Update 3 of 3
(Questions 1-26)
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Hasbro Employee and all around groovy chick Jen Donahoe answers many a frequently asked question in this week's special edition of Q&A.
 1 What's the deal with the CommTech R2-D2? He was missing from the first shipments and is one per case in the later ones... can we expect him to ship in greater numbers soon, or order them from Hasbro or the Fan Club? -Adam
He will be available in the next assortment. It will be all the same POTF2 figure, we're just adding him back into the mix. He was delayed in production.
2 Will there be Internet or fan club exclusives in 2000? If so, will they be from the original trilogy, the prequels, or some of each? (And can we have a hint? :) -Adam
Yes, we return to exclusives, in general, in 2000. The fan club definitely has exclusives, and we can't say at this time if Hasbro will have Internet exclusives or not. Exclusives can be Classic or Episode I, you'll just have to wait and see.
3 Why did Hasbro opt to re-make the original Skiff rather than tool up a new one more accurately proportioned to the figures? -Adam
We intend to generate
interest among collectors and our kid targets simultaneously by offering
a vintage ship, in an exciting new presentation. While we are always
looking to keep our costs down during production, we chose to bring back
the vintage skiff for several reasons. Its lots of features add play
value and allow kids or people interested in setting up dioramas to
reenact the signature "Sarlaac Pit" scene. In order to get product out
to market quickly and concurrent to the Skiff 3-pack, we opted to go
with existing tooling and get creative on deco and
packaging.
4
Based on original molds...R2-unit is modified to be more authentic to the film. Deco on ship and packaging is looking very good. The R2 unit is dedicated to the vehicle.
5 Is there any truth to the rumored Bacta Luke and Porkins figures mentioned on a few web sites as being available in 2000? -Adam
We are looking very strongly at these figures, but it's too soon to tell. Porkins really wants to make an appearance in 2000, so look out.
6
No.
7
There are no plans or hints at this time.
8
Since the database has over 600 items, a few errors were made and will be fixed as soon as possible. The Calamari Cruiser was canceled as was the entire Collector Fleet Assortment. Darth Vader will come with the Interrogation Droid later this year. And the 12" Nute Gunray.
9
Darth Vader with Removable Helmet and Princess Leia as Jabba's Prisoner.
Upcoming figures..The new Stormtrooper with increased articulation and
color change battle damage is VERY cool and a great "army" builder for
dioramas. I hope to one day do a Biker Scout as
well.
10
We wanted something that could double as an action figure stand. The
team worked very hard at different ideas and everyone just became fond
of the CommTech chip design.
11
Most will appear in 2000.
12 Any truth to the rumor that the as-of-yet unreleased Carbon Freezing Playset that was scheduled for 1998 will show up in 2000? -Adam
No plans at this time.
13 On a few web sites, figures like Mas Amedda, a blue Senate Guard, and Sio Bibble have been pictured. They're pictured on stands that look pretty interesting... are these new CommTech chips or just stands? What is the design based on? -Adam
The CommTech chip has an all new design for 2000. Again, it's just something that the team developed and thought worked well.
14
An all new Boba Fett is very high on our list, but you might have to wait until 2001.
15 Another highly requested figure is the as-of-yet unreleased (in 4" size, anyhow) Princess Leia Organa as she appeared on the escape from Bespin-- white jumpsuit and looped hair. Any chance of seeing her soon? -Adam
No plans to do that figure at this time. We did do the Epic Force figure which captures this part of the movie.
16
Yes, we will actually give fans the opportunity to give us their opinion on which Pod Racer they would like to see as Action figures in the next month or so in the Voting Chamber section of the new Hasbro Star Wars website.
17
The arms go behind his head to re-create the scene.
18
No plans at this time.
19
With her own comic book, do you think we would pass on doing her as an action figure?
20
Yes.
21
That might be a possibility down the road, weíre still evaluating many different figures.
22 Can we expect a "Duel of the Fates" cinemascene with Maul, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan? -Adam
No plans at this time.
23 Will we see a release of the mini Episode One figures and Naboo Fighter on the web site or elsewhere? -Adam
We are hoping to have more information on those items in the near future, but nothing we can say right now.
24
No plans at this time.
25 Is there any item that you would like to see produced that hasn't been announced or already made as of yet? -Adam
Personally, the Biker Scout. We are really getting to a lot of the figures that collectors have been requesting over the years. We will continue to make classic figures, so don't give up hope if your favorite figure hasn't been made yet. We do also love to look at polls on different websites.
26
Yes, due out approximately in March.
FIN
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