Eh, not a big deal. I'm sure it won't be anything too important. And when it says "new characters" I'm betting it's nothing more that new character models for the multiplayer.
It might not end up even being exclusive to the toys.
However, watching all the haters get riled up over this is hilarious. Kotaku isn't really helping with the sensationalist headline.
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Gamertag/PSN-Murphiroth