Hasbro 2003 Preview

On March 12th, 2003 Hasbro invited Rebelscum out to their Rhode Island headquarters for an advanced preview what Star Wars fans can expect see in the coming year. As we saw at the recent 2003 Toy Fair, the focus is now shifting to the "Clone Wars" storyline - which will chronicle the events that take place between Episode II and Episode III. Attendees to this event include many of the better known toy websites, from GI Joe to Star Wars and points in between. Toyfair and Lee's Action Figure Digest are also both on hand for the presentation. Today we will not only be seeing all the major Hasbro toy lines, but also the Hasbro Collector winners - who were both on hand for the event.

As visitors walk into the headquarters, just past the reception area, there is a giant glass case with a diorama celebrating the 50th anniversary of Mr. Potato Head. The huge display features an over-sized Potato Head standing on a birthday cake surrounded by Potato Heads dressed in various costumes and party gear - including one in a Darth Maul outfit and a Stormtrooper Potato Head holding up a "Star Wars Rules" sign. Next to the display is a six-foot tall birthday card to the beloved spud, available for all to sign.

Off to the left behind the reception area is the presentation room itself, which is lined with slick glass cabinets filled with the different Hasbro toy lines currently in production - Tranformers, Zoids, GI Joe, Star Wars (of course), Stikfas, MicroMachines, and Wizards of the Coast. Hasbro's presentation covered all of these lines, with a slideshow presentation mixed with short video clips and commercials.

There was also a tour of the Model Shop available for visitors to see for themselves the process that is used in creating toys from concept drawings to final maquettes. Attendees were treated to glimpses of toys in various stagesof production, such as a larger scaled Ephant Mon, concept drawings of the Jango Fett Unleashed statue, and a number of Disney toys. No photography was allowed during this tour, but it was nice to get a sneak peek at the inner workings of the company we focus on so intently.