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 Tri-Weekly Q&A Session, here's a handy guide to help you get all the info.
Don't forget to check
Rebelscum's Q&A Session as well!
From CollectionStation.com: 1) With the confirmation of 2X-7KPR - the last unmade droid from the sale of the droids scene - being released in '09 as another Jawa/droid 2-pack, how will this set be released? This is an ANH scene, you've confirmed that ESB will be the only source getting 2 waves in '09, and the '09 ANH wave already has a different Jawa/droid 2-pack, so where will Jawa/2X-7KPR fit into the overall? Will this be a running change repacked into another wave, or has a second ANH wave been slotted - and if the latter, what other figures will be in that 2nd ANH wave?
2) In the past year, we've seen a lot of figures from the POTF2-era Expanded Universe line getting revisited one way or another. The Darktrooper was rereleased as a Fans Choice figure, while Mara Jade got an all-new sculpt in the Comics Packs line, and in that line we're also about to get an all-new Grand Admiral Thrawn, Dark Empire Clone Palpatine, DE Luke, and a new Kyle Katarn. That leaves just Dark Empire Leia, the Heir to the Empire Spacetrooper, and the Imperial Sentinel left to be done, will any of them be either reissued or resculpted any time soon to join their EU brethren? Was it a conscious choice to get all those other POTF2 EU figures rereleased, or just happenstance?
3) Will Hasbro be modifying the existing or making a new Hyperspace Ring for the ROTS Eta-2 Jedi Starfighter? Will the existing Hyperspace Ring ever be sold by itself in other colors to go with existing Jedi Starfighters? With the Ring being featured in episodes of The Clone Wars for Plo Koon's and Anakin's Jedi Starfighters, and your confirmation that Hasbro's Clone Wars Jedi Starfighter will fit the existing Ring, will you be selling Anakin's and/or Plo's starfighters with their Hyperspace Rings as boxed sets to get the full product into kid and collector hands, taking advantage of the show's current momentum rather than waiting to double-dip down the road when interest has waned, a la the Ep 2 Obi-Wan Jedi Starfighter with Hyperspace Ring?
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
NEW: From Galactic Hunter: 1) Since you recently revealed that Wal-Mart is getting a second wave of Droid Factory 2-Packs in 2009, can you also tell us if Target is getting a third wave of Order 66 2-Packs, or have we seen the last of that sub-line?
2) Has there been any further discussion about making select characters from The Clone Wars series into "realistic style"? The Plo Koon just released uses a realistic head with The Clones Wars animation style body, so he's a bit of a hybrid. (Just not the kind we all wanted to drive this past summer!) It's not as if Rotta The Hutt can be made realistic, but other characters (especially some of the unique-to-the-series Clone Troopers) would be welcome additions.
3) (You may need to pull Mark Boudreaux [Endor Rebel Trooper] out of his toy-packed office for this one.) Back in the waning Kenner period, a cargo loader style mini-ship was conceptualized to fit between the mandibles at the front of the Millennium Falcon. Knowing that it wouldn't take much to whip up a mini-ship and some other cargo-goodies, would this be something that could come out of the (conceptual) mothballs and into the cargo bay? Bonus points if it came in a Battle Pack with the 1999 Pit Droids (not the Fan's Choice) a Pilot Droid, and maybe some of Jabba's Thugs waiting to ambush Han Solo mah-boogie and Chewbacca. (Those of us who didn't wait for the holidays for our BMF's are happy to keep adding new, cool things to it/them.)
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
From Han's Hideout: 1) Just to clear up some confusion, can you confirm the order of the waves next year? We’re pretty sure 2009 (or maybe late 2008) starts with the 8 figures from ANH, then comes the 6-figure ESB themed Wave 2, followed by the 6-figure RotJ themed Wave 3? Is that right?
2) The 2009 RotJ Wave. You've confimed a new Leia of some sort (Slave Girl perhaps), Palace Guard Wooof, an Ewok, and a new Malakili. How about a hint at the other two figures in the wave - will we be running around with one of the figures from that wave yelling, "It's a trap!" Or will one of the new figures want to take our AT-STs out for a drive?
3) Not really a question, just something I wanted to point out to you guys. If you key up the Pod Race scene in The Phantom Menace, hit pause, and look reeeeeeally close, I'm 100% positive that you'll find a spectator in that crowd named "Ar'nold T'o'ht". He’s easy to spot, he's the one whose face is melting... oh, and he's also in the Cantina, yeah that's the ticket. He's standing right behind Muftak... and he's also standing behind Ephant Mon in Jabba's Palace (he gets around). [Does that help his chances at sneaking into the Star Wars line?]
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
From Imperial Shipyards: 1) Hasbro, I know we just got a holographic vader with the saga2 line, which I bought and loved. Still, I was wondering if we could get a holographic vader that was superarticulated or at least in the pose (hands on hips) he is in when he is demanding a report on the Shield Generator during the Battle of Hoth from The Empire Strikes Back? Would there also be any chance we could get this same pose in the Ulimate Unleashed Battle Pack format?
2) Can we ever expect to see figures of the Gossam Commando and Koorivar Fusilier?
3) Will the General Whorm Loathsom figure you confirmed for us be coming with his assistant bunny droid?
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
NEW: From Jedi Defender: 1) Aliens, aliens, aliens! It's always questions about aliens, but what I want to know is are you considering many humans from the Cantina, Jabba's Palace, or Mos Eisley? What about Garrouf Lafoe from the Cantina? What about Jabba's Goons from the Special Edition Falcon scenes? What about the guy that shoots Luke's hand on the Sailbarge? Any chance we'll get some human thugs and goons too?
2) We've gotten a TON of Sandtroopers lately, and they are great. The only question I have then is, when will we get new versions of Sandtrooper weapons? The double-barreled MG-type weapon Sandtroopers are seen carrying in a couple scenes, would be greatly appreciated. A new MG-34 type gun would also be great I think!
3) You really seem to have a hit with the "Build-a-Droid" concept... It gives collectors a goal to attain the parts to create the droid, and it arguably gives you an "extra figure" at the end of the day. Will BAD then continue past the Legacy Collection or a future package change, or would you consider shelving the droid parts as pack-ins and going back to stands or some such? I collected the coins, and find stands useful, but I consider the BAD parts actually of some value to my collection whereas the other things I really don't care one way or another about. Basically we're just saying give us droid parts, please.
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
From Jedi Insider: 1) I just recently watched the Clone Wars episode "Rookies" and was introduced to the new Droid Commandos, I was just wondering if there was the possibility of a Droid Commando figure? I would just like to know, so I have something to look forward to.
2) Can you tell us if the sales of recent large vehicles like the AT-TE and BMF Falcon have been decent enough to warrant more large-scale vehicles and or playsets in the foreseeable future?
3) I heard that there are a few new Transformers/Star Wars Crossovers coming: Clone Trooper to AT-TE, Clone Pilot to V-19, Clone Trooper to V-Wing. Is this true?
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
From JediNews.co.uk: 1) Gentle Giant and others have taken their respective animated lines across the whole Star Wars Saga (PT, OT and EU). With the new animated Clone Wars line in place do you have any plans to release characters from the OT and/or EU to match this format or will you only do this if they appear in the Clone Wars series?
2) What's happening with the FX Lightsabres... can you tell us which new FX Lightsabres we'll be seeing in the near future and do you have any pictures you can share with us at this stage? Will we see the new FX Lightsabres in the UK?
3) With the 30th Anniversary of the Holiday Special being celebrated by TOPPS and others it seems that Lucasfilm are allowing its partners to delve into an area us fans thought was totally off limits. With this change of heart do you think we'll see any more figures from the Holiday Special - a Chewbacca Family Pack would be fun?
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
From Jedi Temple Archives: 1) We were somewhat surprised to hear that there are more concept art figures on the way in the 2009 Legacy Collection. The answers from the Q&A sessions seem to indicate that there won't be any McQuarrie designs in the lot. That seems to almost completely rule out much of the OT with the exception of artist Joe Johnston, who ironically is represented with the new Space Trooper. But what about the PT concept artists? Which artist's designs can we expect to see? Can we expect to see some of the more iconic designs like the Sith Witch that was designed for EPISODE I?
2) Back in a May 2008 Q&A session with The Jawa it was mentioned that a VISIONARIES comic 2-pack would be on the way in 2009. Can you confirm the figure lineup for this pack? Will it feature the iconic final confrontation between Obi-Wan and cyborg Darth Maul?
3) In the most recent Q&A session, it was confirmed that there would be not just one, but TWO waves worth of figures representing THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK in the 2009 Legacy Collection. We were pleasantly surprised to see the lineup for the first EMPIRE wave. Can we expect a new Han Solo in carbonite or Snowspeeder pilot Luke Skywalker to anchor the second TESB wave? While many collectors enjoyed the 2006 offering of Han with the ROTJ melting carbonite block, there hasn't been an EMPIRE Han in carbonite basic figure since the POTF2 days. Can we hope for a new EMPIRE Han in carbonite soon?
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
From MouseDroid.com: 1) Dear Hasbro, The success of The Clone Wars movie and now the TV show clearly indicates a growth in a new generation "growing up with Star Wars". Even here in Australia (where we are still to premiere the TV show) Clone Wars figures are very popular. But...the recent economic crisis is sure to have an impact on how Star Wars in 2009 and beyond will be shaped.
Would initiatives such as reduced articulation, cheaper paint jobs, generic cards and/or cheaper packaging be considered to create a new line targeting kids more interested in the TV show and playing with the toys rather than those mature collectors that want nice cards, great paint jobs and unique characters from the films? Short question: Are there plans in place to release a "discount" line of figures that will be more affordable for families and leave the premium lines for collectors?
2) It is a very exciting time to be a collector and lover of star wars. I'm really excited about the confirmation of Coleman Trebor coming next year. I was wondering if he will be a new sculpt or is he a repack and to what wave he will be associated with. Will he come with any accessories since he was on the council and the bigger point will he be able to sit? He is a great figure and I thank you for bringing him back. What are the chances of seeing Depa Billaba and Pablo Jill also in the next coming years?
3) One of the interesting aspects of The Clone Wars series is the individualness to many of the Clone faces. Do you have any plans to offer some of these designs in future Clone offerings? And do you think that this concept could be applied to Legacy figures, if only to Commanders? Maybe even create a "Squad Parts Pack" to customise the basic trooper figure into your own themed squad (i.e. multiple unique heads, weapon packs, accessories, armour customization decals, etc)?
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
NEW: From Raving Toy Maniac: 1) The Force Unleashed game is really cool and it makes me glad I bought all of the figures when they first came out. During one of the other Q&A's, you mentioned that there was "one more" TFU figure due out. Was this the Stormtrooper Commander? Is it possible to have this figure available via HTS as I had no idea this figure was going to be sold and it was sold out when I went to my local store?
2) The Legacy comic book figures seem to be a big hit -- can we expect many more in 2009?
3) Force Unleashed is a huge success, will the Evo Apprentice get a Saga Legends rerelease?
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
From Sandtroopers.com: 1) To follow up on an answer given to Rebel Scum on November 7th, regarding the Commando Battle Pack due in Spring 2009, which weapon will be featured? The standard DC17 blaster or the DC17 anti armor variant that was included with the Republic Commando/Super Battle Droid Comic Pack? Will he be the black armor or another armor color variant that we have yet to see and will the upper body articulation remain the same or has the figure been completely redone?
2) Hasbro has said that we will continue to see large vehicles again if the Millenium Falcon and the AT-TE sell well. Let's say that hypothetically they are selling well: What is the next large vehicle we would likely see and when? Turbotank?
3) Is it at possible that Hasbro could reconsider their position on selling figures in an on-line form. Small runs, exclusives, limited editions similar to how Mattel is doing with their new Masters of the Universe Classics collection? Obviously no one would be willing to pay a $20 premium for a 3 3/4" figure but at a reasonable amount like $10-13. This would allow collectors to finally get a hold of some not so kid friendly figures. It could also allow Hasbro to release some figures from other lines. GI Joe, Indiana Jones and Transformers.
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
From Sir Steve's Guide: 1) You said in a recent answer that the Solo twins, while difficult to do because of limited visual references, were high on your wish list. Hypothetically speaking, if you were to make these long-request characters, which versions would you do? Young Jedi Knights (there's a good picture of them in the recent Jedi vs. Sith guide), NJO-era Jedi Knights (probably the most requested versions, and based on Japanese cover art which is probably the largest body of visual reference for these characters and was even used by the Official Site as its EU menu before the redesign) or Legacy of the Force-era (with the added advantage that an alternate head and lightsaber and removable cape would allow you to do Jacen and Caedus as one figure)?
2) With Sideshow having released a smashing diorama of the "Look Sir, Droids" scene, what are the chances of Hasbro doing a similar battle pack? It could include the escape pod (perhaps with the proper top hatch openable, or maybe the whole thing upsized) and an assortment of Sandroopers with a variety of pauldrons and accessories. Heck, if you threw in an updated dewback, you'd have quite the nifty ultimate battle pack. Any chance of that?
3) When collectors ask for the same stuff over and over again such as certain vehicles like the Cloud Car, large accessories like Jabba's dais, playsets and dioramas of scenes that are not action- or main-character-themed which Hasbro says they aren't likely to do because those areas are not seen as profitable in today's market, are there any NEW ideas swimming around the Star Wars team with an OT collector focus? Not talking about merely new figures or resculpts of unmade vintage figures, but something new in the 3.75" format that would excite collectors, especially OT-focused ones. Stuff like the nifty new Scramble on Yavin battle pack gets collectors jazzed up.
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
From SW Collector: 1) With the new Build-A-Droid General Grievous finally giving us one that's properly scaled and has incredible split-apart arms, is it too much to hope for another version that comes with a softgoods cape and allows him to be posed hunched forward, with his neck jutting out, as seen in scenes on his ship the Invisible Hand in Revenge of the Sith? An inner cloak pocket with lightsaber hilts would be a really nice touch, too!
2) Does the Emperor Palpatine Clone figure from the upcoming Dark Empire II #1 Comic Pack come with a "normal" left hand in addition to the Force lightning-casting one?
3) Speaking of the Dark Empire saga, any chance of seeing a figure based on fallen Jedi Empatoyajos Brand? He seems like a natural choice for the Comic Packs line.
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
From TheJawa.com:1) I just want to say thanks for the Thrawn trilogy characters that have shown up in comic packs. Since this is probably one of the most famous EU storylines of all time, is it a good bet that we will see more new figures from this series in the next year or two? If so, could a certain insane clone of a Jedi master be one of them?
2) You have recently stated that it is unlikely we can expect any new TFU figures until Spring 2010, which means about a year and half from now. Is there any fear that the hype/popularity of the game will have cooled off a bit by then and make the line less successful? If so, in the meantime, have you thought of releasing not only reissues of the TAC figures but perhaps also some clever repaints of stormtroopers, jumptroopers, etc? Or better yet, a carded release of the Felucian rider (perhaps with repaint/weapon swap)?
3) Since Hasbro has had to drop the 5th figure from battlepacks due to rising plastic/oil costs, what about substituting the loss of this value for customers by finally giving us a bonus cardboard diorama inside each battlepack? These don't have to be as complicated as the PotF2 Cantina or Jabba's Palace, just good enough to compensate for the loss of the extra figure in a way that is relatively inexpensive to Hasbro.
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
From Yakface: 1) Is there any chance that we could get some 21st Century love for some of our favorite beasties in 2009/2010? Say the Kaadu, Dewback or Tauntaun to go with the new Hoth Luke perhaps?
2) With the re-release of Yaddle and Even Piell can we look forward to seeing more Jedi Council members being re-released on single card? Depa Billaba was a battle-pack exclusive and some weren't able to get her set when it was out, so can we expect to see Depa Billaba along with other Jedi Council members, such as Adi Gallia and Eeth Koth released in a repaint/kitbash wave in 2009?
3) Carded pictures of 2009's Kenobi and Pons Limbic have turned up and they both have the table, lots of us have got excited but I have a bad feeling about this; please don't say you have got our hopes up again just to dash them on the rocks of disappointment? Also, the holsters for the Luke and Han appear to be the old sculpt. Didn't you confirm with us that these figures would in fact have new, more accurately sculpted holders?
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
INDIANA JONES Questions
From Cool Toy Review: 1) Will the Temple of Doom wave featuring Mola Ram still make it to mass-market retail (i.e. Walmart, Target, etc, not counting the smaller retailers like Meijers)?
2) You stated that any toys that you had in the works (and are now shelved) would likely be released if a movie were to be made. What figures have made it far enough into production that they would likely be released (ie: we have had confirmation of ROTLA2, Club Obi-Wan wave, Ark Ghost, German Wing, Sidecar, Minecart, Tank...)
3) Regarding the 5th wave...how far along in the production process did the figures actually get? Would it be possible to re-use the existing tools for other lines? Toht was already used for the Cobra Commander exclusive figure from SDCC, but there are other characters from GIJOe (and now possibly even the Marvel Universe line) that culd re-use the same body. The Indy-in-German diguise figure could be used for other German Soldier figures (perhaps fighting Captain America), parts of the German Mechanic could double for several other superhero (or villain) figures...so at least you could still get some use from them. (Although I am hard-pressed to find another use for Marion...I'm sure there is one!)
Click
here for the answers to these questions.
