Hasbro Star Wars Q&A - Session 20

On November 13th, we sent our twentieth batch of questions to Hasbro to once again take part in their Star Wars Question and Answer sessions. Today, we've got the answers to those three questions!
1. Following up on a question from a previous round of Q&A - we asked you about the future of the second Imperial Scanning Crewman and you said he's in the EU Wave... but that's the case where the second Bespin Guard is, so we think you may have confused your variants. Is the second Scanning Crewman displaced at the moment or will he definitely make the basic figure line in 2010, even if it takes a card change before we see him?

** We were trying to get the second Imperial Scanning Crew Member into the EU wave, but we can confirm now that this will *not* happen since all production has been wrapped up for the red/white Legacy lineup and the factory was not able to get the Crewman in. At this point, he will not be produced in the Legacy line. He remains an important variant to bring out and we will be looking for ways to get him into the line, but at this point it will likely not be before 2011. He *will* eventually make it out, but we just need time to slot him in.

2. Again, a follow up from previous - no Bespin Han in 2010, eh? I have to tell you, that's a huge bummer to a big Han fan like myself. With the 30th Anniversary of ESB, I thought he'd be a lock for 2010. Now you have to tell me which Han we're getting in 2010 so I can regain confidence that my main man is going to be treated all right in 2010! If you can't tell us which Han it is, can you at least tell us the source he's from?

** Bespin Han has been pushed out to 2011, to make room for a *new* Han that we have not produced before. We can't tell you exactly which one just yet, but it is from a brief scene and features a new jacket. We were excited to be able to deliver some newness for next year with the 30th Anniversary of EpV on tap.

3. Well, we're heading into the home stretch for 2009. By the time we get answers to these questions, we could very well have the final 2009 wave (Willrow!) in our hands. Looking back at the past year, with the Legacy drop-off issues you've had to deal with, where there any big surprises? Any item that sold more than you were expecting? Any item that didn't sell as well as you'd hoped? What were the team's favorite items for 2009?

** 2009 was without a doubt one of the most challenging years we have had to deal with. The year is not over yet but some of the surprises have been the lower than anticipated interest in many of the new exclusives. We thought that this year was a high watermark in terms of the number of significant new exclusives we were able to deliver, but it simply may also be that there are too many choices. The exclusives were also some of the team's favorites, with the Geonosis Arena 2-packs bringing many new characters, along with the Wal-Mart power trio of the AT-ST, Dewback, and Octuptarra Droid. The latter in particular is a simply astonishing piece that many fans seem to have missed, and should be one of the centerpieces of any modern droid army. On the bright side, we were pleased with the strong reception to the Deluxe Figure/Vehicle packs, showing that there is a real need for individual craft in a dedicated assortment.

Sideshow Premium Format Jedi Luke Up for Pre-Order

Sideshow Collectibles is now taking pre-orders for the Premium Format Jedi Luke Skywalker figure! Click here to pre-order the Sideshow Exclusive version or click here to take advantage of the FLEXpay option.

Sideshow 12" Emperor Palpatine and Throne Announced

Sideshow Collectibles has posted a brand new teaser image to announce their upcoming 12" Emperor Palpatine figure complete with additional 1:6 scale Throne Environment! Priority Pre-Ordering for both items will begin next Friday, December 18th at 10AM Pacific!

Sideshow 12" 41st Elite Corps Coruscant Clone Trooper

Sideshow Collectibles has also posted a brand new teaser image to announce their upcoming 12" 41st Elite Corps Coruscant Clone Trooper figure! Priority Pre-Ordering will begin next Thursday, December 17th, with the launch of the weekly Sideshow Newsletter!

Celebration V Tickets Now On Sale!

Individual tickets for Star Wars Celebration V are now on sale at StarWarsCelebration.com! Click on over and grab your single-day or four-day passes now and stay tuned for details on the VIP upgrade promotion at a later date.

Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG Update

LucasArts has updated the Star Wars: The Old Republic website with a new feature on the Jedi Consular player class. Click on over to check out combat videos and screenshots.

Star Wars: The Old Republic - The Threat of Peace

LucasArts has also posted another new update to The Threat of Peace, the Star Wars: The Old Republic on-line comic. Click on over to check out Issue #3 of Act III, Uncertain Surrender.

The Clone Wars: Act on Instinct - Part 7

The Clone Wars online comic is back for Season Two of the hit animated series. In Part 7 of The Clone Wars: Act on Instinct, the Separatists make their mystifying move.

Star Wars Soundboards Update - Grand Moff Tarkin

The Official Star Wars Website has added fifteen new Grand Moff Tarkin quotes to their Star Wars Soundboards. Click on over and have some fun with everyone's favorite Rebel under-estimater.

On Sale Today at Toys R Us

Toys R Us is having another one-day sale today and a Star Wars item is once again included in the deals. The Evolutions multi-packs are on sale for just $10.89 each, a savings of 50% off the regular price!

A Closer Look at Upcoming Walmart Comic Packs

Hasbro has passed along new carded and loose images of the three upcoming Walmart exclusive Star Wars Comic Packs currently slated for early 2010. Click on the thumbnails below to check out the pics!

Star Wars Tales #4 -
IG-97 & Rom Mohc


Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron #1 -
Plourr Ilo & Dllr Nep


Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Leader #2 -
Storm Commando & General Weir

Shipping From Dark Horse This Week

Arriving at your local comic shop this week is Star Wars: Clone Wars #11 from Dark Horse Comics. Can't wait to read it? Well then check out Dark Horse's website for a preview to tide you over!

Star Wars Action News - Podcast # 224 Available

Star Wars Action News has posted their latest podcast episode entitled Time to Celebrate. In this episode, the SWAN team discusses the big C-5 news and reviews the new novel, Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil.

Celebration V - We've Finally Got Details

Lucasfilm and Reed Exhibitions have finally announced the location of Star Wars Celebration V. The big show will take place in Orlando, Florida on August 12-15, 2010. Orlando in August? Let's hope the AC is working!

Walmart is Rolling Back Prices on Star Wars

Walmart is rolling back prices on a number of Star Wars toys. The exclusive LEGO midi-scale Millennium Falcon set is now just $25 and all three of the basic Star Wars figure lines are now just $6 each! Click on the thumbnail to check out the deals.

On Sale This Week at Target

This week at Target, you'll find the mid-size Star Wars vehicle assortment on sale for just $17.99 each. A great time to stock up on some of those Republic or Droid Tanks. In addition, you'll also find the LEGO Separatist Shuttle set on sale for $19.00 (while supplies last).