Toy Bender

It’s the return of another old feature this week! The return isn’t due to the fact that I’m nostalgic to sift my way through dozens of nerdy questions for you, but because I really couldn’t think of what else to do today. Hopefully, someone still digs these things.

Galactic Hunter asks a question about the Big Millennium Falcon:

Galactic Hunter: We know that the BMF (Big Millennium Falcon) is getting cleared out at some stores as part of the post-Holiday clear-out, but it is an open stock item that will continue to ship, right? Are there any upgrades planned for this piece in the foreseeable future?

HASBRO: Wal-Mart and Target have taken to clearance out the Millennium Falcon since they do not have a home on the latest planogram. As of now, it’s likely that Toys ‘R Us in the U.S. will carry another run of them in the Fall in the new red/white packaging. There will be no upgrades to the Millennium Falcon if it does ship again; it’s likely that this version will be the signature version for some years. The good news is that the large vehicle program was indeed a success and we look forward to the first Turbo Tanks hitting shelves around August 1.

Awesome, just in time for me to not be able to buy them. What’s nice though it’s that Hasbro is finally admitting that the big vehicles of last year were a success. It took them awhile to confirm it. If they don’t do as well this year, I hope they factor in the economy.

Imperial Shipyards asks about new vehicles:

ImperialShipyards: I would love to know if there are any McQaurrie concept vehicles coming? Please, please make the walker first if you ever do one!

Hasbro: Sorry to disappoint, but there are no plans for McQuarrie vehicles on the horizon.

Yeah, I couldn’t see that ever happening. They like to make the most of the the molds they can and I don’t think they would believe they could get out of any McQuarrie vehicle molds.

Jedi Defender asks a very interesting question about a Rebel soldier:

JediDefender: The Hoth Rebel Soldier pictured this past week looks really good so far, but fans are questioning the skirt piece being missing from the figure. Not getting into the other myriad of questions you may get asked about the different headsculpts and other things that came up this past week, we’re just wondering will the skirt piece be something fans can count on with the figure, and will it be softgoods or plastic?

Hasbro: We missed the skirt during the first batch of production and did not catch it until a number had already been produced. The skirt will be added as a running change. You can help us out by passing on a valuable note to fans: a very limited number of the first Rebel Trooper without the lower part of the jacket (skirt) will be getting out there. We did not catch the change until these had already been built out so we are letting them go.

For those who get them….your choice is to not open them and hang onto them, or open and enjoy them for what they are. Do not try to get replacement skirts from our Consumer Affairs team, as there is no way to add this to the figure as it needs to be co-assembled at the factory. Thanks! As for the second Rebel Trooper with unique head sculpt, it will be “carried forward” into the next wave of Legacy/Droid Factory and will come with a different part for the next buildable droid.

Oh bloody hell, now there’s a “no skirt” varient. That sounds so dirty.

I can’t even believe someone asked this question:

JediTempleArchives: I am eagerly anticipating Pons Limbic from the upcoming ANH wave. What made you choose this name over Braniac from other sources?

Also there are several characters from both the Cantina and Jabba’s palace that remain nameless. How would fans vote for these guys without a name if you did another Fan’s Choice? How will you go about naming them if/when you make them? How about a fan’s choice on naming them?

Hasbro: Brainiac was not available to us, as that is a name in another company’s character pantheon. As for voting on character names, keep your hands off the keyboard in that respect. The naming of all Star Wars characters comes from Lucasfilm. Lucasfilm does not acknowledge fan-created names unless they are generated in an officially- sanctioned event (Pax Bonkik originated from such a contest some years back).

Yeah, why couldn’t Hasbro make an action figure with the same name as one of Superman’s greatest villains?! I just doesn’t make any sense. I agree also that every single person and thing needs a name in Star Wars. I can’t handle there being a creature seen on screen for a split second and not knowing his name!

Raving Toy Maniac asked this gem of a question:

RTM: Can you translate the Kota the Triceratops technology into something Star Wars? Maybe a Bantha or a Hutt?

Hasbro: Sure, we could easily do something like that. However, we have no plans to - those sorts of experiences are not core to the audience that we target with Star Wars.

A ridable Hutt? *shudders* Seriously though, I think Hasbro is seriously underestimating the appeal of a tauntaun to both kids and my wife. Hasbro, seriously think about this. If a kid wants to ride a Star Wars bicycle or sled, why wouldn’t they want an electronic dewback or tauntaun?