NYCC Hasbro Preview Party: JTA's Q and A With Hasbro
Date: October 10, 2014 at 12:15 PM ET
Topic: Hasbro


Our Q&A session was with Hasbro rep, Joe Ninivaggi, Senior Brand Manager, Star Wars. He was a complete pleasure to interview and I hope he knows he is my new best friend. The banter back and forth was enjoyable, humorous and poignant. And he was completely upfront about where Hasbro stands with collectors and the Star Wars brand itself. You shouldn't expect to hear your first desired answers to these questions, but we think you'll like to hear what he had to say. So, without further adieu….



Q. What is going on with paint operations? Are you aware of these poor applications yet? Is there a conscious effort to reduce the cost in this part of the action figure process?

A: Hasbro is aware of the paint operations issues on the figures in all the lines currently at retail. They even mentioned that they have read our store reports of some of the more extreme examples. It is their utmost priority and goal to produce the best action figures possible. When asked if it had to do with the figures getting made at a new factory in China, JTA was told that this wasn’t the case either. So, while we didn’t get a direct reason from a causation standpoint, Hasbro did assure us that mends are on the way as far as paint operations are concerned an d they’re working hard to get things fixed. Joe from Hasbro also made it a point to tell JTA that the paint operations are looking really good on the Star Wars: Rebels figures. He is certain we will all be pleased.

Q: Will the realistic Captain Rex (phase I) that was intended to be part of the cancelled Legacy Collection “2” lineup ever get released?

A: That Captain Rex figure is not planned for The Black Series line. Hasbro alluded that the focus was on the clones from the Lost Missions episodes so that they could give us these characters “right on time” while these episodes are still relatively fresh. The Captain Rex that was show wasn’t intended to replace the LC2 version, but there just aren’t any plans to get the original version out yet. JTA personally begged/encouraged Hasbro to get it out.

Q: Why have no Star Wars: Rebels figures made their way to retail in time for launch of the television show. That seems like a very bad move, no?

A: Hasbro confirmed that the figures have been released out to retail. But they will dig deeper to see if something has gone awry. (Editor’s Note: JTA brought up the point that if the Rebels line shares the same assortment number as the Star Wars [Darth Vader/Revenge Of The Sith] line look that it would make sense why we haven’t seen any yet. Thanks to research on Yakface.com’s part, we discovered that the assortment number is the same. This is likely why none of us are seeing them. Even so, we find it odd that not one store report has been mentioned. So we believe something else may have happened as well. We will have to wait for further clarification on this.)

Q: Please give us your open and honest reason why the TBS Yoda (#22) figure only comes with five points of articulation when Boss Fight Studios revealed that the figure was intended to be super-articulated.

A: Hasbro tries to make the best figures possible. And they try to include special extras for the collectors’ line. In the case of Yoda, Hasbro opted for the inclusion of multiple realistic soft-goods in place of articulation. Not completely satisfied with this answer, JTA brought up the Luke Skywalker (Dagobah Training) figure and how the double hinge-jointed elbows didn’t work and perhaps if they eliminated this complex articulation that the money could have been used to upgrade Yoda. JTA also brought up that the TVC Yoda (VC20) has premium articulation, multiple accessories and soft-goods as well and still cost $9.99. Hasbro said “duly noted”. I got the sense that Hasbro agreed that Yoda perhaps could have been approached differently, but they said that he looks great, has premium soft-goods and plenty of accessories. My feeling is that they know collectors are unwilling to accept sacrificed articulation for anything.

Q: For the Star Wars brand, what is Hasbro’s position on who buys the products? Collectors, kids, or parents/adults for gift-giving?

A: All of the above.

Q: Why were the AT-RT Driver and the Republic Trooper cut from wave 5 of The Black Series line? They were figures that collectors desperately wanted.

A: Hasbro (our rep) honestly didn’t know the answer to this question.

Q: What is the status on the reshipment of figures like Ponda Baba (Walrus Man) (VC70) and Emperor’s Royal Guard (VC105) (that JTA has been asking about every time we see Hasbro since 2012?

A: There are no plans to reissue either figure yet, but Hasbro is well aware that these figures could stand to be re-released. (Editor’s Note: I really, really begged Hasbro to get out the ERG ASAP.)

Q: Any chance of a return of Deluxe/Class I sets and/or Battle Packs again?

A: Battle Packs: yes (perhaps in an exclusive format); Deluxe/Class I/Figure with Vehicle: likely

Q: Collectors are nearly dying for realistically styled Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane collector quality action figures. What are the chances these would come to fruition.

A: Hasbro will eventually get to them. They would love to release them.

Q: At Toy Fair, Hasbro stated that we would see the basic figures focus on Episode VI the closer we get to Episode VII. We don’t necessarily see that happening, but rather Episode VI characters are just getting peppered into the basic figure line. Are we all still on track for that?

A: They will continue to get peppered into the collectors’ line. The Saga Legends line will have a heavier focus.

Q: The solid figure cases seem to be relieving desperate demand for figures. You can actually go online right now and order a TBS6 Stormtrooper for just under $20. Are you seeing this as a good move from a business standpoint on your end?

A: Absolutely. This will continue as well.

Q: The Black Series is playing more of a role to collectors as creating a deep sense of loss for The Vintage Collection. And with some obvious peg-warmers we wonder if the line isn’t performing well enough which would necessitate a return of TVC. Is The Vintage Collection coming back anytime soon?

A: The Black Series is doing extremely well, despite what you may be seeing out there. The Vintage Collection won’t be returning right now.

Q: Why can’t Hasbro prepare for a whole calendar year at once? Perhaps release a healthy batch of all the basic figures for the year (maybe 40-60 figures) on a certain street date and have this product available all year to sell through at all retail levels. The replenishment system is a total failure and new methods are necessary. Would it be too much thinking outside of the box for this method to ensure product makes its way to retail?

A: Wave strategy gives newness at the retail level. Seeing new figures on the pegs is a huge driving force in the success of the brand. Hasbro is gradually improving this process and they’re hopeful that it will only get better.

Q: What can super-articulated collectors expect as far as Star Wars: Rebels action figures are concerned?

A: Hasbro wants to do collector quality action figures but they don’t know if and when that will happen.

Q: Are there still TVC figures in your warehouse? If there are, are there plans to get them out to retail in one form or another?

A: The Vintage Collection is completely “gone” from Hasbro’s perspective. If any do show up at retail, it’s from that retail’s own warehouse, not Hasbro’s.

Q: In many regions, Saga Legends and Mission Series are cluttering the pegs. Is it just the area or are they selling as expected?

A: The lines are very successful, but Mission Series is the most successful. Collectors will see a lot of two packs in the Star Wars: Rebels line look.

Q: Every year JTA manages to squeeze a few secrets out of Hasbro for our readers. They eat it up. Can you please give JTA something to take back to them that we could exclusively reveal?

A: After a roundabout answer, we were able to confirm that Captain Rex is coming in the TBS6 line.

Q: The Darth Vader (#26) figure is the best Darth Vader figure Hasbro has ever produced. Are there any plans to use it as a basis for an Original Trilogy inspired (new) Darth Vader action figure?

A: Joe N. from Hasbro reached out to his designer and the answer was no. Joe brought up the point that they did a great TVC Darth Vader (VC93) design. I expressed “yes, that’s a great figure, but the #26 figure is better and Hasbro could make the ultimate OT Vader (both styles) from it”. The points were duly noted however.

Q: Will collectors (not kids) see any classically styled Class II (mid size) vehicles or Class III (larger – like Gunship range) vehicles in the near future.

A: Yes, you will all be very happy.

Q: If you simply repainted some of your amazing already existing super-articulated action figures, is it still just as costly to manufacture them at the factory level? In other words, is it much cheaper for you to utilize a pre-existing sculpt than to create a new one. If it is cheaper, why don’t you release a ton of Build A Droids, clones more often than you do.

A: It definitely is cheaper to utilize a pre-existing sculpt and repaint it. Hasbro wants to include all-new sculpts into the line to provide balance. (JTA clarified this point and stated that we wished to see more repaints not to replace the all-new sculpts, but provide more figures (the amount) and more variety in the line. Hasbro reiterated they want to keep a balance in the line. JTA specifically requested that Hasbro get out the Clone Trooper Captain and the Clone Trooper Commander out in the VC45 sculpt. Hasbro duly noted this too.

Q: What is up with the paint operation discrepancies between the original TVC figures and the reissued TBS figures? (JTA showed Hasbro the Starkiller (Galen Marek) and Darth Malgus comparison pictures from our RDRs.)

A: Hasbro agrees that something isn’t right and made notes to see what happened in these instances.

Q: Are there any new astromechs coming in The Black Series line (aside from R5-G19).

A: Hasbro said that there might be one more coming, but Hasbro isn’t completely certain about that answer.

Q: What happened to the Han Solo (Hoth Outfit) figure planned for The Black Series line?

A: It has been indefinitely suspended.

Q: Is Yak Face coming?

A: Joe from Hasbro thought about the answer for a minute cracked a smile and said “No, nothing is planned.” When I confronted him on him breaking his composure he said “no, he really isn’t planned” so I don’t know what to think at this point.

Q: Why did Hasbro choose the TIE Fighter Pilot as the new symbol for The Black Series line.

A: To tie (no pun intended) some consistency together with the Star Wars: Rebels line look.







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