Questions for October 25, 2005
Q&A Archive

1
I was wondering what the deal with the C-3PO chrome bust is? I saw a report back in September and today I see a gallery of images posted of it, but I can find no info about how to get my hands on one. I have saved up a bunch of galactic rewards, is it a redemption thing? New customers only? -J.C.

After several failed attempts to try and contact MBNA about this piece, I’m sorry to say I have no idea how or when they will make the Chrome 3PO mini-bust available. I would assume it would be offered in the same fashion as the previous two (Darth Vader and Jango Fett), but nothing has been announced so far. In the past the offer has been available to new card subscribers with something like a $20 qualifying purchase, then made available to pre-existing subscribers for reward point redemption. Finally, both Vader and Jango were offered through StarWarsShop.com for direct purchase, but supplies were quite limited. Stay tuned, like you I have a ton of points saved up, as soon as I get any info about the offer I will pass that along.


2
What ever happened to the #3 Yoda figure in collection 1? Was this figure ever released? I have looked all over for it to no avail. The figure is still listed on Hasbro's website, but I've never seen it on store shelves. All they seem to get in are the spinning attack Yoda figures. -Kevin H.

The figure was released in April, was readily available in most areas for several weeks after that, has made a brief reappearance in the last month or so, but continues to sell briskly. Between the two Yoda figures made available this year it’s easily the better of the two, which is probably why it’s been harder to track down. If I were you I’d try checking K-Mart and KB toys for one, at their prices the figure should last a bit longer on the pegs, if they have it that is…


3
So after I chuckled through all the rehashed and newbie figs making their unanticipated debut (cause I've really been on the edge of my seat for a Jerjerrod to act out a 'double our efforts' scene), I was wondering why Hasbro hasn't considered an updated, future-Jedi choking Dianoga. This is a staple to the original trilogy, and I'd much prefer to see an new rendition of this alien than just about anything else out there these days. So what are my chances? -KzooBMG

Not sure I’d be willing to hold my breath for a “new” version, but Hasbro does have a rather decent sculpt of the slimy beast from the Trash Compactor Screen Scene. I imagine if they decided to put the Dianoga into the line at some point Hasbro would use this existing mold and maybe dress it up a bit; throw in a Super-A Luke Stormtrooper and you actually have a pretty nice deluxe set. Outside of that, I’d say there’s very little chance we’d ever see the Dianoga made available again.


4
Unlike Battle Front I, I haven't seen any promos out for an early bird order for the sequel yet. I heard talk that this may happen. I guess with the popularity of the game they may not need one. Anyhow, have you heard if they are or not? Just thought you could bring us this information that I am sure many Bothan spies have died over. -MIKE

Aside from the November 1st release date, I haven’t heard of any special promotions other than the T-shirt being offered at Lucasarts.com, and a figure give-away in some European countries. Don’t get excited though, from all reports the figure is nothing special, just one of the basic carded figures from the Revenge of the Sith line. As you pointed out, the game is certainly popular enough not to warrant any added attention from a special promotion. While it would have been nice to see another exclusive figure offered (especially a Super-A 501st Trooper) in the end I guess it just wasn’t necessary.


5
Are there any new updates on the rumored clone trooper 3-packs: Search For Yoda (3 red Shock Troopers), Jedi Temple Raid (3 blue Special Ops Troopers), Attack on Utapau (3 orange Clone Troopers)? -Jason

Unfortunately it looks like these sets have been canned. From what I hear the thought process was since Hasbro was going to have all these painted clones (Shock Trooper and 501st), why bother with the 3-packs. In a way it’s a shame, as inferior as they are, the 3-pack Clones would have made for great army building, not to mention the fact that we still don’t have any Utapau Clones yet… Hopefully Hasbro will look at this idea again in 2006, and offer a few ‘Battalion” packs with all the Clones in the same deco. As hard as it’s been to track down some of the basic carded Clone Troopers, these figures are still a great way to fill up any battlefield.


6
Is there any chance that we'll see Hasbro release a ROTS Nute Gunray & Rune Haako and a TPM Bib Fortuna? With the impending re-release of a ROTJ Bib I'm surprised Hasbro has neglected his prequel appearance. -Brett

I hate to say these figures will never be made, but the odds do not look good. For some reason Neimoidians are notorious peg warmers; Nute and Rune lined the pegs for months back in ’99, Nute didn’t do all that much better in his Geonosian War Room Screen Scene, 2002’s Lott Dod was a dud, and just look at the Neimoidian Warrior… I’m a bit floored there’s a Neimoidian on the list for next year, but given that I’d say there’s no way we’ll see two, much less three Neimoidian characters in one year. As we get further away from Episode III the odds of "Sith" versions of Nute Gunray & Rune Haako get slimmer and slimmer, maybe if Hasbro retooled his headdress we might see Nute, but that (I would think) would be about the best we could hope for.

As for TPM Bib Fortuna; as far removed from The Phantom Menace as we are, and as poorly as that film is looked upon by fans, I honestly don’t see Hasbro expending the time and money to make this figure happen. It would have been a great idea back in 1999, but the link between Menace and Return of the Jedi just isn’t strong enough to make this happen now.


7
I was wondering since Hasbro made a TIE Fighter with full sized wings if there are going to be other vehicles that are full sized, not just the ships. I would love to see them come out with a full sized AT-ST!!!! -Gabriel

While altering the size of the solar panels worked in the TIE Fighter situation, Hasbro has stated there’s very little chance we’ll see vehicles in the line outside of what they already have molds for. A true to scale AT-ST would require a whole new pattern and all the cost that goes with it; it just won’t happen. At this point we stand a better chance of Hasbro addressing some of the inaccuracies in some of these toys than anything else. Where the AT-ST is concerned, if they were going to re-release it, I’d hope they could mold a proper chin gun and side turrets to go with it, but that’s just me. And oh yeah, I’d like them to throw in a few sound effects…


8
With the DVD release getting closer have you heard of any special offers with the DVD? I remember reading about a bonus disc that was available at Wal*Mart but have any other stores come up with bonuses to get our attention? -Jay

There have been a few things, the Wal*Mart bonus disk, a Darth Vader coin at Target, and a slip case available in Australia… other than that there hasn’t been much news. There may be a few surprises out there that haven’t been revealed, but there’s also a good chance we won’t know about those until November 1st. Stay tuned, if any new offers pop up we’ll be sure to post them.


9
Just wondering what figures were used for the DVD sets? Mainly is that the Dooku from the ROTS collection with the head that comes off and arms? -theo

No, the Dooku included in this set is the 2002 version, originally released for Attack of the Clones. As for the other figures, Dan posted a comprehensive rundown in today’s news, be sure to check it out right here.

10
Now that we've seen the success of the Clone Wars animated series, is there any chance of getting an animated version of Shadows of the Empire? I think it would be great to have some sort of viewable version of this story, especially considering it is fully endorsed by Lucas himself. I think that they could definitely get Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams and James Earl Jones to do the voice overs on it. It would be even better if they could get McFarlane to do the animation for it. -Stephen

Lucas doesn’t strike me as the type of guy that would necessarily go back and try to re-tell the Shadows story. I think for what it is; everyone at Lucasfilm is happy with it being told through the novel, video game, and comics – I don’t see there being a big push to animate the adventure. Still, anything could happen… If it did happen though, one thing for certain is that Lucas’ new animation department would most likely get the job. As he tries to get this division of his Empire up and running, anything Star Wars related will probably end up there.


Until next time...


Got Questions?