Google teamed up with ILM to show off the impressive rendering capabilities of their new Seurat VR technology. Suddenly, I really want Dark Forces VR.
If you’ve been part of this hobby for any period of time, you’ve seen a number of products grace the shelves that leave you scratching your head. Currently we’re staring at upscaled Franklin Mint chess pieces on our pegs. Exactly no one ask for these metal paper weights, yet, there they are. Hit the read more link for a walk down memory lane of some other Hasbro Star Wars products no one asked for.
Like many a wannabe hipster, I got so into The Beatles in my younger years that I burned out on them while still in high school. That being said, this is fairly brilliant. Hit the read more for the vid-ja.
By their own admission, Screen Rant’s 15 Bold Predictions For The Last Jedi is purposefully outlandish (i.e. they’re trying to predict the unpredictable). While I do think at least one will come to pass, it’s not meant to be a likely forecast of what will unfold on screen in seven months. Some of the predictions can probably be dismissed fairly quickly, however. I don’t think Disney is in a rush to remind us that the PT exists.
Our friends at Jedi Temple Archives have shared what they learned from the Hasbro team at Celebration Orlando regarding what vehicles would look like in the Vintage Collection if they return. While the news isn’t exactly rosy, now is the time to make your voice heard if you feel strongly about this segment of the line. Hasbro, the 3.75” scale exists because of vehicles. It’s two sides of the same coin.
The return of the Vintage Collection was announced last month at Celebration. In a dramatic presentation that built to a pregnant pause, the line’s return was heralded with one figure: a re-release Jakku Rey from Walmart’s exclusive 3.75” Black Series line. Hasbro, if you launch the line with that figure, we’re doomed. It has nothing to do with the source. It’s just the market. Hit the “read more” link for our thoughts.
Also, we realize the launch wave is probably locked in at this point, so we’re not expecting this article to change anything, but at least we’ll get to say “we told you so”. And that’s what the internet is for, after all.
An interesting take on Disney’s recently announced plans for 2019 domination by Forbes contributor Scott Mendolson. A May release would sound like a return to the comfort zone, but is Star Wars IX being sacrificed at the box office for the greater good of the House of Mouse?
Target.com has a preview page of the Bistan / Shoretrooper Captain 5POA Rogue One two-pack online. Currently, out of stock, but potentially retailing for $14.99. Keep an eye out, if you’re looking for this offering.
Have we, the collectors, been broken by Hasbro? Are we Rick to their Lucille-wielding Negan? Has our will been shattered by the five year hiatus in our beloved line? What is the record for consecutive questions? Hit the read more link for our thoughts.
MakingStarWars.net found a link to a (since removed) pre-order page on a European hobby shop website that showed what was labeled as “Kylo Ren’s starfighter” Image may be spoilery, so advance with care!
Disney announced its quarterly earnings today.
Disney “beat The Street” with higher than expected EPS (earnings per share) of $1.50 vs. $1.41. Unfortunately, its overall revenue was slightly lower than expected, coming in at $13.34B vs $13.45B.
Many observers were concerned about recent issues with ESPN, one of the largest drivers of Disney’s business. Nevermind all that Star Wars/Marvel/Pixar nonsense, it’s all about sports! We’ll see how investors feel as they absorb the news and prepare for tomorrow morning’s opening bell. After-hours trading shows Disney shares dropping almost 2%.
Some background to the announcement can be found in this interesting article, which essentially lays out how Disney’s media networks division (led by ESPN) is responsible for 3 times the revenue generated by its film division (which includes Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar). So despite an insane run at the box office (particularly the $1B worldwide gross by Beauty and the Beast), ESPN’s high operating costs (case in point: nearly $2B per year for their Monday Night Football package) weigh mightily on Disney’s bottom line.
Most Impressive. My colleague Chris is a Darth Vader connoisseur, and will be reviewing this as soon as it arrives on his doorstep. I’ll be in a world of hurt if they ever decide to do a 501st.
We are all excited that TVC is coming back next year. We should be satisfied with this news, and should simply be patient and hope for the best. But we’re obnoxious collectors, so we’re also looking for a suitable line of vehicles to compliment the new line. Just look at the awesomeness of this thumbnail below! No, we’re not looking for a battle-damaged repaint of the misrepresented and oft-maligned Rogue One AT-ACT. Or…are we?
The Force Friday toy list, which has been making the rounds lately, might be tipping the plot for The Last Jedi. Do not click through if you’re trying to stay spoiler free. However, if you want get a possible glimpse into the Episode 8 broad strokes, hit the read more link below.
Coming soon from Sideshow. Check out the preview image here.