With the recent change in the Q&A schedule, I missed sending out the questions for this session. So instead, I've got a replacement Q&A session from Toy Fair to take its place.

Some of this may have been already answered in our Toy Fair coverage, but if you haven't seen it before, then it's new to you.


Question: Regarding the different versions of the basic figure line, what's going on with the Hoth Troopers and Ugnaughts? And will there be more Imperial Officers on the new Super-Articulated body?

Answer: Hasbro revealed in an earlier Q&A session that there will be running change to the Ugnaughts, and they will not be released as a two-pack. The accessories will change for both figures: each one will include unique accessories.

As for the Hoth Troopers, things get a little tricky. There are two versions planned (one with a beard, and one without), but there will also be a small number of the first version that will be released with the lower half of the coat (as seen in this picture). Variation hunters will want to track this one down, because the error was caught early on, but not before a small number was made and sent out.

As for the Imperial Officer...while this figure is specifically Captain Needa, Hasbro has made him in such a way that the rank badge is a separate sculpted piece. The badge won't be removable from the figure, but Hasbro will be able to create different badges for the different ranks in the Empire.


Question: Ratts Tyrell was shown in the slideshow presentation, but apparently he's not going to be in the wave of figures based on The Phantom Menace? Why not? Will we ever get him?

Answer: According to Hasbro during the Q&A at Toy Fair, Clegg Holdfast will be the podracer in the TPM wave. Ratts Tyrell is a small character, and it was felt that he would be better suited for release at a later time, possibly packaged with another smaller podracer or (better yet), packed with his family, as seen in the extended scene from the Episode I DVD.

Speaking of Episode I, Hasbro is not letting the 10th anniversary year go by without some acknowledgment. In addition to the wave of action figures (seen here), there will also be a special premium mailaway offer for a special set of Qui-Gon Jinn & Eopie! This will be handled the same way the Captain Rex figure was done, only instead of Captain Rex stickers, it will be Darth Maul stickers.

Since most US collectors never got a chance to add this set to their collections, it was felt that this would be a great way to make it available at long last. Upgrading the figure to the Evolutions body was a bonus. The Eopie will be repainted, and Qui-Gon Jinn will also come with his Mos Espa poncho.

As to whether or not it will include the Episode I packaging, similar to what has been done with the G.I. Joe line recently, that is still unknown...although it has been suggested.

Since this will be a fall release, stay tuned for more information to be announced at San Diego.


Question: (This was actually the question I asked during the Q&A) With the launch of the recent Marvel Universe Fans' Choice Poll, one can't help but wonder if it isn't time for another Star Wars Fans' Choice Poll. Will there be one this year?

Answer: Hasbro would love to do another Fans' Choice Poll, but first they want to get in touch with Toy Fair magazine (who ran the last poll in 2006) and make a "where are we now?" report, checking out just how many of the Top 25 figure have already been made, or are in the "parking lot" for the future.

Once they get that under wraps and published, then they want to launch a new poll. However, unlike back in 2006, Hasbro recognizes the power of the collector community, as evidenced in the Saga Legends voting and various wishlist polls. However, this time around, there will be a way for both the collecting community to be involved, as well as the general public who buys ToyFare (which saw an obvious slant towards video game characters from the Expanded Universe).

While there's no official timeframe announced for this yet, it's on Hasbro's to-do list for 2009.



We're back on track for the next official Hasbro session (3 new questions were sent in last night), and that should put us back on the schedule by March 20th.

Got any burning Star Wars questions you need answered straight from the source? If so, post your questions in this thread in our forums, and with any luck, you'll get your answers next time!