Hasbro Q&A
Posted by: Beedo Sookcool 10.22.08 12:01am
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Wa tetu dat uta, gang! Well, judging by the uproar on this new-fangled electrical internet system, I wasn’t the only one who had trouble getting myself one of those TFU Stormtrooper Commander figures. In fact, such was the hullabaloo that for the first time in months, I received a Q&A submission . . . from someone who doesn’t also work for Creature Cantina, hasn’t worked with me on another site before, or isn’t actually me. Amazing. Well, if you want to know about Stormtrooper Commanders, the Empi . . . er . . . Hasbro’s secret Darktrooper project, and the bounty hunter legacy (which, I’m pleased to say, is not an upcoming trilogy from that continuity-destroying hack, Jeter).

CreatureCantina.com: Dear Hasbro: Seeing the plethora of different ’Troopers in The Force Unleashed and the debacle that was the Stormtrooper Commander release, what are the chances of seeing a few retailer exclusive TFU Trooper sets? As a ’Trooper collector I would love to see the Stormtrooper (with 501st clone markings), Navy (Naval) Comando, Clone/Stormtrooper hybrid, Scout Trooper Commander, Shadow Navy (Naval) Commando, etc. etc. etc, not to mention an accurate Shadow Guard (with correct armour) and a re-release of the Stormtrooper Commander. Help Me Hasbro, you’re my only hope.
- Blackadder69, loyal reader and ruthless, sadistic maniac.

Hasbro: The Force Unleashed looks to be on its way to being perhaps the best selling Star Wars game in history - no mean feat with predecessors like Battlefront III and KoTA. Equally as passionate have been the fans, and “when are we getting more TFU figures?!!” is easily the top question for this Q&A session. We like TFU as much as you and we are looking at adding additional characters. If we did, they might not be here before Spring 2010, but many of the characters you suggest are high on our list. We are looking at a way of getting the TFU Stormtrooper Commander back out and available, possibly for Comic Con next year.

Beedo’s Asides: No, I’m with Tresob . . . TFU is no great shakes, if the PS2 version is anything to go by. We just love the ’Troopers. And as for taking a poorly-distributed outlet exclusive and making it a convention exclusive, available at only one place on the planet (in the USA, of course – screw the foreigners) for a mere day or two? There is so much I could say on that subject, and none of it in polite company. And I think they mean “KotOR,” not “KoTA.” Unless “KoTA” is some game I’m unaware of.

CC: With the Darktrooper winning Fan’s Choice, does that improve the odds of a new Phase III Darktrooper with proper scale and, I don’t know, maybe increased articulation?
- Steve “Solo” Rensi, staff writer and military expansionist

H: Yes, and no. The Fan’s Choice vote was to guide us in the re-release of classic characters, not to impact future development of the line. However, the response has been so huge to this figure that we have something very special planned for a new version next year. Details will be available around February. Trust us that this one will be very special.

CC: It’s pretty obvious that someone at Hasbro loves Bossk. I mean, he uttered three words and one snarl onscreen, and he’s had, what, four or five different toy versions since 1995? I realize there’s probably very little or no chance of 3¾”-scale versions of his Hound’s Tooth or Nashtah Pup ships being made, but howzabout a ginchy retro-jag CAP-2 Captivator reissue for our little Trandoshans to tool around in? Or, come to think of it, any of the cooler mini-rig-sized toys? I’m thinking specifically of the ISP-6 Shuttle Pod, Desert Sail Skiff, One-Man Sand Skimmer, Ewok Catapult, and Vehicle Maintenance Energizer.
- A. Nonymous, loyal reader and in need of a lift.

H: It isn’t just us. Bounty hunters are *cool* and fans seem to have an insatiable appetite for their kind. You will no doubt be very pleased by one of the ships we have in store for the Titanium Series next year. As for 3¾” versions of Trandoshan ships, it’s highly unlikely except if they do show up in a significant way in the animation or live-action entertainment. Given the animated Clone Wars team’s affinity for cool canonical alien species, it wouldn’t surprise us if they did show up at some point, and our vote is for Bossk and his ship to be part of the action.

Beedo’s Aside: No, I actually strongly doubt that A. Nonymous, will be pleased with an upcoming Titanium Series ship, because I know for a fact that he doesn’t collect them. But if Hasbro says that Titanium collectors will get a kick out of something they’re making, I don’t doubt that at all.

So there you have it, gang, straight from the Hasbro’s mouth. Lots more ’Troopers (in both variety and quantity) on the way, and they’re looking out for the bounty hunter fans. Oya!

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