Hasbro 375

[bac]

This Steve Evans Instagram comment about the future of Hasbro 375 is a great way to kick off a dedicated thread about it.

 

[CP3OD]

I like the idea of expanding 375 but not at the expense of Star Wars.

I already have the opinion that Hasbro should focus more on releasing missing characters from the OT, PT, ST that collectors have been asking for as well as more timely releases with new media when the shows launch and are live.

I can’t picture how expanding 375 to other sources helps SW production when I read replies like “there are only so many slots”, ”Hasbro can’t produce everything”.

Will Hasbro start scaling back on SW for other projects and will we see even less releases?
Are they planning on expanding production with another facility? If so, will that open up more production slots for SW in addition to the new projects?

I am curious how the Tron Haslab will end up doing.
That may give us a good indication of how expanding 375 outside of SW will do.

 

[bac]

Someone brought that up to Steve in a comment and his response was along the lines of "rising tides lift all ships." Success would help TVC, not hinder it. Makes sense as it further proves viability for 3.75" super-articulated figures which in turns ups the budgets.

I don't know how many of "me" there are out there, but I've been hoping for an expansion of TVC-style figures into other media properties since TVC 1.0. Indiana Jones: The Vintage Collection. Ghostbusters: The Vintage Collection. Tron: The Vintage Collection. I've been dropping those in comments for years

And it's actually happening! But I am not thrilled with this rollout for a couple reasons, with the predominant one being the price. I've scrolled through enough social media comments to see that pricing is holding back a lot of people right now. Bad timing? Yes, the HasLab would have been a lot cheaper three years ago. But it's tied to Ares so what can you do.

I just hope the HasLab not succeeding doesn't kill off whatever is "in the fire" right now, and the marketing/business decision makers come up with a more wallet palatable way of offering it.

 

[VideoViper]

Super 7/Funko did this right years ago.
Granted they were all 5poa but that kept the costs to $10 per a figure with lots of licensing options to build off of.

In the long run I think they licensed more things than they could handle. But they got me to buy a lot of things that wouldn’t get made otherwise.

***
The price is what is killing this. Obviously there are a lot of people who want Tron but this can not be the normal pricing or else many of us will choose to spend elsewhere.

 

[bac]

Super 7/Funko did this right years ago.
Granted they were all 5poa but that kept the costs to $10 per a figure with lots of licensing options to build off of.

I went all-in on the S7/Funko Dark Crystal and Age of Resistance lines, including some prototype items. They wouldn't have existed otherwise. Still have them filling up two shelves. Jim Henson FTW.

The price is what is killing this. Obviously there are a lot of people who want Tron but this can not be the normal pricing or else many of us will choose to spend elsewhere.

100%. The all-or-nothing approach is backfiring because it's just too big a wallet hit. Though I am seeing some people on social thinking this should be $99 tops. Call those the disconnected from reality crowd.

Right now, as-is, this is sadly Cookie Monster 2.0. It is +0 at 803 for the day in the nearly 3 hours since I've been awake.

It makes me wonder if the Legacy stuff will be sold as a bundle or individually at Pulse. I can't see Clu, old Flynn or Rinzler drawing nearly as much interest as Sam and Quorra.

Other complaints I've seen:

1. Where's RAM for that price?
2. The bikes don't have wheels (don't need them imho, but it bugs some people)
3. No lights on the bikes
4. No black light paint
5. No actor likenesses
6. Don't need the stand
7. Where's the red cycle for that price?
8. I would pay that for 6" but not these

Whatever is next in 375 absolutely has to take a difference approach.

 

[CP3OD]

Someone brought that up to Steve in a comment and his response was along the lines of "rising tides lift all ships." Success would help TVC, not hinder it. Makes sense as it further proves viability for 3.75" super-articulated figures which in turns ups the budgets.

I don't know how many of "me" there are out there, but I've been hoping for an expansion of TVC-style figures into other media properties since TVC 1.0. Indiana Jones: The Vintage Collection. Ghostbusters: The Vintage Collection. Tron: The Vintage Collection. I've been dropping those in comments for years

And it's actually happening! But I am not thrilled with this rollout for a couple reasons, with the predominant one being the price. I've scrolled through enough social media comments to see that pricing is holding back a lot of people right now. Bad timing? Yes, the HasLab would have been a lot cheaper three years ago. But it's tied to Ares so what can you do.

I just hope the HasLab not succeeding doesn't kill off whatever is "in the fire" right now, and the marketing/business decision makers come up with a more wallet palatable way of offering it.

If it helps expand TVC thats great!
Unfortunately my interests are mainly Star Wars so I am not really a good candidate for the expansion of 375 outside of it.

The only exception for 375 I can think of are the BSG figures and Viper displayed this summer.
But that too has a special memory for me as a 10 year old when it released.
If Hasbro somehow got the rights to that then I would be in.

The thing about Tron I like are the card backs.
That almost had me sold until I thought about the $300 I could use on multiple Star Wars items I still want.

 

[Coloring]

I don't see this at something "at the expense of" TVC. They introduce 6 inch lines all the time and those aren't at the expense of Marvel or Star Wars. It reads to me like he's wanting to get people back into 3.75 collecting, which is not the dominant or preferred scale for most action figure collectors.

Like I said in the Tron thread, the fact that he keeps indicating "START OF LINE" in posts about the Tron haslab does offer a little weight to the idea that Disney may have mandated this as a Haslab.

I also think if they reintroduced Marvel Universe under this 375 banner, that would be a slam dunk and a really strong way to start this 375 thing off. Joe's might be a little more dicey because they don't want to upset what they've got going with Classified. I don't think Legends would be impacted at all though.

I doubt it would ever happen from Hasbro but I think something like Exo Squad, where every human and Alien comes with an e-frame (a specialized, not-to-tall mech) would really help sell the 'world-building'. Including a part of that 'world' you want people to build is the easiest way to show that off. But I think Exo Squad is kind of a pipedream at this point.

 

[bac]

I agree that Marvel Universe is the most slam dunk thing they can do. Even if it's scaled-down Legends. I would be tempted to pick and choose for sure. The idea of an X-Jet is exciting, if impossible lol

Joes are tricky. You already have O-rings licensed out to Super7 and they've put out some banger Sunbow figures.

Hiya has international licensing for super-articulated 4" figures that are close to scaled-down Classified with new ones continually being announced.

I don't know if Joes are the type of Fandom Steve is going for here with 375. That's an internal brand that draws more off previous toys than a media source. I dunno.

I tried to think of my 375 DREAM line and it's a tie for two that zero chance imho. Two movies that began me really getting into movies as a teenager: Die Hard and Aliens. I wouldn't even look at the price for either.

My guess for what's "in the fire" remains the first Spaceballs main cast.

Like I said in the Tron thread, the fact that he keeps indicating "START OF LINE" in posts about the Tron haslab does offer a little weight to the idea that Disney may have mandated this as a Haslab.

I am more and more agreeing with this idea.

 

[MosEisleyDroid]

DC, Marvel, and Lord of the Rings would be good 3.75 lines.

I am not sold on this one banner 375 idea. I think it will lead to brand confusion and very strange figures clogging pegs in stores for one franchise, and stopping orders for a wave of the next franchise that would have been more successful. "Sorry, we can't bring out the 375 Back to the Future figures we showed you because the 375 Seinfeld wave failed."

I think the idea of figures based on comedies is a big risk. 3 Stooges or Marx Brother figures may be a neat idea for boxed sets at Barnes and Noble, but I'm not sure that it is needed at wider retail. And a comedy franchise doesn't really lend itself to the idea that 3.75 allows for world building.

If they tool up the Vista Cruiser from That '70's Show or the coffee shop from Friends before more Star Wars vehicles and playsets I'm going to be frustrated.

Are they going to make a Planes, Trains and Automobiles burned out car with Neal Page and Del Griffith I can put out at Thanksgiving?

As someone else said, it seems like Super7 has already explored this multi-franchise model.

"My Walmart is full of nothing but Landos and Welcome Back, Kotter figures."

Wouldn't mind a Norm from Cheers figure for my cantina, I guess....

 

[bac]

I don't see this going anywhere near a comedy unless it REALLY takes off, which seems doubtful at today's pricing. I take his comment at simply where the mind goes, not what is necessarily feasible.

You can already see the franchises/fandoms where this does make sense being repeated here and on Steve's request thread. No need to go beyond those unless some new thing comes along.

I also don't see these ever touching a store shelf. Pulse exclusives at best, HasLab at worst.

I took a quick scroll through the main TVC Facebook group and didn't see a single post about the HasLab or 375. Unless I missed it? That was kind of surprising, especially since that's a core collector group Steve is trying to tap into.

He's also been sick so maybe he's waiting to start promoting it there.

 

[Coloring]

I also don't see these ever touching a store shelf. Pulse exclusives at best, HasLab at worst.

I agree with this. Sure, soomething like Indy or any of the other things people keep mentioning might get a peg or two in store, and maybe a little shelf space for one of those 'world building' items to accompany the first wave of whatever, but like everything else, they'll be offered online. I do think they'll try to get a little awareness in stores, but no brick and mortar exclusives.


The 'world building' is another curious aspect of this. I think of the toylines I grew up with and Kenner was literally just making stuff up to package and sell. Is it at all possible that after a T-800, John Conner, T-1000, Sarah conner and motorcycles, we get a car with a giant missle? Future war figures? How big of a world are we talking exactly?

 

[bac]

The world-building aspect is curious for me as well. I really thought we'd get something with Tron that wasn't feasible in 6" scale. We didn't. The HasLab could just have easily been 6", and I've seen comments on socials from folks who initially thought it was 6" until they dug into the details.

If you believe the one post in the Tron thread then Hasbro did prototype a Tank and Recognizer for their focus groups. If so then grander world-building thought was there initially, but in the end those larger items lost out.

Right now Hasbro 375 is full of questions and uncertainty, and likely will be for some time after the Tron campaign ends. For now my main question is what happens to Tron 375 if/when the campaign fails to fund? Move on to another property? Release just RAM and the red light cycle on Pulse? Drop 375 development altogether? Again, so many questions.

 

[Coloring]

I think they'd need to attempt and bomb a couple 'mainline' entries before completely dropping the concept. But then again, I'd also think they would have a few prototypes to display as a 'proof of concept' to help sell the idea overall, too. I can't imagine cycles and backdrops/displays are the full extent of the world-building aspect.

 

[Jodo]

My only hope would be we get some very nice Indiana Jones figures out of this venture, and I would like to think they focus from Raiders/Last Crusade.

But I’d obviously embrace Blade Runner, Terminator, and other classic movies too. Even if they fell outside of my regular collection, I would considering picking them up. Honestly, their compatibility with TVC as a scale might tempt me to buy stuff, just for custom fodder, diorama backgrounders, etc.

 

[bac]

I lean toward unlikely to happen for Indy. Working against it:

• It has never been a strong seller in either scale.
• They did it already, and I get the sense that Steve is looking for new fandom corners to explore
• Do they still have the old tooling for any of it?
• There's no new media on the horizon and the last one underperformed
• Costs: run into "I already have that character and paid 1/4 the cost for him 15 years ago"
• Disney. We know they're blocking some characters from happening

The pros:

• 375 Kenner-inspired card backs with character forward designs
• PhotoReal update for any figure that came out previously
• All debuts for Dial of Destiny

I bolded the new media one because that is key. IF new media gets announced, in any form, then the prospect increases.

 

[Masterfett]

I agree that Marvel Universe is the most slam dunk thing they can do. Even if it's scaled-down Legends. I would be tempted to pick and choose for sure. The idea of an X-Jet is exciting, if impossible lol

Frankly, I don't think I have it in me to get back into 4" Marvel. Not that I wouldn't love better sculpted figures than what we got in 2009ish, because I absolutely despised most of the buck used for them with week legs etc. not to mention double hinged joints that ruined aesthetics. As you say ML scales down, but I do prefer TVC style knees and elbows. But that fact I'd have to suffer through every single character I already own in 4" scale from the last time before ever getting to unmade ones would hold me back for likely the first two years. Sure I'd replace a few main characters that need the improvement but not all of them. But lastly it's the price they'd be today that would basically have me pass on the whole thing, Star Wars is the only line I'm willing to pay $20 a figure. Any other line I wait for a sale.

That said, I think the Blackbird HsaLab would be absolutely awesome!

I don't know if Joes are the type of Fandom Steve is going for here with 375. That's an internal brand that draws more off previous toys than a media source. I dunno.

4" Joes does pout for a reason, I don't see it being resurrected. Far too many people are too dedicated to 6" now. Same can be said for pretty much any franchise that offers figures, that why if they're going to offer 375 line it likely needs to be an IP that doesn't already offer 6" scale or have a figure line at all.

My question would be what IP's does Hasbro own for them to even delve into for other 3.75" action figure lines?
While I'm more into Sci-Fi genre, I could go for some other things such as Starsky & Hutch, CHiPs, Dukes of Hazzard, simply for the novelty aspect and with those it wouldn't be a long drawn out thing, you hit it and run to the next. Similar to Tron. Though I guess CHiPs is one that could go on for a little longer with all the officers but at least you could literally get by with 2-3 molds max.

If they limit it to just movie lines I don't know, we've seen all that done before and you could basically get existing Alien, Predator Terminator figs. Old TV shows likely don't have the awareness factor as there aren't really part of the pop culture like movies are.

My top wants would be V and Buck Rogers. I'd have to think on some of the others but it would really depend on what Hasbro has access to even make.

 

[lister]

I'm very curious about this new 3.75 initiative, but I think expectations need to be tempered. Tron is a niche property, but it does have a decent fan base as well as a current media push. But that Haslab is struggling badly. It's obviously still way too early to call but it doesn't look great. So if Tron is having a tough time, what does that say about any other potential lines? I agree that Spaceballs is a possibility, but mostly because of its sci-fi elements and its connection to Star Wars. I doubt any other straight up comedies would even be attempted. Or dramas for that matter. I think anything they try will fall into the sci-fi/fantasy/action/horror genres.

I see Buck Rogers is coming up a lot. I would personally love that, but that's a property that you hardly ever hear anything about. In an era of remakes and re-imaginings, you'd think somebody would have tackled this by now. But nothing. Which tells me there's either a rights issue, or nobody thinks it's worth anything. Again, I don't personally think that, but I'm not holding my breath.

Given that the Alien franchise is under Disney's banner now, I think that gives it a good shot. It's also a hugely popular and sort of perennial property that's still quite relevant. There are A LOT of possibilities there.

 

[Darth_Sceptaurus]

Properties I'd be interested in for 375 and would likely buy at least the main characters or certain characters:
Skyrim
Terminator
Commando
Predator
Conan
Rambo
Rocky
Planet of the Apes (original, mostly for the space suits for customs)
TMNT (never seen them in this scale and I think it would be awesome, if they were based on either the original Mirage comic, original cartoon or the movie. Licensing might be difficult though since there are already so many lines, but maybe not.) I'd buy all the main characters and probably a good amount of secondary characters.
Breaking Bad
Princess Bride
Karate Kid
The Last of Us
probably a ton more.

Just naming a bunch of stuff off the top of my head. You can tell I'm an 80s kid lol. At the rate that Hasbro is releasing new figures, I wouldn't expect a deluge of them to come out all at once, which would definitely break my budget.

Now if we're talking $50 a figure, I'd probably be out for all but a select few. $35 I'd be in for some of them. If we're thinking they're all going to be Haslabs in the format of the Tron set, there are a few of those that I'd buy in on.

I'm hoping they don't go Haslab only, because there are many properties where only one or two characters would even be worth making and likely to sell. It would be really cool to have a line like ReAction with a wide variety of characters but TVC-quality.

Oh also someone mentioned Cheers. I'm a huge Frasier fan, have the entire run on DVD and would jump on a Frasier Haslab set like the Tron one, with just a backdrop of his apartment similar to the hallway sets that included Frasier, Niles, Daphne, Marty, Eddie, and even Roz. Hasbro, take my money!

 

[bac]

I feel like there's a story behind the Tron HasLab that would make for a intriguing albeit frustrating documentary to watch.

I am hoping Steve will comment/address how the HasLab might negatively impact 375. The HasLab succeeding obviously helps a lot, but will be not succeeding derail existing plans.

 

[bac]

TMNT (never seen them in this scale and I think it would be awesome, if they were based on either the original Mirage comic, original cartoon or the movie. Licensing might be difficult though since there are already so many lines, but maybe not.) I'd buy all the main characters and probably a good amount of secondary characters.

TMNT Action Figure

TMNT

www.joytoy.com

 

[R1G4R3PO]

...kinda sounds like ReAction. This'd be great if Hasbro starts going 24 fig carry cases like old kenner SW or ReAction

 

[Masterfett]

TMNT Action Figure

TMNT

www.joytoy.com

While niche for sure, in terms of units made this the price. I think this does play into Hasbro's pricing more than actual costs. They see so many companies with $30+ action figures and think, "hey are we leaving money on the table by not charging more?" Instead of competing with JP/JW at retail with TVC when we have Epic heroes, why not compete in the "Collector market" and raise prices while also still being the lowest.

And TBF, I don't mind it as long as every figure is detailed accordingly and it open sup the budget enough to get more things. Though I'm not sure how that will actually translate after higher costs do take their share of said increase.

I think those TMNT Figures totally rock, but, as someone who keeps a tight reign on their Money spending I cannot justify $40 for a 4" action figure. Even $36 on sale for the mains it too steep. The prices on the various "creatures" especially out me off from getting them for fodder, which is the most appealing factor about them. Tis is not a critique of the figures themselves as they do look very nice.

Which brings me to the BSG figures, if indeed they do wind up being north of $30 I will have to seriously rethink them. Probably just limit myself to four. And basically forgoing the buy two route, one carded one opener. And that Tron HasLab basically told us how much any of these potential 375 lines would cost, at least $30 each.

 

[bac]

375 is basically a fusion of ReAction and TVC.

The downside for 375 is a super-articulated figure is obviously a lot more expensive to produce than a ReAction one. In the case of Tron you're throwing fancy and probably expensive paint tampos on every figure as well.

I want to see them take a shot at a select Sony property where licensing has to be cheaper than Disney based on Ghostbusters product thus far. There are only three that come to mind for me. In order:

• Ghostbusters
• The Fifth Element
• Starship Troopers

I assume MCU Spider-Man product falls under Disney licensing even though Sony distributes the films.

 

[Masterfett]

What exactly is a fusion of ReAction and TVC? Meaning these will be 5POA but have TVC sculpt quality? If that's the case, I can safely say I have zero interest.

 

[Rezikai]

I don't see this going anywhere near a comedy unless it REALLY takes off,

agreed but i could also see 1 and done waves of some comedies.... this one 80s/90s comedy about... nothing, comes to mind.

 

[bac]

What exactly is a fusion of ReAction and TVC? Meaning these will be 5POA but have TVC sculpt quality? If that's the case, I can safely say I have zero interest.

ReAction as in multiple media properties and Kenner-inspired cards.

TVC as in also the Kenner cards, but super-articulated and screen-accurate, not 5POA.

It's interesting how Tron's articulation is specific to its needs. I don't see upper arm swivels, but they have double-jointed knees and extra neck articulation specifically to get into the light cycles.

 

[lister]

agreed but i could also see 1 and done waves of some comedies.... this one 80s/90s comedy about... nothing, comes to mind.

Eh, I love Seinfeld, but this seems so random.

Also, is Hasbro really going to pursue likeness rights for something like this? I really don't see this happening.

 

[MosEisleyDroid]

My question would be what IP's does Hasbro own for them to even delve into for other 3.75" action figure lines?
While I'm more into Sci-Fi genre, I could go for some other things such as Starsky & Hutch, CHiPs, Dukes of Hazzard, simply for the novelty aspect and with those it wouldn't be a long drawn out thing, you hit it and run to the next. Similar to Tron. Though I guess CHiPs is one that could go on for a little longer with all the officers but at least you could literally get by with 2-3 molds max.

I don't think any major toy company is going to consider a Dukes of Hazzard line. Everything about it would be controversial now. They wouldn't make a car with the Confederate flag on the roof and the car being inaccurate to the show would cause many people to instantly not buy it. Hasbro probably wouldn't even be comfortable calling the car the General Lee now. The whole situation would be a pain they would see no benefit in getting into.

If Hasbro feels limited in what it can put out with Indiana Jones, I don't see any way they want to grapple with the issues with the Dukes.

 

[bac]

Older movie likeness rights already appear to be an issue with Tron. The HasLab figures and card backs don't appear to have them, but the 6" Legacy figures do-- probably because they were built into those contracts.

Even the upcoming Super7 ReAction+ Back to the Future figures don't have actor likenesses, which killed my desire to own them. I would have otherwise.

 

[lister]

The Tron card backs definitely have the likenesses




That is absolutely David Warner.

I agree that the figures don't have great likenesses.

 

[darth_sidious]

I've always wanted 3.75 scale X-Files figures, and since Disney acquired the franchise, maybe that would be possible. I imagine that the demand would primarily be for Mulder & Scully, but that alone would make a great exclusive 2-pack.

 

[bac]

X-Files LEGO set is coming next year so you never know.

The Tron card backs definitely have the likenesses

That is absolutely David Warner.

I agree that the figures don't have great likenesses.

All the card backs have heavy shadowing on the actor's faces. Even David Warner above, whose eyes are darkened out. Maybe that's what the lawyers approved to get by without a likeness? I dunno, and that's not something Hasbro will ever confirm or deny.

 

[lister]

They're definitely darker, but it's still the actors' likenesses. I don't know nearly enough about likeness rights to confidently say whether that's a legal loophole or not.

I'll leave that to the experts.

 

[CP3OD]

I've always wanted 3.75 scale X-Files figures, and since Disney acquired the franchise, maybe that would be possible. I imagine that the demand would primarily be for Mulder & Scully, but that alone would make a great exclusive 2-pack.

The Lone Gunmen, Skinner, Smoking Man but only if a pack of Morley’s came with him.
I would think world building could be a playset/diorama of Mulder and Scully‘s office.

My wife is a huge Supernatural fan and would probably be interested in anything from that show.

 

[darth_sidious]

The Lone Gunmen, Skinner, Smoking Man but only if a pack of Morley’s came with him.
I would think world building could be a playset/diorama of Mulder and Scully‘s office.

My wife is a huge Supernatural fan and would probably be interested in anything from that show.

They did that for the revival series (though in maybe 6 or 7-inch scale), and the "playset" was alright, but left much to be desired, as it was mostly a diorama base for displaying figures in a small corner of the office. I customized a suited Mulder for display, and it looks alright, but I'd really like proper figures from the original series in 3.75 scale.
View media item 359423

 

[Masterfett]

I'll echo someone else comments in regards to 375, how about a heavier focus on Star Wars 3.75? I mean they can barely manage that line, especially with layoffs, and the want to delve into other lines to mismanage? I heard the Marvel tam is working om 6" Tron figures which I'd think would only add more work to their schedule. I'd like to know how you add properties right after laying off a several employees across all brands.

Yet you want consumers to get all excited about possibilities, same possibilities TVC collectors are still waiting for five years later with Greef or the Client. As well as many others like Rogue One that's ten now.

TBH, the only one I think has a chance to be a viable contender is Indiana Jones. There are several items that could be HasLabs, several items that could fit the beasts asst. as well as DLX offerings to get reuse out of a basic figure. Done in TVC style quality I think it stands the best chance at recognition and longevity.

As for others, I still haven't heard what else they have the right to even make. Yet we see long lists of IP's that Hasbro doesn't eve have under their umbrella. In a not so long ago statement Hasbro execs made, they want to focus on in house IP's. So I would expect them to make stuff they already own right to not acquire rights to other IP's just to make figures. I'd also add that I hope Tron isn't their entry point to gauge success or failure on what's next, that is the most niche of IP's aside from maybe Krull. lol

BTW, I'd be down for the Last Starfighter action figures, that's an IP that Disney owns which I suppose Hasbro would have first dibs on. I just see no reason to get hyped over this as it feels like it'll go nowhere. We're were contently told 6" is the way and that 3.75 is too costly and a dying scale. So what's changed? Will they just mimic the small time strategy of doing smaller production runs for double the price? Because that doesn't seem viable either, but I'm sure some people would jump at the chance to buy $30 Indy figures.

 

[bac]

The Last Starfighter is NBC/Universal, not Disney. It's in that same territory as Tron with numerous figure and vehicle options.

And part of this 375 effort may be to bring more overall visibility to 3.75 super-articulated figures including TVC, which for all we know may have peaked. and is seeing some declines. In that respect I kind of wish Tron: The Vintage Collection with card numbering was considered as TVC isn't under the 375 banner. Unless it will be moved there and TVC will get a 375 logo in the upper left. Nah, doubt I that.

 

[Caas_Sandhri]

If they want franchises (or rather, one trick ponies) that never really made it - so they can make them into figures that also never make it, I have a few for them:

• Rebel Moon - just a terrible wannabe Star Wars; not recommended as a watch
• Jupiter Ascending - I liked the gothic starships but please people write a proper story
• Valerian & Veronique - The visuals were great, just why didn't they follow the comics more properly? Instead, Valerian becomes an insufferable ass, and basic logic goes down the drain. Sigh.
• S e x and the City - Get more girls into figure collecting! Get more figures of girls into figure collecting! Customize Leia some friends!
• The Ringworld universe - Maybe finally they make a good film out of it. I know it has been discussed.
• 3 Body Problem - Physics, dimensionality, and alien invasion by aliens that we never see and who were not even described. Some people claim they were basically tardigrades. Also, lots of options: Do we want the book characters? The Chinese series characters? The US series characters? If we wait a little, there will be a comic version. Hurry up before the series are getting to the last book where nothing makes much sense any more.
• Dragonriders of Pern - Like Ringworld, there is no movie. There was a movie discussed. There should be a movie. Sadly, the dragons are the size of airplanes, and even 3.75" couldn't do them properly.
• Eragon - The thing with dragons we got instead of Pern. Also, Star Wars retold. Again. I do not mind the dragon, but when you start noticing that the thing was written by a teenager, maybe consider something else.
• Police Academy - Fallen out of time about as much as Dukes of Hazzard. The horse costs extra.
• Elfquest - Has been around as long as TMNT, never made it into a true franchise, the movie was cancelled, comics got a streak of bad material when they tried to diversify, stubbornly refuses to die. I used to love it back then.
• Saw - Lots of movies, very successful in the beginning, we get many figures of mutilated corpses in torture traps. If you believe no one would ever make those into figures, google Tortured Souls.
• Game of Thrones - I have a thing for dragons. We just need to ignore season 8. And maybe season 7. And the fact that there have been a 7" and a 4" figure series already, both dead as doornails.
• Lassie - Come on, it's an eternal franchise. And you can select freely from a dozen series and movies. Only dammit get the dog right.
• My little Pony - no wait, Hasbro has that already.

 

[Coloring]

Frankly, I don't think I have it in me to get back into 4" Marvel. Not that I wouldn't love better sculpted figures than what we got in 2009ish, because I absolutely despised most of the buck used for them with week legs etc. not to mention double hinged joints that ruined aesthetics. As you say ML scales down, but I do prefer TVC style knees and elbows. But that fact I'd have to suffer through every single character I already own in 4" scale from the last time before ever getting to unmade ones would hold me back for likely the first two years. Sure I'd replace a few main characters that need the improvement but not all of them. But lastly it's the price they'd be today that would basically have me pass on the whole thing, Star Wars is the only line I'm willing to pay $20 a figure. Any other line I wait for a sale.

Half of me agrees and groans at the idea of having to re-buy some of these, but the other half of me is too excited at the idea of better updates to characters I love that only have so-so figures. Some, like the two-pack Daredevil, Jim Lee Cyclops, PS 5 Spider-Man are pretty much perfection and I would love a Doctor Strange, Thor, Silver Surfer etc like them. But i also don't think these would have trouble selling at all, even to people with extensive MU collections.

My question would be what IP's does Hasbro own for them to even delve into for other 3.75" action figure lines?
While I'm more into Sci-Fi genre, I could go for some other things such as Starsky & Hutch, CHiPs, Dukes of Hazzard, simply for the novelty aspect and with those it wouldn't be a long drawn out thing, you hit it and run to the next. Similar to Tron. Though I guess CHiPs is one that could go on for a little longer with all the officers but at least you could literally get by with 2-3 molds max.

With a Tron haslab struggling, I'm not sure something like Starsky and Hutch is going to inspire people to want to start collecting 3.75 figures. It sounds like that's what the goal of this initiative is. I think Sci fi and maybe more video game/video game-like properties offer themselves 1) to the world building aspect (thsrs more than just some humans and a motorcycle or car) and 2) something that collectors would want to invest in that they would buy in 6 inch too, but has more opportunities that 6 inch doesn't allow for.

While niche for sure, in terms of units made this the price. I think this does play into Hasbro's pricing more than actual costs. They see so many companies with $30+ action figures and think, "hey are we leaving money on the table by not charging more?" Instead of competing with JP/JW at retail with TVC when we have Epic heroes, why not compete in the "Collector market" and raise prices while also still being the lowest.

But don't forget, the dinosaurs are the Jurassic items that are constantly getting new molds and new releases and hit about 4 different pricepoints that all sell, even above $50.

It's interesting how Tron's articulation is specific to its needs. I don't see upper arm swivels, but they have double-jointed knees and extra neck articulation specifically to get into the light cycles.

With the ball joint elbow, how necessary is the bicep swivel? Does it really add a lot more?

 

[bac]

With the ball joint elbow, how necessary is the bicep swivel? Does it really add a lot more?

Eh, probably not.