Cal Kestis (Imperial Officer) - VC#320

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Hasbro have revealed we’ll be seeing Cal Kestis in Imperial Officer uniform:

IMG_6889.jpeg

Who’s excited about seeing this figure?
 
Seems like boring filler for a wave, just because they now want to release as many figures as possible, before fatigue sets in with the new imperial officer body. They should temper their desire for a quick buck before collectors lose interest in these repaints with new heads.
 
I’m wondering if this one will be part of the Gaming Greats subline or the mainline? I’d prefer it to not take a mainline spot, and I was kind of bummed over the lack of single carded GG figures this year.
 
It's really a big meh for me even though i do like the character, mainly because I'd rather get other must have officers over "disguised" characters in a game that hasn't even been Canonized with live action yet. On the positive side, id the rank badge is accurate, we could see some low rank Imperials made from several media sources, namely OT.
 
I’m wondering if this one will be part of the Gaming Greats subline or the mainline? I’d prefer it to not take a mainline spot, and I was kind of bummed over the lack of single carded GG figures this year.
Given it's essentially a repaint, probably Gaming Greats, that's usually how those roll. I'm happy to see it, another addition to my infiltrator squad.
 
While I know it's pointless to complain about cost cutting-kit bashes just as much as it's useless to gripe about endless repaints, this figure such a dumb idea.

God forbid you give us Partagaz or Yularen or even Blevin, when all those would have needed was a new head.

I'm sure slapping this figure together that literally no one ever asked for will save you money, but seriously, what a joke.
 
I'm just glad to get another Jedi: Survivor figure. Plus a different paintjob for BD-1 will be cool. Hopefully they include a different color lightsaber. or perhaps one that works as a double-blade/crossguard.
 
A big pass for me, but at the same time, I'm glad the game is (somewhat on their radar). I do remember an interview or QnA in 2020 where someone had said there's a lot of interest in Jedi Fallen Order and whichever Hasbro reps (Patrick and maybe Chris?) were surprised at that. Baby steps.
 
I think it's just frustrating that we constantly get this type of thing though, the absolute laziest thing, when I would much rather get Merrin or an updated Malak, or some other "unique" character versus a main character head swap. Especially when they could be doing something like Atris which is basically the same formula as Cal, with just a new head on Jocasta Nu. It's so damn easy that it's frustrating...

They could even do a 2-pk Atris versus Nihilus from the KotOR 2 concept art, retool Nihilus and add more SG's robes and it would still keeps costs low enough to fit the $40 price point they've essentially set for that expression. And based on that OWK & Vader retool. I wouldn't even mind if they tooled a new pelvis to be compatible with Morgan's legs for Jocosta Nu's torso to create Atris but that might cost too much.

I also wonder if it might be better to reissue Malgus in a 2-pk with Satele Shan versus just a single release? Shan could possibly just be a DR Aphra retool with some new parts added. Sure no barbel hips, or rocker ankles but if it means actually getting her versus not. What's the consensus on that? I'd be keen on them keeping VG characters to 2-pks as Fan Channel releases rather than taking up main line slots, and it would be a great way to reissue some Legacy figures!

Another one I wouldn't mind is a Darth Phobos & Rahm Kota 2-pk.
Shadow-Of-The-Dark-Side-Darth-Phobos_Small_2.jpg
The-30th-Anniversary-Collection-Rahm-Kota_Small_2.jpg
 
I think it's just frustrating that we constantly get this type of thing though, the absolute laziest thing, when I would much rather get Merrin or an updated Malak, or some other "unique" character versus a main character head swap. Especially when they could be doing something like Atris which is basically the same formula as Cal, with just a new head on Jocasta Nu. It's so damn easy that it's frustrating...

I'm no fan of the disguise figures at all, but people buy them. I'm sure when this one hits, this thread will be full of pics of people's Imp displays with him as a regular Imperial officer.

As far as retool vs re-release, for me it's either re-release the old figure like Shae Vizsla (fixing the head if they must) or do a ground-up, up-to-date figure like the upcoming Revans. My thinking is there's enough never-before characters that demand the resources, but these older figures are old enough that they've basically waited their spot in line to be treated like they've never been done before. If hasbro doesn't see the importance in something, or a big reason to get it out, then just re-release the old figure as is and put that character at the back of the line.
 
I get it, but as many have pointed out there are other alternatives when it comes to relevant Imperials. Such as about a dozen in Andor, and about half that in OWK. Doing one for a VG character does seem very bizarre and this is coming from someone that likes VG figures! lol
Frankly, this should be a part of a 2-pk Fan channel that comes with an Astromech repaint, that we see in the game. The inclusion of a Droid might have also made the release a little more exciting.
 
As long as he has a recolor BD-1 droid and a different lightsaber. You can use them with the regular Cal.
 
I get it, but as many have pointed out there are other alternatives when it comes to relevant Imperials. Such as about a dozen in Andor, and about half that in OWK. Doing one for a VG character does seem very bizarre and this is coming from someone that likes VG figures! lol
Frankly, this should be a part of a 2-pk Fan channel that comes with an Astromech repaint, that we see in the game. The inclusion of a Droid might have also made the release a little more exciting.
Yeah but you're forgetting how popular Cal is and how gamers are more likely to pick this up as a casual buy. I'll bet they'll sell double of this Cal than Jerjerrod.
 
Maybe for 6" figure as a casual Display, as that seems to be what most gamers collect if anything. I don't see a lot of them into TVC all that much.
 
Odd choice but one I'm happy with! I want to make an ISB conference room like in Andor. Really hope we get Dedra soon and hopefully Partagaz and Yularen too
 
Maybe for 6" figure as a casual Display, as that seems to be what most gamers collect if anything. I don't see a lot of them into TVC all that much.

That's a good point, the casual gamer would likely gravitate to the TBS line, or want the main outfit, even if they went with TVC, so I'm still not seeing where there is going to be significant demand to warrant a release like this, unless enough TVC collectors want to world build with various outfits for Cal. I bought the original Cal, because it's a neutral outfit (that reminds me of the ST) and came with the great droid, but this one does nothing for me, and I'd likely not even buy it on deep clearance. Merrin would have been an excellent choice, as you mentioned, especially with the return of the Nightsisters in the Ahsoka series - a near perfect crossover between media sources, but of course that would have cost Hasbro more, so we get stuck with this likely pegwarmer.
 
Ooh, a mop would have been a killer accessory!

Which would have been a perfect disguise for his Lightsaber, rather than carrying it around on his belt. Don't know too many ISB agents that carry one...
 
I wouldve thought Cal as Cal Festus Imperial Inquisitor wouldve made it before Cal in Imp disguise,lol. Both games are missing so many characters sadly.
 
Definitely a surprise, but I'll end up getting it if only to headswap. I really hope they do the proper single-row rank badge. That might mean a couple of customs out of him.
 
For anyone hoping to get more figures from Andor, this pipelined version of Cal Kestis should provide an excellent starting point for customizing a Captain Lagret figure. Assuming Hasbro gives Cal the correct rank badge + code cylinder combination - and there's no reason to assume they wouldn't, at least based on the other Imp Officers made so far - his upper and most of his lower body should match perfectly with this guy's:

Lagret-Andor4.png

The big challenge though will be finding a 1:18 scaled headsculpt to match the actor. Anybody know of any good matches?
 
I've got no real interest in that character, certainly not enough to waste the resources on. My top goal is Yularen and the two Officers that are seen in the hallway in ANH. After that I'd take a couple from Andor such as Lt. Blevin and Major Partagaz, which I hope Hasbro actually makes.

As I've stated before I feel this new rank has far more potential for some OT Officers we've waited too long for.
 
Ric Oile would probably be close enough if you just trimmed back the hair.

I’m looking forward to this figure, but especially for the additional ISB officers I want to make from it. It can also be easily dyed to make the attendants from Andor as well.
 
^ That pay be a contender
Discover-The-Force-Ric-Olie_Small_5.jpg

Here are a few more possibilities for "older" head sculpts that are fairly obscure and could work for a few Imperials. But yeah not too many.
The-30th-Anniversary-Collection-McQuarrie-Concept-Obi-Wan-Kenobi_Small_5.jpg
Movie-Heroes-Davish-Krail_Small_5.jpg
The-30th-Anniversary-Collection-Rahm-Kota_Small_5.jpg
The-30th-Anniversary-Collection-General-McQuarrie_Small_5.jpg

IDK about McQuarrie, that grin doesn't strike me as very imperial.
 
^ That pay be a contender
Discover-The-Force-Ric-Olie_Small_5.jpg

Here are a few more possibilities for "older" head sculpts that are fairly obscure and could work for a few Imperials. But yeah not too many.
The-30th-Anniversary-Collection-McQuarrie-Concept-Obi-Wan-Kenobi_Small_5.jpg
Movie-Heroes-Davish-Krail_Small_5.jpg
The-30th-Anniversary-Collection-Rahm-Kota_Small_5.jpg
The-30th-Anniversary-Collection-General-McQuarrie_Small_5.jpg

IDK about McQuarrie, that grin doesn't strike me as very imperial.
I could say all of them might work?????......and at the same time?????? really??????.......none of them have the right likeness. Rahm Kota is the only one I really wouldn't fool with trying to make into Lagret. For one thing, Rahm is a fairly expensive source for fodder...and two....I don't think any amount of modding (at least with my skillset) would result in a passable Lagret. The others have possibilities, interesting even if they're fails for Lagret. I mean, I used a Ric Olie for a custom Debnoli for my cantina
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but it really doesn't float my boat all these years later.
 
My top goal is Yularen and the two Officers that are seen in the hallway in ANH. After that...
I’m looking forward to this figure, but especially for the additional ISB officers I want to make from it. It can also be easily dyed to make the attendants from Andor as well.
It sounds like you guys are planning to do a bit more customizing than simple head-swaps, like trimming away or adding blocks to the rank badges? Admittedly I have already been eyeing the Mandalorian Fleet Commander as a possible head-swap for Blevin in case Hasbro never gets around to making him, but in the event that customizing does turn out to be the only way to get Blevin, my hope is that Hasbro will at least make one Officer with a 1x3 rank badge to minimize the effort needed for the custom.

Here are a few more possibilities for "older" head sculpts that are fairly obscure and could work for a few Imperials. But yeah not too many.
The-30th-Anniversary-Collection-McQuarrie-Concept-Obi-Wan-Kenobi_Small_5.jpg
Movie-Heroes-Davish-Krail_Small_5.jpg
The-30th-Anniversary-Collection-Rahm-Kota_Small_5.jpg
The-30th-Anniversary-Collection-General-McQuarrie_Small_5.jpg
I could say all of them might work?????......and at the same time?????? really??????
Yeah, unfortunately there's not a very large supply of options for balding, over-the-hill, 3.75" human head-sculpts out there, lol. I guess anyone who does endeavor to make a custom Lagret with nothing more than an easy head swap will have to tolerate compromises in terms of matching the actor's likeness.
By the way, who is the X-Wing Pilot pictured above?

I feel this new rank has far more potential for some OT Officers we've waited too long for.
Which ones, out of curiosity?
 
It sounds like you guys are planning to do a bit more customizing than simple head-swaps, like trimming away or adding blocks to the rank badges? Admittedly I have already been eyeing the Mandalorian Fleet Commander as a possible head-swap for Blevin in case Hasbro never gets around to making him, but in the event that customizing does turn out to be the only way to get Blevin, my hope is that Hasbro will at least make one Officer with a 1x3 rank badge to minimize the effort needed for the custom.
I actually had to do that for Admiral Rae Sloane.
20240229_143648.jpg

Which ones, out of curiosity?
Daine Jir who confers with Vader in ANH opening scenes for starters, Pol Triedum from DS Hanger control as well as Shann Childsen from the Detention Block.
Motti can be reused for Praji with a new head sculpt.
 
Oh nice, it seems like this new torso with the 1x4 rank badge and single code cylinder on each side does indeed open up a number of excellent possibilities for getting more OT Officers. Hopefully Hasbro sees fit to release an official version of at least one of those that you listed. The two potential downsides that I see to relying on Cal to customize just about any other Imperial Officer is that Cal might include a holster on his left thigh (if so, hopefully easy enough to remove) and likely won't include a hat, based on reference.
 
I still bummed that the 08 Indy line never made Walter Donovan figure so I could have had an updated head sculpt for Veers!
 
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