Sideshow Toy has updated with another round of Questions & Answers about things from Star Wars, G.I. Joe & more.....
Q.
Your decision to go with a more modern aesthetic in reintroducing the G.I. Joe characters to a rabidly loyal fanbase is a bold one, and I applaud you for it. I was especially pleased by the look of Firefly, who has the appearance of a G.I. Joe figure inserted into the world of, say, the Modern Warfare games. He’s recognizable for the cartoon/comic character he represents, but is absolutely believable as a combatant in a modern conflict. Downright dastardly. Best figure yet. My question is this: Who are your sources? It’s obvious that you’ve done more than simply bring modern weapons into the arena, especially with Firefly. Do you have people on staff who are knowledgeable of such things? Or are you bringing experienced hands in from the outside? Either way … job well done!
A.
Many thanks! We’ll certainly share your positive comments with the design team working on these figures! Yes, many of our design and development team members are seriously into modern warfare, weaponry, and related hobbies like Air Soft. We do invite talented folks from the outside to consult from time to time, and lend their expertise, but the designs for the GI Joe line have come almost entirely from Seth Rinaldi, Jared Chapman, Tom Gilliland and the rest of the Sideshow crew.
Q.
I was wondering if GUNG HO and ZARTAN are being thought of in your G.I. Joe 12-inch line?
A.
Yes! Zartan is currently in development, and Gung Ho is on our list of candidates. We’re hopeful about introducing a new, bulky body before we get going on Gung Ho or Roadblock.
Q.
I don’t know if anyone has asked/answered this question yet, but I would love to see vehicles in Sideshow’s 1/6 scale G.I. Joe line. The environments look great, now if you could only add 1/6 vehicles to its repertoire!
A.
It is something we discuss, although we’re not ready to take the plunge on 1:6 vehicles yet. Perhaps, perhaps.
Q.
Love your creations with the G.I. Joe line. One issue I notice is a lot of Cobras and only 2 Joes (so far). I know the bad guys always have the best Uniforms. I would love to see a Snow Serpent from the 85 Version. Please even out the Battle. Maybe Beach Head, Dusty, Flint, Hawk, etc. Again thanks for doing what you do!
A.
Snow Serpent would make an amazing figure, no matter the scale or format. Beachhead and Flint are currently available for preorder, and Dusty and Hawk are both in development.
Q.
I was very excited to learn that Sideshow will be developing a “battle helmet” version of Cobra Commander. Snake Eyes, like Cobra Commander, had two iconic facemasks/headsculps as well. What is the likelihood that a “commando” mask Snake Eyes will ever be in the works for the 1/6th scale?
A.
Commando masked Snake Eyes is already in the works.
Q.
I noticed that you mentioned plans for Scarlett, Baroness and Lady Jaye for your 12-inch G.I. Joe line; any plans for Cover Girl? I would love to see her in your line – your work is always amazing!
A.
Cover Girl has definitely made the list.
Q.
Anything new on the Sideshow military lines?
A.
Yes, think Premium Format.
Q.
When can we expect news on the 1st G.I. Joe Premium Format?
A.
That’s still coming, but it’s a little bit off into the future.
Q.
Which one are we going to see first, BARONESS or SCARLET?
A.
Which ever gets her make-up done first :) At this point we are not 100% certain which Joe/Cobra lady will be first.
Q.
What about G.I. Joe and more environments?
A.
Yes. We are spending a lot of time on G.I. Joe environments.
Q.
We need a 1/6 scale of Count Dooku – what are the chances of seeing him get made?
A.
Yes, we are currently developing Count Dooku in 1:6 scale. He’ll be revealed in the future, perhaps not the near future, but sooner than later.
Q.
I am wondering if Sideshow will ever produce C-3PO, R-2D2, Yoda, and Chewbecca in the 1/6 scale? No Star Wars collection could ever be complete without these characters!
A.
Fully agreed–we’d be fools not to release the droids AND Chewbacca! :)
Q.
Why no Mace Windu love? We need him in Premium Format, Legendary Scale Bust, and/or diorama form.
A.
Duly noted, and we will pass along your votes for Mace!
Q.
When can we expect a 12-inch Imperial Royal Guard? The Emperor needs his guards!
A.
Agreed, the Emperor NEEDS Royal Guards. They are a must-have and will see release sooner than later, but development is still in the early stages.
Q.
Does Sideshow have any more plans for further Star Wars envioramas? The Space Slug and the Sandtroopers/Escape Pod are two of my favourite pieces ever. They are perfectly sculpted and visually stunning. There seems so much scope for never before made things you could make here – Cloud City, Dagobah Training, Attack on Theed, Sarlacc Pitt, Kamino, Jedi Temple and Coruscant displays.
A.
At the moment, we don’t have any similar Envioramas in development. We loved those products too, and we’ll consult with our design and development teams to see when Envioramas might make a reappearance.
Q.
I am sorry if this question has been answered before, but I just wanted to know if the Clone Troopers Episode II will be released in their Red and Yellow variants? -AND- When will commanders – NEYO, CODY, GREE, BLY, BACARA – be made in 1/6 Scale?
A.
Yes, we will be releasing the Ep II version of the Clone armor in the various alternate configurations, as seen in both Ep II and the Clone Wars cartoon. The commanders are ALL in development, and you’ll be seeing Rex and Cody very soon!
Q.
Some Star Wars Premium Formats that would be awesome for Sideshow to make: Darth Maul on his speeder bike, Battledroid on a S.T.A.P., Magna Guard, Emperor from Jedi, Emperor on throne, Droideka Tarkin in command chair. I know this is a big list, but I would buy all of these!
A.
All of the characters you list are worthy candidates, and several do appear in our planning, though not all as Premium Format figures.
Q.
Since the Darth Talon Premium Format Figure was such a great success, it is easy to lead one to think that Sideshow may be planning to release Darth Talon’s master – Darth Krayt – in Premium Format as well. Darth Krayt is one of the most awesome Sith lords and he will definitely look menacing in statue form. Will we get to see Darth Krayt from Sideshow?
A.
He’s certainly visually impressive, similar to Darth Talon in striking design aesthetic. He hasn’t been on our list of candidates, but consider Krayt added.
Q.
Is there any chance we will see a Sistros and Braata statue(s) in faux bronze or some other format? I really liked the bronze statue but at only 25 pieces that are very hard to get a hold of (and expensive).
A.
You’re not the first to ask us, and we are considering a way to bring the Sith statues to life in a more affordable format. Nothing has been decided yet, but we’ll keep you informed.
Q.
Is there any chance there will ever be a Mara Jade Premium Format Figure?
A.
Mara Jade will make an appearance in one of our lines by 2011, although we can’t yet confirm which format.
Q.
In the Clone Wars cartoon we see the clones with their helmets off a lot of times. Since there is a high demand for various troopers,why don’t you create an expansion pack with 4 different clone heads that can be placed on a figure to create different clones? I myself have removed the head from one of mine that you produced and found heads online that easily fit but of course don’t look like the clones in the series, so I think it would be a perfect solution.
A.
Yup, we think it’s a good idea too. You’ll be seeing a lot of helmet-less Clones in the coming years, many deriving from their Clone Wars cartoon appearances. If Clone Wars has given a clone a name or personality, you’re very likely to see Sideshow include a head for the character. If they’re only seen on screen with their helmets on, we tend to think that is the preferred way to display them.
Q.
When Sideshow revealed the Palpatine/Sidious 1/6 figure two-pack, I was disappointed that Siddy had no “force lightning” hands. Bought them anyway, great figures! I hoped that whenever you guys released a figure for ROTJ Palpy, he would SURELY include a pair of Jedi zappin’ hands with bendy lightning to wrap around other figures, and wow, that’ll sure look cool! Now that the Emperor is here, I see an old man with a scary face, scary pointing fingers, and…no lightning coming out of them. Seems kind of…anti-climactic. Why no love for the Sith lightning, Sideshow? Is he supposed to whack Luke with his cane?
A.
Duly noted – we will discuss this with development team members and see if we can’t come up with a clever way to incorporate Sith lightning into a future figure or accessory set. Yes, we too have seen well-executed Sith lightning in smaller scale figures, and we’ll have to give a little more thought to how it could be best engineered and produced to fit with 1:6 scale.
Q.
Is it possible that Sideshow is considering producing 12-inch Star Wars figures of the Snowtrooper, Biker Scout and Imperial Royal Guard?
A.
Yes to all three, and you likely won’t have to wait too long before at least one of them is officially revealed.
Q.
Are there any plans to make armory packs, like extra Stormtrooper blasters, pistols, rifles? Thanks!
A.
At some point, we’d love to do an accessory sort of pack with Clone and Stormtrooper weapons, but we have a ways to go to produce a few more essential weapons to add to the load out.
Q.
As I was setting up a winter refresh of my Sideshow collection (the problem with you making too many great toys and me having too little space!), I noticed that we are missing a mouse droid in 1/6th scale. What are the chances that we’ll see him in the lineup?
A.
We have developed the 1:6 scale Mouse Droid, so it’s just a matter of working him into another figure as an accessory or designing a product around him.
Q.
I would love an Emperor Premium Format from the last scene of ROTJ last scene… Grinning with hate, fuming with rage, holding hands up blasting force lightnings. When?! One of THE major characters in the saga and still pending. So … when?
A.
Yes, the Emperor is going to get his due recognition in the Premium Format line. We’re leaning towards capturing him in his throne–dark, evil, and comfortably seated.
Sideshow has a ton more questions and answers for a wide variety of other products posted which you can check out by
clicking here.
