Q&A Session With Hasbro's Star Wars Brand Team April 27 Round-Up

Jay Cochran - April 28, 2010
In order to make it easier for you to check out all the different Hasbro Q&A's that are posted around the Internet, we have gathered up all the questions with links to the actual sites where you can easily go to and see the answers. Here is the round-up for the April 27 batch of questions. Click here to check out Jedi Insider's for this round.


Rebelscum.com

Rebelscum: Many fans will miss the Comic Packs line, it was such a great concept. You've said before that the cost of including two figures and a comic made the line too expensive to continue. What about dropping the comic and continue to put out quality EU figure two packs for collectors? Once a month With You could do one EU pack a month so we get 12 EU Packs a year but do a good rotation from both Dark Horse, Marvel/Classic (no funky colors), Novels and Other, which would give 3 EU Packs from various sources. And it would give us 24 EU figures a year. There were some great figures on the horizon, as shown at SDCC last year (Deliah Blue/Darth Nihl, Jarael/Rohlan Dyre), hinted at in past Q&A sessions (Splinter of the Mind's Eye), and even ToyFare magazine (Nom Anor!)...it would be a shame to never get them.

Rebelscum: In light of the name reveal of the 2 previously unnamed Astromechs and the answer regarding the BAD R3-A2:
What are the chances of a release of properly coloured:
1)R3-T2 [with proper red colouring and dome design-not the incorrect brownish colour and wrong dome deco]
2)R3-T7 [with proper yellow colouring and design-not the incorrect greenish colour and wrong paint deco]
3)R3-Y7 [with proper yellow color and design-not the incorrect green-ish colour and incorrect paint deco]
4)R4-M9 (from Star Tours) [with his original red colour paint job and 2nd darker green colour paint job to match the picture of the prop (as seen on the card he was issued on)-not the lighter teal colour]
5)R5-K6 [with proper torso and leg colouration, as the version you released was actually an Imperial droid aboard the Death Star]
6)Whistler [with his green torso paint design (from the novels and other E.U. sources]-and speaking of Whistler-What is his alpha-numerical designation? Is it really R2-D2 as some sources indicate?
7)R4-P17 as ponited out by The Star Wars Astromech page (and the right Rev. Stone) When will we get an accurately painted version of R4-P17 as every promotional and productial version has it WRONG-He should at the least have an upper RED (not Maroon) body and the most a red body [ALA R2-R9] as seen in the ROTS screen caps.
-Of course utilising the R4-G9 mould-

As far releasing the figures single carded would rawk, but I could go for another round of Entertainment Earth exclusive pair of 5 packs [including maybe 3 R6 units ] as well.


JediDefender.com

1) Well, the Legacy line is wrapping up and for the most part, Willrow Hood doesn't seem to be nearly the peg-warmer that the non-believers thought he'd be. We know you don't like to talk exact numbers, but in general terms how'd he do? Hopefully he met (or exceeded) your expectations as we really, really loved seeing him in the line!

2) OK, so the Target Exclusive Geonosis Arena 2-packs have been out there a while now. What's the verdict then? Will we see a second series of these packs? And can you hint whether we'll see upgrades to our favorite Alien Jedi like Pablo Jill, or perhaps a couple more new Human Jedi using existing Jedi bodies with new headsculpts? I suppose you can tell we like seeing our Jedi get that super articulated upgrade?


Dewbackpatrol.com

1) It appears that running variations on troopers (i.e. Hoth Rebel Trooper and Scanning Crew) have been a difficult process for Hasbro and a source of disappointment for fans. As a matter of fact, I believe you said that Hasbro will not be doing any such variations in the future. It seems that releasing a trooper with 3-4 head variations in one package would solve the problems that previously existed, make fans extremely happy, and result in more purchases. After all there would be no running changes for the packaging, accessories, or tooling. It would just be one figure, one package, with 3-4 heads. And, you could probably use older head moulds or create a set of 3 generic heads that can go with different troop builder bodies. I know the Hoth Trooper is being released in a battle pack but many fans will not be able to army build at that price point. So what do you think? - rozwell

2) In ‘97 you released a grand moff tarkin figure with a sticker on it that said something about it being the first release of this character. Would you consider doing that for the current line? If a figure from a movie made in 1977 has never been made in the 4 inch scale, I think it would enhance the excitement. - dewbackhunter


Jedi News

1) The last waves of red\white packed Clone Wars figures have shipped in the US but we’re only just seeing the Aayla Secura and Hondo Ohnaka wave at retail in the UK. Can you reassure us that we will get these last waves and that we won’t be missing any waves out (same goes for our Canadian readership please) before the packaging change in August?

2) We’re really looking forward to the new AT-AT’s – both in 3.75” scale and also the Galactic Heroes version too! You’ve said the Toys R Us will be having a limited supply of the 3.75” scale in Vintage style packaging – can you confirm if these will reach the UK and Canada or if we’ll just be seeing the regular packaging? Also, did you consider a Vintage style box for the Galactic Heroes version too?


Imperial Shipyards (Scroll up)

1) Can we get a picture of the toysrus exclusive boxed version of the new At-At coming out? As we understand, it will be given a special vintage boxed deco and there will be two other ships given this same vintage retro feel? Any chance we could get exact dimensions on the size of this new behemoth?

Will we ever see some of the Mandalorians from the Entertainment Earth boxed set on a single card, or released again in a battle pack? Will we be able to get the female Mandos on card?


JediTempleWarRoom.com


QUESTION: The updated versions of Agen Kolar and Plo Koon in last year's basic figure line up were quite a nice surprise. Both figures look absolutely amazing and are certainly a major improvement compared to recent releases. Since the Jedi play a major part of the prequel trilogy I presume that we may see at least one or two in the Vintage Collection. Do you have any plans to release new, movie accurate versions of Ki Adi Mundi, Eeth Koth, Adi Galia, Shaak Ti, Pablo Jill, Barriss Offee or Cin Drallig in 2010 / 2011?

QUESTION: The updated versions of Agen Kolar and Plo Koon in last year's basic figure line up were quite a nice surprise. Both figures look absolutely amazing and are certainly a major improvement compared to recent releases. Since the Jedi play a major part of the prequel trilogy I presume that we may see at least one or two in the Vintage Collection. Do you have any plans to release new, movie accurate versions of Ki Adi Mundi, Eeth Koth, Adi Galia, Shaak Ti, Pablo Jill, Barriss Offee or Cin Drallig in 2010 / 2011?


Galactic Hunter

GalacticHunter.com: We keep hearing that a nicely-sized revamp of a very iconic ship will be unveiled at Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando, Florida. Is this some echo-chamber effect where a rumor is repeated so often that collectors accept this as a fact, or will we be treated to a magnificent revamp of a very iconic ship that will make its debut at the premier Star Wars event of 2010?

Galactic Hunter: The POTF2-Commtech Princess Leia with her hood up was an excellent figure. She was even posed nicely to program her plea for help to Obi-Wan Kenobi. She is one of the few figures that never popped up in a Battle Pack or a simple reissue. Did the figure's mold get lost in the shuffle somewhere, or did someone just blackball the figure? What gives?


DroidsandEwoks.com

1) In the past you have said that you like some of the classic TV characters such as Princess Kneesaa and Proto One. Considering that you are scaling back on EU figures for the time being, combined with LFL's desire to have classic animated characters made in animated style, what would it take to get characters like these made in action figures? Could they be candidates for EU two packs (without comic) if you end up going that route?

2) When can we expect to see a new figure of Luke Skywalker in his Hoth outfit? Being that it's a big year for The Empire Strikes Back, it seems like he would be a good one to have in the line. If he is in the works, can you share any details on the figure?


ToyMania.com

1) Why do the latest released Legacy figures have new UPC stickers on them? Can the stickers be used for the mail-away offers too?

2) While several Clone Wars Mandalorians were shown at Toyfair, the Duchess of Mandalore (Satine Kryze) was very conspicuous by her absence. As the Duchess is the protagonist of that arc and is shown to be a capable woman when she rescues Obi-Wan, would she be considered for a figure in the Clone Wars line or is she just considered not "kid-friendly" enough for inclusion?


Sir Steve

SSG: In past answers, you've said you have no foreseeable plans to re-release any of the Build-a-Droid existing droid characters again. However, for various reasons natural to collecting, many collectors found themselves with the problems of having too many of some droid parts, and more often, too few of others. Short production runs are an especially big problem for completing certain droids. The bottom line is that there are a lot of incomplete droids around, and some of the droids are army-buildable including the hard-to-get YVH-1, so even after working to complete 1, some collectors want several more. And the upcoming BG-J38 wave looks like it will be no picnic to complete either what with exclusivity and a very short production run. Aside from the notion of collectors coming back to the line spurring a Droid Factory playset with the possibility of using some of these parts, would you reconsider alternate methods to distributing these parts or whole droids, perhaps offering individual parts on HasbroToyShop, or bagged complete but unassembled droids in simple white box packaging, or perhaps some other method that lets collectors complete their build-a-droids?

SSG: Don't think we haven't noticed that some of your exclusives are playing a color-scheme war. Target, whose company logo is a big red bulls-eye, gets a red-accented TIE Fighter vehicle; Wal-mart, whose logo has been blue lettering for decades, gets a blue Octuptarra Droid vehicle. Wal-mart gets a blue 501st role-play helmet; Target gets a red Clone Trooper helmet with flashlight. Target gets Commander Fox, a red-hued Clone figure; Wal-mart gets the 501st Clone Trooper, a blue-accented figure. Confess! You're creating some of these exclusives with coloring themed to its specific retailer, aren't you? "Payola!" they'll all yell to the heavens as they learn of such treachery. Busted! So, are you guys doing this on purpose, and if so, how did it come up? Do your retail partners know that they're getting specially-tailored exclusives as are their rivals, and what do they think of it?


Allspark

1) While we know that there is no full redeco planned for the 3 3/4" scale Clone Wars Y-Wing, is there any possibility of a deco inversion? Instead of white and yellow, yellow and white? So that fans could have a show-accurate deco for Anakin and Ahsoka's bomber.


2) What scale is the upcoming Crossovers Yoda in robot mode? Will he be shorter than the other Crossovers robots?


ToyArk.com

Toyark.com: Is there a possibility of re-issuing vintage versions of the Kenner Star Wars figures similar to what has been done with Transformers Generation 1?

Toyark.com: What does the future hold for miniature scaled Star Wars vehicles like the Action Fleet and Titanium lines?


Actionfigurenews.ca

AFN: The Expanded Universe figure of Sigel Dare has a different style of paint than the previous Imperial Knights figures. Her armor is glossier and even a lighter shade than Antares and Ganner's suits. Was a decision made to change the look of the armor or did this just happen by accident?

AFN: I watch The Clone Wars in Canada on Teletoon virtually every week (sometimes multiple times per week as they are rerunning Season 1 on a daily basis). I don't recall ever seeing a commercial for Star Wars toys during these episodes. While it's possible that I simply missed them, does Hasbro buy advertising space from networks like Teletoon to advertise the toy lines during the program?


Asmzine.com

1. What processes do you use to prototype larger, interactive toys — playsets, large vehicles, etc? When in the prototyping process do they get kid-tested, and if so, how do you handle the prototypes around potentially-rowdy youngsters? We’re curious as to the behind-the-scenes processes of creating and testing these one-of-a-kind conceptual pieces.

2. With regards to the upcoming Force FX lightsabers, how will the blades be made removable? Will there still be the string of LEDs in the blade, with a quick-detach, or is it going to a single, powerful LED in the hilt that will light up the entire blade?


Collectorstation.com

CollectionStation.com: Usually, the only figures whose heads are painted rather than cast in flesh-tone plastic are those with a sculpted helmet, hood or large hair so the plastic matches the majority of the head. Though understandable, those painted faces aren't always that successful, noses are rubbed off by packaging, paint masks miss targets so they either over- or under-shoot, and the facial features don't look as crisp. Recently though, this has crept onto regular figures without hoods or the like. Evolutions Jango Fett is supposed to be a premium figure but has that - yes, it's likely a costing issue since it'd be the only flesh-toned part on the figure, but this is supposed to be a definitive version. Col Dyer from the Battle for Endor battle pack has flesh hands yet a painted head. And now Luke Tatooine from the Resurgence of the Jedi pack is the same way, that's an iconic figure with an impressive new sculpt, yet its sullied by the painted head syndrome. Maybe it's fine for kids, but these are collector-themed figures we're talking about, and too often it's sloppily applied and prone to the problems mentioned above, not to mention it softens the sculpted facial features you guys work hard to produce. So why use painted heads on those sorts of figures? Will there be a focus to lean on this less in the future? Might those Jango and Luke figures get cast instead of painted heads on their next runs?

CollectionStation.com: In a previous Q&A, you mentioned that "[Hasbro] will continue working with Sideshow on their 12" figure program." As we know, Sideshow sub-licenses their 12" Star Wars through Hasbro's Star Wars license, but the intricacies of this relationship are not fully understood. With your recent comment above, collectors are ever more curious as to how exactly Hasbro and Sideshow work together on that 12" figure line. What types of input and interaction does Hasbro have into the Star Wars items that Sideshow produces?


Echo Base

ECHO BASE FORUMS: Now that we have K'Kruhk coming in the Expanded Universe wave, will we ever see figures of Tarr Seirr and Sha'a Gi to recreate that first encounter with General Grievous on Hypori?

ECHO BASE FORUMS: IF you were to release an awesome new Slave I, which colors would you release it in first (assuming it would later be repainted)? Prequel colors, to match its upcoming appearance in The Clone Wars cartoon? Or its original look, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back?


YodaNews.com

YN: I am curious about the production process for figures. Specifically, why are we having to wait so long before we see the next wave of Galactic Heroes in August? This is not a complaint; I am simply curious as to what business reasons give rise to this spacing between waves. Thanks!

YN: Any chance of seeing a 2-pk of TX-20 with Poggle The Lessor and 2-pk of General Trench and his Tatical Droid just like you did with Walmarts Jek, Yoda. Thire and Rys?


ToyArk.com

1) Why have Battle Packs never been packed with DVD's?

2) Are vehicles from games such as "Shadows of the Empire" such as Dash Rendar's Outrider off limits for the Star Wars Transformers Crossovers line?


If you don't see your site listed and have a Hasbro Q&A Round posted and would like to see your site added to our Round-Up, just shoot us an email at Questions@ENewsi.com.


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