So many questions, so little space... Many other
Star Wars collecting sites also submitted questions you need answered, so if you want to know the latest answers from this week's Hasbro
Star Wars Bi-Weekly Q&A Session, here's a handy guide to help you get all the info.
From Action Figs: 1) With basic figures waves, why is it that some waves will show up in such small amounts that there is never a trace of them, yet the next wave shows up soon afterwards in findable quantities? This is also happening with the Titanium Series 3" vehicles waves.
2) With you knowing that collectors have been asking for new versions of movie accurate Han and Luke in Stormtrooper disguises for a while, why did you go and make them only in the comic 2 packs which are chiefly for EU fans? Will this further delay us getting movie accurate versions of these two now, or perhaps hasten it?
3) The Galactic Heroes line has really taken off with kids and collectors alike, however the most "kid-friendly" film in the saga - Ep I: The Phantom Menace - is heavily underrepresented with the only offerings being re-releases of the now-defunct Playskool line and 1 new Maul set. Characters like Jar Jar Binks, Sebulba, and Qui-Gon Jinn seem like obvious choices for the line. Will there be more Episode I offerings in the future?
4) We received the following tentative answer back on November 10th and were wondering if there were any new developments on it:
ACTIONFIGS: Will the final 22 The Saga Collection figures be available in Canada?
HASBRO: We're looking at that right now. Most will come in with the Wal-Mart exclusive wave, but all may not be available. We are working with the Canadian team on a way to make sure collectors have a chance to get them all between now and spring. Stay tuned...
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NEW: From Creature Cantina: 1) On a scale of one to ten, how pissed are you that the same people who wasted thousands of good VTSC Biker Scouts to customise some 41st Elite Brigade figures are now complaining bitterly for you doing exactly the same thing, only for cheaper?
2) Bearing in mind that I will send you a roadkill skunk in the mail every time you answer a collector's question "Wait and see," what is your planned lineup for 2008?
3) Now that Sideshow has the license for 1/6th scale action figures, I'll bet your large doll designers need something new to do. I have a suggestion... 1/1 scale action figures! You could start with... I don't know... let's say... Padme in "Fireside Gown." I mean... from a practical standpoint, Natalie Portman is a tiny little waif of a girl, so you'd be starting out with a figure where the materials needed would be significantly less than most options. In terms of soft goods there'd be virtually no design work, since the life-sized gown already exists. So all you're really need to work on is sculpting a perfectly to scale, life-sized Natalie Portman. While she wouldn't necessarily need to be anatomically correct... you could make her skin out of that same stuff Stretch Armstrong is made from so it'll be soft and... supple...
What collector wouldn't want that in their collection? I predict the best selling figure of all time!!
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From Galactic Hunter: 1) We know the rule about any sorts of sales figures, but... Have the recent larger multi-packs (Delta Squad/Geonosian Warriors, Death Star Briefing, and Bounty Hunters) been successful enough to keep this "collector market" niche line going even if it's one-off here and there? If so, any hint as to who's next? (Ewoks! Kashyyyk Troopers! Stormtroopers!)
2) There was a hint in the last Q&A sessions that there are MORE new vehicles on the table to be revealed at Celebration IV. Is this accurate? If so, are we talking Speeders, Fighters, or is Hasbro pulling out the Big Guns?
3) Now that Hasbro has created those really spiffy Chameleon Droids for the Ambush on Ilum Battle Pack, is there any chance we'll see the classic Imperial Probot finally revisited and updated? Also, what are the odds of getting a clearer, more cloaked Chameleon Droid down the road? We need an updated Barriss Offee at some point, right? (Pair her with Yoda and the amazingly executed ROTS Luminara Unduli, and we've got Battle Pack magic!)
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From Jedi Defender: 1) Since you were kind enough to confirm the imminent 2007 arrival of the torture rack for Bespin Han Solo last time, can you give us any juicy details on the Han that surely accompanies it? Super-Articulated? All scowly-faced in an "ow, stop torturing me" manner? All new? Repack? Please?
2) Let's talk 30AC "Vintage" IG-88. First off, he looks amazing. On par with the Vintage OTC Chewbacca and all the detail he had. What type of knee and elbow joints is
IG-88 sporting (if any)? It's tough to tell from photos we've seen so far where all his articulation lies.
3) The new 30th Anniversary Mace Windu can't sit down due to his plastic skirt. With the Mace Windu Jedi Starfighter on the shelves, one might assume that this Mace would be able to pilot the ship, but the skirt will keep him upright and out of the ship. What happened? Any plans to correct the skirt, either with soft goods or side splits to allow more flexibility?
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From Jedi Insider: 1) In the promotional images for the new Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collectors Coin Album, there is what appears to be a gold coin shown. Can you tell us what that coin is? Will it be an upcoming exclusive?
2) With the release of the Boba Fett figure from the Holiday Special, will we see more figures based from that Special?
3) This question is from a TNI reader: "In a previous Hasbro Q&A, Hasbro mentioned that they have 3 prototypes for a Death Star playset. Since it is likely that these will never be released, how about at least showing us pictures of the prototypes? (we love to drool!) thanks - Paul"
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From Jedi Temple Archives:1) For the SW 30 year Anniversary, any thoughts of making more cut-scene figures like the Biggs, such as Fixer, Cammie or Tank? What about small scale vehicles to go along with these, such as Fixer's or the Lars landspeeder?
2) The decision to push back all TFU product (with EXCEPTION to the new Lightsaber with spring-activated hilt guards) begs the following: Does this mean new lightsabers from new characters? Such as the Zabrak brandishing twin green lightsabers with tonfa shaped hilts? Or those saber-tipped-staffs wielded by those cool black Shadow Guards (whose unique design we haven't seen since Walmart's blink of the eye (re)sell-out of Maul's double-blade)? It's said TFU will be treated like the next chapter. Can we anticipate this will come complete with new sabers?
3) When can we expect to see this years UGH figures arriving in stores? Last years UGH figures arrived several months before their projected street date, can we expect the same with this years?
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From POTF2.com: 1) Has any of the questions or feedback from these Q&As led to any changes in product plans? If so, can you give some examples?
2) From time to time, you mention that a figure is on the "short list". How short (or long) is the "short list"?
3) What will the variation be on the Bantha & Tusken Raider Battle Pack?
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From Sandtroopers.com: 1) Hasbro, will there be more holographic figures, if not this year in the future? We have yet to see Anakin; or Imperial officers, such as Admiral Piett; and there are others I'm sure that would make effective figures. These make a nice addition to my collection, and would love to see a few more from time to time.
2) So on a Star Wars catalog included with my Battlepack it states that there will be a #30 C-3PO with Salacious Crumb. Will Salacious Crumb be a repaint or an all new sculpt? And will the C-3PO have an eye hanging out of it's socket?
3) The reason why you made figures from the, "Force Unleashed," game, is because it is a multi-media event (books, comics, toys, and games). But my question is if these sell well, will you make more characters from other video games, like the 7 Dark Jedi, from Dark Forces II?
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From Sir Steve's Guide: 1) Given that there are only a limited number of unmade figures and figures that need a serious resculpt, does Hasbro deliberately choose not give some figures up-to-date articulation (like knee articulation, etc - even for figures whose characters spend much of their screen time sitting)? We know and understand the argument for the additional cost factor for better articulation and spreading the cost throughout a wave or year, so that Star Wars is profitable, but we also know Hasbro has the license until 2018 and that a business model of *not* producing every figure as a super-articulated ultimate figure would allow Hasbro to continue for many years with later updates to previous sculpts - even when those sculpts were already at modern quality - by simply adding more articulation (ball-joint knees, elbows, shoulders, etc.) while keeping the rest of the mold the same. Is that at all consideration on Hasbro's part?
2) With the recent addition of the Comic Book Two packs, and the thoughts of EU Figures being shipped in future waves, will we ever see a new sculpt of Kyle Katarn, perhaps as he appears in either Jedi Knight or Jedi Outcast ? This would be great way also to release perhaps the Dark Jedi in the game as well as other characters in the games like Jan Ors or Rahn or even an older version of Luke Skywalker.
3) We received the following open-ended answer back on November 3rd and were wondering if there were any new developments on it: SSG: Lots of fans love both Jedi Starfighters and were looking forward to the AOTC Action Fleet release and then the ROTS Titanium 6"" Ultra release, both were canceled just before going into production but were tooled up. Could these be saved from limbo and presented as an exclusive special Titanium 2-pack? HASBRO: We have no plans for Action Fleet at this time, but stay tuned for new on the Titanium vehicles. We are working on a way to bring them to retail.
4) In the past, figures have included interlocking bases that can create larger diorama pieces. Will we see more of these in the future?
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NEW: From Star Wars Action News: 1) What is the rational of mixing specific, i.e. named, characters with troop builders? I can understand a multipack with a specific characters, customers only need to buy one of them to get those and get all those characters. But doesn't it hurt sales to throw in, say, two Stormtroopers, two Rebel Troopers and Darth Vader? Now replace the Vader with another generic trooper and troop builders will buy multiples of this pack. But doesn't it seem like a disscouragment to have a specific character amongst all the troop builders? It seems wastefull to end up with ten Vaders just because I wanted to swell my ranks of troops. Take for example your Toys 'R Us ARC trooper battlepack which was the hardest to find to date. Why not do more like that?
2) What would be the chance of seeing a Jabba the Hutt battle pack? I am thinking something along the lines of re-releasing the Ultra Jabba the Hutt from a few years back complete with hookah. This would be a good opportunity to repack figures like Bib Fortuna, Slave Leia, or any of the various figures that have relevance to Jabba. What would also be nice is a retooling of the dais that could be included in such a battle pack. With a dais, while not necessarily a playset, I think it would lend itself to the diorama type collectors, give us a dais which we have had since vintage days, and could have enough play elements to appeal to kids. Given the price point and the nature of the battle packs, as well as how battle packs have been evolving lately, this is something that seems like a good fit.
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From SW Collector: 1) Does the upcoming VTAC Snowtrooper have a removable helmet? If not, is Hasbro making a conscious effort to avoid things like this that tie directly to the prequels in order to maintain a strong vintage feel in the line?
2) In our last Q&A, Hasbro stated that 30th Anniversary Collection waves 8 and 9 would switch places as a result of the delay in the release of "The Force Unleashed" video game, with wave 8 coming out before wave 9 now. Does that mean that wave 9 will still be released in 2007, and that "The Force Unleashed" figures will still be on 30th Anniversary Collection cards and have coin pack-ins? Also, will there be more than one wave of action figures based on the game, even if a second wave were delayed until 2008?
3) We're getting a lot of grumblings from collectors about the Sith Infiltrator vehicle being in the Jedi Starfighter scale. While we understand that the $20 price point seems the most attractive to retailers, a lot of our readers are saying they'd have been more than willing to pay $30-$35 for a version that was slightly closer to scale. Is this a case where it was either do a Sith Infiltrator at this size, or never do one at all? Is a line of ships in the $30-range--larger than a Jedi Starfighter, but smaller than, say, a Millennium Falcon--just absolutely out of the question?
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From TheJawa.com:1) Whatever happened to the 3 3/4" Battlestar Galactica figures you once said were coming out at the end of 2006? Sure enough, we saw some cool Titanium ships from BG, as promised. But what about the figs?
2) Will we ever see a SA Admiral Ackbar, perhaps accompanied by his command chair? The majority of the tooling for this could then easily be reused to make army building Mon Calamari officers, technicians, and soldiers...
3) Will the comic 2 packs ever feature the more obscure characters from the Marvel Star Wars era such as Lumiya, Kiro, Dani the Zeltron, Chido, Crimson Jack, Baron Tagge (with his lightsaber), Jaxxon the rabbit, and most importantly Valance the Hunter (with alternate cyborg head). I've noticed that so far the obscure characters are only from the Dark Horse era
4) Also, I tried to sneak in a follow-up: In the last round, we asked a question about the Mara Jade comic pack. Here was the answer: "Mara will be packed with Luke, re-creating their escape from the Stormtroopers in Shadows of the Empire."
Our resident expert says, "Mara Jade doesn't make an appearance in the Star Wars Saga until the Heir To The Empire storyline. Shadows Of The Empire takes place between TESB and ROTJ and does not involve Mara Jade."
I asked for clarification on the comic.
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From Yakface: 1) Why didn't you have items like the Bantha Battle Pack (which is scheduled to hit retail next month) and Order 66 2-packs at Toyfair Obviously photos and mockups exist - what's the story?
2) Hasbro, if The Force Unleashed game is delayed until Spring of 2008 as rumored, what does this mean for the figures that are coming out? Will there be any more Force Unleashed figures coming out, like Shaak Ti and how are you going to tie in figures to the Clone Wars Animated 3D series that is coming out? Will they be movie style sculpting/articulation?
3) Did sales for the Lucas Exclusive set do as well online as you had planned? Personally I loved this set and bought a couple to use the figures for miscellaneous characters in dioramas and am glad that you came up with a way to release these unique figures. That being said, can we expect to see any other sort of online exclusive box sets, that might not have the demand to be sold at retail?
If so, what about some sort of Prequel Trilogy Lars Family set to fill the void of some of these characters - Cliegg Lars, Owen Lars, Beru Whitesun, C3PO (SAGA2 Endor mold, but AOTC paint scheme). Maybe someday down the road, Padme's family that is in the deleted scenes of AOTC and briefly at the end of ROTS could be made as well?
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From Yoda's News: 1) After the incidents of Votc stickers vanishing from the clamshells last year, will this years batch be heat sealed, taped, or both?
2) When will we see a long lineup of vintage pack figures again? When the OTC lineup was released we got 12 figures total. Now we are lucky if we get half that each year. Not to mention 2005 was skipped altogether. Also, Why do we get excellent super articulated figures from the original Kenner lineup in basic figure packages instead of in the Vintage Collection lineups? You did an excellent job with Saga Collection R5-D4, the 30th Anniversary Jawa, and the Death Star Trooper so why didn't you take the extra step and pack them into Vintage packs? There are many more instances to speak of, but you get the idea.
3) The various repainted Jedi Starfighters are great but where's the love for the female Jedi like Shaak Ti, Luminara Unduli and Aayla Secura? Surely they were starfighter pilots in their own right? For that matter what might Master Yoda's starfighter looked like?
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