Hasbro appreciation thread.

[Khev]

Let's face it, characters like Yarna and Willrow are just as deserving of a figure as characters like, say, podracer pilots, or bounty hunters.

Boy I'm glad you didn't work for Kenner in the 70's/80's.

 

[Memnoch]

Boy I'm glad you didn't work for Kenner in the 70's/80's.

Except Yarna would have had a figure in the 80s if the line didn't get canned. Bits of the early work on her still exist.

 

[agen_kolar]

Who cares how much they "moved" onscreen. It's an ugly fat chick and a chubby dude in plain clothes with an ice cream maker. They personify BORING.

And so is a bounty hunter with a diaper on his head. Yarna da'l Gargan is arguably a more recognizable character than Dengar, Zuckuss, etc. If I was to ask a casual viewer, let's say, my mother - she would know exactly who Yarna is, but would never be able to place any of the bounty hunters except maybe Zam Wesell, Greedo, or Jango and Boba Fett. Willrow Hood, on the other hand, is a bit more obscure, and I'll admit that even Yarna is more deserving of a figure than him. However, I'm glad that he was made. The line would get old if background characters weren't created. I can only take so many Snowspeeder Lukes or Stormtroopers before I get bored and want to move on. Diverse characters keep the line alive and fresh.

Except Yarna would have had a figure in the 80s if the line didn't get canned. Bits of the early work on her still exist.

Indeed.

 

[Khev]

Except Yarna would have had a figure in the 80s if the line didn't get canned. Bits of the early work on her still exist.

Yes but if agen_kolar was a Kenner executive back then we would have had her on a card and would just now be looking at prototype shots of a never released Boba Fett.

 

[Qrest Fourstar]

By comparison, Yarna has 100 times more screen time than Dengar. In fact, you don't see an entire body shot of him in the film. Just parts of his outfit.

IMHO, I love obscure OT character figures. And the more obscure the better! I just wish Lucasfilm would explain why they flatly refuse to make the Tonnika Sisters.

 

[icruise]

Having figures for obscure characters is part of what I love about Star Wars. I bought Wilrow Hood specifically because he embodies that idea. That said, I agree that Hasbro doesn't seem to be very good at gauging how many of a certain figure to produce.

 

[barryo]

................all this talk of yarna reminded me of a dragon con i went to..................i saw this girl & asked her if i could take her pic............& she asked me if i knew who she was............i replied of course, that's why im taking your pic.........i really didnt know the name but i did know the character............

 

[Qrest Fourstar]

She made a good Yarna. And much better looking. I always appreciate costumers that play to their body. Lord knows the only 2 characters I should do are Malakili or Jek Porkins

 

[kl241]

She made a good Yarna. And much better looking. I always appreciate costumers that play to their body. Lord knows the only 2 characters I should do are Malakili or Jek Porkins

Fortunately she didn't arrive in a Slave Leia costume.

 

[Qrest Fourstar]

Fortunately she didn't arrive in a Slave Leia costume.

MY point exactly!! If you don't have the build for it, don't wear the costume! I can't stand Fat Boba fetts or Fat slave leias. I am overweight and would LOVE to wear Boba but it just ain't happening.

 

[kl241]

Cover me, Porkins.

 

[agen_kolar]

I just wish Lucasfilm would explain why they flatly refuse to make the Tonnika Sisters.

This has to do with them not owning one of the character's likeness. When ANH was made, the actors were not made to sign away their rights when it comes to likeness and merchandise, etc. So, Angela Staines, who portrayed Senni Tonnika, would never settle for the price they were willing to pay for the rights for her likeness, and as such, an action figure cannot be made. Christine Hewett, the actress who played Brea Tonnika, died in 2007, but was willing to have her likeness used as an action figure. If, or until Ms. Staines settles, which is unlikely, Lucasfilm and Hasbro have stated that neither Tonnika sister will be made into an action figure.

PS - I used way too many commas and way too many "likeness" in that post.

 

[kl241]

They could always go the generic likeness route, or invent 2 new "sisters" who are the "Tonnika Cousins" in some EU story and make those instead. That's how you get around legalities.

Remember the Cousins of the Dukes of Hazard?

 

[agen_kolar]

They could always go the generic likeness route, or invent 2 new "sisters" who are the "Tonnika Cousins" in some EU story and make those instead. That's how you get around legalities.

They've also said they aren't interested in doing that. It's not worth the risk of a lawsuit.

 

[kl241]

Likeness be damned Lucasfilm owns the character names and the likeness of the character. You don't see the bloke who played Dengar suing them. He'd lose and would have to pay all legal and attorney's fees which I doubt Ms. Staines could afford anyway.

 

[agen_kolar]

Likeness be damned Lucasfilm owns the character names and the likeness of the character. You don't see the bloke who played Dengar suing them. He'd lose and would have to pay all legal and attorney's fees which I doubt Ms. Staines could afford anyway.

While I agree with you, it is stupid - but if Lucasfilm thought it wouldn't be an issue, they would've dealt with it by now. By the time of TESB, they had everyone sign away their likeness. I believe I heard somewhere that part of the problem lies with the fact that the characters were not named when ANH was released, and so she could debate about which was her, despite photographic evidence clearly showing which sister she played.

 

[kl241]

What about Praji? I'm sure that chap never even thought an action figure would be made in his likeness, he was just happy to be working as an actor.

Or what about the guy who's likeness was used to promote the Death Squad Commander?

 

[agen_kolar]

What about Praji? I'm sure that chap never even thought an action figure would be made in his likeness, he was just happy to be working as an actor.

Or what about the guy who's likeness was used to promote the Death Squad Commander?

As far as I know, Angela Staines has been the only actress who they were unable to obtain the rights to.

 

[Khev]

Having figures for obscure characters is part of what I love about Star Wars.

Actually I do agree with that. I was giving agen_kolar a hard time for comparing Yarna (I can't believe I actually know her name now) to the iconic bounty hunters but I really don't have a problem with her being made, even if she (and most certainly the ice cream guy) is someone I'd never buy myself.

 

[Qrest Fourstar]

so you're saying they got the rights for the ice cream maker's face to make him? Sounds good, but I've never heard the story about the rights before. The last update I heard on them was last years' forcecast where the guy from Hasbro basically said it was just NO no explanation why. I find it hard to beleive that an Extra has the right to hold out for more money. Yeah it's their likeness and all, but just use a different face or photoshop one over the picture on the package.