Hasbro and their Star Wars brand team held a media round-table with us and a few other Star Wars fan-sites today in regards to their upcoming Star Wars Rogue One products. The Hasbro Star Wars brand team members on hand included the following:
Joe Ninivaggi, Senior Manager, Global Brand Marketing
Andy Ochiltree, Senior Manager, Global Brand Marketing
Steve Bono, Senior Design Manager
Bill Rawley, Product Design Manager
Here is a breakdown of the question and answers given.
Question: With the Death Star featured in Rogue One, what are the chances of seeing a new Death Star playset for the 3.75" line? \
Answer: They said No plans at the moment for such a playset. It is something they are always looking at, but it is a challenge to try and do something like that at an acceptable price point. It was said the advantage the original Death Star Playset playset from Kenner had, was there were a lot of sequences from A New Hope that took place in the Death Star that they could link together to make a great playset with a lot of play patterns. If they get a lot of sequences from a movie that they can link together for great play, it makes for a better playset and more feasible to do.
Question: Will their be a 6" scale Dewback?
Answer: No plans right now but it is something on their list that they are looking at.
Question: Will their be a Celebration Exclusive at Orlando next year?
Answer: Yes but no details that can be revealed at this time.
Question: What can you tell us about the next vehicle for the 6" Black Series line? It was said during SDCC that more would be coming?
Answer: More 6" vehicles are coming but nothing they can comment on yet. Look for more details in the Spring.
Question: Did the sales of the 6" Tie Fighter meet expectations:
Answer: The sales of the 6" Tie Fighter did meet expectations for them to continue doing more 6" vehicles.
Question: Will more articulation ever return to the basic 3.75" line.
Answer: No plans to expand beyond the 5 POA for the basic line. That is their sweet spot that allows them to keep the price point down and still be fun for kids. They more articulated 3.75" figures will continue in the Walmart exclusive Black Series line.
Question: Any chance of a 3.75" fan choice poll in the near future.
Answer: There is a good chance for a 3.75" fan choice poll in the near future. There will also see another 6" one in 2017.
Question: What can the new 3.75" U-Wing vehicle, which is a troop transport only hold one figure?
Answer: They know the vehicle is listed as a troop transport but they had to sacrifice the ability to hold more figures for features that make it more fun for kids. They try and keep the vehicles accurate in regards to look, but also have to make sure it includes features that makes it fun for kids, while keeping the price point at a certain point. This sometimes means they something has to be sacrificed like the ability to hold more figures.
Question: When will we see a Black Series Force Awakens Luke Skywalker figure released?
Answer: Hasbro didn't see Luke till after the movie was released so that is why one hasn't been released yet. One is coming but not in 2016. A figure takes about 12-18 months to make and the earliest they could have started on it was last December when the movie came out and they first saw Luke.
The showed off their upcoming Black Series Stormtrooper helmet. It is very movie accurate and in scale. Some minor changes from what you see in the movie had to be made for the battery, speakers and so it could be removed without having to twist it first. Still the sculpting detail on it seemed very nice and something the designers are very proud of. Its made from ABS, movie quality material. The mic inside has two positions you can put it in, for folks with larger noses.
