Adam Pawlus was able to interview Rick Ruskin, the new head of Star Wars stuff at Kenner. This list of questions and answers came from Adam's FREE newsletter. If you would like to get the newsletter via email free of charge (and why wouldn't you, it's always full of great information), email him as just ask for it. Q: What's the deal with the AT-ST? Is Kenner discontinuing it? I can't find it anywhere and I need it. AP: Similar questions of the TIE and Outrider have surfaced. RR: All of these will be shipped again later this year. Q: Will the cards go back to red? RR: Right now our plan is to stick with green. Q: Why is FX Ben's Lightsaber green? RR: They make affordable LED lights in red, yellow, and green. As much as we strive for quthenticity, there are sometimes where we are either limited by the materials and sometimes we feel that a toy is so great that we have to let it live for its toyetic appeal. The only way we were able to put it out was to have a saber that was not blue. We tried every way we could to achieve blue, but what we got were lackluster results. Q: Are the Shadows figures being discontinued? RR: The Shadows line was out 1996 offering, and we haven't discontinued any one of our figures. If we thought there was demand, we'd fill it. Q: Is Kenner ever going to produce any Figure Characters from the Star Wars books, or Games? THRAWN comes to mind... he appears in Tie Fighter... and Heir to the Empire! RR: At this point, I can't comment at what we're doing past 1997. Q: Wedge. We've seen the pictures... why is this just a new head on Luke SNOWSPEEDER? Will the final figure be different? RR: This figure is developed by our New Ventures group in Rhode Island, the same group that does our 12 figures, playsets, etc. The Cincinnati Kenner group works closely with them and expressed the same concern. They assured us that they would be adding detail to make him a very distinct figure. Q: Is there any chance you'll release the case breakdowns of the Galactic/Alliance/Millennium assortments like Australia did on the Assortment 1 and Assortment 2 cases last Fall? RR: Any case asst. ratios that get released prior to the actual shipment of product are UNOFFICIAL. So, I’m not sure what Australia was giving out. We make it a policy not to release case ratios because they are in a constant state of change, depending upon what happens in production and in the marketplace. We are in a position to change cases even after they arrive from overseas, but before they get shipped to accounts. Q: Will these exclusive figures (especially the 12 ones) be available later as regular figures? I have nothing against exclusive figures for collectors, but they should also make them available to the general public (namely KIDS) who can’t afford exclusive prices. RR: Yes, in fact most, if not all of the exclusives will be in the open stock line after 1997. Q: Looking at the Swoop biker and the Endor Luke figures and how nicely and unobtrusively knee joints fit in, why was the rest of the line not equiped in such a way? Elbos and knees add much to the playability and quality of a figure. Who’s decision was it to make the new figures as stiff as the old and why? RR: The knee joints and elbow joints (in Figrin D'an) were put into figures for specific play reasons (ie. fitting on bikes, holding instruments). We are continually lookng at ways to improve our figures and keep them at low cost. We will consider this suggestion in the future. Q: What are the chances that we’ll see a Grand Admiral Thrawn figure by the end of the year 1998? RR: Could be possible...stay tuned. Q: Any plans on making another Death Star playset? It could be the trash compactor and could connect underneath the Detention Block Rescue playset. The escape hatch of that playset could open into the trash compactor below. It could include the trash monster, garbage, and could feature closing walls and an escape door. RR: Thanks for the suggestion. We work with our New Ventures group who develop the playsets. They have some ideas for 1998, but I can’t give out details yet. AP: Strongly hint for a big electronic Bespin Freeze Chamber playset... Q: Is it true that you are planning on making figures out of the novels? And if so, could you give us an idea as far as which ones you are thinking about? Also, what kind of other SE figures are you thinking of making? RR: We will be posting a survey on our Web Site that requests input from our collector community on sources beyond the movies that might be of interest if translated into toys. So, you tell us which ones! Q: When will Zuckuss be released and are there any plans to make a 6 figure SW bounty hunter multipack or a 12 figure Rebo band multipack? Are figures for Leia Hoth, Mon Mothma, and Imperial Officer scheduled for release this year? Also, are there any plans for an Owen and Beru 2 pack? Thank you. RR: We can't give any details about the specific figures for 1998 yet. Obviously, with the popularity of the above mentioned figures, there is a strong probability that you will see some if not all of them. Q: Are you guys going to increase the case size to keep up with demand? When I go to the stores I never can find what I want. I think increasing the case size from 16 to like 48 figures per case may help. In the old days I don’t remember not being able to find a figure. But, I was only 7 so maybe I just don't remember. I do know though that most times it is impossible to find newer figures. Please help? RR: Actually, increasing the case size wouldn’t help keep up with demand. We are moving to 3 assortments next month, which will help us keep great variety at the shelf. We will continue to ship our figures in huge quantities this summer and fall...so keep checking the stores for new and old figures alike. Q: Why the holograms? Can you get rid of them? RR: The hololabels were a way to make our package distinct and special for the 20th anniversary special edition. When we looked at the stripe and gold logo, we wanted to do one more thing, and at this point they're for 1997 only. Q: Will all the new toys be released in Holland ? RR: Our international division handles the distribution of toys worldwide. Every toy is available to them, but it is their job to guage demand for specific items in each country. Q: Does Kenner have plans to continue the die-case series,or have plans to remake the Micro Collection?I enjoyed both and I hope to see them both again, soon! RR: Currently Galoob has the micro license exclusively. If you want to see those toys coming from Kenner encourage LucasFilm to give us the Micro license. Q: Here’s another question I forgot to ask. Is there going to be a dismantled C-3P0 that Chewbacca can carry? RR: This could be a good way to refresh a core character...you just might see it. Q: Does Kenner pay any attention to the various custom action figure sites and listservs on the Internet, and do they ever use it to determine what collectors might want? RR: We read emails, we want to hear directly what figures collectors are interested in. It's a little difficult to check every site. Q: What will happen to the classic line once the prequel figures are released? Will there be two lines? RR: At this point, I can't comment on anything happening with the line after 1998. Q: Will the goal be to eventually re-do all the classic figures as POTF2? RR: We've already done a lot of those ‘classic’ figures in the new line, but I don't know that we'll do every one. Q: Will we be seeing more previously ignored characters in 1998? RR: We will certainly be bringing all new characters into the line in 1998, as well as core characters in new outfits. Q: Will the figures coming with the AT-AT be released later on cards? RR: It's not planned at this time. Q: What characters can we safely assume will NEVER be made? EE: None. Q: Does Hasbro UK decide what gets released in the UK or Kenner? Could pressure be put on Hasbro UK to release the complete figure range and not just a handful? RR: See the above comment on International availability in Holland. Q: According to Kenner, they produced 150,000 Luke Theater Edition figures. In an article in a toy magazine, the editors did some calculations as to how many figures were circulated. Their numbers came up 15K short of 150K. My question is (so as not to disspell any rumers) were ALL 150K figures circulated? It would not be very nice of them to suddenly release 15K more. RR: We went out to produce 150,000 and it ended up closer to 148,500. We shipped everything to Fox, and they shipped everything to theatres in the USA and Canada. We're not holding any back, if that’s what you’re asking. Q: Another question on those lines is (though I doubt they [--they meaning Kenner—AP] will give you an answer on this one) are they planning on releasing any more figures limited to a number similar to the SE Luke or lower? RR: No. Q: Are you going to remake Han Solo in Hoth and are you ever going to make Princess Leia in Hoth Gear? RR: We're looking at some of the early figures as potential new figures with different sculpts for 1998. Q: Did any factor, other than production costs influence the decision to make the new weapons so soft and elastic? RR: Quality control and safety, not production costs, are usually what influances material decisions. Remember we make toys for kids, and there are lots of safety guidelines. Q: Will Kenner consider hiring a net-rep to field questions and concerns and monitor the collecting field on the appropriate newsgroups? [I know I can think of someone who would LOVE that gig... :) --AP] RR: Right now, we read every email that comes into our web site, and there's a lot of repeats and people asking real specific questions. We do our best to screen and answer them, and we’ll be doing a better job in the coming months. We are a company where the focus is on making the toys and marketing them, but we aren't as advanced as that [net reps] yet. Q: Why are the 12 figures so poorly articulated? This is compared to a GI Joe, which is nearly identical in cost and has considerably greater play value and poseablility. More poesability would make the SW 12 figures more appealing to kids and collectors alike and vastly improve an otherwise appealing line. (It is because of this lack of poseability that I have not purchased any of these 12 figures)Also, will we ever see clothing sold for the 12 line individually. So that a kid could purchase a single Luke and get all of the uniforms that Luke will eventually be marketed with? RR: I think you will see more attention to detail, including articulation on 12 figures in the future. At this point we do not have plans for selling outfits separately, but thanks for the suggestion. Q: Whats the reason for so many exclusive figures especially in the 12 range. I would like to collect them but I’m not going to unless I can get all of them. Doesn’t Kenner realise there is a market for Star Wars figures outside of the US. I’m not going to pay scalpers prices for Spirit of Ben etc. Isn't it only fair then that we have exclusives for other areas outside of the US eg Pacific Rim ???? RR: We try to make our exclusives available Internationally when we can. The retail market is very different abroad, and we have to work within their constraints. On promotional figures, we have also made those available for Int’l promotions, but again it's up to the marketplace to guage demand. Q: Why can't we get the Hong Kong exclusives in the USA? It's not fair!!! RR: Sorry. Q: In regards to the 4 line and the 12 line - what exactly is the increase in production cost (in $$) added to a figure that has greater articulation at elbows and knees and will we see more of this? (eg: the Speederbike figures and the Cantina figs) This is my favorite change between the old and new line and I would love to see more of it, BTW.Similarly, is Kenner using greater articulation, or any other ‘gimmicks’ to advance their possibilty of acquiring the new Prequel contract from Lucas? RR: See answer on articulation and commenting on the prequels above. Q: Is the Yakface scheduled for release in October going to be a COMPLETLY new mold or a re-do of the old one? RR: EVERY POTF2 figure released since 1995 is from a brand new sculpt. The fact that they look a lot like the classic line means that we did a good job back then as well. Q: Might we ever see previously unproduced classic-style figures?[Yeah... animated Droids & Ewoks would be great!--AP] RR: No plans currently, but thanks for the suggestion. Other important notes: Luke Bespin will not be out until late ‘97 or early ‘98, not June as printed on the Hasbro Chat with Tim Hall & Steve Sansweet. Ewoks are also scheduled for 1998 (finally!) IG-88 was a brand new sculpt, so's 4-LOM, EV-9D9 (told ya so). They are loosely based on the originals in a few ways. The Prequel liscense has not been made yet, so Kenner doesn’t have them nor does anyone else as of today. I’m hoping for Kenner, though. I let them know that most of us would be VERY interested in a new Indiana Jones line. Wouldn’t it be great to see an Indy line compatible with Star Wars (but entirely new molds)? Or maybe a Movie Classics line with figures from various films (i.e., Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler, Marty McFly, Doc Brown, Dr. Zaius, Taylor, Indy, Short Round... you get the idea).