Star Wars Q&A: March 27, 2009

SWActionNews.com (Brock): Recently you made the Spacetrooper figure from A New Hope and included the likeness of A New Hope concept Artist Joe Johnson under the helmet. How much back-and-forth is there with Lucasfilm licensing regarding what faces you can put under the masks of Stormtroopers? A Jango Fett head here or there makes sense given they descend from clones, but when you do things like the flip-up visor Scouttrooper or this Stormtrooper, what is the approval process?
Hasbro: It's pretty obvious – we do whatever we damn well please here at Hasbro. Oh, sure, we let big G think he can approve or disapprove things. We let the kids at Lucasfilm think they are the puppetmasters—but I got news for you – it’s the puppets that are running this gig. Ask yourself– what’s the real heart and soul of this franchise. Is it the subpar, convoluted movies? Is it the barely literate, hastily composed Expanded Universe? Not a bit. It’s all the Star Wars crap that gets sold every day. So the next time you want to ask about approval – ask how often we let the big G lick our boots.
SWActionNews.com (Brock): In a recent magazine article it was revealed that we would be getting R5-H6 as a Build-a-Droid figure later this year, with the associated text going on to identify this droid as being present at the pod race on Tatooine in Episode 01. The problem is, at least as far as we collectors know, that red and white droid was actually R5-X2. To our best knowledge, R5-H6 was a grey and purple background droid from Episode 02, a very different looking astromech. Can you please clarify which droid we can expect to see as a BaD release and can you say whether or not the dome has been newly tooled to reflect the unique appearance of all the prequel trilogy R5 style droids or is it a reuse of the same R5 dome sculpt that is currently available on the yellow R5-A2 Mos Eisley BaD toy?
Hasbro: It’s R5-H6, retard, because that’s what we’re freaking calling it. What the hell kind of hobbit-hole do you live in that you even know who these droids are? You’ll buy the toy and you’ll like it, even if we call it R2-Kiss-Our-Butts.
SWActionNews.com (Brock): Recently figures have taken another price jump at retail, htiting fans, collectors, and kids hard in these tough economic times. I can't find a less blunt way to put this, so here goes: who's to blame? A lot of people are shaking their fist in your (Hasbro's) general direction, but is this strictly set 100% by retailers? Did Wal Mart and Target just coincidentally decide to jump prices, or did some other factor come into play?
Hasbro: What do you think we, the Wall-Freaking-Street Journal? You got economic problems? Blame George W. Bush like the rest of America. Just keep buying our toys and shut the hell up.

CreatureCantina.com (Nigel): Having seen the Toy Fair coverage on various other websites, I was just wondering how 2009’s exclusives will be handled for overseas markets and customers.  With a month or less left to go on Stateside distribution for some of the exclusives slated for this year, like the three Wal-Mart Comic 2-Packs or Jabba’s Rancor with Luke, is there any projection for getting more of these exclusives released abroad?  The main reason I ask is because I still haven’t found a European website to carry the “Lucky Lekku” Gunship, or Battle of Christophsis and Battle at Carkoon Ultimate Battle Packs, so I have to pay through the nose to get them shipped over from an American online dealer, and I don’t want to have to do that too often this year if at all possible.  (Not because of the Credit Crunch, but because I’d rather spend the money on army-building.)  I’m a bored collector with little to buy, and I want to hand your corporation money by the shovelful without getting too many middlemen involved.  How can we make this happen?
- Beedo Sookcool, staff writer and deprived (or depraved, either would be accurate) foreigner 
Hasbro: That’s the spirit, lad! You sound like an intelligent fellow. How would you like to move to Rhode Island to be our official International Collector’s Consultant?
CreatureCantina.com (Nigel): Why does Hasbro love the re-pack? Is it simple economics or are your sculptors part of a Commie union and lazy?
- Steve “Solo” Rensi, staff writer and Pinkerton Strikebreaker
Hasbro: Our careful statistical analysis indicates that the vast majority of collectors are too obsessive compulsive not to buy whatever garbage we put out there. It’s simply economically more sound, then, to keep selling the same toy over and over and over and over again until people stop buying them. If you want new figures, then you should quit whining at us and go convince the moron collectors in your neighborhoods to stop buying Commtech Han Solo for a couple of months instead.
CreatureCantina.com (Nigel): Since we’ve already gotten several different Clone-, Storm-, and Rebel Trooper army-builder multi-packs (which seemed to sell well), is there any chance we could get similar multi-packs for the various multi-hued Battle Droids and their ilk (Super Battle Droids and Droidekas, for example), or for Podracing-livery-themed Pit Droids?
- Wildman, casual reader and ardent droid enthusiast
Hasbro: Maybe we should just ship you to China, put you on an assembly line, and you can’t paint all the stinkin’ droids you want, every color of the freaking rainbow? Man, we just sold eighteen different Pitdroid two-packs. You really want more? Fine. It’s your money. Howabout we just release a Pit Droid Hundred Pack? Is that what you want? Do you have some kind of techno-fetish, you weird android pervert?

JediTempleArchives.com (Chuck): The Clone Wars figures on the new cardbacks that were shown at Toy Fair included Mace Windu, the ARF Trooper, Super Battle Droid Sergeant.  But there was also an Obi-Wan Kenobi that was originally released as 2008's CW02 on the new cardback, but with a CW01 number.  Is that new cardback accurate to the new line's numbering scheme?  Additionally, will Hasbro be re-releasing some of those 2008 Clone Wars basic figures as refreshes when the line relaunches this August in the new packaging?  And if so, what would those refreshes include?
Hasbro: Oh, don’t you worry your little hear about Clone Wars figures and all the different packages we plan to sell them in. Kids are way too stupid to realize they are watching commercials for more Star Wars crap. We’ll be selling these things for the next five years, at least, in all kinds of different packaging.
JediTempleArchives.com (Chuck): One of the staples of the Basic Figure line over the years has been Darth Vader.  He's the most iconic character of the Star Wars saga.  But he was noticeably absent from the Toy Fair exhibit and presentations.
Be that as it may, the modern figure aesthetic has given us a tremendous new version of the Dark Lord with the release of 2008's BD #8 Darth Vader.  That begs the question, where does Hasbro believe there is room to continue to innovate with future OT versions of Darth Vader?  Might we see Darth Vader relegated to Greatest Hits type of assortments?  Or could we possibly see a new REVENGE OF THE SITH version, perhaps with the trademark Sith eyes and cloak?
Hasbro: Actually, the next iteration of Darth Vader will contain embryonic stem cells taking from David Prowse. Inserted in a mail-away Bacta Tank, it will actually gestate into a living clone. We also plan a limited run, James Earl Jones stem cell variant.
JediTempleArchives.com (Chuck): Noticeably absent from the Hasbro presentation were the Clone Wars figure & droid 2-packs that are starting to appear now at retail.  How extensive can we expect this line to be, and will it consist of refresh figures only, or will some new figures be appearing in this line of 2-packs?
Hasbro: Will new figures be appearing in two packs? Where have you been, man?!? Of course, we’re going to start releasing new figures in two packs. But only the droids will be new, so you’re stuck buying the same Anakin Skywalker twelve times over.

ThePrivateUniverse.co.uk (Pete): You have mentioned more Legacy comic packs coming, any chance we will be seeing the Ghost of Luke Skywalker or a Han Solo figure in one of the packs?  I think that would be a great way to continue to tie the Legacy characters with the Original Trilogy.
Hasbro: Just do headswaps with Holographic Luke / Ghost of Obi-Wan; Crystal Skull Indy/Han Solo, and stop wasting my time, fool.
ThePrivateUniverse.co.uk (Pete): With the live action Star Wars TV series looming on the horizon, I presume Hasbro is already working on figures for it, so are there any plans on what we are likely to see and will it be included within waves or will it have its own collection like TLC or CW?
Hasbro: Like they even tell me that kind of stuff. And if they did, like I’d tell you.
ThePrivateUniverse.co.uk (Pete): There appears to be a lot of the stuff shown at USTF that are not making it currently to the UK and with the loss of one of the UK's biggest high street toy buyers Woolworths, it looks pretty bleak for UK Star Wars collectors. How does Hasbro see the UK market now and how will it make sure that UK collectors can still buy from within the UK?
Hasbro: We are awaiting consultation from Beedo Sookcool before answering this question.

ToyNewsi.com (Jay): Any plans to expand the 'Build a Droid' concept to something beyond just droid, like a Build an Alien or 'Build a monster/creature' figure?
Hasbro: Yeah. We were thinking about adding the BAL – Build a Life concept for collectors. Then we realized if you losers got lives, we’d be out of business.
ToyNewsi.com (Jay): Since we are getting more large vehicles these days, what is the chance of ever getting a large vehicle/playset of the Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser. As a kid I always wanted a cool Star Destroyer toy and since the Cruiser was in the movies and featured regularly in the cartoon it seems like a logical pick to get some plastic love from you guys?
Hasbro: Where the heck do you live that you could afford a whole freaking spaceship playset in your basement? I mean, seriously. And the next time you write in a question that has the phrase “plastic love” in it, we are removing your site from our Q&A list.
ToyNewsi.com (Jay): Last year you all pulled a major surprise out of your hat before SDCC with the BMF Falcon and I know t Toy Fair you all said there would be no other large vehicle this year other than the Turbo Tank, however I was wondering if you are planning anything that will be on par with last years summer surprise later this year for fans that you could tease us with?
Hasbro: Would it pain you so much to use some punctuation? Talk about run-on sentences. Forget it. No toys for you until you learn some composition skills.

JediNews.uk (James): First of all, it was really good to see a Yuuzhan Vong figure revealed at Toy Fair.   Does Hasbro plan to release any further EU figures from New Jedi Order such as Jacen and Jaina.  Also, are there any plans for a Zayne Carrick figure either as a Comic Pack or Legacy Basic figure release?
Hasbro: Hey, guess what...any question that requires me to Google stuff is not getting answered. I think you people are just making up funny sounding names now.
JediNews.uk (James): Can you please clear up the issue regarding the Battle Pack with Gun Turrets - this has got people very confused and annoyed. Please can you confirm how many Fun Turrets we're getting in the Battle Pack - is it one or two?  If it's two then great, if not, why are we paying for a Battle Pack with two figures and one Gun Turret - when this was originally released as a figure from Episode II we got a figure with Gun Turret for the cost of a Basic Figure - now we could be expected to pay three times the cost for a lot less!
Hasbro: And what is your point again? Are you...displeased with our choice? Do you think you could run our company better? Go ahead. Start your little toy company, Mr. Collector. Until you get the license from big G, you are going to buy Star Wars crap on our terms, got it?
JediNews.uk (James): There were reports of a Galactic Heroes AT-AT with electronics (apparently this was seen at the UK Toy Fair) but this wasn't mentioned or seen as part of the US Toy Fair Coverage.  Cab you clarify the position on this item and when and if we're likely to see it?
Hasbro: This item was made, but we decided it was too cool to sell on the open market. Please contact me for more information.

Yakface.com (Jayson): Price hikes. We hate them. We also realize they are sometimes a “necessary evil” when it comes to retail sales.
In the past you’ve stated that you don’t directly set retail prices but Hasbro is the “M” in MSRP and retailers agree to that MSRP. Now with the prices in oil going down, the country in a recession and the dollar not going as nearly as far as it did, how can retailers (who are hurting) charge nearly $2 more now per action figure, comic pack, titanium, battle pack* and vehicle?
The natives/collectors are restless, can you clarify this point further for them since they helped to make the Star Wars brand the #1 license for 2008 (before the price hikes)?
*I thought the drop from the 5 to 4 figure battle pack format was supposed to stave off a price hike for this assortment?
Hasbro: Okay, Adam Smith. You got us. We’re just scamming you at this point for all the money we can get before President Obama takes over our company.
Yakface.com (Jayson): Recently, preorder info has been made available online for the large Clone Wars Octuptarra Droid. What further details can you provide (size, FOBs, cost) regarding this?
Hasbro: Details...details. Just order the stupid thing, and you’ll find out when it comes in the mail next year.
Yakface.com (Jayson): The new TPM and AOTC Obi-Wan figures are fantastic, thanks for finally updating them. But can something be done at this late stage about the lightsabers included with them? The Episode II figure is shown with the complete wrong saber, and the Episode I saber is the correct one, but chunky and inferior to not only todays standards, but you have already made a saber that not only looks more like the screen used saber but has the "energy flares" coming from the emitter like all current sabers. It was included in 2003's deluxe Obi-Wan on Kamino set. Any chance of this perfect looking saber coming with these two perfect looking figures?
Hasbro: Holy crap! You’re right! We will so look into correcting this serious error – not!

YodasNews.com (Mark): My question is in regards to the recently revealed upcoming packaging for the basic figures. The cardbacks have a unique shape that looks like they will be very different from previous Star Wars packaging. I noticed that the top trapezoidal area (SW logo & character face) has some heavy shadowing underneath it.  Will the top trapezoidal area be placed as an additional piece of cardboard on top of the bubble, adding a three dimensional aspect to the packaging? Or, is that just the way the card looks and the bubble will be on a flat card as in the past? Please review the attached moc-up images I made illustrating my concept. Thank you!
Hasbro: We looked at your mock-ups. It amused us greatly. I’m still laughing at you while I type this.
YodasNews.com (Mark): A previous Q & A revealed that the battle droid from the Galactic Heroes Jedi Starfighter Cinema Scene was dropped due to costs, hence the incorrect packaging image on the rear, but the ones I am seeing on the shelves now have the battle droid figure included.  What changed?  And why do some people feel like they have been cheated out of a battle droid?
Hasbro: You got your bloody droid, kid, so what they hell are you worried about?
YodasNews.com (Mark): We were doing a second look at Hasbro's powerpoint and we noticed that on the slide for the Force Unleashed Stormtrooper, it states: "Available at Hasbrotoyshop.com and StarWarsOnlineShop.com". We assume you meant StarWarsShop.com because if you take a visit to StarWarsOnlineShop.com, it isn't owned by Lucas or Hasbro (from what we have seen) and even has pop ups flagged by many anti-spam pop up blockers.
Hasbro: Is that the royal “we?” What, are you Queen of England? Well, Queenie, we goofed. ’Kay. It’s fixed now. Maybe you could get your own country in order before you gripe about a typo.

JediDefender.com (Jesse): In the recent Toy Fair slide-show, we saw that the Japanese RC droids are coming to Target.  The Remote Control R4-P17 wasn't on the slide.  Will he be included, and if not, will he be available at any time domestically?
Hasbro: We decided not to bring R4-P17 to America because they had a tendency to explode in Japan.
JediDefender.com (Jesse): Thanks to the recent Build-A-Droid series the list of movie droids that still need to be made is dwindling fast.  What are the chances of any of the following seeing the pegs over the next few years?  R5-X2 (Jabba's red/white unit from the podrace), R2-A5 (the white/green droid in Mos Eisley), the R3 and R5 units from the Rebel Briefing scene in Return of the Jedi and last but certainly not least a vintage update of the Lars Family Power Droid (Gonk Gonk).
Hasbro: We have reached an agreement with Lucasfilm to avoid the contingency you describe above – in particular, running out of new movie characters. It’s called the “Special Edition” clause. The big G will release more of these should we ever find we have run out of new droids to include in Battle Packs forcing people to buy three figures they already own.
JediDefender.com (Jesse): I'm impressed with the Build-a-Droid figures, and I was wondering if you consider the quality of the fully assembled figures to be on par with figures released in the basic line-up?  For instance, would you consider releasing some of the Build-A-Droid figures in the Legends Line at some point?  That Dark Trooper coming this year is begging to be army built by collectors, if he were to be released in the Legends line some day (hint hint!).
Oh, and a big thank you for the Wilrow Hood ICMG pictures last session, as you made Scott's month with those.  Much appreciated!
Hasbro: I am glad you like the Wilrow Hood figure. I hope this means that Scott will return my wife in good health now.

Rebelscum.com (Dan C.): First our compliments on what was a far better display at this year's Toy Fair, most all of the new products looked great, and were a great deal better than what was shown at TF08!
That said, the old school collectors have a bone to pick. Last year - about this time, you announced that we would FINALLY be getting a new Luke Skywalker as he appeared on the second Death Star, and that the new DS2 Luke would be appearing in a ROTJ wave in the Spring of 2009. Granted that was with the caveat of "if the schedule holds." So while we understand that schedules change - the Original Trilogy fans can't help but feel like the OT continues to get pushed back in favor of PT and CW waves. We're sure that there are valid reasons for all of this, but when, oh when are we finally going to see the ROTJ wave? This delay seems especially silly considering that over time you've revealed the name of EVERY figure in the wave!
Can you tell us when this will be released? And while we know that there's a bunch of love for the OT coming (in the form of additional Empire and A New Hope waves). With the current schedule, we can't help but be concerned that once again "the good stuff" got pushed into next year. Help us understand how the final four waves of the year will be released between September and December. Your own slide presentation corroborates the numbers that all four are still expected this year:
46 figures translates to:
1st ESB Wave - 6 figures
AOTC Wave - 6 figures
TPM Wave - 6 figures
ROTJ Wave - 8 figures
ANH Wave - 8 figures (technically the second ANH wave, considering the ANH
wave currently in stores)
ROTS Wave - 6 figures
2nd ESB Wave - 6 figures
Add those up and you get 46 figures. You've gone over the waves in Q&A's recently - so we have to assume that things haven't changed that much. Please help re-assure the OT fans that they will be taken care of, and that perhaps we won't have to wait all the way until SDCC to get something shown for us to get excited over!
And BTW - if you HAVE to kick a wave into 2010 - move the ROTS wave, we've had four straight years of ROTS releases, so it would be okay to finally take a break!
Thanks Again!
Hasbro: Zzzzzz.....oh, I’m sorry, I fell asleep reading this inordinately long e-mail...
Rebelscum.com (Dan C.): Could you give any more details about Mighty Muggs becoming TRU Exclusives? What will this mean for future waves? If you see the line ending, will you try to pump out the highly requested Muggs like Jedi Luke, young Anakin, Darth Malak, TIE Pilot, Sandtrooper, Jawas, Galen Marek, etc?
Hasbro: Mighty Muggs. Toys R Us. Only at. I don’t know what more you want me to say about this.
Rebelscum.com (Dan C.): I absolutely love the multitude of rebel pilots as of late , but I have one questions- Are we EVER going to see a grey squadron y-wing pilot from ROTJ, and if yes, when? This is a figure that has never been done in any line, vintage or modern.
Hasbro: We like them, too. They are really easy for our poorly-educated, low-income factory workers to make. They just have to paint the same one or two bodies all day long for weeks, which gives them lots more practice than when they have to mix-it-up a little.

SirStevesGuide.com (JT): Hasbro has shown great confidence in the Mos Eisley cantina scene, recognizing that the iconic scene has great mileage with both collectors and kids, and pledging to complete the roster of background aliens. With that in mind, might Hasbro be interested in expanding that to include Ket Maliss, Cebann Veekan, Myhr Rho, Y'bith, Thorp, Kelbo, the Tin Tin Dwarf, and/or Kal'Falnl C'ndros - characters who are "just off camera" and yet appear in various sources from behind-the-scenes materials to the Decipher's CCG and the Holiday Special? Many of these designs fit well with the in-film Cantina styled characters and all have precedent in or around that area, they could certainly be passed off to casual collectors as being part of that element, just as was done with your recent Bane Malar figure.
Hasbro: First let's get something out of the way - Cantina aliens, and the scores of characters like them including the Jabba's denizens, Senators, Pod Racers, female characters, and other tertiary and background characters are interesting only to collectors. It's very important that we not produce too many of these characters, and be careful about how many we produce (can anyone say Yarna?) or else the line risks being imbalanced and unproductive for retailers. Now for your question...the short answer is, probably not.  With the Cantina, there are still a solid number of on-screen characters that we would look to do first before we go off-screen even thought there are some very cool choices in the ones you suggest (the Y'Bith is awesome, as is what appears to be the first Nikto in any entertainment - Kal'Falnl C'ndros).  Thanks for the entertaining look at this interesting group.
SirStevesGuide.com (JT): Titanium Series has suffered another indignity by not being included at New York Toy Fair. With recent significant price increases, a continued focus on pointless repaints, a general feeling of lack of support from Hasbro for pretty much the life of the line, canceled and displaced molds (some shown at the '08 Toy Fair), what is happening with Titanium Series? Fans keep asking about the line, and Hasbro keeps saying they will give it more attention at the next venue, only to get shorted again. What does the future hold for this line that is in many ways the only outlet for most Star Wars vehicles in toy form? Are sales at least solid enough that Titanium collectors can relax their fears a bit for the foreseeable future, or is the line considerably weaker than the 3.75" figure line and thus vulnerable in these uncertain economic times?
Hasbro: Indignity? The only indignity here is me wasting my time answering these inane questions. Oh, God, when does it stop? I earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Marketing and Communication for this? I mean, jeez, when I signed up for this job with Hasbro, they told me I’d get to do interesting toy designs...use my imagination...now they just stick me in this cubicle answering this asinine e-mails all day from idiot geeks with nothing better to do than harass a toy company. Can’t you guys at least perv out in a naughty Star Wars-themed chatroom or something instead of bothering us?
SirStevesGuide.com (JT): Will we be seeing any episode-specific Battle Packs for The Clone Wars? This would be a great way to get several of the individualized clones, battle droids, or astromech droids from any given episode without spreading them over a long period of time into the basic line, especially when they're only minor retools or mere repaints or kitbashes.
Hasbro: Yeah. Yeah...whatever...I just don’t care anymore. My life is meaningless...

CollectionStation.com (JT): Right now, based on what you've said and shown at Toy Fair, the 2009 basic TLC waves look like this: February (ANH), May (ESB 1), September (TPM). We know the '09 EU wave got pushed into '10, but according to your prior answers that still leaves 4 more TLC waves crammed into the last part of the year. 2008 suffered pacing issues and delays in part because the Hasbro SW team was focusing on Indiana Jones, but this year there is no such sidetrack, so why the pacing problems and slowdowns? Does the fact that so many other movies are getting Hasbro toy lines (GI Joe, Transformers 2, Wolverine) slow the flow of SW toys? Will all 7 remaining '09 waves actually make it to market in this year, or will all those waves on top of each other in the last 3rd of the year cause another push-out and all-repaints wave? As per your Dec 10th Q&A correction, will ROTJ and ANH 2 waves get released between May's ESB wave and September's TPM wave?
Hasbro: You insult me, sir, and you insult the countless workers who tirelessly labor so you can have your trifling little play things. I find your question rude and ignorant, and I will spend no more time answering it.
CollectionStation.com (JT): What are the requirements that a retailer must go meet to get a Star Wars exclusive, do they have to be a certain size company, make a certain number of Hasbro orders a month, etc.? Is there some sort of process that a retailer has to go through to get an exclusive, do they work with Hasbro on what item to produce, or is it out of their hands?
Hasbro: Are you interested in selling an exclusive? We should talk.
CollectionStation.com (JT): With the Titanium Series line, how much influence does Lucasfilm put into it? Have they ever asked for a specific ship to be included in the line when it otherwise wouldn't be? Have they ever requested a feature be added to a vehicle, or even possibly a potential feature removed? Is the LFL approval process fairly smooth with this line compared to something like the action figure line, have they ever sent a Titanium Series vehicle back to the drawing board or even canned it altogether?
Hasbro: One time, the big G attempted to browbeat us into releasing a Pimp-my-Titanium subline. We declined, mostly because of the price of gold and chrome paint.

Mousedroid.com (Mick): My son and I love the Clone Wars voice changer helmets. He has the Blue and I have the plain white. They are really great items with excellent electronics and very durable. Yet we have been thinking...as Boba Fett is a favorite character of his (ours)...is there a chance at a Boba Fett Voice changer helmet in the future? You could even make a Jango Fett plus an entire Mandalorian range in different color schemes.
Cheers
Mousedroid
Hasbro: Unfortunately, our production team is currently preoccupied with the Princess Leia Voice Changer Metal Bikini. We think you and your son will enjoy those even more than yet another Boba Fett role-play toy.
Mousedroid.com (Mick):
Dear Hasbro,
The articulation in your figs keeps getting better and better but sometimes some of the figures have swivel elbows rather then the ball jointed elbows. My question is will you guys phase out the swivel joints and completely replace them all with ball joints? Also is there any talk about a new way of doing the hips? Perhaps ball jointed hips?
Thanking you,
Poth  
Hasbro: How about I give you a swivel elbow to the face, Poth?
Mousedroid.com (Mick):
Dear Hasbro
This is more of an idea for "down the road", but one I was wondering if you had ever considered. 2-Packs seem to be popular among collectors, and can make great display pieces when the packaging is interesting. So, have you or would you ever consider do a series of 2-packs featuring the Animated version of a charcter along with it's Legacy version? It would be an interesting way to perhaps celebrate the Animated series and the SW Legacy at some point down the road. Now, I know that not every character could be done as not all characters in the animation appear in the Live-Action. Obvious choices would be Anakin, Obi-Wan, Yoda, Padme, Clone Trooper, Grevious, Dooku, Commanders Cody & Gree, C-3PO and R2-D2. What do you think?
regards
Commander Collars
Hasbro: This is actually a brilliant idea. For months, we’ve had parents complaining to us that they are having too difficult a time buying the figure from the line their children prefer. The idiot parents simply can’t tell the very obvious and clear differences between animated and non-animated styles. With two-packs, parents will be sure that one of the figures must be the one their child wanted. Plus, we’ll double our profits! Great idea!

swCollector.com (Dan): With the new $60 vehicle price point, are we going to see a Nu-Class Shuttle from the Clone Wars? It would serve as yet another incentive for collectors to troop build! -- Galactic Hitchhiker
Hasbro: Don’t panic.
swCollector.com (Dan): There are pics circulating of a rumored upcoming Wedge Antilles X-Wing, which is very promising. But there is a concern that his astromech is not be decoed accurately. In cockpit shots of Wedge in ANH, it is plain that his R2 unit has a red dome with white panels (similar to R3-T2), while in ROTJ you can see that he has a white-domed R2 with black markings. Since onscreen accuracy is of paramount concern to collectors, can we be sure it will be corrected before any release of this vehicle? -- pod
Hasbro: We just used the pictures Lucasfilm gave us, jerk. You think you know better than Lucasfilm? Take it up with them.
swCollector.com (Dan): Based on questions answered in previous sessions, I believe we're getting two ground-based Clone vehicles in the Starfighter assortment this year. With the TX-130 announced, can we get confirmation of the Swamp Speeder? -- Galactic Hitchhiker
Hasbro: I don’t know what you’re smoking, man. Maybe you’ve been breathing in too many swamp gasses, because we never said nothin’ ‘bout any Swamp Speeders. You crazy.

HansHideout.com (Jeff): The Comic Packs Lumiya figure - knee articulation or no?  Some folks see a knee joint in those Toy Fair pictures, but others don't (and frankly, due to information overload at Toy Fair, I can't remember myself what type of articulation she had)
Hasbro: And just why are you so concerned over whether or not she can bend her knees?
HansHideout.com (Jeff): The Clone Wars Nikto Bounty Hunter figure - we know he's not coming in the Jabba Battle Pack anymore, but can you confirm that he will make it out at some point in the near future?  He's such a great figure, we'd love to get him sooner rather than later!
Hasbro: Unfortunately, we are not permitted to release a likeness of this character due to a legal fight with the hard drive on which his computer image is stored. We are hoping to negotiate a deal with the hard drive’s agent before the end of the year.
HansHideout.com (Jeff): Just to clarify a point that has come up on your 10th Anniversary Eopie Mail-Away - will the "Mark of Maul" stickers be found only in Phantom Menace wave or will the stickers be found in other toys/figures as well?
Hasbro: Forget it, man. It will be easier and probably cheaper to buy this figure set from scalpers on eBay. Just sayin’.

GalacticHunter.com (Adam): Many collectors are eagerly waiting for more information regarding the upcoming *Return of the Jedi *wave. Our rebel spies report that you intended to show the wave at Toy Fair, but that it was not possible due to time constraints. Is there any chance that you could share pictures with us when it becomes available? We are all very excited to know more about the* Death Star II Luke Skywalker*, the 'innovative' *"Slave" Leia* , *Skiff Guards*, etc. — From Cloner118
Hasbro: Holy moley! How the heck do these guys answer all of these e-mails. I’m just making stuff up, and this is taking me forever. It gives you a lot more respect for Hasbro’s commitment to appease angry Internet fan-mobs.

GalacticHunter.com (Adam): Hasbro, you obviously keep the molds used for figures and vehicles, where and how are they stored? I'm picturing the government building in *Indiana Jones* right about now.... — Jodo
Hasbro: They are stored in our secret toy lair, ten miles below the Earth’s crust, where they will be preserved from any possible contamination in the event of flood, fire, or radiation so that, in the distant future, the next dominant species to evolve on planet earth can exhume the tools and continue our hallowed traditions of buying useless Star Wars crap.
GalacticHunter.com (Adam): Finally, with everything shifting pretty heavily toward the latter part of the year, a few of the products heading our way feel a bit like "placeholders". In particular, I'm interesting in asking about the "mini-rigs" that were mentioned at the Toy Fair presentation. Can we safely assume that even if certain products (the Battle Droid and Repaint Tank) don't sell gangbusters, we're still going to see NEW "mini-rig" vehicles on our shelves in for the "back half" of the year? Also, just to calm (my) shaking nerves, is the maestro of the original Mini-Rig line (Mark Boudreaux) heading up this very honorable extension of a beloved vintage favorite?
Hasbro: Mark doesn’t like being called “maestro.” He prefers “Grand Master,” “High Lord,” or “Daddy.”

BanthaSkull.com (Ed): Could we get a photo of the gunner inside the turret of the Geonosis Assault Battle Pack from the Toy Fair coverage? If no additional turret, can we expect some additional clone gear/weaponry in the set?
- nomadscout, Julian, & Greg
Hasbro: Oh, yeah, let me go take a picture of that for you...as if sitting here and answering your questions wasn’t enough to drive a man mad.
BanthaSkull.com (Ed): Will the vulture droid be repainted into episode 1 colors? And, how about a picture of the vulture droid in walking mode?
- Mikect2000
Hasbro: No. We were going to paint it pink and put a tutu on it. You’ll have to buy four separate Battle Droids specially packaged with ballerina slippers to complete the figure.
BanthaSkull.com (Ed): Any update on the cantina bar dispenser or any other extra bar parts? Its been a while and a lot of people really want to complete that cantina.
- RoswellSun
Hasbro: Yes, indeed. We are starting a new subscription program where collectors can invest in advance for the pieces they want to see produced. Once we make enough money to cover costs and substantial profits, our factories will churn out the piece. Please e-mail me to place your investment.

Sandtroopers.com (Chris): With all the remakes and upgrades you've done over the years on insignificant characters, is there any chance that we might ever see a new improved Admiral Ackbar figure anytime soon? He's only about the most important strategist that the rebellion has...
Hasbro: You’re kidding, right? His brilliant plan was to fly the entire Rebel fleet right into the firing range of a fully operational Death Star and then scream “It’s a trap!” like a surprised little squid girl? Maybe we should release an Admiral Ackbar that squirts ink out his butt every time he is outwitted by the Empire.
Sandtroopers.com (Chris): Hasbro's newly revealed pilot/gunship turret pod battlepack comes with 2 pilots and one turret and looks AMAZING! To completely outfit 1 gunship, kids and collectors will need to purchase 2 battlepacks. Will we need to buy ahead and purchase extra battlepacks in anticipation of future gunship releases? Or will Hasbro release this battlepack in conjunction with any and all future gunship repaint/repack releases?
Hasbro: So...you’ve uncovered our devious plot, have you...well, Mr. Smarty-pants, lets see how well you do finding your beloved turrets once we start short-packing these sets to all the major retailers!
Sandtroopers.com (Chris): Over the recent years we are finding at retail that figures packs are being returned to stores tampered with. In this case the actual figure and accessories have been swapped out but will keep a retailer from restocking because they believe they have actual product. Is it possible to use tamper resistant tape instead of the clear tape Hasbro uses?
Hasbro: The rumors that retailers restock swapped out figures are entirely untrue and urban legends. The fact of the matter is that we insert the old figures in the package at the factory when we run out of new product. We find that most parents and children usually don’t notice the difference and buy the old figures anyway. We’d get away with it, too, if it wasn’t for you meddling collectors.

TheJawa.com (Chris): Will the Amanin that's in the upcoming comic pack ever be released on single card as an official denizen of Jabba's court?  This would give us a chance to army build him as well in order to recreate the Empire vs Amanin battle (and without ending up with dozens of dirty Sunbers).
Hasbro: Of course, we will release this figure on a single card...but only after we are sure everyone has bought the two-pack version first. What a silly question. You haven’t been at this hobby very long, have you?
TheJawa.com (Chris): I'm glad to hear that the 'build-a-droid' series will be continuing on into 2010 and that you are using it as a chance to put some obscure droids into the figure lineup that might not otherwise make it. I hope there are lots more to come! On that note, have you given any consideration to two of my most wanted droids, Boba Fett's droid BL-17 from the Droids cartoon and Z-X3 from Marvel Star Wars 47?
Hasbro: We are glad that so many collectors are gluttons for punishment like you. Frankly, we thought the Build-a-Droid series would be to obvious a money-making scheme, but you suckers are eating it up like crazy! Thanks! Now I can pay for my kids college applications some day!
TheJawa.com (Chris): Could Hasbro make it a point to include the ladder with all of your future X-Wing releases?  Or to include the ladder again with another Yavin hangar battlepack so collectors can pick up a few spares to go with their existing X-Wings?
Hasbro: Maybe your mom could include a brain with her next child and you could share it. They are toys. Use your imagination, pinhead. Pretend there is a ladder there.

ToyMania.com (Bobbi): How about a Queens of Naboo Evolutions 3-pack? Use an as yet unproduced version of Queen Amidala from Episode I, Queen Jamillia from Episode II, and Queen Apailana from Ep III.
Hasbro: So I know this question has been sent to us from someone named “Bobbi,” but let’s get something straight. Star Wars toys are purchased primarily by a 3-8 year old, MALE demographic. Little boys don’t want to play with freaking Queens. We don’t care if we’re “gendering” your child or not, we ain’t gonna make no money selling Queen Three Packs to little boys.
ToyMania.com (Bobbi): Toy Fair was great, but we're an impatient bunch. Can you give us a tease to something that we can hope to see at Comic Con?
Hasbro: No. If you want the latest scoop, check out Hasbro.com. We’re not going to give you some free information just so you can steal traffic from our site. Duh.
ToyMania.com (Bobbi): Considering the "crazy" price rises on most of your ranges of toys how come you religiously maintain that items such as Comic-packs have to be designed to a price-point. Hence the fact that we have "SECOND FIGURE SYNDROME" whereby the other figure in a pack is usually a disappointment/total waste of time. eg; the recent Asajj Ventress. Why not just give fans what they want, two fully articulated figures and price accordingly?
Hasbro: Don’t question us. Don’t think you have the right to question us...or our methods. Do you want the freaking toy or not? If you want it, buy it. If not, quit blithering like a baby. “Oh, I don’t want the other figure...wah, wah, wah.” You know what, this country wasn’t made great on the backs of the people who whined and cried every time the had to do something they didn’t like. You want to be a real Star Wars fan? Then buy our crap, and smile doing it. Otherwise, you’re just a geek poser.

Snowtroopers.ca (Tom): With the re-release of certain SAGA/TAC 5 figure battlepacks in Legacy packaging, could the TAC Battle on Mygeeto battlepack which was hard to find in the US/not released in Canada be re-issued as a Legacy item? If not could we see the figures released individually in the Saga Legends lineup?
Hasbro: No. Don’t expect us to pick up your slack for being a lazy collector. It’s your job to get your fat butt off your parents’ sofa and hunt down those figures before the scalpers can get to them just like everybody else.
Snowtroopers.ca (Tom): Will we ever see the release of new Mighty Muggs in Canada?  Wave 5 shipped in the US back in September, never found this side of the border.
Hasbro: Look, we just don’t care about Canada. You’re a mockery to nationhood. You should be glad we let any of you hosers buy Star Wars crap.
Snowtroopers.ca (Tom): I believe and trust that Hasbro will eventually do a figure of every single Cantina Patron and all of Jabba's cronies, including the human ones, before the license runs out.  However, do you think Hasbro will ever get to the citizens/extras from the streets of Tatooine or Bespin?  As a diorama builder, some citizenry would be great, perhaps even like the less articulated three packs from the Saga/Clone Wars era?
Hasbro: You can’t have new Star Wars crap until you consume the Star Wars crap that we already put on your local retailer’s shelves.