Hasbro Bi-Weekly Q & A

Here's a roundup of Titanium news from Hasbro's bi-weekly question and answer session. SirSteveGuide Q: :We received the following open-ended answer back on November 3rd and were wondering if there were any new developments on it: SSG: Lots of fans love both Jedi Starfighters and were looking forward to the AOTC Action Fleet release and then the ROTS Titanium 6"" Ultra release, both were canceled just before going into production but were tooled up. Could these be saved from limbo and presented as an exclusive special Titanium 2-pack? HASBRO: We have no plans for Action Fleet at this time, but stay tuned for new on the Titanium vehicles. We are working on a way to bring them to retail. A: We still do not have any plans for Action Fleet at this time due to other priorities for the line. As for the Ultra series, the last vehicles are coming to TRU as exclusives and that will complete this series. There is nothing more planned for this line exclusive or otherwise. TheJawa: Q: Whatever happened to the 3 3/4" Battlestar Galactica figures you once said were coming out at the end of 2006? Sure enough, we saw some cool Titanium ships from BG, as promised. But what about the figs? A: The whole Titanium figure program for Star War was scuttled due to disappointing sales of the first waves. This includes the Battlestar figure. While there are no plans currently, we wouldn't rule out the possibility that these figures could eventually ship as retailer exclusives at some point.

Sue Rostoni

Sue Rostoni, Lucas Licensing Managing Editor, the "stitcher" (thats what I call her) of the Star Wars EU (expanded universe). She's the one that makes every Star Wars story on printed material connected to each other, in one way or another. She keeps a blog found under Star Wars blog community here. Sometimes, she would reveal nuggets of info in her entries; like this one. She has published an entry on Delrey's publishing schedule for Star Wars novels. Here's a "grab" of 2007 schedule. You can see the rest from her blog. May 1, 2007 Legacy of the Force: Betrayal, mass market paperback reprint Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy, trade paperback omnibus May 29, 2007 Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice, hardcover June 26, 2007 Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, mass market paperback reprint August 28, 2007 Legacy of the Force: Inferno, mass market paperback September 25, 2007 Death Star, hardcover October 30, 2007 Republic Commando: True Colors, mass market paperback November 27, 2007 Legacy of the Force: Fury, mass market paperback The most important omission is the Darth Plagueis novel. Sad to say, it has been canceled. Oh well, I hope the Sith past can be told in other forms, some other time.

Games Galore

It's not all about The Force Unleashed. The gaming net is now abuzz with 2 "new" Star Wars game. Well, sequel perhaps. First up is the continuation of the Knights of the Old Republic Saga tentatively called KOTOR3. Then there's rumours on the sequel of the other hit game in the Star Wars stable, Battlefront 3. But, the rumour continues that this game would be an XBOX360 exclusive! aaargh. That is really bad news if it turns out to be right. Is it time to upgrade my xbox?

My Spider senses are tingling ...

I chanced upon the titanium series for the Spiderman 3 movies last week at Paragon. The 3 Spiderman figures were quite small and spindly. The only interesting figures were that of Goblin, Venom and Sandman. The Goblin figure was the best amongst the 3. Sandman somehow has a lacerated line around his neck (maybe for head movements?) and Venom's teeth (mouth area) looks that it could have been done better. I could get Goblin and Venom only but 2 doesn't make a collection. If only they had made a free-standing Spidey and the black Spidey in the size of Venom. Oh well, I decided to let this series go it's way. However, I'm still hoping for Ghostrider's titanium bikes, they look good.

Lelong! Lelong!

Going through the yahoo auction site, it seems that 2 collectors are getting out of their titanium collection hobby. They have advertised to sell their collection of titaniums at quite a king's ransom. I think to me at least, these titaniums were meant to be released from their bubble packages and displayed with affection. Then, they will be something to be proud off and not cast away when the "fad" runs out. Like real!!

More on Titanium gone wild

And to add to the crazy world of titanium series, Hasbro has come up with the Fantastic Four titanium line. Duhhh .... Torch looks weak, Dr Doom and Ben Grimm looks nice enough to collect. If Invisible girl is any good I might collect these? hmmm ... let me think about it. And I'm still looking for Ghostrider's bikes ...

Son of Suns ... or was it?

I was intrigue with the end of ROTJ (special edition) when the revelers were shouting Son of Suns. I was pinpointing the fact that the revelers would not be shouting for Vader (since he's still the bad guy in everybody's eyes), which probably meant that everyone was celebrating Luke's triumph in overthrowing (physically and literally) the Emperor. Recently, the official provided a podcast that has lots of content in which one of it was about the chanting at the end of ROTJ. I clipped only the relevant material. Just listen. Hmmm ... Son of Suns or Chano Chan or Sano Sa ...

Star Wars Vault

The official site has announced an interactive reference package called The Star Wars Vault. It includes audio, visual and interactive cds to tell you the history of the monster vehicle that is the Star Wars saga. This mega scrapbook has everything you need to know, judging by the stuff they put in. 50 interactive, rare and some never-before-published memorabilia, including reproductions of Lucas's own handwritten script pages, flip-through catalogs, swag, posters, T-shirt transfers, tattoos, stickers, blueprints, production notes, animation cells and much more! Hundreds of photos and pieces of artwork. 2 CDs containing over 2 hours of vintage radio ads, original cast interviews, excerpts from the NPR Star Wars radio drama, the complete Star Tours soundtrack, George Lucas's commentary and other tracks that tell the story of everyone's favorite galaxy battle as never before. It is massively mouth-watering.

Exile in the bag

I've finally found Exile in San Bookstore. But you see, as I said earlier in a previous entry, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I've just finished the John Connor Chronicles (a Terminator 2 book) and I've got 3 unread books waiting. The comic tpb (trade paperback) that is Rebellion, the hardcover Allegiance and now the paperback Exile. I think I'm starting the comic first get it out of the way and then Exile and afterwards slowly start on Allegiance. That sounds like a good plan. wouldn't you think so?

More news on the Cartoon 3D

The official site has came out with the interview on George Lucas talking about the various projects being undertaken by Lucasfilm. Featured on the page is the excerpt of his interview about the clone wars 3D carton and the live tv series happening in 2008. The file was a bit grainy to hear so I had to download it in my pc to hear it a few times. This is the highlights of what I can make out from the recording Recreating the ambiance of the movie in a cartoon form. There is nothing on tv quite like this. The animation will break all the rules. The movies are about the Skywalker story, but the tv series is like a spin-off to what happens to various characters in the Star Wars universe. On the Live action series, he doesn't talk much about it. The only thing he said was that the TV show is basically 1 show split into 4 shows, each show is about different characters. Maybe each character's development intertwines with each other to create one big series. Lastly, check out the high res of Yoda's mug; COOL!!!

Better Book News

But the best news is the announcement of a new guidebook. Its called The Essential Guide to the Force. And the placeholder cover for it is below; The official blurb on it; Learn the history of the Jedi and their enemies -- from the most ancient battles of light versus darkness chronicled within the recesses of long-lost Holocrons to more contemporary conflagrations recounted by heroes such as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Leia Organa. Discover the myriad ways to contemplate and use the Force. Wield a lightsaber through different forms of combat, and for the truly brave, tread the path of the dark side and study the secrets of the Sith. This guide book is scheduled to be release in November 2007. I hope the doctrine of the Sith would be fully revealed. You know the anti-thesis of "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to Hate. Hate leads to Suffering" thingy as said by Yoda. Maybe for the Sith to turn to the light side ... it would be "Valor leads to peace. Peace leads to love. Love leads to contentment." ... duhh! thats bad, I know.

Book News

A slew of book news was announced by the official site. First off the block, a very strange "book cover" of the 6th Legacy book, Inferno. This, I'm sure, is what they called a placeholder cover. A "substitute" photo to get consumers to go ga-ga for the upcoming novel. But the best bits are the text describing what's happening in the book; On August 28, 2007, all hell breaks loose in the Legacy of the Force series with the release of Inferno by Troy Denning. The galaxy has exploded into an all-out civil war, and casualties are mounting on both sides of the conflict. Here, I would interject with a Guns N Roses lyric; What's so civil about war, anyway?

My Brother, My Enemy

While searching for Exile, the 4th book in the Legacy series, I've chanced upon another new comic TPB which is on my list of getting. It's the Rebellion vol 1 : My Brother, My Enemy. It's the continuing story of Janek Sunber of Empire vol 7 : The Wrong Side of the War. This is bad, so many books so little time. What am I gonna do? I'll have to put this on the shelf until I finish Allegiance, which I haven't even started reading yet ... duhhh!!!

I pledged Allegiance by Zahn

I've finally bought myself a copy of Allegiance. After a whole lot of nitpicky decision, I saved about $4 buying the hardcover from Kino at Taka. Well, a penny saved is a penny earned. Got to do that since Exile, the 4th book of Legacy is coming out this week too. I'm also gonna take my time reading Allegiance, cause I'm in the middle of reading Terminator 2 : The John Connor Chronicles Book 3. So don't bust a gut if the review doesn't come out sooner. Sorry.

Cover for Force Unleashed novel

It might not be the final art but it looks nice just the same. So to recall the details of this book; Star Wars(r) The Force Unleashed Written by Sean Williams Category: Fiction - Science Fiction Format: Hardcover, 304 pages On Sale: September 25, 2007 Price: $25.95 ISBN: 978-0-345-49902-8 (0-345-49902-6) And the official blurb on this; The official The Force Unleashed novel by author Sean Williams will cover the events of the game, as well as provide fans with a more in-depth story than they will get from the game alone. Although the game features multiple endings, this novel will be one of the only places where fans will be able to find the official "canon" ending -- the definitive conclusion that will mold the events of the Star Wars galaxy for the future.

Sweet ULTRAs!

Well, TRU has just come out with pics of the vehicles of 2007. And they looked really good. Even the repainted ones. On the bad side, their release date has been pushed back to May 07. Oh well, I can wait.

Titaniums gone wild

I've heard and seen the new titanium die-cast for Spiderman 3, revealed at the New York Toy Fair just recently. Now be prepared for .... Ghost Rider titaniums ... duhhh!!! Will I be getting them? ermmmm ....