This is distressing news about there being no preorder, as there’s zero doubt that I will buy this figure. Assuming it is comparable to Crown series Gandalf the Gray. Which it surely will be.
This will be an amazing figure. Asmus has already shown that they can make a perfect Ian McKellan Gandalf head sculpt. They’ve always done clothing and gear at an extremely high level. Maybe they have concerns about how good a job they can do with Shadowfax. But if they do even a reasonably good job with Shadowfax as well… Are you kidding me? Collectors will be all over it.
Also, Asmus will have learned from their mistakes with the moveable eyes for Gandalf the Gray. No need for that feature really, so for Gandalf the White presumably the eyes will be static and perfect. No hat to worry about.
At the very least: please email those of us here on this forum that are clearly going to buy it (I probably would even sight unseen) so that at least we know when the figure will release. That way we can be on top of it and be assured of getting our order in before it sells out.
Also imho in the case of a figure like this one that will clearly be in such high demand, the no preorder decision is an overreaction. Asmus should rethink that.