binks cans, but unnumbered. Pepsi was passing out free cans of Storm to people who attended the original Star Wars Celebration in Denver.
So those are the Pepsi collector can promotions for the original release of Star Wars Episode I back in 1999.
This promotion was done outside the US as well. However, the cans were a little different. In Canada Pepsi hadn’t released Pepsi One yet, so they put the Pepsi One characters on 7-Up cans. Many countries overseas hadn’t received (and never received) Pepsi One so characters were put on cans of Pepsi Max which has been overseas for years (only recently hitting the US). Many of the overseas cans were also more colorful and featured color character pics and graphics.
Come back either tomorrow or Thursday to see some more Episode I promotional material from 1999.
Cavalcade of Awesome 
February 14, 2012 at 1:26 pm
This is a great post! While I too have all the cans including the golden Yoda Pepsi can I have neither heard of the Pepsi Destiny can nor the Storm cans. For me I hadn’t even thought about the cans being in black and white until you pointed out that the Destiny can is in color. So weird.
-Aaron Nix
February 18, 2012 at 1:22 pm
What about a mountain dew can with a gold top on it with Darth mull on it I got one and am trying to find something out about it have not seen another one like it please let me know
March 26, 2017 at 10:38 pm
I’ve got two complete 1999 Collections for Sale and got a Destiny can too.
February 22, 2012 at 3:14 pm
I have all the cans with a limited edition epsiode one case how much would that be worth now days?
February 22, 2012 at 3:29 pm
Honestly, not that much. You can go out on eBay and find your set for relatively cheap.
March 9, 2012 at 12:34 pm
You did not mention a gold storm can. I have one and I just love it. No one I’ve talked to has heard of it.
March 12, 2012 at 9:59 am
Well, I’m 99% positive there never was a Gold Storm can. I’ve never seen nor even heard rumors of it.
November 4, 2015 at 7:29 am
100% there is gold storm , I had one and sold it on Ebay when they came out.
March 16, 2012 at 10:39 pm
my grandmother bought a gold yoda pepsi can out of a pepsi machine back in 1999. the store vendor offered her $20.00 for it at the time but she decided to keep it and never has opened it. it is filled with liquid as i see some on ebay as being “unopened empty can”. does anyone know the value of this?
May 4, 2012 at 3:49 pm
I have 2 yodas 6 qui gons 7 queen amadalas 7 r2 d2’s 2 c3p0s 6 obi ones 4 jar jars and 5 anakins plus a few more i cant remember but also have a crystal pepsi can a pepsi shades cool can and a cocca-cola classics can. does any one know how much they are worth please?
June 2, 2012 at 7:47 pm
I have all 24 cans but they are unopened empty cans displayed in a metal starwars case. Was thinking about selling soon. dpinks20@gmail.com
June 14, 2012 at 4:04 pm
can you guys remake the pepsi yoda cans that are gold
July 8, 2012 at 12:49 pm
I have 12 cans including the gold Yoda, I’d like to sell, just e-mail me with offer!
August 2, 2012 at 8:18 pm
I have an unopen 12 pack i want to get ride of make me an offer???
August 2, 2012 at 8:21 pm
I should mention its the blue Pepsi box never opened…, crsk72@yahoo.com
August 24, 2012 at 5:23 pm
I currently have all of the Pepsi cans with all characters in the metal case made by Pepsi. All cans are sealed WITH NO CONTENTS inside. My dad brought them home one day in 1999 since he knew so many Pepsi reps, and now I’m trying to get them off my hands. The case isn’t small by any means so it takes up some space.
October 30, 2012 at 5:55 pm
i recently found a set of all cans with the tops on and sealed but empty.it came in a steel case with plaques saying star wars and pepsi. if anyone wants to see it, ill post pics somewhere.
October 30, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Has anyone ever opened a gold Yoda Pepsi can that came back sealed. There is something in mine. A note or certificate Maybe?
January 27, 2013 at 7:03 am
I have what looks to be a folder filled with order forms and photos/descriptions for all the items relevant to the Episode I Pepsi promotion. This was given to the Pepsi Sales Dept. to promote items that would go into the stores. If anyone is interested I can send photos, it is in very good condition and has been stored in plastic.
February 8, 2013 at 7:41 pm
I have a gold yoda Pepsi can. Episode 1. I was just wondering what it was worth. Still in original package it came in the mail with.
February 8, 2013 at 10:51 pm
I have a gold Yoda mountain dew can in ment condition, I’m trying to find out what it’s worth these days. 18 years ago it was worth $20. If you have any information on this please contact me at atheyk2012@earthlink.net.Thank you very much.
July 5, 2013 at 5:02 pm
I have a Limited Edition “Destiny” Collector Can; Anakin Skywalker, empty can but still closed on the top; and has been in a hell of a nice glass case the day I got it… anyone happen to know worth? I read somewhere that only 50,000 of these were made and given to only Pepsi Executives, but could be a rumor… lemme know please!
October 10, 2013 at 2:31 pm
I have an unopened set of cans with the display rack and two of the life size r2d2 coolers I want to sell from 1999 make an offer email me at mdking1986@aol.com
January 12, 2014 at 10:35 pm
I have a gold yoga can episode 1 the phantom menace what is it worth and do u want to buy it
March 17, 2014 at 5:56 pm
I actually have the Mt Dew Gold Yoda can. How much do you think it is worth since there was only 4 made?
March 17, 2014 at 7:29 pm
I’ll give you $100 for it. I actually have no idea as to it’s real value but that’s how much it’s worth to me. Dev850@gmail.com if you’re interested.
March 17, 2014 at 7:35 pm
To clarify….if it’s an empty sealed can (to go with my Pepsi promo set of empty sealed cans which are pretty darn rare)
June 4, 2014 at 12:52 pm
I have an unopened winning gold Yoda diet Pepsi can? I was wondering what is worth today (May 4, 2014) and if anyone is interested in buying it? Just let me know if you are interested. Thanks 🙂
June 4, 2014 at 12:53 pm
I have an unopened winning gold Yoda diet Pepsi can? I was wondering what is worth today (June 4, 2014) and if anyone is interested in buying it? Just let me know if you are interested. Thanks 🙂
September 22, 2014 at 11:19 am
what r you looking to get for it
January 25, 2015 at 1:41 pm
What are you willing to pay for it? I still have it 🙂
August 17, 2014 at 8:54 pm
I have a 1999 YODA gold Pepsi can with the 20.00 check it came with signed by MARFALUMP…. all in the packaging tube from GAGE MarKeTIng…..yoda says……Size matters not. THAT’s why this Jedi Master knows the smallest things can make the biggest differences in this troubled galaxy…is this a good package?
November 7, 2014 at 10:04 pm
I have the uncut/unbent/unfolded/uncashed $20 Gold Yoda check (with my name on it) with movie artwork of characters on it. The movie art was why I never cashed it….it makes me feel old just to look at the date.
November 27, 2014 at 4:58 pm
Hello I have a set of 20 of the Canadian issued Ep. 1 cans, they are factory sealed empties, no holes punched and tops still intact, they have never had soda in them. I was wondering if someone might be able to provide me with a possible value. I can provide further details on them if someone is willing to help me with this.
Thanks
April 23, 2015 at 6:29 am
I have some rare unsealed cans. Wondering if there of any value. If u would like to comment you can at chickenhuntin37@gmail.com. i also have the pepsi promotion can holder with cans. Ty
June 8, 2015 at 3:05 am
How much is an unopened can with jar jar binks ? storm soda .
August 12, 2015 at 11:16 am
i have a empty gold yoda pepsi can make me a gopod offer and its yours!!?? bowegoodall151@gmail.com
September 13, 2015 at 3:41 am
I have a empty Gold Yoda can in near perfect condition from the original contest. Make me an offer, and don’t be a dweeb and say oh hey dude I got $132.. Serious offers only please!
October 11, 2015 at 10:10 pm
I have a gold diet Pepsi Yoda can in perfect condition and will take $200 for it. It is from original contest.
December 15, 2015 at 9:59 pm
I have all complete set of Star Wars pepsi cans (not including Yoda) that are factory sealed cans with no liquid in them. This comes direct from the factory in a sealed case with all the different types (Pepsi,Mountain Dew etc.) I was told hardly any of these were ever produced and can not locate them anywhere online. Has anyone else have any knowledge or what this is worth?
Thankyou
December 15, 2015 at 10:21 pm
These are in a pepsi case not a collectors case like on e-bay.
December 21, 2015 at 8:53 pm
I have the mountain dew can never been open are there any interest in those things or no
June 12, 2016 at 1:18 pm
I live in Canada and have the original printing sheets from these labels….no lie. They were done in my home town and I somehow got hold of these. Anyone know their worth?
June 19, 2016 at 9:57 pm
Thanks so much for this post! Didn’t know there were four different Golden Yodas until now. I just got a Pepsi Golden Yoda for my dad for Father’s Day to complete his collection, and we are now looking to either buy or build a display case for our full collection (24 Pepsi character cans + 2 Storm cans + 1 Golden Yoda, or 27 cans total). Did you buy or build your case? If you bought it, where did you get it? If you built it yourself, do you have any suggestions/advice on how we can build our own? Thanks so much!
August 9, 2016 at 1:29 pm
We have 1999 diet Pepsi, Star Wars, Padme and Queen Amidala. They worth anything? I plan to get rid of them or sell at yard sale.
November 21, 2016 at 6:27 pm
Each can also had small words and all Cans were different saying what the paragraph says im,not sure. Probably a Yoda quote.
February 4, 2017 at 11:18 pm
I have 15 + Star Wars episode 1 Pepsi one gold Yoda cans unopened and a few Destiny cans and others plus several dozen advertisement Pepsi Star Wars advertising posters if interested email address will be sent
April 1, 2017 at 6:06 pm
I got the diet pewposi and my gold ca$$$$$n bitches fuck off and get a life you basewment fat fucks that i will regalate on cuz you fucks are touchiO and im Davo!!!!!
March 16, 2018 at 10:37 am
Wasn’t there a thing that if you received a Golden Yoda and reddened it for the $20.00 that you were entered into a drawing to win a life size Yoda, which was only about three feet tall ?
March 16, 2018 at 10:38 am
Redeemed***
June 25, 2018 at 1:24 am
I have the orginal gold yoda mountain dew can unopened, excellent condition and never redeemed/ willing to sale.
March 31, 2019 at 5:56 pm
My Husband and I have the whole collection of the Star Wars 1999 cans in mint condition. They are Unfilled and Unopened. We are wanting to sell them for the right price.
December 16, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Very old Post but going through my collection recently I actually have a Pepsi can with a color picture of ALL the Star Wars characters on it. I can’t find any information on it. Any help would be great or links to information. Thank you.
February 11, 2020 at 8:22 pm
I have a set with hidden words. However the words never made any sense.
July 2, 2020 at 11:17 pm
What about the $20.00 check. Uncashed. Is it worth anything???
September 22, 2020 at 3:11 pm
I have a yoda diet Pepsi gold can is it worth anything?