Hasbro's Questions & Answers #49

     Don't forget, you can submit questions in our forums and we'll try to get as many as possible submitted to Hasbro. We can send only three questions per week, so make sure they are good ones! Now, on to this weeks Questions and Answers directly from Hasbro.

Q. As of this writing, StarWars.com has just released imagery of the new Clone Wars line's packaging.  In that article it was stated that the new line will debut on July 26th.  Is this the kind of hard street date that we've seen in the past with the other movie lines, and do you expect your retail partners to hold midnight madness type events?

A. It is a hard street date that will be held across the entire Star Wars Fall line (the Legacy Collection included).  There will indeed be similar activity as during Episode III, but the exact nature has yet to be determined.  We will keep everyone informed as the details shape up.

Q. The current state of the Star Wars planogram in stores has evolved to the point where shelf space is at a premium.  And it seems that barring exclusives, the Starfighter vehicle line is the only vehicle line that we can expect at most stores.  Certainly, we've seen speeder bikes packed in the Battle Pack line, but what about other small vehicles like the land speeder or Coruscant speeders?  Can we expect vehicles like these at all?

A. Shelf space has always been at a premium in the boys aisle, and this year is no exception.  While speeder bikes will return in Battle Pack format, the other vehicles are not a part of our focus right now.  We just haven't had the slot to put a landspeeder in the line. It seems to make the most sense as an exclusive, but hasn't made the cut yet.  As for Coruscant speeders, these don't seem to be that exciting or in need of a re-release right now, and haven't be an area of focus when it comes to the Starfighter vehicles.

Q. In a previous Q&A with JTA, Hasbro grudgingly seemed to confirm that we might be getting a giant Emporer Palpatine's holographic head.  Would said hypothetical offering be in the Basic Figure line, or part of a Battle Pack?  And if it is part of a Battle Pack, what else might we get in such a set? [post-Toy Fair note: This was confirmed at Toy Fair]

A. Chuck – we are pleased to announce the details on this one.  "Disturbance in the Force," the HasbroToyShop.com exclusive for San Diego Comic Con, consists of an existing Vader, a newly tooled base with lights and sounds, and a new holographic Emperor bust.  When the medallion in the center of the base is pressed, the hologram and light in the middle of the medallion light up, and a loooong sequence of movie dialogue is started.  This is one cool exclusive, and will also be available online after the Convention starts.

Check back in a few weeks and we'll post the next round of Questions (and answers) as soon as Hasbro offers them.