SSG's Bi-Weekly Hasbro Q&A - October 26th

[JediTricks]

Find out how many movie figures we'll get next year, and more, in Hasbro's answers to SSG questions for October 26, 2007. Thanks again to Hasbro for the answers, to all the folks who sent in questions and especially those who voted on them.

Hasbro Q&A for the week of October 26th

Q: With the Star Wars team splitting their time with Indiana Jones and the Clone Wars CGI cartoon coming next year, how many new sculpts does Hasbro estimate we'll be seeing for Star Wars Original Trilogy figures in the basic carded line? Will each of the 6 films be getting its own wave in 2008? If not, which film won't be getting its own wave?
A: For 2008, we are going to take the classic total down by about one wave. So from the current 60 figures this year, expect around 53 figures or so. Episodes III-VI will each have waves along with a The Force Unleashed wave and a couple other surprises in there.

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Q: Due to the unpopularity of the character, is it unlikely that Hasbro will revisit Jar Jar Binks with a super articulated figure? He is definitely a character that would warrant such articulation due to his onscreen antics (no matter how obnoxious), and we haven't seen a new figure of him in quite a while, he could use an upgrade and the kiddies would probably want him.
A: Before too long we will probably be updating Jar-Jar. From our research, kids still like him and the Gungan concept. We just have to find the opportunity to bring him out.

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Q: While the TAC line has been doing great designs with aliens and armored figures, a lot of fans feel there have been a number of misfires with main characters in this line. Luke Yavin and Luke Tatooine's headsculpts and decos, Mace Windu's head, Vintage Leia Endor's long neck and inaccurate face deco, Lando in smuggler outfit's new head design and its rolled-back-in-his-head eyes, Vintage Luke Bespin's likeness, and everything about Han Torture Rack from the odd head to the mismatched proportions of the body. And it's not like we always need resculpted heads, POTJ Bespin Leia and Early Bird Kit Luke already have superior likenesses. So what is happening here?
A: Thanks for the comments. In general, there has always been variety to the likenesses 3-3/4" figure line and while we would like every likeness to be exact, at our scale this is not something that we can expect. We're sorry you have been disappointed; while some of your comments are areas we hope to improve upon, for others, it's the first we have heard about overall dissatisfaction with these figures.

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And the questions at ActionFigs.com:

• There are a bunch of alien and droid figures from the POTF2 era that have yet to see upgrades such as: Nien Nunb, Ree Yees, Saelt-Marae (Yak Face), Orrimaarko (Prune Face), Admiral Ackbar, EV-9D9, ASP-7, Ishi Tib, Lak Sivrak, etc.. Is it likely that these guys will be upgraded with better sculpts and articulation in the foreseeable future or are we likely stuck with the ones we have?
• For some reason, nearly all the Jedi Luke figures have been from Jabba's Palace with permanent vests. The only Death Star II version in recent memory is the rather unfortunate Saga figure with its rather unfortunate action gimmick, preposed body, and bizarre face sculpt. The newest Jedi Luke (TAC #25) has a cloth vest but it's not meant to be removed and the costume underneath is incomplete for Death Star II Luke. In ToyFare's Fans Choice poll, this was the only OT main character - not to mention the only version of Luke - to make the top 25 (and 3 characters who got less votes have already been made as figures now). So, do you have any plans to make a Death Star II Jedi Luke at this point? If not, why has this popular version been continuously overlooked in favor of Jabba's Palace Luke?
• With the new Clone Wars line coming up, will you be going back to the original series to make figures for characters who didn't get them, whether or not they appear in this new CGI series? Figures like Holographic Sidious on walking mechano-chair, Scuba Troopers, Space Clone Troopers, Plo Koon in armor, IG Lancer Droid (perhaps with its swoop bike), General Oro Dassyne all would make good candidates from the first series.

[El Chuxter]

Originally Posted by JediTricks

Q: While the TAC line has been doing great designs with aliens and armored figures, a lot of fans feel there have been a number of misfires with main characters in this line. Luke Yavin and Luke Tatooine's headsculpts and decos, Mace Windu's head, Vintage Leia Endor's long neck and inaccurate face deco, Lando in smuggler outfit's new head design and its rolled-back-in-his-head eyes, Vintage Luke Bespin's likeness, and everything about Han Torture Rack from the odd head to the mismatched proportions of the body. And it's not like we always need resculpted heads, POTJ Bespin Leia and Early Bird Kit Luke already have superior likenesses. So what is happening here?
A: Thanks for the comments. In general, there has always been variety to the likenesses 3-3/4" figure line and while we would like every likeness to be exact, at our scale this is not something that we can expect. We're sorry you have been disappointed; while some of your comments are areas we hope to improve upon, for others, it's the first we have heard about overall dissatisfaction with these figures.

If anyone needs proof that Hasbro isn't paying any attention whatsoever to what fans think, I highlighted it in red. The issues with every one of these figures can be easily found by even the most cursory inspection of the various boards.

[JediTricks]

They can probably get away with that part of the answer because Lando & Hando from wave 6 are too new to get widespread complaints. I really feel like they need to address all the problems for main TAC characters individually, we're paying $7 a pop on product that looks wonky, the least they can do is own up to it.

[Kidhuman]

Q: With the new Clone Wars line coming up, will you be going back to the original series to make figures for characters who didn't get them, whether or not they appear in this new CGI series? Figures like Holographic Sidious on walking mechano-chair, Scuba Troopers, Space Clone Troopers, Plo Koon in armor, IG Lancer Droid (perhaps with its swoop bike), General Oro Dassyne all would make good candidates from the first series.

A: When the new series comes out, our attention and focus will shift to that one exclusively and we will not likely be doing any more figures from the first Clone Wars series. It doesn't mean we won't look for opportunities from some of the very cool figures you mention, but it becomes much less likely.

Well, I guess we will never see any of these figures unless they sow up in the new series. Its a shame too, as some of these would make great figures.

If they do another toyfare poll we could always flood thew votes with these guys

[JediTricks]

To be honest, I highly doubt there'd be enough people interested in even cheating that vote for them.

[Battle Droid]

Q: With the Star Wars team splitting their time with Indiana Jones and the Clone Wars CGI cartoon coming next year, how many new sculpts does Hasbro estimate we'll be seeing for Star Wars Original Trilogy figures in the basic carded line? Will each of the 6 films be getting its own wave in 2008? If not, which film won't be getting its own wave?
A: For 2008, we are going to take the classic total down by about one wave. So from the current 60 figures this year, expect around 53 figures or so. Episodes III-VI will each have waves along with a The Force Unleashed wave and a couple other surprises in there.

Well that sucks. Why do I get the feeling they're eventually going to stop making prequel figures all together?

[Kidhuman]

Originally Posted by Battle Droid

Why do I get the feeling they're eventually going to stop making prequel figures all together?

The fact that it said movies 3-6 will have specific waves and it leaves out 1-2. Also they have to make clones so they will never stop prequel figures.

[JediTricks]

I suspect the demand just isn't there, the OT is a classic which is why it carries through this point, the PT is 8 years old and splits the audience, it's considered a joke by many outsiders who don't think of it as forgettable. There's nothing iconic or fun about Lott Dodd.

[Mad Slanted Powers]

Originally Posted by JediTricks

They can probably get away with that part of the answer because Lando & Hando from wave 6 are too new to get widespread complaints. I really feel like they need to address all the problems for main TAC characters individually, we're paying $7 a pop on product that looks wonky, the least they can do is own up to it.

I don't have one yet, but I don't see the problem with Lando. Han is scene specific and would have been a deluxe figure in previous lines, so $7 is a good deal. Likewise with Umpass-Stay, Elris Helrot, M'iiyoom Onith, Yoda & Kybuck, and Luke with the vaporator. Not that there aren't problems with some figures. I'll agree on the head issues on both Lukes. Price is not an issue to me on these though. Episode I figures were going for the same amount, and I think figures have improved quite a bit since then.

[jjreason]

I agree with MSP - the torture rack accessory itself is why I'm looking forward to getting the figure - in this case Han himself is the throwaway part (much like the Yoda in the Kybuck package, from what I've heard).