1/6 NEXT Hot Toys STAR WARS Figure...?

[SOU7567]

Clone Troopers. Storm troopers, a few main characters, etc seem as if they should be the staples that should always be in stock really.

I'm not sure why they would be averse to that if they are indeed cutting stock on stuff. I understand lesser important characters being short production runs. Something like Kuill for example.

However, there's really no good reason for plain white clone troopers, that are essentially printing money with molds already made, to be in short supply. A lot of new figures are an opportunity to sell a companion trooper to someone as well.

So I guess in short, I don't know if the waitlists or whatever are real. If they are though, I think that makes HT/SS the fools, not us.

Agreed. We'll get smaller production runs going forward but I don't think we'll get a Heavy Mando situation for any of these figures. Sideshow will fulfill the pre-orders and also order for In-Stock purchase, no way will army building figures sell out before they hit the shelves.

 

[user 67922]

Yeah? What's your take?

Fake. I just don't trust Sideshow, their methods have been getting sneakier and sneakier over the last couple of years. I blame the influence of that rat Jon Deak on Sideshow, they've definitely appeared more ruthless and underhanded since they hired him.

 

[pixletwin]

That guy is still working at SS? Color me surprised.

 

[MyenShi]

However, there's really no good reason for plain white clone troopers, that are essentially printing money with molds already made, to be in short supply.

There is one good reason. Production capacity. They’ve got so many figures to do and there’s only so much factory space.

They’re pumping out Clones constantly and if they kept making one type, they wouldn’t be able to get to the others.

So the factory has probably moved on to using the molds to make the same parts for the Clone Pilot, 501st Heavy, and Appo with plans in motion for whatever else is in the near future.

I hope that everyone can get however many of the AOTC 20th Clone as they want. But Hot Toys and their distributors as businesses don’t necessarily see these the same way as we do. For them it’s a figure they’ve made and need to get done and sold and move on from, even if for us it’s a valuable army builder.

 

[MyenShi]

It really blows my mind that Cassian from Rogue One didn't go up while Andor was airing (Director Krennic did trickle in way late, so it was within the realm of possibilities, of course). And it's crazy to me that nothing from the Andor show has popped up yet. It's clear Hot Toys is still running behind - Daredevil from that She Hulk show was said to be coming and is still nowhere to be found, and the AOTC anniversary figures barely made it in last year.

But to my knowledge, every D+ show has gotten figures, except for Andor. We're two months since the first season wrapped, so you'd think a prototype or something would have popped up, or some kind of license announcement, but nothing. It's definitely strange.

She-Hulk ended in October and her figure went up in December.

Andor ended in late November so if they don’t have anything to show next month, I’ll be a little worried.

It’s not the most toyetic show but like you said there’s always been a figure for a Disney+ series so it’d be weird if there isn’t at least one.

At this point I’d take a repaint/retool of the Mudtrooper/Transport Trooper as an Aldhani Imperial Army soldier disguise figure. Better than nothing.

 

[ArtDamage]

There is one good reason. Production capacity. They’ve got so many figures to do and there’s only so much factory space.

They’re pumping out Clones constantly and if they kept making one type, they wouldn’t be able to get to the others.

So the factory has probably moved on to using the molds to make the same parts for the Clone Pilot, 501st Heavy, and Appo with plans in motion for whatever else is in the near future.

I hope that everyone can get however many of the AOTC 20th Clone as they want. But Hot Toys and their distributors as businesses don’t necessarily see these the same way as we do. For them it’s a figure they’ve made and need to get done and sold and move on from, even if for us it’s a valuable army builder.

That's my point though. Unlike a figure that does need to hurry up and release before people switch to new shiny, releases like stormtroopers and clones are desirable year round and even become more so when other releases drop. When obi wan kenobi clone wars drops people will definitely be looking for clones to stand with him. Likewise, When darth Vaders hit the market people tend to get stormtroopers to flank him.

I don't believe they're looking at it that way, but my point is I think that's even more their loss than ours. Staples like troopers are surefire sellers not to just army builders, but other more casual collectors.

 

[MyenShi]

That's my point though. Unlike a figure that does need to hurry up and release before people switch to new shiny, releases like stormtroopers and clones are desirable year round and even become more so when other releases drop. When obi wan kenobi clone wars drops people will definitely be looking for clones to stand with him. Likewise, When darth Vaders hit the market people tend to get stormtroopers to flank him.

I don't believe they're looking at it that way, but my point is I think that's even more their loss than ours. Staples like troopers are surefire sellers not to just army builders, but other more casual collectors.

Unfortunately they don’t have the ability to keep making a particular figure constantly, nor do the distributors have space to keep an inventory of vanilla troopers on hand at all times.

It’s true that they would sell over time. But no guarantees on how well or at a sufficient rate. And there is an upper limit.

We’re the minority around these parts. It’s only a relatively small number of people who are comfortable buying a couple or more of army builder type figures.

The 501st sat around for almost a year and had to be discounted in the final days before selling out. The Stormtrooper Squad Leader who is a decent enough army builder has had some big discounts. The other troopers they still have are more niche but are still around despite being eligible for the BOGO deal.

They set a production goal based on the number of global preorders and potential demand. They meet that goal. They move on. Just business for them ultimately.

It would be a double edged sword too if they only kept one particular Stormtrooper figure in constant production. They could only be making Rogue One troopers for a long time which would make people wanting OT troopers unhappy. The Stormtrooper Squad Leader being in stock this long could be affecting plans for another Stormtrooper as we speak.

 

[ArtDamage]

Unfortunately they don’t have the ability to keep making a particular figure constantly, nor do the distributors have space to keep an inventory of vanilla troopers on hand at all times.

It’s true that they would sell over time. But no guarantees on how well or at a sufficient rate. And there is an upper limit.

We’re the minority around these parts. It’s only a relatively small number of people who are comfortable buying a couple or more of army builder type figures.

The 501st sat around for almost a year and had to be discounted in the final days before selling out. The Stormtrooper Squad Leader who is a decent enough army builder has had some big discounts. The other troopers they still have are more niche but are still around despite being eligible for the BOGO deal.

They set a production goal based on the number of global preorders and potential demand. They meet that goal. They move on. Just business for them ultimately.

It would be a double edged sword too if they only kept one particular Stormtrooper figure in constant production. They could only be making Rogue One troopers for a long time which would make people wanting OT troopers unhappy. The Stormtrooper Squad Leader being in stock this long could be affecting plans for another Stormtrooper as we speak.

Eh I think its folly to compare to the figures of the past couple years as we know those were some unique circumstances in terms of sideshow's ordering numbers. Not to say that they need to be kept in that sort of supply, but a regular re-up of a vanilla or similar trooper I don't think is so unfeasible.

A more comparable trooper would probably be the ROTJ deluxe stormie. Didn't stick around too overly long, but had plentiful supply for everyone to get in on.

There's definitely a sweet spot to hit, but if HT cared to hit it I think they definitely could.

Alas, it's easier to move on and paint something chrome I suppose.

 

[MyenShi]

Eh I think its folly to compare to the figures of the past couple years as we know those were some unique circumstances in terms of sideshow's ordering numbers. Not to say that they need to be kept in that sort of supply, but a regular re-up of a vanilla or similar trooper I don't think is so unfeasible.

A more comparable trooper would probably be the ROTJ deluxe stormie. Didn't stick around too overly long, but had plentiful supply for everyone to get in on.

There's definitely a sweet spot to hit, but if HT cared to hit it I think they definitely could.

Alas, it's easier to move on and paint something chrome I suppose.

Yeah there could be. Though it’s never been the case that a collectible like these figures will always be available by design as well. They’re supposed to be limited collectibles. Part of what drives the sales is that they won’t always be around forever.

Don’t see a time where that’ll change. We see how bad it is for business when the expectation is that some figures will be around forever like this current crop.

Doesn’t mean there won’t be more Stormtroopers and Shiny Clone Troopers in the future. Could be a repack with different accessories far down the road with some other changes. Who knows. I’m for moving forward though. If they keep making Shinies they’ll never get to the 212th.

I’m still hopeful there’s actually enough supply of the AOTC 20th Clone so that people who want them can get what they want. Hate to see people disappointed.

 

[ArtDamage]

Yeah there could be. Though it’s never been the case that a collectible like these figures will always be available by design as well. They’re supposed to be limited collectibles. Part of what drives the sales is that they won’t always be around forever.

Don’t see a time where that’ll change. We see how bad it is for business when the expectation is that some figures will be around forever like this current crop.

Doesn’t mean there won’t be more Stormtroopers and Shiny Clone Troopers in the future. Could be a repack with different accessories far down the road with some other changes. Who knows. I’m for moving forward though. If they keep making Shinies they’ll never get to the 212th.

I’m still hopeful there’s actually enough supply of the AOTC 20th Clone so that people who want them can get what they want. Hate to see people disappointed.

Ugh yeah 212th is overdue and Airborne.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Airborne.

Where the hell is that one? Only one I care about.

 

[MyenShi]

Where the hell is that one? Only one I care about.

ROTS 20th in a few years hopefully.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Well, if we order today, then it will arrive just in time.

 

[MyenShi]

Well, if we order today, then it will arrive just in time.

It’ll probably go up for preorder near the end of 2025 and just barely make it for the anniversary at this rate.

If they actually make it for ROTS 20th, it’ll be 7 years after the initial proto.

Though I don’t have to tell you, Wor-Gar. I got a chuckle when I went to look at the thread and saw you started it way back in 2018.

 

[Wor-Gar]

WOW! Time flies... when you have a world-wide pandemic.

 

[MyenShi]

WOW! Time flies... when you have a world-wide pandemic.

Sure does. Feels like it’s been double the amount of time. Glad we’re still around as a community.

 

[DarkChocobi]

It’ll probably go up for preorder near the end of 2025 and just barely make it for the anniversary at this rate.

If they actually make it for ROTS 20th, it’ll be 7 years after the initial proto.

Though I don’t have to tell you, Wor-Gar. I got a chuckle when I went to look at the thread and saw you started it way back in 2018.

View attachment 620808

It's either part of CW celebration this year or have to wait 'till ROTS anniversary.

 

[Tee-Kay]

God I want that so bad. I know some collectors are fine with the SS version, but just isn't for me.

Grievous is the perfect ROTS 20th anniversary figure though, I'd be shocked if we got him for a Clone Wars anniversary.

I have the original Sideshow release and, after several falls over the years, i finally set him up kneeling in front of Dooku's hologram.

About Hot Toys releasing him as a CW 20th anniversary figure instead of a ROTS 20th anniversary, i wouldn't put that past them knowing their record with weird moves.

 

[SOU7567]

I don't feel like finding the old topics

Stormtrooper Commander 20% off

https://www.sideshow.com/collectibles/star-wars-stormtrooper-commander-hot-toys-908291
Artillery Trooper 25% off

https://www.sideshow.com/collectibles/star-wars-artillery-stormtrooper-hot-toys-908285

 

[jedibear]

Sigh. Still no sign of any Andor figures for Hot Toys.

Maybe someone should tell Howard that Johnny Depp was in it.