JediDefender.com Forums

Collectibles => The Vintage Collection => Topic started by: Darth Broem on April 25, 2005, 09:18 AM

Title: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: Darth Broem on April 25, 2005, 09:18 AM
http://www.galactichunter.com/

Scroll down and Gh.com seems to believe that the Tonnika Sisters might be coming at some point.  Interesting considering that Hasbro Q & A said no developements on that front. 

By the way.  Not sure where this would actuall go?  OTC or ROTS? 
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: CHEWIE on April 25, 2005, 11:55 AM
Man, don't I hope these are coming.  There's not nearly enough female figures made anyway, but to get the Cantina Hookers would be freaking awesome.  Not to mention a customizer's dream.

 :P
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Chris on April 25, 2005, 11:59 AM
Hasbro also hinted to me a confirmation of this when I spoke with their team leader on Saturday. Though, during the Q & A they avoided the question entirely.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jeff on April 25, 2005, 12:42 PM
Hasbro also hinted to me a confirmation of this when I spoke with their team leader on Saturday. Though, during the Q & A they avoided the question entirely.

Yeah, during the QnA, they just went with "No Comment".

Buuuut, in private at the booth they sure did a LOT of hinting that the Tonnkia Twins may have something to do with the upcoming Distillery and U-Shaped bar pieces...  ;)

Jeff
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Darth Broem on April 25, 2005, 12:46 PM
Sandtroopers.com claims to have an actual letter from Chrisine Hewitt, the lady that played on of the sisters and who was at C3, saying she got word from Hasbro that her figure will be made.  I guess that is what they are saying?
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Scott on April 25, 2005, 01:37 PM
This is very good news.  They were super popular on many wishlists back around 2000 but continued denials from Hasbro about them ever having a chance of coming sort of dropped them down the wishlists.  The distillary and the U section sound like a done deal as well which means perhaps we'll be seeing these at a K-Mart near you next year (I hope!)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: JediMAC on April 25, 2005, 01:41 PM
Buuuut, in private at the booth they sure did a LOT of hinting that the Tonnkia Twins may have something to do with the upcoming Distillery and U-Shaped bar pieces...  ;)

Yeah, I stopped by and talked privately with Christine Hewitt on Sunday.  Here's exactly what she had to say on the matter:

She was NEVER opposed to Hasbro using her likeness for a figure.  Not back in the 70's, and not now.  It was the other Tonnika sister who made a big stink about it for some reason.  She thinks Hasbro or Lucas licensing must have been confused and just lumped the two of them together.

But Christine said she's been in a few discussions with the Hasbro reps recently, and they're well aware that they've got the green light on her figure.  She then added that she thinks all the collectors out there will be very happy pretty soon, as her figure is indeed coming...  8)

For whatever reason, Hasbro still treated the topic as if it was national security in their Q & A on Friday.  Even after I pointed out that Christine is heavily involved in the SW circuit now with the autographs and such, and that there's likely no way that she's opposed to having a figure made of her at this point.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: JediMAC on April 25, 2005, 01:46 PM
Sandtroopers.com claims to have an actual letter from Chrisine Hewitt, the lady that played on of the sisters and who was at C3, saying she got word from Hasbro that her figure will be made.  I guess that is what they are saying?

Phhttthht...

This is the very same Sandtroopers.com that did an entire interview with this lady several months ago, and didn't even ask her about the whole Hasbro figure licensing rights issue.  I thought they were a "collecting" site.  Duh.  ::)

Letter or not, she said it's coming, and a Hasbro rep later on at their booth hinted very much the same.  It's coming, and not 'cause Sandtroopers says so...  :P

By the way.  Not sure where this would actuall go?  OTC or ROTS? 

Let's go with OTC...  ;)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Mister Skeezler on April 25, 2005, 01:47 PM
Sweet! They really are the two characters that are noticably missing from the Cantina scene. I mean, I can live without a Swilla Cory figure, but the Tonnika Sisters are a must-have.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Darth Broem on April 25, 2005, 02:21 PM
Yeah, for whatever reason I am all about getting cantina creatures or whomever made.  This makes me quite happy regardless of what the hell the ordeal is. 

I wonder if Hasbro just wanted to tell that lady in person before everyone else?  Eh, I don't know.  It's nice to here the rest of the freaking bar will be coming.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Rob on April 25, 2005, 02:25 PM
I asked the actress that was signing autographs what the deal was with the rights and all that stuff.

She said that it was never true for her, but that the OTHER actress was witholding rights to the likeness.  She also said that she'd gone to the Hasbro guys the day before to let them know that they had permission to make the figure in her likeness.  She implied that they all but told her that they were going to go ahead and try to make ONE figure - then everyone could buy two.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Scott on April 25, 2005, 02:27 PM
Here's a "Scott's Cantina Wishlist Update Post" In case you were wondering:


Quote
From my ANH Wishlist...I think the following 6 are must makes for the Cantina

Hem Dazon
Bom Vimdin
Dannik Jerriko
Feltipern Trevagg
Myo
Braniac


And seen just outside the Cantina...we still need

CZ Droid
Wioslea

If they make these I'll be happy...I've given up on the Tonnika Sisters, its not going to happen.  Second tier guys for me include

Garouf Lafoe
Hrchek Kal Fas (I have some pretty nice customs of the Kel Fas's)
Yerka Mig or Merc Sunlet
Cantina Dude
[/size]
In reality, if they do a Hem, Bom, Braniac and the Tonnika Sisters and finally get a Wioslea, Cz-3 and Tatooine Poncho Luke, I think I could be done with Tatooine from ANH.  I'd dig a new Anchorhead Biggs and new versions of Owen and Beru but we're already in gravy town and the big 6 above would be all that this guy needs
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: JediMAC on April 25, 2005, 03:20 PM
I asked the actress that was signing autographs what the deal was with the rights and all that stuff.

She said that it was never true for her, but that the OTHER actress was witholding rights to the likeness.  She also said that she'd gone to the Hasbro guys the day before to let them know that they had permission to make the figure in her likeness.  She implied that they all but told her that they were going to go ahead and try to make ONE figure - then everyone could buy two.

Is there an echo in here, Rob?!   :P

As for the bar, yeah, the Hasbro rep I chatted with at their booth confirmed that the U-shaped portion will be coming (as part of an overall 3-piece Cantina set), and that the distillery would definitely be included too, which was great to hear.  He said the sets were essentially ready to go, and that they were just waiting for a retailer to pick them up as an exclusive.  They wouldn't elaborate on any of the figure choices for inclusion though, and made it sound like that part of the set may still be up in the air right now.  I obviously pointed out that the Tonnika sister would be an obvious choice, since that where she was standing in the movie.  Though I'd prefer it if she was single carded instead.

One staff member from another site said that his friend had already seen these items back in Asia, so it sounds like they're very much already finished, and just sitting around waiting...

That would also seem to mesh timing-wise with what the Hasbro guys told me last year at Comic Con, which was that the rest of the bar was definitely on the way at some point soon...  So just a question of being patient and waiting it out.

I also pushed the obvious Hem Dazon/Arcona idea on them, and they said that it was indeed an obvious choice, and would unquestionably be coming sooner or later.  So no worries on that figure either, other than your patience level.  ;)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jim on April 25, 2005, 04:07 PM
Hey this would be perfect timing to throw in another Cantina Han.  Actually I heard the same rumor as Matt about finished product.  But I guarantee in order for us to buy this that Hasbro will throw in a couple of rehashes. Would be nice to see the other Duros and a Sauren thrown in.  They could be easily rehashed from previous figs.  But like most of you, Hem Dazon is the one fig i've wanted the most for almost ten freakin years now. Its strange because he is the first alien shown and for that he is stuck in most peoples minds when they think of that scene.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Rob on April 25, 2005, 04:13 PM
Is there an echo in here, Rob?!   :P

Whoops - didn't read through the whole thread...
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jesse James on April 25, 2005, 04:44 PM
See how thorough we are here?  We asked the same questions every where we went. :)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Darth Broem on April 26, 2005, 08:57 AM
I thought at one point Hasbro told you guys that another cantina scene would depend on how well the previous sets sold at K-Mart?  They must have done ok then.  I realize that K-Mart may or may not be the retailer that picks them up but there must have been enough interest.  Or they just said the heck with and made it anyway.

Good news regardless.  I just hope someone picks it up. 
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Morgbug on April 26, 2005, 11:35 AM
I thought at one point Hasbro told you guys that another cantina scene would depend on how well the previous sets sold at K-Mart?  They must have done ok then.  I realize that K-Mart may or may not be the retailer that picks them up but there must have been enough interest.  Or they just said the heck with and made it anyway.
 

It was also pointed out during the Q&A that the initial Cantina wave should absolutely not be used as a gauge for sales, given the crappy rehash figures included in those sets.  I can't remember who stated that, the same obnoxious guy that commented on nearly everything and was subsequently ignored by Hasbro for the entire Q&A session until the last  :P
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Darth_Anton on April 26, 2005, 12:19 PM
The sisters can't come fast enough! I'll be happy to not see any more threads asking when they are comming, or why they haven't been made, or saying it would be a good idea to make these. :P
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: JediMAC on April 26, 2005, 09:50 PM
It was also pointed out during the Q&A that the initial Cantina wave should absolutely not be used as a gauge for sales, given the crappy rehash figures included in those sets.  I can't remember who stated that, the same obnoxious guy that commented on nearly everything and was subsequently ignored by Hasbro for the entire Q&A session until the last  :P

Uh...   :D

Yeah, never stick me in the first row in front of a Q & A in front of a bunch of Hasbro reps, or they'll never hear the end of it!  ;)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: ruiner on April 27, 2005, 03:51 PM
Yeah, the cool thing about twins (outside of the obvious) is the fact that you only need one sister's permission to do the figure.

 ;)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Nicklab on April 27, 2005, 07:46 PM
It was also pointed out during the Q&A that the initial Cantina wave should absolutely not be used as a gauge for sales, given the crappy rehash figures included in those sets.  I can't remember who stated that, the same obnoxious guy that commented on nearly everything and was subsequently ignored by Hasbro for the entire Q&A session until the last  :P

Uh...   :D

Yeah, never stick me in the first row in front of a Q & A in front of a bunch of Hasbro reps, or they'll never hear the end of it!  ;)

Really?  I hadn't noticed.  ;)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Darth Broem on April 28, 2005, 11:44 AM
The whole thing is odd really.  If there was never a problem with this lady Christine Hewitt.  Then why did they not move on this a long time ago?  I guess they wanted to make sure perhaps?  Anyway, I just hope we get a Tonnika sister(s) one way or another. 
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Nicklab on April 28, 2005, 02:03 PM
The nickname for the characters might've had something to do with it.  They were after all known as "Star whores".
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: JesseVader08 on April 28, 2005, 06:16 PM
I highly doubt that was a factor.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Nicklab on April 28, 2005, 06:49 PM
I highly doubt that was a factor.

Think about it.  This is a toy line.  Originally conceived for children to play with and enjoy.  The collector thing came much later, but it's still in the minds of the manufacturer a line for kids.  You would seriously put out figures of characters that are nicknamed by the filmmaker as "star whores", and all of their backstory is salacious in nature?  Right.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jesse James on April 28, 2005, 07:04 PM
I don't know...  The "Star Whores" nickname's not widely known outside of the geekiest circles of collectors.  Not that Hasbro doesn't know the nickname, that's anyone's guess, but it's really one of those out there things, so I see JesseVader's point that it likely was a non-issue to the debate.

They made Ay Vida afterall, who is physically more racey than the twins were with their goofy hair-dos and all that...  Ay actually has what appears to be a little butt-floss going on even, yikes! 

I tend to agree then that a nickname given by people on-set to the two characters from a '77 film, and rarely spoken of outside the most anal of circles since then, ever really was a REASON they'd not make the figures.  Who knows though, anything is possible, it just strikes me as more unlikely as well.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: JediMAC on April 28, 2005, 07:16 PM
Lots of the characters had silly or vulgar nicknames during filming, or risque back stories in EU, but none of those things have found their way into the figure aisles, even if the characters eventually got turned into plastic.  Besides, nobody but the most ardent of fanboys knows that detail about the Sisters.  The kids certainly wouldn't, and I doubt even Hasbro has any knowledge of it.

Definitely not a reason.  Just a dumb licensing rights bunch of crap all these years...  Just glad to see it's almost over now.

With a Tonnika sister, Hem Dazon, and the rest of the bar coming by the end of next year, our Cantina dioramas are going to be filling out quite nicely.  8)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Nicklab on April 28, 2005, 07:36 PM
Perhaps the holdup has not been with Hasbro, but rather with Lucasfilm.  Has anyone ever considered that LFL might have held this up for the self-same reason?  Nothing gets made without LFL's golden stamp of approval.

There are so many steps in the process where things can get held up.  We may think we know all of the reasons, but will we ever REALLY know?  I could see both LFL and Hasbro having concerns about these characters, and for a number of reasons.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: CHEWIE on April 28, 2005, 09:02 PM
I never hear anyone say this... maybe it's just taking a helluva lot of time to get them... we haven't gotten Cantina Dude or Hem Dazon, is there a legal issue there too?   ;)

 :P
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jesse James on April 29, 2005, 02:25 AM
I still look at Lucasfilm as a financial juggernaught though.  If they think it'll sell (risque or otherwise), they'll push it).  Again, Ay Vida has, for all intents and purposes, a string bikini-ish thing on...  Even sculpted nipples, or some kind of point to her chesticle region...  She's not hurting for aesthetic appeal as far as sculpt goes.

I think the obscure "star whores" reference was never really a thought then...  If Ay can pass through the cracks of Hasbro and Lucasfilm, then the Tonika sisters could've as well I believe.  That's just my take on it though...  I'm sure someone at Hasbro and LFL Licensing are both aware of the impromptu namesake given those 2, but I agree with Matt that it's a "fanboy" factoid only, not really so much a factor in the figure's decision-making process.  I think that's been just a silly licensing issue, as has always been claimed. 

Hopefully it's hashed out and the figure(s) are finalized.  They, behind Hem Dazon, are among the tops in the Cantina requests at this point.  Be nice if they were made finally.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Aaron_D on April 29, 2005, 05:42 AM
Sorry, but I think the whole hookers angle is rather silly too.  Hasbro's said for years it's just a licensing issue with the actresses.  I'm sure if there was a problem with the characters they portray in the films, they would've mentioned that at some point, since it wouldn't be all that big of a deal to address a topic of that nature to a lot of adult collectors to appease them.

I'm just glad that a Tonikka sister is finally coming.  Hopefully Hasbro surprises us and goes ahead and makes them both, or offers them up like the blue and red royal guards with one of each version.  If not, my feeble customizing skills will manage.

So if Hem's coming too now, I want to see Givins and Bom Vimdin make it next!
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Nicklab on April 29, 2005, 09:35 AM
Sorry, but I think the whole hookers angle is rather silly too.  Hasbro's said for years it's just a licensing issue with the actresses.  I'm sure if there was a problem with the characters they portray in the films, they would've mentioned that at some point, since it wouldn't be all that big of a deal to address a topic of that nature to a lot of adult collectors to appease them.

Hmm, let's do the math...

Major toy company makes figures of prostitutes
+
Figures of prostitutes have bio on cardback
 /
Character bio finds it's way into the media
=
Public Relations Disaster




It's entirely possible that Hasbro and/or Lucasfilm have been dodging the issue over the years using the licensing issue to mask the fact that they don't want to make figures of two Mos Eisly prostitutes.  Seriously, this could be a big PR issue for the two companies that they might be all too happy to avoid.  That may be why we've been getting the licensing excuse all these years.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Scott on April 29, 2005, 10:16 AM
Tonnika's at the Official Site (http://www.starwars.com/episode-iv/bts/article/f20030502/indexp5.html)


(http://www.starwars.com/episode-iv/bts/article/f20030502/img/tonnika_bg.jpg)

Tonnika Sisters
The Tonnika twins weren't exactly twins. Their production nickname was "Space Girls," though their fashion sense of wearing their underwear on the outside led to a less-than flattering (and somewhat unprintable) nickname. They were played by two local extras that were not related, and did not look alike at all.

But in 1989, when Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope filled in this pair's backstory, it established that the girls were identical. The artwork accompanying the article was cheated -- it was based on production photography of the cantina extras, but only one of the girls was illustrated. The artwork was reversed and duplicated, creating a mirror image.

This presented a problem when it came using photography of these extras. They clearly weren't identical, despite what their backstory claimed. Timothy Zahn resolved this discrepancy with his short story in the Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina anthology.

In "Hammertong," Zahn reveals that the non-identical girls in the cantina that day weren't the real Tonnika sisters. The real twins were doing time in some prison for one of their many capers. The women posing as them were actually undercover Mistryl shadow warriors.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I don't think their "official" backstory is being whores.  I think there is some merit to your reasoning though Nick, Hasbro has pretty much always said they want to do them but they can't.  Who's stopping them...not themselves.  It has to be LFL and we were fed the likeness rights stuff, which I don't believe.  Maybe it was true and this latest stuff will resolve that but it just seems fishy that it didn't happen until now and the Hasbro and/or LFL didn't pursue the issue until now.  There had to be something beyond the likeness rights thing for them to balk this long :-\
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Rob on April 29, 2005, 10:24 AM
Couldn't care less if they were whores or Kim Jong Ill - they were in the cantina and I want sculpts of them dammit.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jeff on April 29, 2005, 10:33 AM
I still think the fact that they haven't gotten figures yet is tied to the fact that they are female characters in lousy outfits with little to no screen time.  They've got ugly 50s hair-dos, tacky outfits, and their undies out the outside like superheroes!  :P

Image this, licensing that.  Bah!  It all comes down to "peg-warmer" status.  If they made them, I'd buy them in a heartbeat of course - they're Cantina figures!  Outside of us die-hard ANH-loving collector dudes, who else on earth would want figures of girls from the 70s?

Putting all the rumor and back-story history aside, I still think that their feared peg-warming status has more to do with it than anything else...  ;)

Jeff
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Darth Broem on April 29, 2005, 11:57 AM
Who knows?  You could be correct.  Enough demand has been built up now so Hasbro may feel comfortable putting them out there in some format. 

I can see Yarna (that 6 breasted dancer) having an issue being made in regard to "whore" status.  Or just the fact there are 6 breast.  However, if they are putting out a chopped up and burned Anakin figure the Yarna fig may get made someday.  Although it does have pegwarmer status written all over it as well.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: ruiner on April 29, 2005, 12:26 PM
They've made a helluva lot worse decisions in regards to peg warming figures than Tonnika Sisters could be:

1.  Ack Med Beq
2.  Lt. Faytoni
3.  Imperial Dignitary 1 & 2

Wait a minute, that whole wave consisted of peg warmers!
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: CHEWIE on April 29, 2005, 12:32 PM
That was a peg warming wave... but I love that wave.  I bought at least 5 of each of those figures for full price.

The problem was releasing them all pretty much at the same time without other more action oriented figures in those waves.

That one Tonnika chick in the green is so hot.  Count me in for at least 5-6 of each of these figures if they make them.

 :P
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: JediMAC on April 29, 2005, 02:12 PM
Hmm, let's do the math...

Major toy company makes figures of prostitutes

Again, aside from a couple ardent fanboys, no one knows they're prostitutes, nor would they likely be advertised as such, so that's not a concern.

Figures of prostitutes have bio on cardback

Doubtful.  It'd likely look the exact same as the bio they have up on the Official Site that Scott just showed.

Character bio finds it's way into the media

I think that's going a tad overboard there.  Their bios are already as much in the media as they're ever going to be at this point, around the various sites online.  I don't think CNN or local news will be running breaking news stories on a hooker figure developed by Hasbro for their Star Wars action figure line.

Public Relations Disaster

Not gonna happen.  Way over dramatic there, Nick.  ****, they already made a figure of a drug dealer (Elan), you think that's any better than a couple supposed hookers?  They made a couple of "sex slave" figures too, in Oola and Slave Leia.  Again, no biggie.  Nobody cares that they're possibly hookers.  It was just a silly rhyming nickname ("Star whores") made up by the filming crew.  If the Tonnika sister's bios have been up on StarWars.com for some time now, and are in the reference books and other EU stuff, where Lucasfilm knows kids are already viewing and reading, then this is a completely moot point.  If they're not concerned about that, then they're not concerned about this issue in regards to their figure(s).  Think about it.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Darth Broem on April 29, 2005, 03:49 PM
Well the Tonnika Sisters may come to be now.  Now lets work on getting a Yarna figure out to the masses!  Well along with some other ones like Hermi Odle, Hem Dazon, Bom Vimdin, and the like.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Nicklab on April 29, 2005, 04:08 PM
Quick searches yield:

http://www.starwars.com/episode-iv/bts/article/f20030502/indexp5.html

On another note, unless you started working for Hasbro Star Wars marketing, have the ear of Randy Shoemaker and Darryl DePriest, or have a direct line to their PR flack, I think you can stop with the definitive statements. 
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Scott on April 29, 2005, 04:13 PM
I already said that!

Tonnika's at the Official Site (http://www.starwars.com/episode-iv/bts/article/f20030502/indexp5.html)


(http://www.starwars.com/episode-iv/bts/article/f20030502/img/tonnika_bg.jpg)

Tonnika Sisters
The Tonnika twins weren't exactly twins. Their production nickname was "Space Girls," though their fashion sense of wearing their underwear on the outside led to a less-than flattering (and somewhat unprintable) nickname. They were played by two local extras that were not related, and did not look alike at all.

But in 1989, when Galaxy Guide 1: A New Hope filled in this pair's backstory, it established that the girls were identical. The artwork accompanying the article was cheated -- it was based on production photography of the cantina extras, but only one of the girls was illustrated. The artwork was reversed and duplicated, creating a mirror image.

This presented a problem when it came using photography of these extras. They clearly weren't identical, despite what their backstory claimed. Timothy Zahn resolved this discrepancy with his short story in the Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina anthology.

In "Hammertong," Zahn reveals that the non-identical girls in the cantina that day weren't the real Tonnika sisters. The real twins were doing time in some prison for one of their many capers. The women posing as them were actually undercover Mistryl shadow warriors.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I don't think their "official" backstory is being whores.  I think there is some merit to your reasoning though Nick, Hasbro has pretty much always said they want to do them but they can't.  Who's stopping them...not themselves.  It has to be LFL and we were fed the likeness rights stuff, which I don't believe.  Maybe it was true and this latest stuff will resolve that but it just seems fishy that it didn't happen until now and the Hasbro and/or LFL didn't pursue the issue until now.  There had to be something beyond the likeness rights thing for them to balk this long :-\

Nobody knows **** as to why its taken this long, we should all be glad that at least one sister is coming and thereby crossing another figure off many of our To-Do Lists :)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: JediMAC on April 29, 2005, 05:04 PM
On another note, unless you started working for Hasbro Star Wars marketing, have the ear of Randy Shoemaker and Darryl DePriest, or have a direct line to their PR flack, I think you can stop with the definitive statements.

You lost me there.  Who/what was that in reference to?

My response was just refuting your near-definitive statements that it was because they were possibly prostitutes.

Like I said, Hasbro's made figures of drug dealers and sex slaves, so why would they suddenly have a problem with a couple characters that a 1976 film crew jokingly referred to as "Space Whores"?  Plus, the Tonikka Sisters bio is all over the place already, for kids to read and enjoy at their leisure, online or in bookstores, wherever.  Why would Lucas licensing have a problem with an action figure, but not have a problem with kids reading about the same characters on StarWars.com?  Like your math equation above...  It doesn't add up.

I'm not saying there couldn't be other issues involved besides the likeness rights though.  Sure there could be.  But I don't think that the old "Space Whores" nickname is one of them, and I don't think it's going to be a "Public Relations Disaster" for Hasbro to produce this figure either.  Never heard a peep about Elan, Slave Leia, Ayy Vida, or any other questionable figures for that matter...
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Scott on April 29, 2005, 05:11 PM
Guys, can we just let this go, nobody knows the real reason why they didn't make this until now and we can all speculate til the cows come home.  Again, be glad that at least one is coming and leave it at that!
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: ruiner on April 29, 2005, 05:14 PM
I agree - I don't think the hold up has to do with the sisters being "nymphos" or anything!

Just a bunch of confusion on everybody's part!
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: JesseVader08 on April 29, 2005, 06:18 PM
Just a bunch of confusion on everybody's part!

That's for sure!  It is fun to speculate though.   :)

Personally, I think the real reason is that one of the Tonnika sisters stole George's Kit Kat bar on the set back in 1976, and he's never forgiven them since.   :P

Unfortunately, as can be so common with Hasbro, I don't think we'll ever have a definitive answer to this conundrum.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Nathan on July 20, 2005, 04:47 PM
I might buy one if it's made, but personally I don't understand the big hoopla. They're just two ordinary humans, with some sort of misbegotten beehive hairdos and spandex pajamas the color of '70s refrigators. I'd rather get Solomahal or Baniss Keeg or Wioslea or some freak like that.

Am I correct that their appeal originates mainly because they've been unmade so long, prolonging and thus amplifying the anticipation? The whole "want what you can't have" thing?
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Mikey D on July 20, 2005, 05:19 PM
Chicks, man.  It's all about the chicks.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: evenflow on July 20, 2005, 05:30 PM
I was never a huge fan of getting these two, but will gladly buy them. I do however want a Yarna Da'l Gargan figure more than any other character. For some reason, she is #1 on my list of most wanted figures. I think its becuase she was supposed to be made in the vintage line, but they just never got past the prototype stage and ran out of time.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Darth Broem on July 20, 2005, 07:33 PM
It's just the fact that we have seen those broads for 28 years in the cantina.  Some of us would like to add them to the dioramas I think.  I know I would.  I loved that scene when I was a child so it takes me back.  I don't know how to explain it.  I would just like to have them along with some others like Hem Dazon. 
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: evenflow on July 21, 2005, 12:58 PM
It's just the fact that we have seen those broads for 28 years in the cantina.  Some of us would like to add them to the dioramas I think.  I know I would.  I loved that scene when I was a child so it takes me back.  I don't know how to explain it.  I would just like to have them along with some others like Hem Dazon. 

See I am totally with you for wanting Hem Dazon.  ;D
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: CHEWIE on January 10, 2006, 04:02 PM
I thought this would be nice to show what could be made if Hasbro got the ball rolling.  We did a recent Group Project on these fine ladies.

By Glassman -

(http://home.comcast.net/~glassmandesigns/customs/groupproject9/tonnika-card1.jpg)

By Darth Ennis - can't get his image to show...

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y257/Darth_Ennis/Star%20Wars%20Customs%20Customs/Clone%)

By Phruby -

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/phruby/TonnikaSisters.jpg)

By CHEWIE -

(http://chewie34.250free.com/123005Tonnikas.jpg)

 :P
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Darth Broem on January 10, 2006, 05:52 PM
I like the Saga packaged custom!  Still no word on these ladies for 06 right?  Sigh.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Darth_Anton on January 10, 2006, 06:59 PM
Didn't the Swami, or some such person, predict that we might see one or both in '06?
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jesse James on January 10, 2006, 08:48 PM
I was thinking something was mentioned at C3...  I thought.  I dunno.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Morgbug on January 10, 2006, 10:39 PM
I was thinking something was mentioned at C3...  I thought.  I dunno.

THey hinted at the possibility at the oh-so-informative Hasbro Q&A.  Matt/Jared commented on the allusion in the report that JD had around.  Might be in a thread somewhere too.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jesse James on January 10, 2006, 11:26 PM
Yeah I thought there was something on it...  I still can't get over the fact you guys were up there in front and I attacked from the rear left flank...  It was a savage assault at C3.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Morgbug on January 11, 2006, 12:35 AM
Yeah I thought there was something on it...  I still can't get over the fact you guys were up there in front and I attacked from the rear left flank...  It was a savage assault at C3.

You guys?  Try Alice the Barbarian.  That Q&A might have been the most entertaining thing I've ever seen as they so blatantly and purposefully ignored wee Matty.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jesse James on January 11, 2006, 12:42 AM
He needs new multi-colored sweaters so he blends in. 

It's kinda like how Howard Stern sends out people to ask goofy questions at red carpet events and stuff, like they're press.  They have to disguise themselves eventually because they become known by everyone.  Matt's just standing out too much.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: SpudTrooper on January 11, 2006, 01:19 AM
Whoa..one sec i thought this was an official release! GREAT JOB on the custom and packing

(http://home.comcast.net/~glassmandesigns/customs/groupproject9/tonnika-card1.jpg)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jeff on June 23, 2006, 04:24 PM
It seems that Hasbro still can't figure out the Tonnika mess.   :(

From a Weekly Hasbro QnA from SSG this week:

Q: Does Lucasfilm have the rights to the likeness for the Tonnika Sisters (ANH cantina patrons), and if so is there plans to create figures?
 
A: Thanks for the question, but that's not something we can comment on right now.


 ::)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: CHEWIE on June 23, 2006, 08:52 PM
Yeah what a great answer Hasbro.   :P

 :)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jim on June 23, 2006, 09:03 PM
You would think that answering some of these questions would be a breach of national security for Hasbro :P
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Gatillo on June 23, 2006, 09:36 PM
I almost want to grab the guy by the neck and remind him that he makes TOYSSSSSSSSSSSS with an exclusive Lucasfilm license so nobody is going to come out with the Tonnika sisters and undercut them.  Oh well.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Diddly on June 23, 2006, 09:47 PM
What a great answer! I'm so glad Hasbro never reveals any info so we'll be anticipating new news! Remember how bored we all were when all the ROTS figures were announced?

 ::)

But I guess "No Comment" is better than "There are no plans for this figure in the future."
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Darth Broem on June 24, 2006, 12:00 AM
Eh, I don't think they will ever make those 2.  If they do great.  However, my enthusiasm for them has been diminished lately.  It's kind of like waiting to see if Lucas and Company will ever actually film that Indy 4 movie.  Believe it when I see it.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jesse James on June 24, 2006, 09:54 PM
I always try to hope "we can't comment right now" means they're working on it yet somehow I don't think that's gonna be the case on this. :)  The mystery continues...

Still it'd be nice if they'd at least say, "yeah we had likeness issues on these", even if they don't commit to saying they got that ironed out and are going to go forward with making the figures.

Oh and I still am not ga-ga over getting these two ever anyway.  Much more excited to hear about Elis Helrot or other freakish aliens...  The sisters just never were real high on my list.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: evenflow on June 25, 2006, 10:12 AM
I really wonder if there is any issue at all with them. They ar enot high up on my list either, but i would love to hear the true story behind this all.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: JACKOFTRADZE on June 25, 2006, 11:13 AM
Is it me or what? How can those 2 minor characters who the regular Joe cannot see anyway, have there own carved out rights to hold out on action fgures of themselves?
Why would the almighty bearded flanneled grandmaster himself grant these broads exclusive passes? They can make whoever they want. I think it was a matter of how exciting are they or not. I think they are cool and would love to add them to my collection. They are better than many of the terds who graced past blister cards.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Nicklab on June 25, 2006, 12:47 PM
I think that the likeness rights issue has been bunk all along.  I think that Hasbro and Lucas Licensing alike aren't thrilled with the prospect of making these characters.  And I think it all goes back to what they were referred to in the working script for the movie:  Star Whores. 

I think that both Hasbro and Lucas Licensing both want to avoid the kind of PR mess this could turn into by not making the figures.  Think about it.  A beloved film franchise and a toy company agreeing to make figures of characters that are known for being prostitutes?  They would have to be out of their minds!  This is the kind of thing that could get exploited by some whacko who has nothing to do with the toy industry, and as a result there's some kind of boycott and parents won't buy their kids Star Wars toys.

But what about the EU explanations about the Tonnikas?  That's all revisionist history, trying to clean up the original mess.  I'm sure that all came about because Decipher wanted to make CCG cards with the Tonnikas and wasn't thrilled with the prospect of "pros" being on their cards, either.  I think a realistic look at the situation will make things clear to everyone.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Darth Broem on June 25, 2006, 01:06 PM
Who knows?    But yeah they probably are reluctant since they are female figures.  Hell they won't even put many Padmes out there.  I just want these 2 to round out the Cantina.  With Hellrot and that other thing coming out all I'd really like to see done now are the Tonnika Sisters and Bom Vimdin.  I'll pretty much be done with the Cantina then.  I just hope they somehow dump the U shape bar pieces in with some character. 
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: CHEWIE on June 29, 2006, 09:18 PM
Is it me or what? How can those 2 minor characters who the regular Joe cannot see anyway, have there own carved out rights to hold out on action fgures of themselves?

Well said.  I think this whole "rights" thing is Hasbro's lie for not making them.

 :)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Word_Weaver on June 30, 2006, 11:44 PM
Based on their occupation, I wonder what Hasbro would put on the cardback if they did make them.  ;)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Daigo-Bah on June 30, 2006, 11:48 PM
Personally, I don't see a need for them to describe these characters any more than what we know, which is that they took interest in Wuher's droid comment, and the saber confrontation.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Darth Broem on July 1, 2006, 01:30 PM
Well Yeah, Hasbro is not going to put on the back of the card "The Tonnika Sisters Brea and Whomever are mega sluts looking to hit up horny, and hopefully rich, Mos Eisley Cantina members weary from their space travels.  Brea likes doing it one way and the other likes it another.  If the space smuggler is rich enough and the sisters are in the mood both can be had for one night of titilating pleasure for the right price!!!" 

They would make up something completely different and tame. 
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Gatillo on July 1, 2006, 11:10 PM
SHITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT I buy three of those 2-packs then.  1 carded, 1 loose and 1 to frame at the office. 

 :P
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Scott on January 28, 2012, 02:15 PM
http://www.thehdroom.com/news/Volkswagen-Super-Bowl-Ad-Set-in-Star-Wars-Cantina/10158

(http://www.thehdroom.com/images/news/10158a.jpg)

Loophole anyone?
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Phrubruh on January 28, 2012, 02:19 PM
They would be the number one selling figures of they made them.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: P-Siddy on January 28, 2012, 03:15 PM
Just call them the Super Bowl Cantina Twins
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Matt R. on January 28, 2012, 04:52 PM
Tonnika sisters = Pegwarmer poison like Yarna.  Kids will be who are these characters ?  Hasbro and Lucasfilm plan this so they would be a loop hole in the legal action... that my theory I know it says that in the article.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Phrubruh on January 28, 2012, 05:21 PM
Oh please. They would sell thru as fast as the ice cream maker guy. Even my five year old knows who the Tonnika sisters are. They are the ones that created the big metal dump trucks!

(http://www.automopedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/newtonkadumptruck.gif)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Matt R. on January 28, 2012, 05:34 PM
watch hasbro does a volkswagon battle pack with mini vader, some dogs, and the sisters
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Scockery on January 28, 2012, 05:47 PM
Tonnika sisters = Pegwarmer poison like Yarna.  Kids will be who are these characters ? 

That could describe kids' reactions to some  figures already made in the vintage collection, and who cares what kids want in that regard? Hasbro's decided movie heroes is the kids line.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: SnTrooper on January 28, 2012, 06:22 PM
It still doesn't fix the problem that the actress could sue. She would lose the lawsuit but Lucasfilm and Hasbro would still have to pay for the defense. So it just isn't worth the trouble for them. If it was they would have made the one that they do have the likeness rights to already.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Nicklab on January 28, 2012, 06:46 PM
Adidas beat VW to the Cantina with this spot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zd_khk6zXo).  But curiously the Tonnika's were cut out of that.  ::)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Phrubruh on January 28, 2012, 09:46 PM
Christine Hewett (the one in blue) played Brea Tonnika died back in 2007. Angela Staines (the one in green) played Senni Tonnika only made ANH and Queen Kong in '76. We don't know if she is alive or dead. I really don't see why this couldn't be done by Hasbro.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Rob on January 28, 2012, 11:38 PM
Christine Hewett (the one in blue) played Brea Tonnika died back in 2007. Angela Staines (the one in green) played Senni Tonnika only made ANH and Queen Kong in '76. We don't know if she is alive or dead. I really don't see why this couldn't be done by Hasbro.

I met Christine Hewett once (mentioned early in this thread).  She swore that it was no issue to her if they made an action figure of her character.  None at all.

I'm really starting to think that this entire thing with the lawsuit and the no comment business is some sort of inside joke at Hasbro that's been going on for years, and that at some point they're going to just randomly announce that they're on the way.

Angela Staines?  Who knows... but the notion that there's an actress (well, barely (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0821572/)) out there who is so hell bent on no one making an action figure of a character she spent 4 seconds on screen portraying 35 years ago also strikes me as absurd.

Totally freaking nonsensical.

So yeah, I think Hasbro's trolling.  There you go....
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: CHEWIE on January 30, 2012, 05:48 PM
Yeah, the whole thing just sounds ridiculous... like it's Hasbro's excuse for not making them. 

Geeze, all they needed to do was make some sort of a 2-pk of them, even reference art concepts if they have to... nearly the same sculpt for both chicks, and it would have been easy money for Hasbro... if we ever see them, I bet it's an exclusive at SDCC or something of that nature.

I made some customs (http://www.thecustomalliance.com/photo.asp?image=cook/123005Tonnikas.jpg) of these many years ago... at the time, I really liked them but they are pretty outdated.  I might try my hand and making new versions.

Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: JesseVader08 on January 30, 2012, 10:49 PM
...if we ever see them, I bet it's an exclusive at SDCC or something of that nature.

I think they'd be perfect figures for a show exclusive.  --edited--
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Nicklab on January 30, 2012, 11:53 PM
I have always been of a mind that the likeness rights issue has been a cover story.  Especially after hearing Christine Hewitt talk about it at Star Wars Celebration.  I think I may even have been nearby when Colman was asking her about it, too.  Be that as it may, I think the likeness rights issue is a sham, and that the real issue regarding the Tonnika's stems from what they were known as during filming:  Star Whores. 

From a PR standpoint, making Star Wars figures of characters that the filmmakers clearly acknowledged as prostitutes could potentially be disastrous to Hasbro's brand as well as Star Wars.  If somehow the figures got made, you never know what could happen.  Lucas has clearly thumbed his nose at a number of Hollywood institutions and other political elements in this country.  He's not as universally beloved as we might think.  If some of his enemies found out that Lucas Licensing had approved figures of (fictitious) prostitutes, they could have a field day in the press over the matter.  The EU explanation that they were spies or whatever wouldn't matter to anyone other than the hardcore fans.  It wouldn't erase headlines of STAR WARS PROSTITUTE ACTION FIGURES that would run in papers all over the country.  How this could read in the mainstream seems to be the guiding principle here. 

Star Wars is a multi-billion dollar brand.  I don't think that the higher ups at Lucasfilm or Hasbro want to upset that apple cart by doing something that could turn into a public relations fiasco.  And when you look at the climate in corporate America today, so many things are predicated on what comes out of legal departments, human resources and the like.  These companies have become extremely risk averse because of how something negative in the press can affect the public standing of a company.  And in the age of social media a story like this can span the world with greater speed than ever before.  Basically:  I think the lawyers have ****** this up for us.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Matt_Fury on January 31, 2012, 12:12 AM
I have to admit, the prostitute backstory is weak at best.  They could have any backstory at all.  Like, their smugglers who work for the empire and are actually helping the rebels.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Nicklab on January 31, 2012, 12:27 AM
IIRC, there was a panel session with Hasbro at either Star Wars Celebration III where Colman or someone else who had spoken with Christine Hewett (at that very convention) basically told the assembled Hasbro panel that Hewett had no issue with signing on for a Tonnika figure.  Obviously, there's still the matter of the rights with the other actress to be dealt with in order to make something happen. 

But when the reasoning that's been passed along to fans has been examined and Hasbro has been directly challenged on the matter, they had no real response other than "We will not be taking questions about the Tonnika sisters".  That stonewalling on the issue makes me think that the likeness rights issue has never really been the real obstacle to these figures being made.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: darth broem 2 on January 31, 2012, 08:17 AM
For awhile I bought into the idea that Hasbro just didn't want to make them because of potentially low sales.  But not after they made Yarna and ICMG and others.  No offense to those characters as I wanted them.  There have been many pegwarmers over the years and the line has still thrived with them.  They know we want them or at least there is a core group that does and they have a myriad of ways to get them to us if they got the green light.

It must be something do legalities or the whore thing.  However, Lucas could always state "No, no.  They were never meant to be whores.  Just chicks at a bar getting a drink."  I mean he went all PC with Han shooting Greedo first.  They can come up with a non-whore angle with no problem.  Heck they can even come up with a novel turning them into beloved charity founders of some kind if they are really worried about it.  They could them into Girl Scout den leaders trying to sell Wuher their cookies and such.  They can get around it with no problem. 

I think it really does come down to money and being sued.  I don't really get what the issue is.  Even if they did not sign anything it's Lucas' film.  I don't know what power an actor would have over that?  But it must be legit enough for them not to make money from it.  The bottom line.  If there is money to be had this property would get in on it ASAP.  They have not for years now.  So, that's why I think there is something to the whole legal issue.  I do find it odd that they would stick those 2 characters in a TV spot with all of the characters that could have been used from that scene they pick them fi they are worried about the whore angle?  Weird, but there it is. 
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Mister Skeezler on January 31, 2012, 08:24 AM
...if we ever see them, I bet it's an exclusive at SDCC or something of that nature.

I think they'd be perfect figures for a show exclusive.  If Hasbro really wanted to create demand for them, give SDCC one Sister and NYCC the other.  You can't have one without the other right?  Of course, I'd rather they just did it as a 2-pack, but it might help them ensure there was enough buzz.

Nothing personal, but can we delete this comment? It would absolutely suck if that happened.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Phrubruh on January 31, 2012, 09:16 AM
The whore thing doesn't make sense since they made Yarna. She is a six breasted whore! I think the initial lie has been circulated enough by the fans to make it the truth to everyone include Hasbro. No one has ever though to actually research it and debunk it.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Rob on January 31, 2012, 09:40 AM
The whore thing doesn't make sense since they made Yarna. She is a six breasted whore! I think the initial lie has been circulated enough by the fans to make it the truth to everyone include Hasbro. No one has ever though to actually research it and debunk it.

Don't forget Oola, she was more or less a stripper, and practically topless.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: P-Siddy on January 31, 2012, 10:08 AM
Hell, I think the Elan Sleazebaggano was worse. They made a drug dealer into a figure along with said drug to be sold as an accessory.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jayson on January 31, 2012, 10:10 AM
And there was Dexter, he was to come with a pipe but that was nixed in production.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Scott on January 31, 2012, 10:33 AM
We were having this same arguement with the same people 7 years ago...

And Nick, Colman's stuff is at the front of this thread, he went ape**** on Hasbro for like 3 or 4 cons in a row and did this site and the community a lot of favors...I miss him :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jeff on January 31, 2012, 11:40 AM
Colman's stuff is at the front of this thread, he went ape**** on Hasbro for like 3 or 4 cons in a row and did this site and the community a lot of favors...I miss him :'( :'( :'(

I miss him too. Man we had fun at Celebration III.   :(

It's funny looking back at this.  At CIII, the Hasbro crew was all smiley and pretty much unofficially officially confirmed to Matt that at least one Tonnika would be coming very soon.  Then... no distillery, no Tonnikas.  I still wonder what happened to torpedo all that...

It's been interesting to watch the various responses in Q&As over the years. Through the early years (and definitely at CIII in 2005), it was all sunshine and lollipops - of course they'd get to them eventually someday!  But somewhere around mid-to-late 2006 it went from "Hopefully, but there's no timeline." (http://www.sandtroopers.com/smf/index.php?topic=5183.msg73217) to "We cannot comment on the Tonnika sisters, period." (http://www.rebelscum.com/story/front/Hasbros_30th_STAR_WARS_QA_The_Answers_105755.asp)  To the point that Hasbro came out and said voting for them in fan polls is a wasted vote since they will never get made. 

I really wonder what happened in the LFL food chain to kill them outright?  I'm assuming it was LFL because seven years ago Hasbro was ready to make them.  And 15 years ago Galoob was able to make a Tonnika Sister figure (http://www.amazon.com/Star-Action-Fleet-Battle-Packs/dp/B00000JDRA).  Either Galoob was able to slip one past LFL or there wasn't a "likeness" issue because of the scale and the fact that it was basically just a small blob of a plastic.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Phrubruh on January 31, 2012, 12:51 PM
I miss Matt too but its not like he died or anything. What is he up to? Is he just working too hard in the valley? Too much Magic Mountain?
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: iFett on January 31, 2012, 01:06 PM
I think he went into the pink sweater making business full time.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Brian on January 31, 2012, 02:06 PM
I was wondering what Matt was up to as well, enjoyed talking to him via message every so often, as well as his contributions here.  As far as the Tonnika Sisters thing, it does seem strange.  It won't kill me if we never get them, but it would be nice to get them too.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Scott on January 31, 2012, 02:39 PM
I miss Matt too but its not like he died or anything. What is he up to? Is he just working too hard in the valley? Too much Magic Mountain?
He needed a mental break from the toy board drama...he popped in 2 years ago and that was the last we saw of him.  I've talked to him a few times via the phone...maybe you SoCal guys can coax him out of retirement
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: shmashwitdaclub on January 31, 2012, 02:41 PM
I have not been collecting as long as you all have, but to me this is just another Jocasta Nu.  Hasbro plain out does not want to make them because they are certain they will just end up with all the E.T. Atari games
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Rob on January 31, 2012, 02:49 PM
I think it may have started that way, but at this point, there's certainly plenty of collector demand out there, probably created by the silent treatment.  Maybe Hasbro's just brilliant like that, spending 12 years to create demand for something that otherwise would be boring.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Phrubruh on January 31, 2012, 02:57 PM
You give them too much credit.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: speedermike on January 31, 2012, 04:20 PM
I don't think they want to make them because they are hookers.  Al the EU/Gaming stuff says so. 

Personally, I think everyone has the right to earn a living...
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: CorranHorn on January 31, 2012, 05:09 PM
Geeze, all they needed to do was make some sort of a 2-pk of them, even reference art concepts if they have to... nearly the same sculpt for both chicks, and it would have been easy money for Hasbro... if we ever see them, I bet it's an exclusive at SDCC or something of that nature.

When I talked to Derryl Depriest at the C5 Yak/SWAN party, I brought up a similar point to him - that they could just use reference art or mock up a new likeness for the characters. His response was something along the lines of that they could not even do that to get the figures made. So assuming the whole thing revolves around likenesses, apparently Hasbro couldn't even change the Tonnika's facial features to get around the issue. If that's the case, hopefully things have changed with this new commercial coming out. In either case, I'm looking forward to the commercial and what Hasbro's next response will be.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Paul on January 31, 2012, 06:01 PM
I think it may have started that way, but at this point, there's certainly plenty of collector demand out there, probably created by the silent treatment.  Maybe Hasbro's just brilliant like that, spending 12 years to create demand for something that otherwise would be boring.


The Prequels came out 12 years ago?

Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Matt_Fury on January 31, 2012, 07:25 PM
I think it may have started that way, but at this point, there's certainly plenty of collector demand out there, probably created by the silent treatment.  Maybe Hasbro's just brilliant like that, spending 12 years to create demand for something that otherwise would be boring.


The Prequels came out 12 years ago?

13 years this May.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Greg on January 31, 2012, 08:39 PM
I don't think they want to make them because they are hookers.  Al the EU/Gaming stuff says so. 

Personally, I think everyone has the right to earn a living...

I don't get why hookers are demonized by Hasbro. They already make child killers, mass murderers, Ewoks, religious extremists, dictators, drunkards, thugs and gangsters. What harm could some prostitute action figures cause to kids?
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Phrubruh on January 31, 2012, 10:19 PM
I don't think they want to make them because they are hookers.  Al the EU/Gaming stuff says so. 

Personally, I think everyone has the right to earn a living...

I don't get why hookers are demonized by Hasbro. They already make child killers, mass murderers, Ewoks, religious extremists, dictators, drunkards, thugs and gangsters. What harm could some prostitute action figures cause to kids?

Depends upon its action feature.  ;)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jesse James on January 31, 2012, 10:47 PM
Comes with mini ping pong balls.

 :'( Colman
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Phrubruh on February 3, 2012, 12:30 PM
The VW commerical with teh Tonnika sisters is on youtube. It starts with a dog that can't get thru a pet door to chase a VW bug. It ends with Star Wars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-9EYFJ4Clo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-9EYFJ4Clo)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: shmashwitdaclub on February 3, 2012, 12:38 PM
I am siding with the Dr. on this one - the Vader kid was better.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Captain Piet on February 4, 2012, 10:51 AM
I think it's a real stretch to try to get figures out of these characters just because they're appearing in an advertisement, but whatever.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Adam_Pawlus on February 4, 2012, 11:49 AM
I think it's a real stretch to try to get figures out of these characters just because they're appearing in an advertisement, but whatever.

Is it any more of a stretch than any of the reasons some of the other 1800+ figures got made? :)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Captain Piet on February 4, 2012, 12:47 PM
I think it's a real stretch to try to get figures out of these characters just because they're appearing in an advertisement, but whatever.

Is it any more of a stretch than any of the reasons some of the other 1800+ figures got made? :)

Can you cite any one of them that was made coming off an appearance in an advertisement?
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Scott on February 4, 2012, 05:39 PM
If the reason they aren't making them is a likeness rights issue than for sure this makes it more likely...if it is truly the whore issue than this doesn't mean anything

I gotta say the recreation of the Cantina they did was pretty wizard
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Phrubruh on February 4, 2012, 06:37 PM
It looks like a physical set and no CG aliens. I wonder how many of those costumes they had to recreate.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jesse James on February 4, 2012, 10:37 PM
I gotta say the recreation of the Cantina they did was pretty wizard

I just choked on my own vomit.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Morgbug on February 5, 2012, 12:33 AM
We were having this same arguement with the same people 7 years ago...

And Nick, Colman's stuff is at the front of this thread, he went ape**** on Hasbro for like 3 or 4 cons in a row and did this site and the community a lot of favors...I miss him :'( :'( :'(

Colman says hi.  I was reading along and figured I'd email him with the link to this thread.  He says hi, hopes everyone is well and he's still collecting like a madman, one loose, one carded.  Of everything.   

I assume some time in the last day or two he read the most recent comments. 

:)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Adam_Pawlus on February 5, 2012, 01:11 PM
Can you cite any one of them that was made coming off an appearance in an advertisement?

No, but I can cite aliens which *didn't* appear in movies or can't be found without the use of hi-def freeze frames.  It's not "From the hit commercial!" so much as it is "Here's a point of reference."   We've seen figures based on unused concept designs, (relatively) obscure 1980s comic books, and whatever the heck Jorg Sacul is. When you get right down to it, the bulk of what happens gets made because someone WANTS it to happen.  They don't need an excuse, or even a precedent, half the time.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jesse James on February 5, 2012, 02:45 PM
Hooray for Matt, though I'm amazed he's still doing 1 of everything carded AND loose.  I mean, wow.  That's a die-hard.  I don't think I could handle even 1 of everything loose at this point anymore.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Ryan on February 5, 2012, 04:38 PM
I miss Matt too but its not like he died or anything. What is he up to? Is he just working too hard in the valley? Too much Magic Mountain?
He needed a mental break from the toy board drama...he popped in 2 years ago and that was the last we saw of him.  I've talked to him a few times via the phone...maybe you SoCal guys can coax him out of retirement

I did randomly run into Matt and his wife a little while back in San Antonio, Texas. They were somehow on the same flight to Denver as my fiancee and me. He said hi to everyone. He seemed to be doing really well.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Phrubruh on February 5, 2012, 06:03 PM
So Matt is kind of the JD version of Big Foot?  ;) Someone needs to start a sighting thread.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jesse James on February 6, 2012, 01:55 AM
Mattsquatch.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Captain Piet on February 6, 2012, 07:20 PM
Can you cite any one of them that was made coming off an appearance in an advertisement?

No, but I can cite aliens which *didn't* appear in movies or can't be found without the use of hi-def freeze frames.  It's not "From the hit commercial!" so much as it is "Here's a point of reference."   We've seen figures based on unused concept designs, (relatively) obscure 1980s comic books, and whatever the heck Jorg Sacul is. When you get right down to it, the bulk of what happens gets made because someone WANTS it to happen.  They don't need an excuse, or even a precedent, half the time.

Apples and bowling balls, Adam. Perhaps you should reread my original post. I'm not arguing we have over 1,800 from varied sources, I said it's doubtful the character(s) appearance here (and if you watched the commercial, you really have to know to look for them) will turn her/them into plastic. I'm all for it, I merely don't think it will happen if we're predicating it on a Superbowl ad.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: shmashwitdaclub on February 7, 2012, 08:44 AM
Actually I got to thinking, though it might be a stretch, I wonder if Hasbro pushed Evazan back because they knew he was going to be in the commercial?  Since he was featured in a TV spot it gives him less of a "who the heck is that" when kids see him on the pegs.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Adam_Pawlus on February 7, 2012, 12:20 PM
Can you cite any one of them that was made coming off an appearance in an advertisement?

No, but I can cite aliens which *didn't* appear in movies or can't be found without the use of hi-def freeze frames.  It's not "From the hit commercial!" so much as it is "Here's a point of reference."   We've seen figures based on unused concept designs, (relatively) obscure 1980s comic books, and whatever the heck Jorg Sacul is. When you get right down to it, the bulk of what happens gets made because someone WANTS it to happen.  They don't need an excuse, or even a precedent, half the time.

Apples and bowling balls, Adam. Perhaps you should reread my original post. I'm not arguing we have over 1,800 from varied sources, I said it's doubtful the character(s) appearance here (and if you watched the commercial, you really have to know to look for them) will turn her/them into plastic. I'm all for it, I merely don't think it will happen if we're predicating it on a Superbowl ad.

No, I read your post before I replied.  I think we're having different discussions-- you're saying "Yes, the fact that it's from the ad matters as a marketing point on the packaging" while I'm saying "No, it doesn't matter where the figure comes from."  Hasbro doesn't play up where the figures come from half the time-- Vintage is a great example, like the ARC Trooper Commander last year.  It has a "Clone Wars" logo on it, and a figure, and doesn't even use the name "Fordo" even though (wink wink) it's Fordo.

How is that spiritually different from putting a girl with a beehive hairdo in a green costume on a Star Wars cardback?   Who cares if it's from a commercial?  Just use the classic Star Wars logo, use a still taken from the set of the ad, and presto-- here's a character who is a Tonnika but isn't from the original 1977 movie.  To the consumer, it probably doesn't matter.  (To me, as a collector, I don't care-- if the costume and the make-up and hair is right, the face can be a little off.  Lord knows they usually are anyway.)

All I know is Hasbro can take characters from any corner of the Star Wars mythos-- theme park rides, movies, comics, concept art, and things they JUST MADE UP-- slap a Star Wars logo on it, and it'll sell X0,000 units.  This might be an "agree to disagree" situation, as (and maybe we do agree here) there's no reason to assume the *toy buyers* care about the ad one way or another, and as a marketing point to the toy buyer, it's totally not remotely the slightest bit important.  I'm not concerned about selling fans on the notion of a toy from a car commercial, I'm concerned about the possibility of saying "Here is a picture of a character in the Cantina who looks kind of like but isn't this other person" with a Star Wars logo on the box.

But will legal care?  Is this new interpretation "different enough" to be cleared?  Is the fact that we're even having this discussion enough to highlight that this is exactly why Hasbro and Lucasfilm will never make this character as a toy?  Heck if I know.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Nicklab on February 7, 2012, 12:51 PM
This definitely makes for an interesting discussion.  And over the history of the line we've seen both Kenner and Hasbro source characters from a myriad of different sorts of media.  The obvious ones?

-MOVIES
-TELEVISION SERIES (Droids, Ewoks, Clone Wars animated series)
-HOLIDAY SPECIAL (First appearance Boba Fett)
-VIDEO GAMES (SOTE, TFU, Battlefront & more)
-COMIC BOOKS

But there have also been sources from:
-DELETED MOVIE SCENES (Upcoming TVC wave)
-CONCEPT ART (McQuarrie Series)
-NOVELS (R4-K5 from Dark Lord, I-5YQ from DARTH MAUL - SHADOW HUNTER & Whistler among others)
-THEME PARK RIDES (Star Tours)

Based on all of those genres for source material, we have really run the gamut in terms of WHERE an individual figures origins have arisen.  A commercial would be new territory in terms of sourcing, but would it be all that much of a stretch considering the other avenues that have generated figures?  Considering the overall breadth of source material for figures I don't think source material matters so much.  So again, it comes down to the characters and whether or not Lucas Licensing will sign off on them.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jeff on February 7, 2012, 01:01 PM
Can you cite any one of them that was made coming off an appearance in an advertisement?


How about these?  They were based on RotS M&M ads, right?  Maybe a stretch, but they were made based on appearances in ads and not movies/cartoons/etc  :P

Star Wars Chocolate M-Pire Collection (http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTSMpire.asp)
(http://www.rebelscum.com/ROTS/Mpire2pkemperor-anakincardfr.jpg)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Phrubruh on February 7, 2012, 01:23 PM
I could totally see Hasbro making these two as an exclusive for VW. Buy a VW Bug, get the cantina commerical patrions for free! (plus $6.95 for shipping/handling)
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Scott on February 11, 2012, 09:05 PM
From JTA

Q: Absolutely absolutely please ask about the Tonnika Sisters situation. How can they appear in a VW superbowl ad but not be made into figures? Is this some sort of legal way around getting them made? If so, AWESOME, but if not, why even let the commercial be made and tease and slap the fact that we can't have them made as action figures in our faces? Something to that affect. Please just ask about their status as figures. Couldn't Hasbro just make the likeness more generic and release them as "Cantina Patrons" in the way they called Captain Fordo "ARC Trooper Commander"?

AND

Well yeah, don't forget the upcoming Brea & Senni Tonnika. I mean they must be making them right... RIGHT! They have to. They're all over the small screen (Clone Wars and VW commercial). Just think of the millions of [Super Bowl] viewers that these two hotties were just dangled in front of (and the millions of dollers spent to surreptitiously get these two out of the shadows and into the limelight). So there must be a greater cause then just selling more Beetles, right... RIGHT?!!

Hasbro: They're not coming and we will not be able to make these figures.
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: P-Siddy on February 11, 2012, 09:08 PM
Hasbro: They're not coming and we will not be able to make these figures.


I asked about them, too, and I was told it due to the was the one actress' likeness. It sure didn't sound like it was a definite "No" when I asked.
Title: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Rob on May 20, 2024, 06:05 PM
Tonnika's would be a PERFECT Pulse exclusive...

They'd be available to purchase widely, but also not at any major retailers so any weird 50 year old notion that they're whores wouldn't be something Target would care about...
It would tie in with the Haslab...
They could re-use most of the sculpt so it's right in line with their efficiency goals...
They could charge a small fortune two figures and people would still gobble it up...

It's a no brainer, they just have to stop being babies about it.

Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: P-Siddy on May 20, 2024, 06:49 PM
Tonnika's would be a PERFECT Pulse exclusive...

Somewhat similar to the Sabine and Chopper set that finishes off the Ghost... Not included with the Cantina, but available on Pulse for a limited time.

Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Rob on May 20, 2024, 07:53 PM
That’s exactly what I had in my head when I was writing that.  They could do two packs of unmade cantina weirdos and sell them like crazy.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: EdSolo on May 21, 2024, 06:50 AM
If you want to believe the story of the actresses never giving their rights to Kenner/Hasbro and wanting "millions" for them, then Haslab would be the only option for Hasbro to recoup the cost for the figures.  I have always had a hard time believing the story considering the obscure background characters that have been made over the years.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Rob on May 21, 2024, 08:56 AM
Years ago I asked one of them about it T some convention and she said she love to have an action figure made of her.  The other one had already died I think. 

Could be fluff, but she was asked about it all the time and always said go for it.

The Star Whores thing is the only plausible explanation I’ve heard but also Hasbro wouldn’t ever talk about it, like it would have been so terrible for someone like Depriest or Evans to just say, we can’t touch that one with a ten foot pole because of some inappropriate backstory jokes from the 70’s.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Jeff on May 21, 2024, 02:24 PM
Years ago I asked one of them about it T some convention and she said she love to have an action figure made of her.  The other one had already died I think. 

The one you asked is the one who died in 2007 - Christine Hewett.  At C3, she was more than happy to tell everyone that she wanted a figure.  From our old 2005 topic on the Tonnika sisters:

I asked the actress that was signing autographs what the deal was with the rights and all that stuff.

She said that it was never true for her, but that the OTHER actress was witholding rights to the likeness.  She also said that she'd gone to the Hasbro guys the day before to let them know that they had permission to make the figure in her likeness.  She implied that they all but told her that they were going to go ahead and try to make ONE figure - then everyone could buy two.

Is there an echo in here, Rob?!   :P

As for the bar, yeah, the Hasbro rep I chatted with at their booth confirmed that the U-shaped portion will be coming (as part of an overall 3-piece Cantina set), and that the distillery would definitely be included too, which was great to hear.  He said the sets were essentially ready to go, and that they were just waiting for a retailer to pick them up as an exclusive.  They wouldn't elaborate on any of the figure choices for inclusion though, and made it sound like that part of the set may still be up in the air right now.  I obviously pointed out that the Tonnika sister would be an obvious choice, since that where she was standing in the movie.  Though I'd prefer it if she was single carded instead.

One staff member from another site said that his friend had already seen these items back in Asia, so it sounds like they're very much already finished, and just sitting around waiting...

That would also seem to mesh timing-wise with what the Hasbro guys told me last year at Comic Con, which was that the rest of the bar was definitely on the way at some point soon...  So just a question of being patient and waiting it out.

I also pushed the obvious Hem Dazon/Arcona idea on them, and they said that it was indeed an obvious choice, and would unquestionably be coming sooner or later.  So no worries on that figure either, other than your patience level.  ;)


I have never been able to find all of the pieces of the puzzle, but here is my best guess after putting together all the parts to which we have access (and finally willing to disclose some things I promised to keep quiet almost 20 years ago at C3).

Hasbro looked into making Tonnika Sisters figures in the early 2000s.  I believe they were going to be part of the Cantina Bar piece sets (https://rebelscum.com/sagacantina.asp) at first.  During the approval process for those sets, that's when it was discovered that for some reason (oversight, lost paperwork, something) LFL did not have licensing/merchandising release paperwork for them.  The sisters were put into the parking lot on hold.  At Hasbro's urging, LFL went to work trying to secure the paperwork they needed to approve the figures. One of the sisters (Christine Hewett) signed off on the new paperwork.  Everyone figured it was just a matter of time to get the other one (Angela Staines) to sign off.

So then we get to 2005.  Celebration 3.  JediMAC and I were in the Hasbro booth pestering Derryl DePriest about obscure background figures we wanted (this was the height of the quest for ICMG).  Derryl basically told us off the record that the Sisters were finally coming.  Most likely with the Central Distillery bar piece that we needed to finish off those Saga/OTC Cantina bar piece sets.  You can see Matt being coy with his post above.  I was not so coy with mine...

in private at the booth they sure did a LOT of hinting that the Tonnkia Twins may have something to do with the upcoming Distillery and U-Shaped bar pieces...  ;)

And then, nothing.  No distillery.  No Sisters.  No updates.  Eventually Hasbro said 'don't bother voting for them, we can't make them' when it came to fan polls.  Over the years, it became clear that even though Hasbro was ready to make them at multiple points in the 2000s, LFL stopped it.  The licensing/merchandising paperwork looked like the primary thing to blame.  We knew they got one sister to sign off, but the other was status unknown.

Eventually Victoria from Victoria's Cantina dug a little further (https://www.banthaskull.com/story/news-its-time-for-tonnika).  According to her interview in 2017 with the unsigned sister (Angle Staines), it wasn't "millions of dollars" that was the sticking point it was ONE FIGURE.  $5.

"Angela confirmed some of the rumors, including that Lucasfilm lost the paperwork they needed to create merchandise in her likeness, and that when given the opportunity to sign again, she questioned the benefit she would receive in doing so. She was disappointed that after signing the release, she would still need to pay for her own figure. She explained that she thought it would be fair for them to send her a sample, and ultimately refused to sign. Since Lucasfilm could not get her to sign the new release, Hasbro could not create a figure of the character. The other actress who portrayed the other sister, Christine Hewett, sadly passed away in 2007. She did sign the new release Lucasfilm provided her shortly before her passing, yet a figure of that Tonnika Sister has not been released either."

So, because LFL didn't want to change their boiler-plate release form to ensure Angela got a free figure in the early 2000s, she never signed.   ::)

Victoria met with Angela again in 2018 and claimed that Angela started to understand what it meant to fans and would sign now if given the opportunity.  Victoria took the news to Hasbro in 2019 who said they'd tell LFL.  But, it sounds like it went nowhere.

The elephant in the room is of course a LOT has happened in the world between then and now.  The biggest being Disney buying Star Wars/LFL.  There are so many rumors about Disney/LFL shutting the door on figures for any SW characters that make women out to be sexual objects (All the Slave Leia stuff and then most recently the talk of no Oola with the BS6" Rancor for example).  The sisters with the "Star Whores" history are definitely starting out on the wrong foot if those rumors are true.

I'm not saying it'll never happen, but it sure looks likely that our best chance to get them has come and gone.  Maybe this HasLab will surprise me though.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk on the history of the Tonnika Sisters.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: P-Siddy on May 21, 2024, 03:00 PM
Thanks for the history lesson, Jeff.  I've heard some of this stuff, but some regarding the cantina set, I hadn't.  I think the Star Whores/Disney sale might have taken the Tonnikas off the table, but I often wonder if the sisters would show up in the Mandoverse as something cool/different than what that "joke" picture that someone did in the 70s, would that change their mind?  No idea, but I think if we get a cantina Haslab, this will be the time we get them.  If not, I don't think we'll never getting them.

It's weird to think that we got Oola, Hutt Slayer Leia, Slave Owner Watto, and drug dealer Elan Sleazbaggano once upon a time, but that was before Disney took over.



Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: McMetal on May 21, 2024, 03:09 PM
Yeah great stuff Jeff, thanks. Did not realize we were that close at one point. Even one of them would be better than nothing at this point.

After their comments about the Goblin Queen and Mephisto during the GR HasLab not being something they could do at retail so that was their only option, The Sisters seem like they could fall in the same category.

There’s not a lot left that would get hardcore collectors very excited anymore, but that would do it.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Dave on May 21, 2024, 04:24 PM
I think the Star Whores/Disney sale might have taken the Tonnikas off the table, but I often wonder if the sisters would show up in the Mandoverse as something cool/different than what that "joke" picture that someone did in the 70s, would that change their mind? 

I know there was hope that when VW was doing Star Wars themed ads and included "Tonnika Sisters-like" people that would create an opportunity to do something like this. 

(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSZsZMc7vTFYcnoHK30-VYIIh_KfJYeOqlZbVb7PKPtc_cnHGocS73dYi8TYdmjntGvEMs&usqp=CAU) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHvH9Y0_uRk)

Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Nicklab on May 21, 2024, 05:13 PM
I have a little bit to add to the story.  I went to Rhode Island Comic Con back in the fall, and was going to this party they were holding at the official convention hotel.  I saw some people recording a podcast and one of them looked pretty familiar.  When we were leaving they were still there.  And I realized just who it was I recognized - DERRYL!  I had dealings with him when I reported for a couple of collecting sites, and he was always pretty genuine in our interactions.  I remember hanging out with him at Star Wars Celebration in LA in 2007.  We had both been imbibing, and he was explaining the whole prototype swap meet that was happening in the lobby of our hotel that night.

But back to RICC!  At first the conversation was mostly just to catch up.  Whether or not my gf was impressed that I was acquaintances with this former Hasbro exec was beyond me.  But the conversation turned to the Tonnikas, and this whole situation that had been going on at this point for decades.  He was well aware of it all.  I distinctly remember at Star Wars Celebration III in 2005 when the guys from Sandtroopers brought one of the Tonnika sisters actors - Christine Hewitt - to the Hasbro panel to ask about getting the Tonnikas made.  And Derryl had to look down at the table in awkward silence.  Fast forward to 2023 - he had left the company years earlier - and even now he could not say exactly what the issue was.  But the essence of it seemed to be that the Tonnikas were essentially blacklisted by Lucasfilm.  I pitched the theory about the whole "Star Whores" bit, and the current climate around the objectification of women.  He seemed to think that was likely not the issue - despite the situation that developed following the release of the Black Series "Huttslayer" Leia.

There were indications at one point in time that Hasbro *MIGHT* be able to produce one of the Tonnikas because they could get the aforementioned likeness rights.  But that did not seem to get Lucasfilm's position to change.  He summed things up by saying that the licensing people at Lucasfilm that he had worked when he was with Hasbro had not turned over in a long time.  And they seemed to have a long memory, and he felt pretty certain that LFL's position was almost certainly not going to change. 

Taking all of this into account?  I don't feel overly optimistic about them being part of the Haslab.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Rob on May 21, 2024, 09:04 PM
Years ago I asked one of them about it T some convention and she said she love to have an action figure made of her.  The other one had already died I think. 

The one you asked is the one who died in 2007 - Christine Hewett.  At C3, she was more than happy to tell everyone that she wanted a figure.  From our old 2005 topic on the Tonnika sisters:

I asked the actress that was signing autographs what the deal was with the rights and all that stuff.

She said that it was never true for her, but that the OTHER actress was witholding rights to the likeness.  She also said that she'd gone to the Hasbro guys the day before to let them know that they had permission to make the figure in her likeness.  She implied that they all but told her that they were going to go ahead and try to make ONE figure - then everyone could buy two.

Is there an echo in here, Rob?!   :P

As for the bar, yeah, the Hasbro rep I chatted with at their booth confirmed that the U-shaped portion will be coming (as part of an overall 3-piece Cantina set), and that the distillery would definitely be included too, which was great to hear.  He said the sets were essentially ready to go, and that they were just waiting for a retailer to pick them up as an exclusive.  They wouldn't elaborate on any of the figure choices for inclusion though, and made it sound like that part of the set may still be up in the air right now.  I obviously pointed out that the Tonnika sister would be an obvious choice, since that where she was standing in the movie.  Though I'd prefer it if she was single carded instead.

One staff member from another site said that his friend had already seen these items back in Asia, so it sounds like they're very much already finished, and just sitting around waiting...

That would also seem to mesh timing-wise with what the Hasbro guys told me last year at Comic Con, which was that the rest of the bar was definitely on the way at some point soon...  So just a question of being patient and waiting it out.

I also pushed the obvious Hem Dazon/Arcona idea on them, and they said that it was indeed an obvious choice, and would unquestionably be coming sooner or later.  So no worries on that figure either, other than your patience level.  ;)


I have never been able to find all of the pieces of the puzzle, but here is my best guess after putting together all the parts to which we have access (and finally willing to disclose some things I promised to keep quiet almost 20 years ago at C3).

Hasbro looked into making Tonnika Sisters figures in the early 2000s.  I believe they were going to be part of the Cantina Bar piece sets (https://rebelscum.com/sagacantina.asp) at first.  During the approval process for those sets, that's when it was discovered that for some reason (oversight, lost paperwork, something) LFL did not have licensing/merchandising release paperwork for them.  The sisters were put into the parking lot on hold.  At Hasbro's urging, LFL went to work trying to secure the paperwork they needed to approve the figures. One of the sisters (Christine Hewett) signed off on the new paperwork.  Everyone figured it was just a matter of time to get the other one (Angela Staines) to sign off.

So then we get to 2005.  Celebration 3.  JediMAC and I were in the Hasbro booth pestering Derryl DePriest about obscure background figures we wanted (this was the height of the quest for ICMG).  Derryl basically told us off the record that the Sisters were finally coming.  Most likely with the Central Distillery bar piece that we needed to finish off those Saga/OTC Cantina bar piece sets.  You can see Matt being coy with his post above.  I was not so coy with mine...

in private at the booth they sure did a LOT of hinting that the Tonnkia Twins may have something to do with the upcoming Distillery and U-Shaped bar pieces...  ;)

And then, nothing.  No distillery.  No Sisters.  No updates.  Eventually Hasbro said 'don't bother voting for them, we can't make them' when it came to fan polls.  Over the years, it became clear that even though Hasbro was ready to make them at multiple points in the 2000s, LFL stopped it.  The licensing/merchandising paperwork looked like the primary thing to blame.  We knew they got one sister to sign off, but the other was status unknown.

Eventually Victoria from Victoria's Cantina dug a little further (https://www.banthaskull.com/story/news-its-time-for-tonnika).  According to her interview in 2017 with the unsigned sister (Angle Staines), it wasn't "millions of dollars" that was the sticking point it was ONE FIGURE.  $5.

"Angela confirmed some of the rumors, including that Lucasfilm lost the paperwork they needed to create merchandise in her likeness, and that when given the opportunity to sign again, she questioned the benefit she would receive in doing so. She was disappointed that after signing the release, she would still need to pay for her own figure. She explained that she thought it would be fair for them to send her a sample, and ultimately refused to sign. Since Lucasfilm could not get her to sign the new release, Hasbro could not create a figure of the character. The other actress who portrayed the other sister, Christine Hewett, sadly passed away in 2007. She did sign the new release Lucasfilm provided her shortly before her passing, yet a figure of that Tonnika Sister has not been released either."

So, because LFL didn't want to change their boiler-plate release form to ensure Angela got a free figure in the early 2000s, she never signed.   ::)

Victoria met with Angela again in 2018 and claimed that Angela started to understand what it meant to fans and would sign now if given the opportunity.  Victoria took the news to Hasbro in 2019 who said they'd tell LFL.  But, it sounds like it went nowhere.

The elephant in the room is of course a LOT has happened in the world between then and now.  The biggest being Disney buying Star Wars/LFL.  There are so many rumors about Disney/LFL shutting the door on figures for any SW characters that make women out to be sexual objects (All the Slave Leia stuff and then most recently the talk of no Oola with the BS6" Rancor for example).  The sisters with the "Star Whores" history are definitely starting out on the wrong foot if those rumors are true.

I'm not saying it'll never happen, but it sure looks likely that our best chance to get them has come and gone.  Maybe this HasLab will surprise me though.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk on the history of the Tonnika Sisters.

Amazing and also somehow completely believable. 

At least I'll have some Stan Solo Kenner-Style ones before too much longer. 
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Qui-Gon Jim on May 22, 2024, 07:13 AM
Great summary!  Learned some stuff here.  It is all made weirder by the existence of the Micro Machines Brea Tonnika figure.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: McMetal on May 22, 2024, 10:40 AM
I would be willing to bet most of those licensing people at LFL are no longer there at this point.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Matt_Fury on May 22, 2024, 12:03 PM
This reminds me of a time during my missile tour.  Missile Crews routinely carried code authorization docs out to the field when pulling alert.  Back in the day, Missileers were armed with an M-9 pistol, but during my tour, we were never authorized to carry.  Talk amongst the crew force was back in the day some idiot was playing with his pistol on alert and put a bullet through the console.  After a four year missile tour, I could totally believe that.

One day during our Pre-departure briefing, the 20th AF Commander, General Klotz, came to speak with us and he told us a different story:

     It was 4th of July and nearing crew change over, the relief crew had received their brief from the security forces guy upstairs and were getting into the elevator to head down to the Launch Control Center (LCC) and had brought a bunch of firecrackers with them and were lighting them and dropping them down the elevator shaft.  Meanwhile, the alert crew is prepping for change over and while the crew commander was getting all the classified out for inventory the deputy opened the blast door and was putting their bags out into the tunnel junction.  The deputy was startled by the firecrackers and cracked his head open on the low ceiling and knocked himself out....bleeding all over the floor.  The Crew Commander, wondering what was taking his deputy so long to put the bags in the TJ went to check on him and saw him laying in a pool of blood and hearing what sounds like gunshots.  He immediately pulls his weapon and takes cover behind one of the shock isolators at the back of the capsule and calls upstairs to declare a security situation.

     By this time, the relief crew are laughing about the firecrackers, come out of the elevator and see the deputy lying in a pool of blood, and the Crew Commander taking cover at the back of the capsule with his weapon drawn.  They thing the Crew Commander has lost it, shot his deputy and is ready to kill them as well, so they retreat to try and get out!

     After everything was resolved and medical attention was administered, a formal review recommended that crew members no longer be allowed to carry weapons.

Tell anyone who has pulled missile crew duty in the USAF and they would all tell you either story is completely plausible.  Especially because a two-star general told the more fantastical story!

Anyway, I highly doubt we're ever getting the Tonnika sisters.  It would've happened by now.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Nicklab on May 22, 2024, 06:10 PM
I would be willing to bet most of those licensing people at LFL are no longer there at this point.

I’m pretty sure Chris Holm is still there, but he might fall under a Disney reporting structure.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: EdSolo on May 24, 2024, 07:32 AM
It is utterly insane they wouldn't just give the second sister a figure for free.  That was an actually smart ask on her part because I think we all now how impossible finding figures in the wild can be.  The whole objectifying woman angle seems very odd, but not out of place for Disney.  Oola and Slave Leia are easy ones to target for that.  A couple of background characters, that are seen for a few seconds, and are fully clothed, and had zero background info on them when the movie was released?  That seems rather odd to label them as being objectified.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Nicklab on May 24, 2024, 09:27 AM
What someone says on a podcast might be completely different from their interactions with Lucasfilm.  What I took from Victoria's interview with Angela Staines is that Lucasfilm was of the opinion that she wanted to shake them down for $$$, and that's just not how they do business.  They have on screen talent (with no dialogue) sign a STANDARD release in order to produce licensed merchandise.  If someone bucks that standard?  It potentially opens the door to countless other on screen talent to attempt to negotiate their own deals.  And the legal costs alone might make the situation incredibly prohibitive from a financial and administrative standpoint - down to the point of potentially slowing production of new content.  It seems like a pandora's box of hassles.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: GrandMoffNick on May 24, 2024, 09:34 AM
I'm with Nick. This isn't about "one person wanting one figure". It's about not changing the standard for one person.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Rob on May 24, 2024, 09:47 AM
I think that sounds likely.

And, as much as you could roll your eyes at Hasbro for not wanting to provide her with a $5 figure, you could roll your eyes at her for not being willing to sign unless given a $5 figure.
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Jeff on May 24, 2024, 09:51 AM
What I took from Victoria's interview with Angela Staines is that Lucasfilm was of the opinion that she wanted to shake them down for $$$, and that's just not how they do business. 

I went back and re-listened to the interview that Victoria did in 2017.  I really think it all boils down to this chunk of the interviews: (https://youtu.be/E8Yu1fKCDko&t=1605)

- Someone she knew saw the tiny little Galoob Action Fleet Tonnika figure in a shop
- Her husband said 'they should be paying you for that'
- Her husband's lawyer sent a letter to LFL

Then she (Angela) casually mentions that Christine (the other sister) had many interactions with LFL and they ALL knew about the letter at LFL and that was the one of the reasons there were no figures.  Again she mentions "why not give us some royalties" in reference to making the figures.

I think her story softened over time down to "I just wanted a free figure", but the more you dig into this the more it sure seems like she wanted something and like the Nicks are saying, LFL isn't going to change their standard contract/approach for one background character (even if she was in a named role on the call sheet and not just an extra) for fear of the precedent it would set.

This fits well with Nick's story about Derryl saying LFL had a 'long memory'.  She tried to shake them down and LFL isn't going to forget it apparently...
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Nicklab on May 24, 2024, 09:51 AM
I heard that condition about the figure and it sounded like BS to me.  She got her husband involved along with legal representation in her communications with LFL.  It almost certainly got adversarial.  That set the tone and LFL was probably like "Yeah, no".

No doubt Angela Staines is missing out on being involved in officially sanctioned Lucasfilm events.  That alone could be bringing her a nice income stream.  Lower level actors are charging maybe $40 or $60 for autographs these days.  Factor that in to appearing over a 3 day weekend and averaging 10 signatures per hour?  And charging more for photo ops?  And one of the actors with non speaking roles might taken home close to $10K for a weekend's work.  Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees...
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Rob on May 24, 2024, 10:31 AM
As far as I can tell she's done her best to monetize being a Tonnika Sister.  Her facebook page is full of this kind of stuff.

(https://i.imgur.com/EhaAzea.jpeg)



Ironically, she was also pimping the Last Figure Standing poll.  Lolz...

(https://i.imgur.com/jagLKhE.jpeg)
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Rob on May 24, 2024, 10:33 AM
Jeff, do we want to spin this off into a dedicated Tonnika Sisters thread?  As much as there isn't anything to say about it, I do like the topic for some weird reason...
Title: Re: Re: 2024 HasLab - TVC Project, Coming Soon!
Post by: Jeff on May 24, 2024, 10:45 AM
Jeff, do we want to spin this off into a dedicated Tonnika Sisters thread?

Good idea.  I spun off these recent Tonnika-specific posts and merged them into this old Tonnika themed thread.
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: Nicklab on May 25, 2024, 12:16 PM
OMG!  This thread goes back almost 20 years?!?!?!
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: Rob on May 25, 2024, 02:30 PM
Yeah Jeff was quoting posts by me that I’d loooooong since forgotten. :)
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: Nicklab on June 7, 2024, 12:19 PM
The long collecting nightmare is finally over!  We can put this topic to bed at last!!!
Title: Re: Tonnika Sisters coming?
Post by: Jeff on June 7, 2024, 12:41 PM
in private at the booth they sure did a LOT of hinting that the Tonnkia Twins may have something to do with the upcoming Distillery and U-Shaped bar pieces...  ;)

It took 19 years but this Hasbro hint finally panned out.  The Tonnikas are coming with the bar distillery section... and a lot of other stuff.  (https://jedidefender.com//jsmentek/lol.gif)
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: Ryan on June 7, 2024, 01:54 PM
I’m a bit stunned we are finally getting them, it’s felt like a pipe dream for so long. I’ll be really glad to finally cross these off the list.

Now onto the next question, who will take the Tonnika’s place at the top of wishlists for the next 20 years?  :P
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: McMetal on June 7, 2024, 02:44 PM
It really is a great moment for the collecting community, I am so glad it is finally happening.

I’m not sure who would top the list of unmade figures now. Ackmena maybe?  :D
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: Rob on June 7, 2024, 03:27 PM
I’m not sure who would top the list of unmade figures now. Ackmena maybe?  :D

Uh, HELOOOOOOO?!

(https://i.imgur.com/5uNOymm.jpeg)
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: McMetal on June 7, 2024, 07:29 PM
Yeah but they made him as a figure already. I thought we were just talking about characters that had never been realized in plastic form.
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: Rob on June 7, 2024, 09:04 PM
Ah okay.  I always think of things as pre or post 1995.
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: CorranHorn on June 8, 2024, 12:39 PM
Hallelujah the great dream has become a reality. Really shocked we’re getting the Tonnika Sisters finally. Of course it happens just months after I finally finished my 15 year long customs of them…
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: Jeff on June 10, 2024, 10:12 AM
Of course it happens just months after I finally finished my 15 year long customs of them…

We all thank you for your sacrifice.  Can you please finish work on a custom Tzizvvt and Yerka Mig so Hasbro makes those too?  :D
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: Nicklab on June 10, 2024, 11:18 AM
So we don't have Rob to thank for commissioning customs of the Tonnikas for several hundred dollars????
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: Jeff on June 10, 2024, 11:27 AM
So we don't have Rob to thank for commissioning customs of the Tonnikas for several hundred dollars????

No, the custom ones he bought were Kenner style.  If Hasbro announces Retro Collection Tonnikas then we'll give Rob credit.  :D
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: Rob on June 10, 2024, 02:24 PM
It’d be an interesting choice for a retro set given how they only seem interested in new figures for non-OT shows and films.

But, one figure sold twice with a new paint job would definitely be attractive to Hasbro.

Meanwhile, the Stan solo stuff is so high quality that once those ship I can’t imagine caring too much if Hasbro produced them later.
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: CorranHorn on June 10, 2024, 09:06 PM
Of course it happens just months after I finally finished my 15 year long customs of them…

We all thank you for your sacrifice.  Can you please finish work on a custom Tzizvvt and Yerka Mig so Hasbro makes those too?  :D


LOL you are welcome Jeff!  ;D

I did also do a Yerka Mig too recently ( https://www.instagram.com/p/C1pWX-dOKc2/?igsh=em9jY3RtcG1iOGZp (https://www.instagram.com/p/C1pWX-dOKc2/?igsh=em9jY3RtcG1iOGZp) for the shameless plug) but would fully support Hasbro to steal my thunder again haha
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: Rob on June 12, 2024, 05:43 PM
I’m not sure who would top the list of unmade figures now. Ackmena maybe?  :D

I've given this some thought, and Ackmena is probably 1 for me, but 2 would be this fella.

(https://i.imgur.com/iThCXC5.png)
Title: Re: The Tonnika Sisters
Post by: Qui-Gon Jim on June 13, 2024, 08:08 AM
YEEEEEESSSSSS!!!  We as a community need to make this happen!!