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Collectibles => Other Collectibles => Topic started by: Brian on July 20, 2005, 10:12 AM

Title: Star Wars Customs (Choppers)
Post by: Brian on July 20, 2005, 10:12 AM
Rebelscum (http://www.rebelscum.com/article.asp?i=93818) is reporting that Hasbro has plans for a new "Star Wars Choppers" line, consisting of our favorite characters (Luke, Vader, and Fett are mentioned) on top of motorcycles.  Yikes.  If this turns out to be true, this is really starting to go to far.  Please Hasbro, just stick to the normal figure line, vehicles that are actually in the movies or at least the comics/books if you have to stretch.  It bothers me more the fact that they can't remake (or even just re-release) the Cloud Car, but they can do brand new molding/tooling for Star Wars motorcycles.  Maybe this will turn out to just be rumor fodder, but to me this is a terrible idea.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Jeff on July 20, 2005, 10:26 AM
It bothers me more the fact that they can't remake (or even just re-release) the Cloud Car, but they can do brand new molding/tooling for Star Wars motorcycles.  Maybe this will turn out to just be rumor fodder, but to me this is a terrible idea.

You said it, Brian.

Star Wars Choppers?  ::)

They don't have the money to re-tool the dang Cloud Car, but they have plenty of money for developing new molds for:
"Star Wars Choppers"
or Star Wars Transformers (http://www.jedidefender.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=8620.0)
or new Force Battler Figures
or new Jedi Force figures
or Titanium Forged Figures
or Unleashed Battle Packs
or etc etc etc

 >:(

I can safely say that I will not be buying this line.  Way to water down the franchise EVEN MORE as we head into a non-movie year.   ::)
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Darth_Anton on July 20, 2005, 10:39 AM
That's about a good idea as putting Superman on a motorcycle. ???
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: speedermike on July 20, 2005, 10:43 AM
I'm not sure, but I don't think these are for figures.  I think that they just might be nice little chopper replicas with SW paint jobs.  I think.  I hope...
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: ruiner on July 20, 2005, 10:43 AM
Or the Human Torch on an ATV.

Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Pete_Fett on July 20, 2005, 10:44 AM
Look - this is going to sound pretty bad, but...

Why is Hasbro combining our beloved Star Wars brand with red-neck entertainment?

I'm sorry, but I just don't get the popularity of "West Coast Choppers" and those other stupid shows about retards trying to do crazy crap with motorcycles, custom cars that go from SUV to Trash truck, etc... to me all that stuff is just a huge waste of programming to fill the voide of the 900+ channels the media feels we need these days... but I digress.

How about instead of choppers - Obi-Wan, Clones, Durge and IG-88's on the Star Wars EQUIVALENT of a motorcycle - THE SPEEDER BIKE!!!!!

God damn - did Darryl DeRetard even WATCH Star Wars?
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Darth_Anton on July 20, 2005, 10:45 AM
I'm not sure, but I don't think these are for figures.  I think that they just might be nice little chopper replicas with SW paint jobs.  I think.  I hope...

That would make sense, like a SW Hot wheels car.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Brian on July 20, 2005, 10:53 AM
Quote
I'm not sure, but I don't think these are for figures.  I think that they just might be nice little chopper replicas with SW paint jobs.  I think.  I hope...

That would make a little more sense.  I'm still not interested, but that would be a little more realistic.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Pete_Fett on July 20, 2005, 11:24 AM
Here's the thing - look at the story....

Quote
Hasbro has plans for a new line of Star Wars Choppers, and we've gotten word on three vehicles in the planning stages right now:

Darth Vader's Imperial Chopper
Luke Skywalker's Rebel Chopper
Boba Fett's Bounty Choppper

Imagine your favorite Star Wars characters with weapons drawn racing into battle on top of motorcycles. Yeah, that's right.

The part that worries me is Imagine your favorite Star Wars characters with weapons drawn racing into battle on top of motorcycles - first off - NO, I DON'T WANT TO IMAGINE THAT.

Second - that to me means they will be putting figures on top of these things.

Third - to Jeff's point which is an extension of the point many of us have made on the Future of SW Collecting thread - WHY IS HASBRO WASTING TIME TOOLING UP THIS CRAP!?!?!
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: CHEWIE on July 20, 2005, 11:33 AM
Maybe they're some sort of tough looking Swoops/Speederbikes.

 :P
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Diddly on July 20, 2005, 02:01 PM
So wait, Hasbro is "nervous" about putting out a full case of clones because they think they'll clog shelves, then they green light this ****? ::)

Please, Hasbro, stop the pain. Nobody buys this ****. People want 3.75' figures and vehicles, 7' Unleashed, and Galactic Heroes for little kids. FOCUS ON THE LINES THAT SELL! >:(
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: speedermike on July 20, 2005, 02:36 PM
I'm sure they got the idea from all of the Hulk Monster trucks (That's the Hulk DRIVING a monster truck) that clogged shelves a few years ago.

It's funny how Hasbro didn't show these at Comicon.  They knew that the fan base that was there would HATE them.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Nathan on July 20, 2005, 03:16 PM
This is just silly. ::)

How about instead of choppers - Obi-Wan, Clones, Durge and IG-88's on the Star Wars EQUIVALENT of a motorcycle - THE SPEEDER BIKE!!!!!

Bingo! There's nothing cooler than clones and droids jousting aboard speeder bikes.  8)

There's even already a wicked awesome speeder bike toy for Durge (I own one and it roolz). Just fire up the presses and crank out some more. And I would think the Obi, Clone, and IG versions could be relatively simple modifications of this toy or the Saga Anakin swoop bike.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Pete_Fett on July 20, 2005, 03:58 PM
So wait, Hasbro is "nervous" about putting out a full case of clones because they think they'll clog shelves, then they green light this ****? ::)

Right - but remember, Darryl DeRetard can go to the main toy buyer for WalMart down in Arkansas and have this conversation...

DD: Ok - so I'm going to tell you about the EXCITING Star Wars products we're working on. Tell me, what's "Hot" right now

WalMart Dude: Poker, Texas Hold 'Em

DD: Err... ok what about the "chopper" craze - like Orange County and West Coast Choppers

WalMart Dude: Yeah, I guess. The bike replicas sell pretty good in our southern state stores. By the way I'm not sure I like where this is going, you told me one of those SW figures was going to be a cross between a chopper and a droid - and that darn thing looks nothin' like a motorcycle!

DD: Right, but our market research of old women in trailer parks turned up this startling fact! If you combine Star Wars and Choppers, and by this we mean REAL Choppers, you can corner that lucrative market of both Star Wars AND OCC/WCC collectors. Just think about it!

WalMart Dude: So, these choppers are going to have Star Wars artwork on them?

DD: Better! They are going to look like they are choppers from the Star Wars universe and Star Wars figure will ride them into battle!

WalMart Dude: I'll admit, I'm not so smart, so I steer clear of those dem Star Wars movies 'cause the plot is so hard to follow, but I do remember them having vehicles, but they all seemed to float, none of them had wheels

DD: Well, true, but we're saying "What if?"

WalMart Dude: Ok fair enough. And I'll be wondering "What if" these don't sell? Can I return them to Hasbro for manufacturer's credit whatever doesn't sell over the Christmas season?

DD: Sure, I guess, but we think this line will be hot!

WalMart Dude: Sure, whatever, just ship 'em and we'll be shipping 'em back come January. Shelves are lookin' kinda bare right now anyway. Hey - what happened to that 3.75" figure line you used to do? My distribution hubs aren't getting any of that stuff in - I thought I placed orders on that product through 2008.

DD: We're trying some new ideas. When I was in charge of GI Joe, I revitalized that brand by bringing back the 3.75" figure line. Now I hope to do the same with Star Wars by using the "Spray and Pray" methodology of product development. We have 20 new distinct lines under development right now - those nerds who collect this **** can't possibly collect it all, so whatever "sticks", we'll keep making it!

WalMart Dude: Good plan  ::)

DD: Thanks! Hey, did you roll your eyes at me?

WalMart Dude: Uh... Nope  ::) whatever gave you that idea

DD: There, you did it again!

WalMart Dude: Ok - well, I have to go meet with the guy from Matel, I'm sure you can show yourself out.

DD: Wait, I'm not done! I didn't even get to tell you about the Titanium Forged Figures!

WalMart Dude:  ::) Oh, you're done. Please leave. WalMart security leaves marks. That's not a warning, I'm just letting you know.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Pete_Fett on July 20, 2005, 04:09 PM
By the way - I almost forgot - this line of toys must be inspired by that recent episode of Ocean County RedNecks Choppers. Here's a pic from the episode.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/peterjohn0/ocean_county_rednecks.jpg)

They made futuristic motorcycles and Darth Vader fought the fat son dressed as Luke Skywalker while they both rode around on motorcycles!
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: DoctorPadawan on July 20, 2005, 07:13 PM
*sigh*

To go off on a tangent for a second, I remember when you could turn on TLC and you know, actually learn something.  Now it's all "West Coast Celebrity Poker Showdown with Angry Biker Bounty Hunter Bob Vila on an Airplane" or something.   ::)

Anyway, if this is true, Hasbro has finally jumped the shark.  They cancel Unleashed because it's too expensive to produce, yet they greenlight this garbage. 

Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: evenflow on July 20, 2005, 07:27 PM
This is one of the funniest and most ridiculous things i have heard in a long time.  ::)
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Darth Broem on July 20, 2005, 07:31 PM
I can kind of see Star Wars Transformers since those are both successful toy lines merging into one.  But I don't understand what the Choppers even are? 
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Pete_Fett on July 20, 2005, 10:41 PM
To go off on a tangent for a second, I remember when you could turn on TLC and you know, actually learn something.  Now it's all "West Coast Celebrity Poker Showdown with Angry Biker Bounty Hunter Bob Vila on an Airplane" or something.   ::)

You know - my son put on Mythbusters tonight 'cause they're doing the Shark Week myth busting and during the program there was a commercial with Lance Armstrong and he's returning to his hotel room and he can see sparks flying from underneath the door - when he opens the door he sees the three retards from "American Chopper" have modified his Tour de France bicycle into some redneck piece of trash and the fat son goes "ta-dah!" Lance is obviously playing along, but he has this look on his face like "retards".

It's like TLC KNOWS they're accomodating the lowest-common-denominator with this kind of programming, they embrace it and they, right-in-your-face make fun of it.

*sad*
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: dafoo on July 20, 2005, 11:53 PM
"West Coast Celebrity Poker Showdown with Angry Biker Bounty Hunter Bob Vila on an Airplane"

WCC = Discovery
Poker = Bravo
Bounty hunter =A&E
Bob Villa = not on cable
Airplane = A&E

now now wait! don't lynch me yet.  I may know the channels that's in NO WAY indicative that I watch them!~

Just saying TLC isn't this filth anymore it is "Tender Loving Care" now...Dating, house baying, renovation, make over.  What a sad sorry state of affairs TLC has sunk to.

And Mythbusters is amusing!
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: DoctorPadawan on July 21, 2005, 12:30 AM
I was just making a broad generalization on the state of the once highbrow channels being dumbed down to a point where no real knowledge goes on anymore.  A&E still has some great programming and their "true crime" stuff (Cold Case Files, City Confidential, and American Justice) is second to none, and nobody can argue that their Biography series isn't top notch.

But when Bravo, who used to show little art films (like an early Ewan McGregor film, "Brassed Off") and had Robert DeNiro on "Inside the Actor's Studio" is suddenly broadcasting an all-day marathon of "Celebrity Poker Showdown" and has the cast of "Will and Grace" as guests on ITAS, you know that quality television has gone way downhill.

I'm editing this for the sake of not making another posting, but with these SW Choppers and SW Transformers rumors going around, I have to be wondering about the licensing dept. at LFL these days.  Sure, Hasbro's coming up with some really ridiculous concepts these days, but at the same time, LFL is approving them.  Lucas said at one point he wanted total and complete control over the merchandising so that no product of poor quality or questionable motivation would have the SW logo slapped on it in an injudicious manner. 

Now, even though that has been nullfied by this point (let's hear it for Darth Vader Lawn Sprinklers!), isn't putting a SW character on a motorcycle something that nobody is going to look at and say is the most asinine idea that they've ever seen?  Who is running LFL's liscensing department these days?  I mean, Hasbro is out of their minds for even thinking this was a good idea, but if it comes out in stores, I think that LFL needs to take a good look at itself too.

Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Nathan on July 21, 2005, 01:05 AM
^ That's a great point.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Jesse James on July 21, 2005, 01:07 AM
SW figures with "Choppers" = dumb.

I just feel taxed to write much more than that on the subject.

Watch the figures be SA though and great. :)  hah.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Vator on July 21, 2005, 02:35 AM
Wow, this is an idiotic idea. Good job Big H.

Quote
Why is Hasbro combining our beloved Star Wars brand with red-neck entertainment?

WalMart Dude: Yeah, I guess. The bike replicas sell pretty good in our southern state stores.

Insinuating something Pete?  :-\
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Ben on July 21, 2005, 02:50 AM
Reminds of those stupid SSP vans Kenner put out in the late 70s.

I can't believe Lucasfilm approved something like this.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: JesseVader08 on July 21, 2005, 03:02 AM
Well, it sounds like I'll get lynched for even implying that I like part of this idea...

Like you guys said, SW figures on motorcycles doesn't make any sense.  But motorcycles painted in character themes, well, I kinda like it.   :)

Call me what you will, but roaring engines get my blood flowing (granted, I'm more of a muscle car lover, but some of the motorcycles out there are beautiful).

Now, a cheap $5 item isn't what I'd want - a highly detailed paintjob on a diecast motorcycle - quality is always the ideal.  And I'd hope for this to be a very limited series, just something "extra" that I'd grab once in a while.

Reminds of those stupid SSP vans Kenner put out in the late 70s.

I've actually been trying to find one of those on eBay lately.   :-[
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Jesse James on July 21, 2005, 03:20 AM
Hey, Star Wars painted stock cars...  Guess this wasn't too far off.

I'm still not a fan though...  It's very MUCH like the 70's vans, actually, which I'm also not a fan of. 
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: speedermike on July 21, 2005, 08:39 AM
However, the idea of Star Wars Transformers actually sound like fun toys.  I won't buy them, but I could undertsnad someone who does.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: ruiner on July 21, 2005, 08:40 AM
Money.

George will label slap anything with the SW license on it.  He knows the movies are over and he will continue to milk this cow for all it's worth, until he dies.  And then his kids will do the same thing or live off of the inheritance.

The chopper craze has been over for almost a year.  Hasbro's a little late with this idea IMO.

Though I do think Jesse James (the chopper builder) is pretty cool - and I guess the one we all know here is alright too!   :P
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Pete_Fett on July 21, 2005, 11:01 AM
Wow, this is an idiotic idea. Good job Big H.

Quote
Why is Hasbro combining our beloved Star Wars brand with red-neck entertainment?

WalMart Dude: Yeah, I guess. The bike replicas sell pretty good in our southern state stores.

Insinuating something Pete?  :-\

Only that certain things seem to sell better in certain areas of the country than others. If you look at WalMart for example, up here in NJ, they are sitting on MOUNTAINS of that American Chopper crap.

Down where my step-daughter lives in SC, they can't keep it in stock.

So yeah, I was kinda being mean in my generalization, but I was really trying to make light of the fact that it boggles my mind what market research is Hasbro looking at that's telling them that "choppers" is a big seller across the boards in this country?

Here's my biggest problem:

Making Choppers, Titanium Forged Figures, Force Battlers, Transformers and Unleashed Battle Packs - all require the creation of BRAND NEW tooling and money pumped into the manufacturing process, packaging design, marketing, etc... just so they can have something "different"

Regardless of whether or not Hasbro admits it, the economics is simple. Instead of taking the money you spend on tooling up stupid f**king choppers, make the necessary molds for a Sith Infiltrator, AT-TE, Turbo Tank, modify the Ewok Village, the Cloud Car, new Snowspeeder sculpt, etc.. ANYTHING to add to the PLAY VALUE of your already existing 3.75" toy line!!! The biggest problem I see with the figures today is that the lack of vehicles, pre-posed action stances and spring-powered action features RESTRICT the play-pattern that can exist with the toy line. Give a kid a nice sturdy, poseable Luke Skywalker a small vehicle that is star wars-like that his mom or dad can pick up for $10 - $15, allow him and his parents to find a bunch of "bad guys" and you've got a winner of a toy line.

Just this morning I saw a mom and two boys in the pathetic excuse for the Star Wars aisle at the Manahawkin, NJ WalMart. Here was their Star Wars purchase options: Silly String Blasters or 1 Unleashed Aayla Secura.

That's it. No figures, no vehicles, no lightsabers, not even the Mustafar playset - NOTHING. I could tell the mom wasn't too thrilled with the idea of a silly string blaster either. Parents look at a toy like that and say to themselves "I don't want to clean up that f**king mess" and they leave it on the shelves. To see WalMart getting in like 10 cases of these things is a JOKE.

Whatever high Hasbro may be riding right now due to Q2 earnings is going to come CRASHING down on them for three reasons:

1) Star Wars is still hot, yet there is no new product on the shelves
2) Transformers Cybertron has just debuted but I don't think the show is starting until September on Cartoon Network - that leaves only one month of the quarter for kids to have seen the show and want to buy product
3) The 3.75" GI Joe line languishes on the shelves and will soon be all returned for merchandiser credit and the Sigma Six line will debut this fall and become the SHORTEST LIVED Joe line in history.

By the end of the fiscal year, Hasbro is going to be so far down in profits the stock isn't going to be worth **** and thankfully this year, they can't make Star Wars the whipping boy excuse.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: DoctorPadawan on July 21, 2005, 05:17 PM
Just a little observation on how WM does tend to order things to appeal to their "southern base" and generalize it to their other stores all across America.

(Let me preface this by saying that I am in no way disparaging Southerners, who are frequently some of the most well-mannered people you could meet; I'm just drawing a distinction between two things and WM's selective moral standards)

Back around 2000 or so, Playmates' "World of Springfield" action figure line for "The Simpsons" had just gotten underway.  WM, Target, TRU, and KayBee were all supporting the line.  That is, until Wal-Mart turned down the second assortment altogether due to character inclusion.

Why did Wal-Mart do this?  Well, this assortment included action figures of Smithers and Barney.  WM's main problem was with Smithers (because an action figure will turn you gay, apparently), but to a lesser extent, they weren't happy with an action figure based on the town drunk either.  WM declined to carry the assortment, and Target, TRU, and Kay Bee picked up the slack.  Also around this time, WM (along with the other retailers) were responsible for holding off the release of the "Moe's Bar" interactive playset, for the reasons that they did not want to promote alcohol use to children.  Remember that because we'll be bringing that up later.

Strangely enough, even though Smithers, Barney, and Moe's Bar were not acceptable to WM, Moe himself was, and so when another wave shipped several months later, Moe was available on Wal-Mart toy shelves, complete with a mug of beer.  I thought this was silly at the time (they won't carry the addict, but they will carry the provider), but it would get even sillier four years or so later.

A month or two ago I walked through the WM toy section and my eyes bugged out.  Like them or not, the Blue Collar Comedy Tour people have dolls, and Wal-Mart is carrying them.  What got me was that there is a doll of Ron White, whose entire persona has to do with him being a raging alcoholic (and it seems like it's a bit more than a character unless that's apple juice he's drinking on stage), and here we have not only a doll, but a TALKING Ron White doll done in the teddy bear style, being sold right alongside Playskool toys in the little kids' aisle. 

I immediately flashed back to the Moe's Bar and Barney fiasco with the WOS line a few years earlier, and it just proved to me that promoting alcoholism to children is bad when the people portrayed as the alcoholics are cartoon characters, but it's all well and good when it's a real person glorifying it on television.  So, yeah, WM picks and chooses based on the sensibilities of its southern-based consumers, and the rest of the country's Wal-Marts have to deal with it.



Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: dafoo on July 21, 2005, 07:06 PM
Let's buy Hasbro and did it RIGHT! =p

TV is going downhill, has been for a long time.  It is speeding up though.  Like a snowball downhill.

I noticed the speed up with AMC started showing movies from the 1990's. What the heck is that? That's now classic!  How many times must you Play "Independence day?"  That, and they added commercials.

Alas.  History channel is still good.  And SciFi Friday!
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: proudfather2 on July 24, 2005, 11:37 AM
Choppers and other crazy lines are not my thing or even most of yours I'd wager. Here's the thing, I don't think there supposed to be, entirely anyway. Let's face it, they have to find a way to keep interest going in the Star Wars toys and broadeneing their horizons is one sure-fire way to do just that. So, in short, if they have to make ten goofy Star Wars lines to keep my action figure line alive a little longer, I m all for it.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: MetalJedi on July 24, 2005, 12:58 PM
Words cannot express how bad this is. I think they need collectors working for Hasbro not the yes men they have now.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: ruiner on July 25, 2005, 05:28 PM
DP - I never heard that story before about Playmates and WM - do you know this first-hand or is it folklore?

Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Pete_Fett on July 25, 2005, 05:41 PM
That story about WalMart not supporting the WoS line due to certain "objectionable characters, not in line with the standards of the WalMart corporation" is indeed true.

This is one of many stories where WalMart has gotten the reputation of being able to control a toy line completely simply due to their market-share across the country.

It's a shame really.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: dafoo on July 25, 2005, 05:54 PM
Isn't Wal-Mart's M.O. to build up a company such that they are like totally dependant on WM for their product sales, and then yank the rug out from under them?  Demanding cost reductions or they'll drop their products on the next go around.

I've heard much rumor and gnashing of teeth on that one
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: DoctorPadawan on July 25, 2005, 06:54 PM
Quote
DP - I never heard that story before about Playmates and WM - do you know this first-hand or is it folklore?

Well, it's kind of a little of both.  I never was a big WOS collector (I have a few figures of characters I really like), but I have some friends who were about that line the way we generally are about Star Wars.  I'm actually surprised that more people don't know about it, as it was one of those instances where Wal-Mart flexed its giant retail muscle and did some damage to a line in its infancy.  There was a big stink about it at the time it happened, at least in the Simpsons collecting circuit, and that was part of what fueled the Ebay idiots to claim that Smithers had been (you guessed it) "RECALLED OMG VHTF" due to Wal-Mart not getting him. 

I actually really wanted a Smithers figure (I already had Burns and to me, it's like having a really old Threepio without a gay R2-D2), and if it hadn't been for a friend with a Target nearby, I never would have gotten one.  I'm not too sure if WM refused other case assortments in the future, but I do know that Target, KB, and TRU supported the line (more space, more figures, more frequent ordering) WAY more than WM did.  In fact, I never got my Troy McClure figure at all because WM just quit ordering them altogether at that point.

As for Wal-Mart, I could write a book on their shady business practices and how they've driven certain companies into filing for bankruptcy and watered down the quality of other products (Levi's Jeans) to suit their own low price-points.  If you want to do some quick reading on the subject, go to Wal-Mart Watch (http://www.walmartwatch.com) and you'll find a lot of stories and reports on the Cult of Sam that will make you shake your head and realize just why the WM employees all look like they're being forced to work there at gunpoint.  Oh, and then come back here and I'll tell you all about the "Squiggley Dance."  :)
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Gatillo on July 26, 2005, 11:01 AM
So these must be the Anchorhead County Choopers series. :P

I don't even know what the hell to say about this chopper nonsense.  I tell you what though, it is clear that Hasbro wants to take their huge quarterly profits from the SW line and flush them down the toilet on ideas that won't even generate enough sales to save the rest of the crap made outside the SW line that is stamped Hasbro.

Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Morgbug on July 26, 2005, 09:50 PM
blah, blah, blah.

That's not directed at anyone here, but I don't feel like wasting my energy and annoying anyone with another lengthy post about my general (overwhelming?) displeasure with what Hasbro is currently doing to this line.  Ergo the blahs, you all know what I'd say more or less.

BTW, has anyone ascertained whether these will be bump'n'go cycles ::) >:(
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Pete_Fett on July 26, 2005, 11:13 PM
OMG - I've been laughing for the past five minutes at the prospect of a "Bump-n-Go Darth Vader on Evil Sith Chopper"

*sigh*
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Reid on September 17, 2005, 12:38 PM
This sounds like the rumored Star Wars version of "Easy Rider"  ;D
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Jeff on October 18, 2005, 09:25 AM
Because no one demanded them!  Star Wars Choppers!

Star Wars Customs Wave 1 Set (http://www.entertainmentearth.com/aff-home.asp?id=JE-405087801&number=HS85773AA)

(http://www.jedidefender.com/news/images/10-05/swchoppers.jpg)

Burn Rubber, baby!   ::)
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Mikey D on October 18, 2005, 09:31 AM
The idea was horrible to begin with and now that I see them, they're even more horrible. 
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Jayson on October 18, 2005, 09:36 AM
MY EYES!!!!! I'M BLIND!!!  8)

Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Xander on October 18, 2005, 09:40 AM
Wow, already a variation from Hong Kong!

(http://www.mindspring.com/~extrapolation1/pictures/starknight_1.jpg)










Hardy har. No, this is a knock-off, which is evidently inspiring over here for Hasbro. Personally, I prefer this CHiPs look.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: ruiner on October 18, 2005, 12:14 PM
A bad idea executed poorly.

The chopper craze lasted a little less than a year (ending early this year). 

Hasbro missed the boat and now they are going to double their pain - late and poor sales.


Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: speedermike on October 18, 2005, 01:05 PM
Who are these things aimed at?  I thought that the SW choppers would be very realistic miniature choppers with SW paint jobs.  Almost as if OC Choppers and Lucas got together.  But these are nuts.  I really can't imagine who would buy these.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Brian on October 18, 2005, 01:31 PM
Yikes....agreed, I really don't know who these are aimed at either.  The Star Wars painted motorcycles you mentioned I could maybe see, it still wouldn't be something I would likely buy, but they would at least make a little more sense.  Its products like these that contribute to giving the Star Wars brand a bad name I think, I would have just as soon see Hasbro steer clear of this type of area.  Stick with the basic figure line, and maybe a couple of well received offshoots (Unleashed, maybe GH).  Like many of us have said before, save the money from creating these, Force Battlers, Jedi Force, or even the Transformers, and give us a Cloud Car already :).
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Mister Skeezler on October 18, 2005, 02:01 PM
These are so ******* lame.

Between these and the uber-retarded SW Transformers, we're getting screwed out of new 3.75" figures, I'm sure. And we'll all be able to bask in the hatred when we can't find General Veers because Transforming Vader and gay-biker-boy Luke are reducing the pegs to molten metal.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Diddly on October 18, 2005, 07:20 PM
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

This is so funny. These are so retarded. I laugh at whoever greenlighted this idea.

Then again, the loss of profit from these may come back to haunt us in the 3 3/4' line. :-\
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: DoctorPadawan on October 18, 2005, 09:28 PM
I'm sure Star Wars Pogs will be next.   ::)

I don't even really have anything witty to say here.  Just a great big "WTF?" from over here in the peanut gallery.  ::)
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Darby on October 18, 2005, 10:59 PM
What to say... what to say...
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: DSJ™ on October 18, 2005, 11:04 PM
What a ******* waste of plastic, worst line ever!  ::)
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: ruiner on October 19, 2005, 01:46 PM
The current strategy seems to be 'flood the market with SW ****.'  Not a good idea if you remember the TPM merchandise fiasco.   ::)

Not a good strategy to run with considering your market is going to be kept alive by collectors.  The movies are done, so there's little hope that the mainstream will jump on the bandwagon.

Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: Brian on October 19, 2005, 01:57 PM
Quote
The current strategy seems to be 'flood the market with SW ****.'  Not a good idea if you remember the TPM merchandise fiasco.   

Not a good strategy to run with considering your market is going to be kept alive by collectors.  The movies are done, so there's little hope that the mainstream will jump on the bandwagon.

This is what bothers me about it too.  I mean, I don't want them so I won't buy them...but it still reflects poorly having so much Star Wars crap out there, and some of it really is "crap".  It gives the entire brand a bad name if a few of these offshoots sit and rot on the pegs.  Its always nice to have a variety for people to choose from, and I hope that collectors have their own niche of what they like...but I would just as soon see the line condense into its strongest points, particularly going into what is likely collector-only/mostly year.  Focus on the basic figure line, with accompanying vehicles, beasts, playsets, etc. (although we won't get much of those)...then supplement with a more "collector" line like the 7" Unleashed, and throw in a kiddie line like Galactic Heroes.  Let Sideshow handle the 12", and the miniatures, Kubricks, MR, Gentle Giant, etc. lines are there for specialty collectors.  Leave the Transformers, Force Battlers, Choppers, and the like on the drawing board.
Title: Re: Star Wars "Choppers"?
Post by: ruiner on October 19, 2005, 02:32 PM
Agreed.

For collectors, you really only need the areas that you covered.  Props, statues (unleashed fits here), figures (both 12" and 3.75") and vehicles.  IMO, Hasbro dropped the ball with the 12" license. 

Sideshow recognized that opportunity and they will reap the benefits.

For kids, you need role play, 2" GH figures (no small parts), and MAYBE larger scale figures (Jedi Force) plus select corresponding vehicles/playsets - very few.


Now the question is where do the transformers and choppers fit in?  What about Force Battlers and Attactix?  How about Legos? 


Exactly! 



Title: Re: Star Wars Customs (Choppers)
Post by: JesseVader08 on October 25, 2005, 01:12 PM
It looks like this line is officially going to be called Star Wars Customs, according to Hasbro's update today.

We'll see Vader, Luke and Boba Fett: "These awesome choppers have rev n’ go action – rev the chopper forward and let it go for tons of bump n’ go fun!"

OK, so they're going for the playability factor with kids - good idea, but I still don't think they're going to go over big.  Even kids will say, "how come Darth Vader's driving a motorcycle?  He didn't do that in the movies."   ???  ::)

For more pics of the dumbest line of 2006, check out the Hasbro's update (http://hasbro.com/starwars/pl/page.news/newsid.27D7A82A-D56F-E112-48F588F34BF82B39/dn/default.cfm).
Title: Re: Star Wars Customs (Choppers)
Post by: Brian on October 25, 2005, 01:38 PM
Yeah, maybe the kiddos will like them (maybe), but this is just a terrible idea.  With their quote "bump and go fun", maybe they are going after that obviously huge "Bump n Go" market that ToyBiz has.  I know I see the Spidey and Fantastic Four bump and go's selling like hotcakes. [/sarcasm]
Title: Re: Star Wars Customs (Choppers)
Post by: Jayson on October 25, 2005, 02:34 PM
Quote from Jeff:
"Since it appears now that the Star Wars Customs (Choppers) don't really have anything to do with the 3.75" figure line, this topic might fit better over in the Other Collectibles area."

We should even acknowledge the existence of this ****** line by giving them their own thread  :D
Title: Re: Star Wars Customs (Choppers)
Post by: Nathan on October 25, 2005, 03:05 PM
(http://hasbro.com/common/images/news/starwars/85863.jpg)

Aw ****. You'll all hate me for this, but am I the only one who thinks that, being as the wheels are mostly covered, the Boba chopper looks kind of like a speeder bike and ergo, is cool? :-\

(Is this 3.75" scale? :-\)

Please don't hurt me! :'(
Title: Re: Star Wars Customs (Choppers)
Post by: Jayson on October 25, 2005, 03:12 PM
You're BANNED!  ;D
Title: Re: Star Wars Customs (Choppers)
Post by: JesseVader08 on October 25, 2005, 05:20 PM

(Is this 3.75" scale? :-\)


Good question.  I'm assuming not.  And I can't tell from those pics if the figures are even removable.  :-\


Please don't hurt me! :'(


 >:(

 ;)  Actually, it takes guts to say you like something when everyone else clearly states that they suck ass.   :P
Title: Re: Star Wars Customs (Choppers)
Post by: JesseVader08 on October 29, 2005, 07:11 PM
Ah, who am I kidding?  I'm a sucker for ANYTHING Vader (I bought 2 Darth Taters after all), so I'm sure this'll end up in my collection too.

I'll try and justify it by saying it reminds me of the those Darth Vader vans from the 70's that tried to hop on the bandwagon of the custom painted van craze.  I always wanted one of those. 

Yeah, that's it.   ;)
Title: Re: Star Wars Customs (Choppers)
Post by: Nathan on October 30, 2005, 01:01 AM
Actually, it takes guts to say you like something when everyone else clearly states that they suck ass. :P

I'm familiar enough with being on the other side (ripping on toys and EU that everyone else worships) that this isn't much of a stretch. Even among other nerds I tend to march to the beat of my own drum. 8)
Title: Re: Star Wars Customs (Choppers)
Post by: Nathan on November 8, 2005, 08:38 PM
(http://shortpacked.com/comics/20051031cycle.png)
Title: Re: Star Wars Customs (Choppers)
Post by: Jeff on April 18, 2006, 05:33 PM
I would like it noted that the SW Choppers are now on CLEARANCE at all of my local MN Target stores - they didn't even make it 6 months (Dec 2005 - April 2006). 

Goodbye and good riddance.   :P
Title: Re: Star Wars Customs (Choppers)
Post by: ruiner on April 18, 2006, 05:48 PM
Wow, didn't see that one coming....