NYCC 2019 Q&A With Hasbro

We have an audio file of the entire meeting, but are having some difficulty posting it.

In lieu of that, here is some of the meeting in text form (some of this is paraphrased). Questions asked by Agustín are indicated as coming directly from Banthaskull.

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Banthaskull: Will there be an emphasis in 2020 on the 40th Anniversary of ESB?

Hasbro: We haven't revealed anything, but we will certainly be celebrating that movie next year.

Banthaskull: Any information on some things you might be working on? You mentioned that perhaps you are thinking of some playsets?

Hasbro: We were excited about the reaction to the Jabba's Adventure Set. The strong reaction to the Barge made all of this possible. What works influences our products, and what you are happy with, we want to do more of, and we saw the reaction to some playsets. You can expect to see more of that in TVC due to the scale being friendly to playsets and vehicles.

Question: IG-11 sculpt for TBS uses the IG-88 sculpt which was short, and IG-11 has different feet.

Hasbro: We did use the IG-88 body, but were able to add new deco and bandoliers, etc. It was because of the existence of the IG-88 body we were able to make IG-11.

Question: There are two TBS C-3PO's coming. Are they different?

Hasbro: Yes, there are two. One is from the ST which has articulated arms to hold the weapon well and has thermo-aromatic eyes to represent what you saw in the trilogy. The other has exposed wires to swap out arms and legs from ESB, and the Chewbacca is specific to ESB.

Question: Vac-metal?

Hasbro: Challenges are several. The current process doesn't work with typical plastic, so figures that use it must be constructed differently and means compromises elsewhere. Also it's terrible for the environment and Hasbro and Disney would need to partner with a company that can support the process in an environmentally safe way. We're looking for alternative ways and safer methods to do it. So we use different methods to give the gold finishes to C-3PO, and special silver paint apps for Phasma.

Question: We want these stands (not shown)

Hasbro: We know you love stands, but we're looking for the best ways to do it.

Question: How do you design a tiny character like Babu Frik? Would it even be possible in the smaller line?

Hasbro: There are challenges with small characters like D-O. Articulation for a character like Babu Frik is very difficult, and we needed to figure out how to give it some articulation for the 6" line. It has 6POA. We added some articulation to D-O and the porgs as well.

Banthaksull: About the C-3PO head...?

Hasbro: When the C-3PO is exposed to cold temperatures, the eyes turn red. Thermochromatic eyes. It's a cool process that we really like. This particular [sample] doesn't do it, because of certain spoilers, but it will happen.

Question: Price of Chewbacca and C-3PO pack?

Hasbro: $49.99. We try to control pricing.

Banthaskull: Sith Trooper Amazon Sith Trooper?

Hasbro: Sith Trooper will be $14.99. The Cave of Evil 3-pack [Dagobah] is $39.99.

Question: More Clone Wars is good. How do you pick which clones to do with so many?

Hasbro: We have so many on our list. The challenge is really the deco, and some have twice as many paint ops as a regular figure. Gree, Fox, Wolff, etc. We look for newness like Fox with the different helmet to help build out the clone library. $25 for Fox to do it right.

Question: Lot of exclusives. Can you share some international info?

Hasbro: Amazon is global. Walmart is global (through UK outlet). We'll announce the others at some point later.

Question: The hair on the Jannah is great.

Hasbro: One of the most complex tools was the separate hair for the Black Series Jannah.

Question: The cross bow...

Hasbro: Always cool to see a new accessory We have separate arrows and a bunch to fit in the quiver.

Question: The tattoo on Cara's face...

Hasbro: Able to do it because of PhotoReal.

Question: Exclusive Comic/Yavin Luke?

Hasbro: We want to help get something like this out to fans.

Question: [unclear]

Hasbro: [unclear]

Banthaskull: Anything come out of the awesome Jabba diorama at SDCC

Hasbro: It was a great way to gauge reaction, and we got great feedback.

Question: Multiples of troops?

Hasbro: We are always talking about future ways to make troop building easier.

Question: Leia decision over Revan.

Hasbro: We have a certain number of items in the line. Some are reserved for new. Some are reserved for repacks. New figures cannot replace repacks. If a planned repack is removed, it must be replaced by another repack. We heard a lot of negative feedback on the 2007 repack, so we took it out and after listening to what we thought fans want, we chose an OT character that was never on a vintage card. We know Revan is a popular character.

Banthaskull: Can you get in a new Palpatine before Chris leaves collecting [Editor's note: Meant as a joke!! --- I hope.)

Hasbro: We certainly hope we don't lose Chris, but we are waiting to see what Palpatine's role might be in IX, so no plans at this time.

Banthaskull: Rocker ankles for TVC?

Hasbro: Hard to execute well while balancing aesthetic. It's not about cost, it's about what characters can have it executed well. If we have the opportunity, we would certainly do it!

Question: What's with the gold figures?

Hasbro: It's a harkening to the past, while honoring the entire saga.

Banthaskull: AT-ST complaints about wobbly legs? Was this fixed for the Mandalorian release?

Hasbro: We increased the tolerances to prevent the joints from slipping and having the vehicle fall. The huge "head" on the thin legs were a challenge. But we had to do this vehicle when we saw it for the show. We did a [kitbash] to make the Klatooinian figure.

Banthaskull: Does the Klatooinian come on a TVC card inside the box?

Hasbro: No. But possible for future release.

Banthaskull: Star Wars HasLab?

Hasbro: It was important for Hasbro to branch out to other properties. We're always working on HasLab ideas, and you might see one in the future, and we'd be excited if that happens.

Question: How do you choose the characters for the 18 gold figures?

Hasbro: We wanted the iconic characters for all the movies.

Question: TBS Luke Dagobah?

Hasbro: We shared an update at SDCC. The figure is destined for a 2020 reveal. You'll be pleased.

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