I've been Mugged

I think its the right time to own up to the world that I have another Star Wars series that I am collecting. Its the Star Wars Muggs series. But I'm only impartial to the troopers of this series. Here is my meagre collection. I have been poisoned.

Now we know

The reason behind the dearth of Titanium vehicles in the recent Celebration IV has been answered. SSG hit the gold mine by getting an exclusive interview on the exhibition floor. Here's some of their notable conversation with Hasbro's people. SirStevesGuide.com: At your panel yesterday, there was nothing on Titanium Series 3-inch die cast vehicles, what happened here? Is there some sort of trouble with the line? Derryl DePriest: I honestly just ran out of time to prepare. If you notice, we don't even have the tent cards (the cardboard brand cards at the tops of each display case). But the 3-inch vehicles are going strong and will continue well into... forever, hopefully. We have lots of new models coming out. I just recently got Titanium under my group, previously it was done by a different group. But the line will be continuing on with 3-inch vehicles, with a mix of Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica, and we're looking to get more Battlestar out there. To the fans at home: definitely, the line will keep going. We're even doing a survey about it here at our booth. SSG: Back to Titaniums, any thoughts about doing Titanium Series vehicle multipacks with diorama playset backgrounds a la Galactic Heroes battle packs? DD: The Titanium multipacks we had out before didn't seem to do well, I don't know if it was because they weren't all unique, only some unique, and we put patina ones in there - patina ones were not popular, they want the real thing. Maybe we'll relook at the concept, we'll think about that, the Galactic Heroes packs are pretty popular.

Unleash the beginning

I know this is a bit late, but with the news coming in from Celebration IV, I've pushed it back and back and back. Now here it is; something on the Force Unleashed game. Watch the vid. How can you not get excited over this game. As Haden put it simply, the core gameplay is; Kicking someone's ass with the force!

New vehicle designs

Great news from Celebration IV. JediDefender has brought in news that Hasbro has noted fans reaction on repaints, and they will produce more new vehicles from the films and expanded universe. Their words, exactly .... Hey folks, more word from the convention floor keeps trickling in. Our guys in the field have reported back that the "concerns" over the number of repaints in the Titanium Series 3" Vehicles Line have been noted by Hasbro! The Hasbro gang said you can expect more NEW vehicles from the films as well as a trip into the Expanded Universe to get new designs mixed in the line. Good news for fans of one of Hasbro's hottest sub-lines! That is superb news after the scant pics of new waves at the exhibition.

Amazing Animation

Once the disappointment has subsided, I'm ready to be uplifted again. Now, by the real thing. The Clone Wars 3D animation. A teaser trailer is now ready for viewing at the official site, and the wow! factor is stamped all over it. Head on over there and you can see why. Here's something from Youtube; if you do want want to wait for the streaming, but not as sharp as the official one.

Pics from Celebration 4

Images are coming hard and fast from Celebrations IV in LA. But what is shown were not show stoppers. 4 pics of new titaniums and all repaints. Duh! Of the 4, one grows dear in my heart. What else a jedi starfighter with hyperspace ring in GREEN. All pictures are thanks to the Rebelscum.com website

What Vader is thinking ...

When I first saw this entry in Amazon, I was deeply in wonder why R.L.Stine, writer of children's horror books would be allowed to write on one of the most intriguing story in Star Wars. See below; Darth Vader / Anakin Skywalker Novel (Star Wars) (Hardcover) by R. L. Stine (Author), Ryder Windham (Author) Then a few days later, the official site gives more light on this novel; Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader. Written by author (and all-around Star Wars expert) Ryder Windham. Okay, no Mr Stine. Fooohhh! ... what a relieve. This is getting better now. This hardcover recaps all six episodes from Anakin's perspective. Now that would be awesome. To know why he does what he did. It is due out in October 2007. However, my only misgivings is that this book is listed under the Young Readers Book. Hmmm...

More on Titanium Transformers

Whilst trawling round the net and Hasbro's newly published website for transformers toys. This coincides with the impending Transformers movie in June. I noticed 3 Titanium die-cast that would fit perfectly into my small titanium Transformers collection. And they looked really good. There are also 2 more figures from the old cartoon series that looked good to get too.

Another Titanium Question

Sandtroopers: I really love the Titanium line, however the recent increase in repaints scares me into thinking that Hasbro "may" be running low on ship ideas. I would love to see the inclusion of more video game/comic/cartoon vehicles (i.e. TIE Hunter, Outrider, and more specifically the TX-130, AT-XT, and the much beloved Torrent Starfighter). I think these would be welcome additions and breathe much needed diversity to the line. Has Hasbro thought of including more non-film vehicles as opposed to repaints? Hasbro: The problem with this model is that these ships are less iconic and (we think) will probably have less demand and appeal, and at the same time Titanium vehicles are expensive to develop and tool up. So while we would like to explore some of these options, the best balance for the line will be a continued focus on the most reognizable vehicles with a measured entry into some of the others like the ones you mention.

Stamp Your Authority Lucas

In conjunction wih the United States Postal Service (USPS), a set of stamps has been produced to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Star Wars saga. Wanna lick Queen Amidala and Princess Leia? Or you prefer to lick a wookie ...

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.

Unleash the Force

Remember previously, I was raving about rumours on George Lucas planning to make a Shadows of the Empire-like extravanganza. As quoted below from the official site. Shadows of the Empire was the first time fans and collectors were able to purchase a Star Wars novelization, action figures, vehicles, card sets, a video game, comic books, roleplaying game supplements, and even a soundtrack -- all based on a story without a movie. Well, the rumours has now been confirmed as true. Force Unleashed is going to be the next multimedia spectacle. Here's a quote from the official site. LucasArts is preparing an unprecedented promotional effort around the launch of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, encompassing a full line of toys and game-based action figures from Hasbro, as well as a full publishing program from Dark Horse, Del Rey and Palace Press. The timeline for this game is between Episodes III and IV, players hunt Jedi in the role of Darth Vader's Secret Apprentice. So it is during the dark times when the jedi were being purged. Here's the highlights of how the game plays; Unleash and upgrade the Secret Apprentice's four core Force powers -- Force push, grip, repulse and lightning -- throughout the course of the game, and combine them for ultra-destructive, never-before-seen combos. Examples of unleashing the Force in ways never thought possible: The Secret Apprentice won't just Force push enemies into walls -- he'll Force push enemies through walls; The Secret Apprentice won't just Force grip foes to throw them aside -- he'll Force grip them in midair, zap them with lightning, then drop them to the ground to explode like a bomb. In addition to new adversaries created just for the game, such as fugitive Jedi and Force-sensitive Felucians, players will also confront and associate with familiar faces from the Star Wars films, including Darth Vader. Visit locations such as Episode III's Wookiee homeworld Kashyyyk and the floral Felucia, the junk planet Raxus Prime, plus an Imperial TIE fighter construction facility. Decisions made by players throughout the game will determine the path of the story, including multiple endings that will rock Star Wars continuity as they know it. Can't figure out how all this looks like, here's a recap of the video which I had shown previously. Simply AWESOME!!

New York Toy Fair 2007

The New York Toy Fair starts this weekend in New York of course ... duhhh! What does it holds for the Titanium series? I have a feeling, it won't be much, since there was little murmurs of this line in the build up of the fair. Little? Or maybe scant or non-existent is more the case. But I hope there will be surprises though.

Sith Fighter EU backstory

I've just realised that the back of the bubble contains a synopsis of how Vader's fighter came into being. Here it is, verbatim: As the hand of the new emperor, Darth Vader had at his personal disposal a small fleet of identical black starfighters, formerly belonging to the jedi order he destroyed. As his reputation for ruthlessness spread across the galaxy, it was the shadowy silhouette of this starship for which the inhabitants of rebel worlds began to scan their skies, rather than the threat of a fleet of star destroyers. The arrival of the imperial fleet meant only danger; the arrival of one of these dark ships meant total destruction. Awesome stuff!

Ultras in the Horizon

The onslaught of news on the titanium series has been awesome. Here's the answer from Yoda's News question to Hasbro. YN: The titanium Red Royal Guard TIE Interceptor looks sweet! Is there a chance a 3-3/4" version might be in the works? H: Not in the near future, but you can bet it's on our short list of awesome things to try for future exclusives! Well, they told us that the Ultra line will be exclusives about 3 months back. This further cements that resolution. However, when the hell will Hasbro be announcing the first few Ultra exclusives? Tell us something already!!!

Tidal wave of Titaniums

More good news from Hasbro. This time from ActionFigs ... ActionFigs: With the onslaught of Titaniums Series 3" vehicles lately (5 waves hit stores from beginning of October to end of November) are there less vehicles per wave being produced or are they just moving that fast? Also, will there be refreshes of these waves for collectors that missed them when they were briefly on shelves? Hasbro: There are not fewer vehicles per wave, in fact, they are just moving that fast. There generally are at least 4 vehicles per wave but most average 5 or 6. Unfortunately there will not be refreshes per say but you may see one of the vehicles you may have missed later in the year. Happy hunting! Okay ... I have to scrounge up more dough and figure how to store/display them in the near future. No biggie. No refreshes thats bad and good in a way, cause they will not clogged up valuable shelf space or pegs. So hopefully the vehicles that Hasbro are putting back to retail would be the ones that I'm missing now.

More Titanium Speederbikes?

Another website, Galactic Hunter had their question answered about speederbikes. Galactic Hunter: Titanium action figures seem to have found a nice niche. Is there any chance of seeing some of the cool speeders, like the Return of the Jedi Speederbike, made in metal? This would open the door for a whole new level of detail (similar to Gentle Giant's Speederbike mini-statue). HASBRO: Keep your eyes peeled… you will see some speederbikes in the mini scale in the future. As far as a full fledged action figure scale, there are no plans for that at this time, but thanks for the suggestion Some more speederbikes? We had already four of them. All on the military grade speederbikes. Luke on a speederbike Stormtrooper on a speederbike Leia on a speederbike Paploo on a speederbike Well, Hasbro did just mentioned the Republic speederbike. Maybe they are going to repaint and retool the military grade speederbike? Then there is the S-swoop speederbike, done in the Micromachine line (1st column, 3rd row). But as you can see, there are loads of other speederbikes that can be introduced. Take a guess.

More insight into the rumours

A few entries ago, I talked about a rumour list being bandied around. Ok, I have a few insights into the matter. Concerning the V-wing, I did a scan through of my EP3 DVD and I think I saw their shapes in the middle of the Battle of Coruscant. Not as sharp and large as what the official gave but the shapes (like a tie fighter wings) did flew in a distance in the background. Also, when Sidious brought a charred Anakin to the med centre, the V-wings were flying guard. And lastly, when the Emperor and Vader was overlooking the Deathstar, the V-wings were buzzing around. So, it is confirmed that the V-wing did make an appearance in EP3. Then, concerning Obi Wan's and Plo Koon's Jedi starfighter. At first, my thoughts were that they were based on the EP2 starfighter ships with the hyperspace rings. Now, with the emergence of a Lego vehicle below; these Jedi fighters would be based on the EP3 vehicle. But since we had already loads of EP3 Jedi starfighter with different colour schemes, my guess is these new ones comes with hyperspace rings as above. Wouldn't that be mouth watering? And as for the B-wing, that's a straight repaint ... no doubt about it.

More Hasbro's Q&A

This came from SSG (Sir Steve Guide). Not a big news item, but news just the same for the titanium line. Q: The 3" Titanium series X-Wing mold is being rereleased as a Dagobah version soon but the S-foil wings are stuck open on this mold which doesn't look right for the paint scheme. Will Hasbro eventually make a new X-Wing that has opening/closing wings? How about a new 3" Titanium Millennium Falcon with retractable landing gear, or other Galoob die-cast molds that could use updating? A: At long last the X-Wing will be retired after the release of the Dagobah version. We have plans for a completely new x-wing in 2008 with retractable s-foils and flip down front and rear landing gear. Well, I did throw in my rant about the Dagobah X-wing in this entry. It's good to see it resurrected later in 2008 with new movable parts.

News on Future Vehicles

Hasbro has confirmed 2 vehicles that will come out later in the future. Someone asked them about EU vehicles that he would loved to see as a titanium vehicle. And to his foresight, he had guessed 2 of the new vehicles that Hasbro has planned to produced. Q: Let's talk Titanium. The 3" line has grown into a fan-favorite as many fans have been sucked in by the appeal of these little beauties. As we head into 2007, can we expect to see more ships from X-Wing and TIE Fighter video game series? So many ships from which to choose - the TIE Defender, TIE Avenger, Z-95, and Stormtrooper Transport are a great place to start! A: We have a looong list of new and re-paint vehicles planned for 2007 (and beyond if the line continues to do well). Our plans are to dip into the expanded universe realm and video games for more inspiration for our vehicle selections. It may take a bit, so look for two out of the four vehicles on your list to make it to shelves near the middle of 2008. Here's how they looked like; Tie Defender Tie Avenger Z95 Headhunter Stormtrooper transport My guess is that Hasbro will make the Tie Defender because they had already made it for the Action Fleet series. The other would be the Z95 Headhunter, it's the easiest to tool since its predecessor was the X-wing and most fans would know this ship than the rest.