399 replies to this topic

[Kevin Mayle]

Statistical Difference between Star Trek and Star Wars franchises:

Star Trek 1966-2006 = 40 years
10 films + 30 seasons of TV = 815 hours
815 hours divided by 40 years = 20 hours 23 minutes per year
Star Wars 1977-2006 = 29 years
6 films + 5 seasons & 3 telefilms of TV = 45 hours
45 hours divided by 29 years = 93 minutes per year
20 hours 23 minutes divided by 93 minutes = Star Trek is 13 times
more productive than Star Wars

Historical Difference between Star Trek and Star Wars franchises:

Star Trek - 3 seasons, Network cancels based on Non-Demographic ratings
system, fanbase brings back franchise. Creator Gene Roddenberry stays
with franchise till death.
Star Wars - 3 films, well recieved, followed by flop smattering of TV offerings,
followed by death of toyline. 3 new films, not well recieved, to be followed
by TV offerings and toyline marketed to an already bored fanbase. Creator
George Lucas leaves franchise to be handled by others for TV offerings.

I think this shows the Star Wars franchise is very unlikely to become like the
Star Trek franchise.

[Tortle]

I think this shows the Star Wars franchise is very unlikely to become like the Star Trek franchise.

I was referring more to the fandom of Star Wars and Star Trek. Trek in the 90s was basically the same as Star Wars is now in terms of geekdom (merchandising, conventions, etc). Specifically, for what I was talking about, Trek had a strong toyline that was prolific and profitable with the Playmates line. It was much like the Star Wars line is today: collector-oriented, providing figures of not only the crew but also obscure characters that only the die-hard would know and care about.

Of course, eventually Star Trek fandom waned as most fans shifted their interests elsewhere (many, like me, became more interested in Star Wars instead) and Star Trek merchandising went down the commode. At this point, there are few, if any, toys and very little interest. What I was saying is that now that Star Wars is finished in the theaters, it will eventually be like Star Trek in that interest will wane as most Star Wars fans move on to something else. The toy line will just slowly wither away... again, like the Playmates Star Trek line.

I also think that Star Wars will be overdone like Star Trek. For example, Star Trek should have been euthanized after Voyager. Voyager was moderately good, but new and interesting ideas were few and far between. But then Paramount had to milk Trek for every last penny and served us the garbage that was the last few movies and the Enterprise TV show.

Similarly, Star Wars should be euthanized right now. Like Voyager, the prequels were entertaining, but light on interesting concepts. But George has to milk SW until it's dry, so he's going to try his television ideas. Unfortunately, every single interesting concept about Star Wars has already been explored so the TV shows will just be rehashed crap... much like Enterprise and Star Trek 9 and 10.

[Kevin Mayle]

I was referring to Veers statement,

Actually I can see it going strong for quite awhile. If anything I imagine that Star Wars will turn into a Star Trek type franchise. There will always be merchandise available, and the figure sales will go up and down but the sales will stay consistent enough.

Because I agree with you.

now that Star Wars is finished in the theaters, it will eventually be like Star Trek in that interest will wane as most Star Wars fans move on to something else. The toy line will just slowly wither away

As for this statement,

Trek in the 90s was basically the same as Star Wars is now in terms of geekdom

I also agree but I think the Trek geek is perceived as the chess club, math team type, whereas the Wars geek is perceived as the comic book, dungeons & dragons type. This is kind of a bad rap for Star Wars fans because it's seen as more childish.

As a Star Wars fan, I personally would only be interested in a TV show about a teenage Luke with his pals Biggs, Tank, Deak, Windy, Camie and Fixer.

As a Star Trek fan, I personally have no interest in the 11th movie that is now in preproduction.

Edited by kevinmayle, 27 January 2006 - 07:42 PM.

[Tortle]

I think many fans (like me) used this as an opportunity to throw out their favorite super-obscure character in the off-chance that it would get in the poll. Unfortunately, this list is the result. I too think that the vast majority of these figures would be peg warmers because most of them are EU characters... and this list just underlines the problems with producing EU figures: the limited fan appeal of the characters, the crappy "non-Star Warsy" designs, etc.

I think that some of the figures would not be peg-warmers, though: the Clone Troopers, Hermi Odle, and super-posable Luke Jedi would all sell well, I think. But if any of the other characters are made, this Fan's Choice will be a disaster.

[Universal Ruler Supreme]

Remember too that most people who may have sent in entries probably don't know anything about Star Wars beyond the movies and the games. It's only common sense to think that these would be the results. If they wanted just the results from diehard Star Wars fans they would have initialized an online test where you had to get 80% of the questions correct to send in an entry. If someone did something like that then chances are that more obscure characters would have made the list. Just my 2 cents if it makes sense.



















I requested Revan!

[Universal Ruler Supreme]

I don't subscribe to Toyfare....so, have they annouced the winning figure for the fans choice thing yet?

[Universal Ruler Supreme]

I requested Revan!

LOL!!! Man I'm good! Fan's Choice Winner!

Although I am a bit confused at the results cause it looks like 'Quinlan Vos' won, but they said 'Darth Revan' did.

[Kevin Mayle]

That's because they already were planning on making 'Quinlan Vos' so they went with the next choice.

[Tortle]

I just thought I'd revive this topic and see what people are thinking regarding Star Wars toys nowadays. Personally, I'm pretty much through with them. I know that I usually come crawling back after a while, but this time I think my break-up with Star Wars will stick.

Although Star Wars toys are arguably the best they've ever been (especially the figures), my interest is pretty much non-existent. From recent waves, I've only bought Chief Chirpa and Hammerhead. Although I'm pleased with the figures and they're certainly the best versions of those characters available (even if Chirpa seems a bit puny), I just have no interest in future waves. Most of the figures seem to be either from the Prequels (which I'm so blasted sick and tired of) or OT characters that have been done jillions of times before.

Star Wars is pretty much dead and buried for me, which is weird to say because I've been collecting post-vintage Star Wars toys for over a decade. But I think it's because the concepts in Star Wars retain very little interest for me. Jedis, lightsabers, X-wings... meh.

DC superhero and (ironically) Star Trek figures have replaced Star Wars toys for me.

So what do you all think? If there aren't any responses from Veers and the gang, I can assume you agree.

[Universal Ruler Supreme]

I've just recently decided to get into Star Wars figs in the past 5 months, but I've been keeping it to the vintage figures, and some POTF2 figs. Although I havn't been an active collector until recently, I had vintage figs when I was a kid, and have kept my eye on the series since it's revival in the mid 90's. I'll agree with you that the newer series look great! Especially the saga collections, but I'm not one to drop $6 bucks on a figure that won't be worth that 5 years from now. They will more than likely keep making new toys for a long while from now. There are too many compulsive collectors out there for sells to drop. As good as the new figs look, I have no real interest in any of them. As it stands they will keep remaking the same characters over and over again. I mean how many Skiff Guard Lando's do you actually need?

[Kevin Mayle]

I'm looking forward to a couple of figures for 2007. Biggs Darklighter in academy uniform and the Ralph McQuarie & Joe Johnston preproduction art Chewbacca, Stormtrooper and Boba Fett. I'd also be interested if they continue the preproduction line with more figures.
http://kevin-mayle.l....com/10833.html

[Universal Ruler Supreme]

Hech Yeah! I wish they would just make one big figure series based on the original concept art! That's a line I would definitely buy! They made a stormtrooper a few years back if memory serves me right. I always thought the art designs looked great, I just hope they will be high grade.

[Universal Ruler Supreme]

Yep here it is. Wasn't this a fan's choice figure? Not that great if you ask me, but I hope the next one will be better.

http://www.rebelscum...tormtrooper.asp

[Drtooth]

This is something I wonder. Lets say that New Indiana Jones movie gets made... Would that mean Hasbro would make Indiana Jones toys?

(Crosses fingers for Indiana Spud)

[Kevin Mayle]

the movie is NOT going to be made

I just heard last month that Lucas had finished a script everyone agreed to, Spielberg, Ford and Connery are all ready to go, they are all just trying to coordinate their schedules to do it. I hope it's still going through.

[Tortle]

I just heard last month that Lucas had finished a script everyone agreed to, Spielberg, Ford and Connery are all ready to go, they are all just trying to coordinate their schedules to do it. I hope it's still going through.

Not to perpetuate a totally off-topic topic, but they've been saying that for the past ten years or so.

I've also heard that George just can't finalize a script. I suspect this is the real reason; I don't know of any film properties from any of them that could be holding them up this long.

[Tortle]

This is the first time in quite a while that I've had something positive to say about Hasbro and Star Wars. Entertainment Earth revealed images of Wave 5. Even though a lot of the figures are EU, they're not all that bad: Pre-robot Grievous, Yoda, McQuarrie Vader, and Ithorian Jedi all appeal to me in some way. Even the OT characters have some interesting qualities: we finally get a Hermi Odle, and the Threepio is a really distinctive (if scene-specific) version of the character.

Although I'll probably get the Threepio, Ithorian, and Vader, I don't think Hasbro will totally win me back with this wave. Most of the figures are still not good enough for me to buy and there are some resounding stinkers in this wave (pretty much every figure that I didn't mention). But I think it's a step in the right direction.


Image from Rebelscum.com

[Universal Ruler Supreme]

This line looks great! I had been thinking of getting into the 30th ann line, but I don't plan on fishing out 5 bucks each for over 60 figures for a complete set. Of course I may pick up a few, but with all the scalpers out there all the good pieces will be hard to find, for example Mcquarrie Boba Fett. Vader looks sweet, and so does Yoda! I'm a fan of KOTOR, so I was one of the guys who nominated Darth Revan. Not to keen on the way Darth Malak looks though. (the Red suit guy) And Hermi looks quite appealing in an Amanaman sort of way. Chances are he will be one of the ones who get scalped like there is no tomorrow. So far this is probably the best wave so far. I'm looking forward to the Mcquarrie Chewbacca, and the rest of the concept cast.

[Tortle]

It's interesting to see how many of the five Fan Choice figures we picked ended up becoming action figures:

1. The Tonnika Sisters
This would be a little something extra, kind of a buy one get one free. Luckily it would be basically the same figure with a different paint job. They’ve made many of the Cantina Aliens, but there’s that old rumor that these women can’t be turned into figures because they own the rights to their likeness. I just think it would be a welcome addition to Cantina dioramas everywhere.

2. Biggs in his Cadet uniform (will be in Wave 3 this year)
I believe this would be interesting because it’s a character we know, but from the cut footage of Ep. IV. I’ve always thought it was a pretty cool look.

3. Alien Rebel Pilot in an Orange Uniform
I think this could capitalize on the Rogue Squadron comic book. I’m really open to any species of alien, but I would want it to be fairly exotic. Twi’lek is the one I would be most interested to see.

4. Nicely articulated Stormtrooper in a neutral stance. (will be in Wave 5 this year)
Too often the Stormtroopers are in a specific pose, or they have articulation but it is geared toward only a few poses. This would be a completely neutral figure. I’m thinking neutral in terms of GI Joe. The figure should look good in any pose.

5. A Holiday Special figure (Boba Fett in Wave 4 this year)
I would either want Boba in an all new sculpt, with all new paint, that mirrors that cartoon character as much as possible or Chewie’s family (I think a Wookie 2-pcak would be possible). It would be nice to see that LFL still has a sense of humor and can laugh at their mistakes. A figure from this “Special” would only appeal to some people, but I think it would be a nice gesture.

Ewok Hornblower / Ewok mom with cub two pack
Ewoks have been scarce, which is a shame since I love the guys. I think the hornblower would be great, since he's one of the few Ewoks that did something distinctive. Also, the Ewok mom with cub would be nifty since a bunch of cubs had a nice, big close-up in the movie.

Arcona with Cantina table (already released)
The first Cantina alien seen on screen, I always thought this guy deserved a figure. Some artistic license might need to be taken with its body, though, since I don't think it was even conceptualized.

R5-D4 with Jawa (already released)
For God's sake, fans have been clamoring for a new R5-D4 since the first horrible rocket-firing one was released. But the astromech droid alone wouldn't be worth the $5, so a new Jawa should be tossed in for good measure.

Hermi Odle (will be in Wave 5 this year)
This dude is butt-ugly, but he would make a nice and distinctive addition to a Jabba's Palace diorama, and a nice companion piece to Ephont Mon.

Toryn Far with Hoth Base console
I usually wouldn't go for human background characters, but I think this figure would go well with General Rieekan. Also, it would give fans another sorely-needed female character.

I voted for Roron Cobb, the Ithorian Jedi from the Clone Wars cartoon. (will be in Wave 5 this year)

Is someone on the boards a Hasbro agent?