Transformer Q&A with the Transformers team at Hasbro
The Transfromers Brand team at Hasbro gave us (and other media outlets) the opportunity to ask 5 questions to the team. Here then, are the results of the oct 2008 Transformers Brand Q&A. IF you want to ask questions to Hasbro about transformers - leave them in the comments here and we will pick some for next time.
What's the future of the G1 reissues? Will the "Encore" line contain the Dinobots?
We are looking at doing a couple more G1 re-issues in Fall 2009, but no specific plans yet to announce - they will likely be retailer exclusives if they do make it out. As for the Encore series, that is a series that TakaraTomy does in Japan and I can't really comment on their future plans.
What's the future of the Masterpiece line? Will we see a Masterpiece Grimlock that transforms into an anatomically realistic T-Rex?
We are looking at a few options of existing Masterpiece products to bring over to the US. Also we have been in discussions with TakaraTomy on a new character for Masterpiece… so hopefully you can wait patiently for an announcement!
Will there be more Alternators?
At this time we have no plans for Alternators. We can only focus on so many things at a time and our plate is full in 2009 with Animated, Universe, and Movie.
How about the new Alternity line - will that make it to the states?
There are no plans to bring the Alternity line to the US in 2009 as there are already a lot of projects the Hasbro Transformers team are working on supporting Universe, Animated, and the new Movie.
Will classics Jetfire get reissued?
We typically won't re-issue the exact version if we do bring a character out again in Classics (see example of the new Starscream). But there are no current plans for a another Jetfire in Universe in 2009.
Comments
23 comments postedWhy an anatomically T rex, isn't a mechanical T-Rex much cooler???
I think the point with "anatomically correct" was a mechanical T-Rex that stood with its spine/tail parallel to the ground, like in Jurassic Park. That's how archaeologists are now saying T-Rex and other similar dinos stood...no more tail-dragging! Sorry, Godzilla!
So, think "posture". Still mechanical with grey metal, chrome silver and gold, and translucent bits! Just like G1!
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Sanjeev
Nevermore from TFArchive is compiling a big list of links to all the Q&A stuff, I hope it's okay if I mention yours :)
They were good questions, but somewhat disappointing answers, to be honest. Oh well, Hasbro and Takara will still be getting a lot of my money for years to come.
I sincerely doubt that Hasbro would have little to do with distributing more Masterpieces, BT, and Encore to the US since they're more interested w/ other projects. I have ZERO TOLERANCE on the live-action movie crap. I can tolerate TF:ANIMATED as a cartoon, but sadly the animated toyline aren't worth my collecting time.w/ the exception of Titanium/Universe. I mean why the heck should they put those Japanese TFs in their agenda anyway? Were not going to see Chogokin-style Alternators anyway(I'm tired of plastic-bots), and thanks to this 'CULTURE OF FEAR' our government/media had been mustering to the American psyche for over a decade straight; I sincerely doubt that the MP-04 will be distributed here unless they decided the paint the whole thing orange. All these tedious limitations got Transfans like me frustrated and why? b/c honestly, Hasbro's cheap and PC. That's my opinion and it's a sensible one. However, it seems likely to see more Titanium which brings me to my questions for Hasbro:
What about the future of the Titanium line? I've noticed 2 to 3 War From Within toys that were displayed at the 2008 Comic-Con this past summer. Will there be anymore 6" in Titanium figures like a G1 Grimlock or a G1 Cyclonus in the near future?
Also, are there any plans for a revamped-detailed G1 Constructicons Gestalt Team set for the Universe line? If so, will there be 5 or 6 combiners?
Those are my 2-3 questions you can consider asking Hasbro about the next time. In the meantime, I'll be collecting more Japanese TFs while Hasbro continues to play their 'beating around bush' rhetoric like they always do to hordes of transfans begging for elaborate answers about G1 Takara stuff.
-R78
You forgot to put in the bit about "UN-altered REPRODUCTION and DISSEMINATION of this IMPORTANT information is ENCOURAGED!"
As for the questions: It's amusing how two of the five questions were basically "when do we see more Grimlock?!" and the answers totally ignored that.
Personally, for Grimlock I'd rather see a bit different--Car Mode, and Robot Dinosaur Mode. Don't bother with the humanoid robot form, because who the hell cares about Grimlock's robot mode? We want to see a firebreathing robot T-Rex!
I can answer those questions for you myself, Rodimus.
1) No. Titanium is over. The War Within figures you mentioned are probably Prowl and Grimlock, which had a very short run as a Toys R Us exclusive a month or so ago. Universe is basically the line for collector's now, and with a Grimlock already done, and Cyclonus also getting a Universe toy, even if they brought Titaniums back, you wouldn't be seeing those two characters.
2) The only Devestator combiner we can expect will be for the movie.
Can't say I mind the demise of Titaniums. I've been raised on plastic toys since my youth, and they generally hold together much better in the long run.
Don't fret, though. A Masterpiece Grimlock is on the way from Takara, and judging by the price, it'll be even bigger than any other Masterpiece figure released so far.
Thanks a whole lot Sprocket. That's all I want to know. I like my answers to be straight-forward and detailed, not brief and flatout like those Hasbro reps had made. Your answers were very blunt but very satisfying.
It didn't suprise me that Hasbro terminated Titanium. I had to admit I'm a little heartbroken that they abandoned it all together b/c it was good to see Chogokin G1 TFs in the US retail markets once more. However the Titanium line became an total failure due to bad execution and lack of engineering skills. That toyline I can live without.
I'm far, far, far from interested in the.....so-called movie version of Devastator. I am so disenchanted with Hollywood's 'dumb-down' trend of movies it's not even funny. I have seen a few good ones that justified my ticket money's worth, but a few is not enough. I want another traditionally animated 'Simpsons Movie' but that's another story. As far as Hasbro's concerned, I really don't give a SLAG about what they have to offer. If Hasbro plans to make a Universe version of Devastator, I might think about it, but I'm having way too much fun with my Takara TF collection, I really don't need their American toyline to make-up for old times.
I am very, VERY pleased to hear that a Masterpiece Grimlock is on TakaraTomy's agenda. This toy will be the most anticipated Transformers toy for me in next year.
With a toy like that, who needs a movie? Not me that's for sure.
If Masterpiece Devastator is on their upcoming agenda list, I can absolutely wait for that to appear. But first's thing's first, Takara really needs to produce an exclusive trailer armor for the MP-02 Masterpiece Ultra Magnus. Honestly, I can hardly wait for that one to come on out.
-R78
Uh,hopefully you're aware that Habro isn't just "cheap and PC",there actually are legal problems with releasing a repro Megatron in the U.S.
Also,when you keep mentioning how much you prefer the Japanese TF's over the American product,I assume you're referring to the Universe 2.0/Henkei toys which are for all intents and purposes the exact same toy on both sides of the pacific.
But,hey,if you've got some kind of pent up nerd rage to vent,don't let me stop you with logic!
...because we all know that George W. Bush is responsible for the thirty-year-old legislation preventing replica toy guns from being sold to children.
"Uh,hopefully you're aware that Habro isn't just "cheap and PC",there actually are legal problems with releasing a repro Megatron in the U.S."
I've been aware of Hasbro's legal issues for many years now concerning G1 Megatron as well as licensing issues w/ character names w/ their toy brand (such as the reissue TF Hot Rod was renamed Rodimus Major or Baroness was renamed as Chameleon from the 2001 G.I. Joe reissue lineup), but reissuing 20th Anniversary G1 Optimus Prime and dissing the Japanese TF products ala G1 Encore all together DOESN'T add up. That's being disrespectful to their hardcore audience. You don't see Mattel being mean to their customers. I mean Mattel has released their cool Masterpiece He-Man & the MOTU lineup on their collectors online store website, but Hasbro doesn't have shit on their TF collectors website in regards to Masterpiece, and etc.? Where's the logic in that?
"Also,when you keep mentioning how much you prefer the Japanese TF's over the American product,I assume you're referring to the Universe 2.0/Henkei toys which are for all intents and purposes the exact same toy on both sides of the pacific."
You are correct, both versions have the same sturdy plastic content, but keep in mind that one is more accurate than the other. Henkei has MORE stuff than Universe does such as chrome parts and G1 cartoon accurate paint schemes. So despite my discontent w/ Hasbro, I'm willing make a neutrality on Hasbro's side of the bridge on a VERY limited term. Since I'm generally pro-G1/BW, it's obvious that I'll go w/ the Henkei toys more than Universe b/c I've only seen 2-3 Universe toys that fits to my liking, most notably Universe Jetfire, Ultra Magnus, and Ironhide.
"But,hey,if you've got some kind of pent up nerd rage to vent,don't let me stop you with logic!"
I'm okay with people reasoning me with logic.....
...I'm just NOT ok w/ SLAG-Holes reasoning me with RHETORIC.
I know it's an old topic, but relevant with the times so I felt I needed to reply to this.
Well Mr. Kidnicky, I hope this clarifies to where I stand w/ the G1 Universe/Henkei line-up, and that pretty much sums it all up.
-R78
But I love Tail dragging. And I would LOVE to see a robot mode of Grimlock. But why Grimlock? They can't paint it white and call it something else and they can't paint it black and caal it something else.
HA! Thanks, Sprocket, for posting that pic of the MP Grimlock prototype below!
Well, Berzerk, I guess we're getting tail-dragging, huh? ;)
I love it. I think the design looks awesome (tail-dragging or not). Granted, you're right: there are no readily available repaints for this mold, but then again, there wasn't for Megatron either. Still, I could sorta see them do a black repaint like that Dark Retribution WST (unlicensed) set. Plus, TakaraTomy/Hasbro definitely has a history of crazy repaints. I mean, they just released the new Universe Powerglide in three colorways (I just picked up the all-red Jp version)!
Anyway, I tend to agree with Rodimus78. The Titaniums were a nice idea (getting gokin back into Transformer toys), but the designs were just awful as a whole (granted War Within Grimlock wasn't TOO bad). The Animated line isn't bad, but I haven't seen the cartoon and I just can't seem to bring myself to pick up too many "cutesy" TFs. Oh, and the movie line? Ugh. The movie was miserable and the toys were subpar, at best (though I did pick up Leader Prime, which was nice). The Universe line has some bright spots here and there...we'll see how that plays out.
Alternity may be nice, but I don't know if that's going to be a full line or just a couple pieces like those stupid shoe-formers. MP Grimlock's the best news in a while, in my opinion.
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Sanjeev
We're getting a totally G1 tail-dragging Masterpiece Grimlock, it's official!
Along with...Mickey-Mouse Prime?
Grimlock has always looked more like Gojira than like T-Rex.
And, y'know...like I said before. Who cares about Grimlock's robot mode? I mean, seriously now. I'd rather see a Binal-Tech version with some fancy engineering to, as I said, go from car to robo-dinosaur. Just ditch the humanoid robot entirely.
edit: Grimlock has "Waiter Mode"?
edit2: I like the scrubbed-out watermark on the images there. Real classy, guys.
Yay for MP Grimlock!
I'm not as nostalgic for the character since I didn't see him in G1, but I am far more enthusiastic about this MP than I was the4 previous two. I think it'll do well as a successor to MO Prime- ridiculously complicated transformation, gimmicks unique to the character, and awesome detail, poseability, & size in both modes.
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CollectionDX Staff
Sprocket...you did it again. This is the best news I've seen this year. I wonder if MP Grimlock is the size of Trypticon or even bigger that Trypticon. Oh yeah...this news definitely made my day.
As for Mickey Mouse Prime? I'm very surprised with the conception of Disney meets Transformers toy, but this really, REALLY amazing. I am very impressed. I wonder what would TakaraTomy come up next with this lineup? How about a Red Custom Steel Clan Gargoyle Giant Robot that transforms into a jet, and comes w/ a David Xanatos pilot figure. If you guys and gals are familiar with the groundbreaking 1990s TV cartoon show, GARGOYLES made by Disney, then you know what I'm talking about.
-R78
Ha! I remember Gargoyles. That was a pretty hot cartoon back then. Did it ever finish? There was a sort of continuity plot, but I don't recall there ever being an "ending"...
Anyway, I'm not so enthusiastic about Optimouse Prime. Intersecting properties often don't turn out well. Check out the Star Wars Transformers, if you want an example (though I have been tempted by the Darth Vader Death Star).
...
One thing no one has mentioned on the new TF toy front is the upcoming Transformers Mighty Muggs. I can already feel all the eyes rolling across the internet! But for real, if you give these guys a chance, you'll see how unbelievably cool they are. For example, if you're into Marvel Comics at all, you NEED to get some Mighty Muggs of your favorite characters. They're awesome.
And now, they're finally getting around to making TF Mighty Muggs! As far as I know, no pics of them have been released yet, but I can't wait.
...Can you imagine an Omega Supreme Mighty Muggs??? ;)
Anyone with me on this?
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Sanjeev
Dear Sanjeev....you're prayers have been answered.
Yep, I saw that announcement somewhere (maybe it actually was a BBTS newsletter!). I'm so psyched because, if Hasbro's other Might Muggs releases are any indication, they'll be doing LOTS of characters. The Megatron and Soundwave ones are a must...but somehow Prime and Bumblebee seem a bit off. No matter...I only stick to my favorite characters anyway.
W00T, as they say!
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Sanjeev
Heh,I was going to mention the watermark. If you're going to remove it,at least try to hide the fact!!!
I'm so excited about that Masterpiece Grimlock. I don't own ANY of the MP's,even Prime,but I'm buying this one. Who cares if real T-Rex's didn't drag their tails,if I'm buying a big "collectible" be-all,end-all version of the character,I want him looking like GRIMLOCK did on the show and in the original toyline.
BTW,I may very well display him in robot mode, I'm actually a big fan of all the Dinobots' robot modes.
And LOL,my GF loves Disney,so I'll probably end up with Optimouse Prime!
I think it would be pretty cool if they could design the toy such that if you have Mickey in the driver's seat of the truck, then he can STAY IN THE SEAT all the way through the robot-mode transformation; you don't have to pull him out, transform the toy, and then put him back. THAT would be a cool feature!
Mighty Muggs are awesome,they take the best part of designer vinyl,combined with your favorite characters,and you can buy them at your local Kmart or whatever for 10 bucks.
I allready have Boba Fett,and I've been meaning to get Wolverine and Venom. (running out of space,though!)
Anyway,here's your pics. This one shows Optimus and the first wave of G.I. Joe:
http://theblotsays.blogspot.com/2008/07/gi-joe-and-transformers-mighty-muggs.html
This one's just an illusration of Bumblebee,Megatron,and SOUNDWAVE!:
http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/188356-transformers-mighty-muggs-wave-1-pic.html
Sort of weird how some characters get cartoon accurate eyes (Optimus) and some get toy accurate eyes (Soundwave).
Also a little weird that they can't spell "Bumbelbee".
Oh man...those are TOO awesome!!
It's funny how these lil guys are like a drug! Once you start, they're so irresistible! Prime, Megatron, and Soundwave are a must...I've never cared for "Bumbelbee". ;)
Like I said, I wanna see Omega Supreme, a cartoon-accurate Skyfire, Devastator...
From the GI Joe line, I've got Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow on order...passed on Duke & Cobra Commander. I wanna see Zartan, Destro, and other iconic villains...
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Sanjeev