JediDefender.com Forums
Multimedia => Star Wars Universe => Topic started by: Thomas Grey on November 20, 2002, 01:10 AM
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Power of the Force 2 had some brilliant releases that still have not been expanded upon. Delving into the worlds of Star Wars novels, comic books and video games, Kenner & Hasbro introduced some great characters into the realm of 3-D figures. With Shadows of the Empire and the Expanded Universe lines we were given a whole new list of countless new figure possibilities. Unfortunately, Hasbro hasn't taken the ball and run with it.
If they were to introduce a new Expanded Universe line today, what figures would you most want to see them release?
Due to my unfamiliarity with most of the EU stuff, I have little input here, but it would help me to know where to go when I begin my exploration into the Expanded Star Wars Universe.
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I'll be honset when I say hardly anything, I hate pretty much all EU I have read. The exception being the original Zahn trilogy stuff of the early 90's which really recaptured my love of SW. THat being said I would take an original never before done movie character over and EU figure 99 times out of 100. The exception being Conept Art ala the upcoming McQuarrie Stormtrooper and EU based on existing OT designs ala the Star Tour astromechs
EU just isn't my cup o' tea but I'm sure I am in the minority a lot of people like it a lot more than I do
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I thought of a couple I would like to see...
1. A figure of a Bothan Spy. They deserve a figure especially because of the species class they will have for them when SW Galaxies gets rolling. We know what they look like, and they are definitely cool enough to get a figure.
2. Wooacca (sic). I have never liked any of the art I've seen for his character, but we need more wookiees and a wookiee jedi would be a darn good addition!
3. A Krayt Dragon Beast Figure. The only thing we have to go on is a skeleton in ANH, unless I forgot that they added one in the newer release. These are so cool and beasts you do not want to mess with.
4. Any new bounty hunters would be great. Would also like to see Jango Fett's posse from the Open Seasons comic.
that's it for now.
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I must say, I really do not like Expanded Universe. It is not made or created by Lucas and is not a movie, I don't really consider it "official Star Wars", but some fan (or company) made ideas about Star Wars. No big deal to me, I still don't understand all of those Darth Mauls, my thing is, if they are not in the movie, don't make a action figure. Sure, I can like the look, but they just don't feel Star Wars to me.
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As far as I know, all these ideas are approved by Lucas himself. I would imagine that he would not let something be printed about his universe without giving it a thumbs up. George has the power to kill any idea and so, he probably has had some input in most of the EU stuff out there. I am only familiar with comic stuff and not as so with the novels, but I intend to look into them when the movies stop and I hope at some point, someone picks up the ball and takes some of these things into smaller format film media (HBO, network tele or even the big screen. I am not a 'true' fan of EU, but I am not against the idea, nor am I against the characters of these EU stories being made into figures.
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Yeah, I see your point. My thing is though, Lucas did not come up with the ideas and they are not in a movie, he just approves them.
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I also think not having a visual of what people in the EU look like detracts from the ideas of figures as well.
I would say I'm in the majority that don't want a lot of EU...
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I just think that Mara Jade, Darktrooper, Leia Organa Solo, Spacetrooper and Grand Admiral Thrawn from EU are really nice figures. I also like Chewbacca as Snoova (I know it's a bit hokie, but it's Chewbacca). The 2-packs from SOTE are great! I just like the stuff and want more. I agree to disagree at this point.
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Okay, now its my turn to weigh in on the subject of the EU. I LOVE it!! ;D In 3 years what are you all going to do when there are no more movies to make? The EU has some amazing characters, Corran Horn, Mara Jade, Talon Karrde, etc. The EU also gives you the chance to get the backstory on a lot of the major characters in the movies. The EU is here to stay, I respect your opinions about it, and I'm sure that a lot of people don't consider it "canon", but it is all approved by Lucas himself. Even GL has used the EU for characters and ideas, ie: Aayla Secura. I'm out of time right now, but I'll be back.
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It's funny to see how Hasbro's line tends to follow the trends in customizing. As a particular character becomes a popular subject, it's not too long after that Hasbro releases their version. Given that trend, I would think that the logical point for an EU figure line would be the NJO. This series seems to be growing in popularity. Look at all the NJO customs appearing on the web. These books and novels are gaining a must read rep similar to, but not as broad as, the Thrawn Trilogy cult.
Personally I think the series has been hit or miss. Some stories such as Star by Star have been riveting. Others like Dark Journey fall flat on their face.
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I am a big fun of all the books and would LOVE to see more figures made. The next logical step would be to make more figures from NJO. I'd like to see the solo kids and friends and vong figures. ;D
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I really liked the Thrawn trilogy. I would even like to see that on the big screen someday doubt it will happen but it could be good. As for the rest I do like some and dislike others. The figs were OK. I will admit when I first saw them I wondered who in the hell is that. Since then I have been building my library up and now have cought on ;)
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The Thrawn Trilogy would be cool, and yea, i wouldn't mind seeing Jango's gang.
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I loved Shadows and the EU line. I really wish they would do more, and i mean alot more. I would love to see Tales of the Jedi and especially Crimson Empire. Anything would do really.
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you know lucas doesn't come up with much of anything beyond the storyline, even for the movies. Someone else dreams up what things look like, the planets, the ships, the troopers.
Lucas just approves them, Expanded Universe has great possiblities, I have loved how they tried so hard to connect it all into one history. (granted you've got some early stuff that's screwy, but even that's had attempts to fix it up lol)
I hate how Hasbro is reluctant to make more EU toys. Just cuz it isn't in a movie doesn't mean anything. What movie was GI Joe in? Kenner/Hasbro just dreamed up neat looking figures and a cartoon was made for them.
Ok here, they have the characters made and Designed for them already and they are really good looking. All they have to do is make the figure!
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I'd be happy with pretty much any EU figures to be honest. Hell, I'd be jumping-up-and-down ecstatic if they simply rereleased the 1998 figs.
Unfortunately I'd say the window for NJO figures has come and gone--the most likely time would have been when the series was still coming out. I think the most likely ones for the future would be lines based on the TV shows.
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They could still do NJO I think.
For all the bad in that series, the bad guys were awesome
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I'm not exactly the biggest EU fan in the world, but if I had to make a list, I'd say to do two assortments of four figures each, and be done with the EU once and for all. And here's what I would pick:
1. SA Grand Admiral Thrawn (from Zahn's Trilogy)
2. SA Mara Jade (from Zahn's Trilogy)
3. SA Quinlan Vos (from the Republic comics)
4. SA Republic Commando (from the RC Video Game)
5. General Grievous (pre-cyborg, from the Visionairies GN)
6. SA ARC Trooper (from the CW cartoon/comics; both colors)
7. SA Obi-Wan Kenobi in Clone Armor (from the CW cartoon; not the one from that crappy box set)
8. SA Darktrooper (from Dark Forces video game)
[COMEDY OPTION: Ken Palpatine] :D
So, out of that list, I think you could satisfy a lot of people, including Hasbro themselves. The first three are pure fan wet dreams for the hardcore fans, there are two new and different versions of main characters (Grievous and Obi-Wan), plus three army builders in the Imperial/Clone tradition.
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I'd come up with the cash to get #4, and 8!
I think the Knight of the Old Republic characters would make great figures as well. A lot of the fans of KotOR are not "star wars fans;" a growth market!
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I agree with DoctorPadawan's #1 and #2 there; the POTF versions look pretty nice overall, and I love my Thrawn (I paid $10 for him after all) and Mara is near if not at the top of my want list, but it would be cool to see a Thrawn with the proper shoulderpads already made on, at least angle cuts (ball jounts would be better) on his arms and bending knees so he can sit and ponder and gesture as he explains his plans and such. I'd also love to see a Thrawn sporting a real "nutrition frame" with a ysalamir that more resembles what the books described.
A SA Mara is a no-brainer as she seems to be a pretty vital character in the entire EU and a fan favorite. Heck, I'd also like to see another version in her Jedi garb from later novels as many a kitbasher has made.
Talon Karrde seems like another good choice, because I suspect he appeared in a good handful of books and was very memorable. He's also a fan favorite, I think.
If I may be so bold, I think two of the most obvious choices for any sort of new EU line would have to be the Jaina and Jacen Solo, and maybe Anakin Solo as well. Probably adult, Jedi versions. These are ongoing pivotal characters and really a part of the main group of characters as far as I can tell, and are definately big fan favorites.
While he's not the most exciting charachter ever, I for one would like to see a Captain Gilad Palleon figure. He plays a role in a few books beside the Thrawn trilogy, and pretty much all of Thrawn's scenes in the Thrawn trilogy, and many of C'Baoths, were from Palleon's perspective. Plus I believe the guy played some kind of important part later on when the Imperial Remnant allied with the New Republic (or whatever precisely happened there). In any case, I'd rather buy one of these than a General Veers, and Thrawn figures could really use a "buddy" to display next to them.
While I think his role long-term was a lot more limited, I'd like to see a Joruus C'Baoth/Jorus C'Baoth figure, as he was a very memorable villain and, by virtue of being a clone, appears in Outbound Flight as well as the Thrawn trilogy.
Some kind of Bothan, be it a spy or Borsk Feyl'ya, would be great, as these dudes were mentioned in the movies but never seen and played a pretty good role in events. Borsk Feyl'ya is not only a memorable charachter, but I'm pretty sure he plays an ongoing role (I think I heard he was in the NJO books).
Another good alien figure would be a Noghri. I have no idea if they were mentioned beyond the Thrawn trilogy, but they're pretty impressive and a vital pat of that trilogy, and I think quite a few people would like to have one. Maybe it could specifically be a main charachter, like Rukh or Khabarakh; Rukh would go quite nicely with Thrawn and Palleon if they were making a Thrawn Trilogy set.
Garm Bel Iblis would be a good figure to have and display next to Mon Mothma and Admiral Ackbar. I don't know if he made any apperances beyond the Thrawn trilogy, bu he was memorable and would fit right in with a senate and such.
If I had to pick and choose a select few of these suggestions, I'd say SA and/or Jedi Mara first, the Solo children second, a new Thrawn third.
I'd probably have more/better suggestions if I read more books, but I would definately buy all these figures if they were made. As it is, I aim to kitbash because they aren't being made. Well, okay, Garm Bel Iblis/the Noghri/the Bothans will have to wait a while, probably...