Questions for October 4, 2005
Q&A Archive

1
Do you think that Master Replicas might consider their own version of the Ultimate Lightsaber kit? Something not to expensive, but fair so people can have an easier way of making a customized hilt. -tom r. (Altoona, IA)

As cool as I think that would be, I doubt we could expect anything like this from MR. For one you're moving outside the realm of the "prop replica," I would imagine this type of product wouldn't be covered by their licensing agreement and could actually conflict with Hasbro's. Another concern is cost; their props are pretty expensive as is, could they successfully market a box of spare parts and have it be both profitable and affordable for fans? When you look at the materials involved and the engineering required to make all these parts 'interchangeable', that becomes a pretty big hurdle to overcome.


2
I know that Hasbro has decided to continue with the 7" size [Unleashed] but I have read somewhere that the supposedly last wave; Stomtrooper Han, Chewie & Clone Shock Trooper will not be the ones released next Xmas. Do you have any ideas on what will be used to kick-start this line? I have all of the figures so far and gladly look forward to getting whatever is released in the 7" scale. I hope you can look into this and maybe find some news? -Imp77.

Well, I think the optimal word here is Hasbro 'plans' to bring the line back, keeping in mind that plans have a way of changing… We're so far out right now it's probably far to early to start speculating on how Hasbro plans to re-launch the 7" line. Obviously these three figures (Han Stormy, Chewbacca, and Shock Clone) are ready to go, but considering they're all retools and repaints are they the best way to kick things off? We'll have to see what develops over time, I haven't seen any additional listings of Unleashed 7" figures anywhere, and in fact the only Unleashed items that are coming up are the mini figure battle packs. If and when we get more news on the 7" figure we will pas that along, for now we just have to wait and see if everything goes as Hasbro has planned.


3
I have been very patient in waiting for figures #45-#47. What is the real story as to why they have not shown up at retail? -Robert

Hard to say, but odds are they showed up and you missed them. These three figures are notorious for being hard to find but they have been found. Part of the problem is that they were released when there was quite a bit of inventory out there. Full pegs kept a lot of these cases from leaving distribution centers, and as newer assortments came in it seems they were buried or forgotten. There's a very good chance the original cases will show up again, but if not these figures are included in the upcoming Collection 2 Wave 6 assortments (revisions 1 and 2).


4
After watching Big Brother this past year and seeing Howie receive a Master Replicas FX Lightsaber, I have become increasingly interested in the collectible. I have become primarily interested in obtaining the Luke Skywalker ROTJ saber. I have noticed in the Photo Archives section of Rebelscum there is a Luke Skywalker ROTJ FX Lightsaber (2nd Gen) listed. Is this going to be the same as the 1st Gen lightsaber? What information do you have on this saber; such as release date, availability and features? -Chris

The new version has been touted as hosting updated electronics, but the hilt design is no different than the earlier version. Boarder's is supposed to have the saber this fall, so be sure to check with your local store, the MR blog, and watch for store reports right here.


5
What's the deal with the white plastic Hasbro uses to make Clones and Stormtroopers? My VOTC Stormtrooper has a brilliant white torso and dull white, almost yellowish limbs. But all the new Clones from the SITH line have bright white armor all over. When you put them together side-by-side you can really notice the difference. Did Hasbro use a cheaper plastic on the VOTC Stormtrooper? What's the deal? -Darren

Typically Hasbro uses two types of plastic for their action figures; a harder plastic for the body, and a softer plastic for the head and limbs. On most figures matching the two types isn't really an issue, but when it come to Stormtroopers even the slightest difference stands out like a sore thumb. In this case it appears Hasbro has made some adjustment to the type of plastic they used for the Clone's body, resulting in a better match than what we saw with the VOTC Stormtrooper. It's also worth pointing out that the softer plastic used for limbs and heads tends to discolor more so than the hard plastic used for the bodies. Again, it's usually less noticeable on most figures, but stands out quite a bit when it comes to Stormtroopers and such.


6
I'm confused, is Lucas planning one TV show or two? I keep reading about a new animated series, but from what this NY Post article says, there will be a live action show AND a continuation of the Clone Wars animated series. Is this really the case, two Star Wars TV series? -Rob

That's the plan. Lucas is expected to roll the animated series out first, and then start work on a live action series due sometime in 2007 or later, most likely later. A few ideas and rumors have been floating around, one indicating the series would at least touch on a young Boba Fett as a recurring character, but the most recent word from Lucas and Company suggests the show may center on the "early adventures" of Luke Skywalker… In any event it's a little early to say for certain what the subject matter of the live action series will be, but Lucas is looking at the possibilities and will hopefully have an announcement at Comic Con next year.


7
With the next generation of game consoles coming out is there any word from Lucas Arts, which system they favor? I had originally bought a PS2 when they came out, but traded in for an Xbox when Lucas Arts started favoring Xbox and PC for their Star Wars games. I am looking forward to the Xbox 360, but don't want to have to trade [it] in if they decide to favor Play Station this time around.

I don't think it's so much LucasArts that's showing favoritism, as it is the different companies locking LA into certain game titles. It's obvious there's a significant market out there for Star Wars games and companies are clearly trying to capitalize on that by locking certain Star Wars titles as their console exclusive. LucasArts will continue to develop games for most all systems, but we're sure to see certain games only available on certain consoles. Unless you're willing to invest in multiple systems, your best bet to cover most games is to go with the PC version. This may mellow out a bit as the hype surrounding the property settles down, but there may always be one or two games you just can't play on both Play Station and Xbox.


8
I am a big fan of the FX lightsabers from Master Replicas. I was wondering if we will see new sabers in this line. I would like to see Yoda's, Obi-Wan's or perhaps Emperor Palpatine's in an FX. -Russ Donald

Master Replicas is well aware of the popularity of the F/X line, I'm sure we'll continue to see new versions developed for years to come. There has been talk of Yoda and Darth Maul F/X versions, and I'm sure given time we'll see most all of the major characters lightsabers covered, including Darth Sidious, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.


9
I know this one is a far shot but here it is, what are the chances of see more black clone repaints? So far I have black clone wars gunship piloted by two black clones and I am hoping to get a few target stealth troopers. The pilots seem very popular and I think the target clones will fly off the shelves like the earlier ones did. I am hoping for maybe a black commander to lead my squad, but AT-RT drivers or BARC/scouts would look cool in lack also. -Johnny Paul

Hard to say for sure, it seems like Hasbro is heading in this direction, but they could just as easily shift gears and not make another black clad trooper again. I suppose it all depends on how well the current versions sell and how fans react to the idea of more. For my collecting money Hasbro could re-release all the clone molds they came out with this year in various battalion colors for the next several years, I won't complain. There is a fine line though, as much as collectors would appreciate this, too much too fast could burn the idea right out. If Hasbro slowly built on the black ops theme at the rate of one or two a year, and included other battalion colors as well, I think fans would be quite pleased.

10
I tend to feel a little disappointed when I look at my newly arrived 2005 early bird figures. With all the waiting, price, receipt fiasco and specifically the sculpts and choice of figures, it seems Hasbro only put a half-hearted attempt and full hearted hype, into what "could've" been something "really" special. My opinion is, if they wanted to do something special with the choice of figures, for a "real" vintage feel, make the figures look exactly like the illustrations on the cardboard display stand OR have a vintage style illustration of Revenge of the Sith twelve figure display stand, with figures of Padmé, Anakin, Grievous, and Yoda in different costumes that would only be offered in that set. So Mark, what's your opinion on how Hasbro handled this set? --Jedii2, Chicago

I loved the idea of making the original EB packet available again, and for what they are I think the figures are okay. I'm sorry the offer was limited to Wal*Mart, and I'm sorry there was so much panic and confusion at the onset, but overall I think everything worked well enough despite a few little miss-steps here and there. There are certainly other things Hasbro could have done that might have perhaps been "better," but the idea was to give fans an opportunity to relive 'the' Early Bird experience that many of the modern collectors never had. An EB set pertaining to Revenge of the Sith would have been a great idea last year, send in your coupon and get your Episode III preview figures early, but would it have been the same and would it have worked as well this year? The original EB set is a part of history, something most every fan wishes he had or had held on to back in the 70's (myself included). Now we have it, a reproduction, and for many of us that in and of itself is enough. It might be a funny way to look at it, but for me the 'prize' in this set isn't the figures; it's the packet itself.



Until next time...


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