Toy Bender

Star Wars Nerd Questions is back, baby! This time there’s not a lot of ultra nerdy questions, but there are a lot of valuable info dispensed by Hasbro about both the Star Wars and Indiana Jones toy lines. In fact with this round there was more Indiana Jones toy questions than usual, so those of you wondering why the sculpting on Indy sucks will get their answers. Enough with the jibba jabba though, let’s get on with it!

ActionFigs.com gets this party started with a question about the huge vehicles streeting soon:

ActionFigs.com: With the AT-TE and Millennium Falcon being released on the same day, while exciting it does lead to a few questions: After years of saying there’s not enough interest in large vehicles, how do we get 2 extremely large vehicles at the same time, was there something specific which precipitated this change in thinking? Why release them at the same time, wouldn’t conventional wisdom say to release them months apart so they don’t detract from each other’s sales or retail shelf real-estate? For those collectors who want both but cannot afford 2 $100+ pricetags at the same time, for approximately how long will each vehicle be shipping to retailers? And finally, will these be produced in roughly equal amounts, or is will there be more of one vehicle over the other, and if the latter, which vehicle and why?

Hasbro: Previously we have said that the time was not right for the introduction of large vehicles, and that we would need an entertainment backdrop to give us the confidence to pursue them (i.e. a bigger market because of the new influx of kids interested in Star Wars). The time is right with the Clone Wars for the AT-TE, wheras it has not been the right time for the past several years. At the same time, we have experienced success elsewhere in our Hasbro brands at higher price points for product that really delivers on a great brand experience, and we felt that the Millenium Falcon is just the item that we could have success with if we really built it to match collector desires. Originally our plan was for the Millenium Falcon to phase in later in the year, but retailer interest and a smooth development schedule allowed us to ship earlier than anticipated and so they will both go out at the same time. Both of them should be available through the end of the year to allow collectors time to “reload” their wallets, but we can’t say for sure how fast the supply we are bringing in will last.

They better be available until at least the end of the year. I would like both even though I have no space for either and I even have less money. Why do I have to be broke now!? (This is not a request to visit any of my find sponsors or anything…)

Cool Toy Review Will ask the first Indiana Jones question for this round:

Cool Toy Review: I would very much like to know what unique challenges (if any) were presented when developing the Indiana Jones line as opposed to Star Wars.

Your sculpting and tooling techniques have evolved considerably since 1995 and you’ve managed to come up with some innovative ways to incorporate incredible articulation and action features while keeping the figure or vehicle as aesthetically pleasing as possible.

Has moving from a fantasy-based line like Star Wars, with all of it’s fantastic aliens, creatures and technology to a more earth-bound line like Indiana Jones been an easier or more difficult transition for your team?

Hasbro: Actually there were three big challenges on the Indiana Jones line: the timing, the need to harness the essence of IJ quickly into a line that captured both kids and collectors, and the selection of a new factory to produce our 3-3/4″ figures.

Hey! It’s softball time! Actually, it is nice to see questions that aren’t caustic.

Jedi News decides it’s time to ask about the less than perfect Jones figures:

JediNews.uk: The first wave of Indiana Jones figures from ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ seem to have taken a step back in terms of sculpt and also paint application. With the great work you’re doing on the Star Wars line why is this?

Hasbro: We are working with a new factory on the IJ line, so there are some differences there in the translation from sculpt to tooling, as well as getting used to our exacting standards when it comes to deco. While we were happy with the first wave, each wave has become more dialed in as we go along.

While it may sound like a lame excuse, I suppose it’s possible that this “new” factory fugged up. I mean, it’s not like Chinese toy factories have a stellar reputation.

On the same note, Raving Toy Maniac drills Hasbro for an answer:

RavingToyManiac: For Indiana Jones, the Indy figures have such a questionable likeness to Harrison Ford, especially compared to Hasbro’s Han Solo figures. So we know the scale is not an issue. Given the lead time required to get these to market, can we expect to see better likeness’ on upcoming Indiana Jones figures?

Hasbro: Yes, you will. For the IJ figures, we were reacting to a need to develop a line on a fast timeframe to get to market by 5/1. IJ is also developed at a different factory than SW, so there is a learning aspect there as well. As a result of these, we did not have the chance to make as many adjustments as we’d have liked. This has improved as time has gone on and we are confident you will love the upcoming waves.

The first challenge was due to the sheer surprise and relative lateness of the announcement that George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Harrison Ford were teaming up again to produce IJ IV…and the fact it was on a fast track at that! We learned January of 2007 and met with Lucasfilm soon after. As soon as we had a deal we were off an running, but it left less than a year from start to finish for the first waves, which caused many people a lot of late nights to get us there.

Second, IJ is not as easy on the surface to plan out, because the theme of adventure permeates everything and we needed to add special twists like the relics and “Ticket to Adventure”, so it took us a while to really get the full lineup of figures, role play, and other signature items.

Finally, because we have kept our principal Star Wars figure factory pretty much in full production across the board, we elected to go with a new factory and there were some learning issues that we needed to work through, especially when it came time to hitting our exacting standards for detail in all areas of sculpting and deco. They have really come on fast though and we love what we are seeing…and hope you do too!

So it’s speed and the new factory, got it. In fact the factory reason sounds even better now with the idea that they couldn’t just stop making Star Wars figures and the Indy figures had to come from somewhere. Excuses accepted. Now get making with the better Indiana Jones figures Hasbro! Oh yeah, and make Short Round right too.

Imperial Shipyards asks a question I’m sure we’ve all been asking ourselves:

ImperialShipyards: Isn’t it about time for a new super articulated Gungan army builder? After all, clones weren’t the only army that the Battle Droids had to face. Please make a new Gungan Warrior!

Hasbro: We do think that it’s time we went back to the Gungans with, if not a newfound respect for their decidedly different approach to warfare, at least an appreciation for the fact it’s been a looong time since we last turned out attention to them in the mainline lineup. Look for at least one new Gungan in 2009. As we get farther out, we have plans to do some more exploration of Episode I as well.

Yeah, I guess it’s time to start making those Ewok WANNABES. Yeah, you heard me Gungans, what you going to do about it? Roll some glowing ball at me while you run away in terror? At least the Ewoks had the balls to actually defeat their enemies rather than being saved at the last minute by the future Darth Vader. Pathetic.

Jedi Defender asks about two Star Wars properties near and dear to my heart:

JediDefender: You’ve mentioned in the past that you’ve considered doing figures from the Droids and Ewoks cartoons, but you haven’t really found the right spot for them. Would you consider adding them to the line much like how the McQuarrie figures were included? Perhaps one in each wave plus exclusives? That won’t get us all of them, but it would be a really good start!

Hasbro: Interesting idea, but we don’t consider Droids and Ewoks really a strong enough hook to do that; on the grand scheme of things they are pretty minor compared to the pervasive influence of say, the McQuarrie concepts. If we did figures based on these shows, it probably would not be as basic figures in any case.

Yeah, I figure that since I’m about the only fan of both shows that the chances of any figures from the shows is almost nil.

Jedi Insider asks a really dumb question:

JediInsider: In the new Clone Wars trailer, we see Ahsoka Tano standing on the nose of the AT-TE (see image below if your not familiar with the scene). Will there be a foot peg or something allowing kids to re-create this scene with the toy?

Hasbro: There will not be a footpeg on the front nose of the AT-TE.

Yeah, there needs to be a foot peg there, because I’m sure it would be really easy to pose such a large toy vertically…

Jedi Temple Archives gets an answer I’ve wanted to hear from Hasbro for awhile:

JediTempleArchives: The Republic Gunship has seen a number releases since it was introduced back in 2002. It’s seen releases in support of Attack Of The Clones and Revenge Of The Sith along with 2 Clone Wars related releases. One of the first things fans saw leading up to the new Clone Wars movie and television series was once again, the Republic Gunship. Can we expect another Gunship release in support of the new TV series and movie? And could it potentially feature new deco like the nose-art seen in the first clips shown at Celebration 4? Additionally, could we also see any mods to the existing mold, like fully closing doors (as seen in the footage) or the ball turrets?

Hasbro: Yes, you will see a re-release. However, it will be deco only, and will not come with fully closing doors or ball turrets. We are looking at ball turrets for a future Battle Pack, however, but we have no details on when that will be slotted in.

Yes! I don’t know the last time I was so excited about balls! Hopefully the battlepack won’t be a super expensive one, because papa needs his ball turrets!

The Private Universe asks the best question I’ve seen in awhile:

ThePrivateUniverse: Hasbro have crossed Star Wars with other Hasbro products of recent years, Transformers for example, is there any plans to do more cross over’s in the future, maybe a FurReal Friends Ewok?

Hasbro: That would actually be pretty cool. But no, we don’t have any other crossovers planned, at least for now. But that’s an interesting idea with Ewoks.if they ever show up again in animation or live action it will certainly some interesting discussion!

Fur Real Friends Ewok = Greatest Idea Evaaaaaaaaar

Toy News International
goes back to Indiana Jones to ask about a Hitler figure:

ToyNewsInternational: Indiana Jones tends to have a lot of religious and political references (i.e., a lot of characters based on members from the Nazi party). For a toy line geared to kids and collectors alike, how difficult has it been to deal with these issues and yet stay true to what these movies are about. I believe it’s been said there is not much chance of seeing a Hitler figure in this line yet we have Nazi soldiers. Where do you draw the line, and how do you draw the line for what’s appropriate and what’s not for a toy line like this?

Hasbro: The figures we have produced are German army figures, which do not necessarily mean that they are Nazis. We will not produce Nazi figures and have removed all political party affiliations and insignia from the uniforms. We can also confirm that there is zero chance of there ever being a Hitler figure in the line - we just would not go there

Not having symbols on the uniforms is lame, but understandable for a line that appeals to kids and adults, I guess. That and I’m sure Hasbro doesn’t want to strongly offend Jewish groups.

Rebelscum asks a really great question:

Rebelscum: The “super articulated” Horse from the Indiana Jones deluxe line is way cool. Any chance of you taking that step into the SW Universe and giving us a REALLY COOL SA Tauntaun?

Hasbro: Now that’s an interesting idea we honestly had not been thinking about. We’ll pass it around the team and see what they think. We will confirm there are some other beasts we are looking at updating first..so if we get to an SA Tauntaun, it may be a little while. Thanks for the suggestion.

While not as completely awesome as a Fur Real Friends Ewok, a super articulated Tauntaun would rock many pairs of socks.