BEHIND THE TOYS

Kenner / Hasbro Interview I

by Robert Musco

Recently I had the chance to talk to a creator of some of the modern era Star Wars toys and found out about some interesting items that were planned and ultimately never made. I asked that individual if they would have free time to answer some questions. The creator was gracious enough to take the time and enlighten both fans and collectors in regards to several toy concepts that were never seen on toy shelves. There's a couple of interesting items mentioned, that would have been great to see for sale!

Question:

Let's start off from the time period of when Kenner was submitting their presentation to Lucasfilm to get awarded the master license to produce Star Wars toys (i.e. the time period entitled Power of the Force II). Can you explain what ideas were pitched and what types of items were produced and showed for the presentation?

Answer:

Some of the items that Hasbro created to win the master license for Star Wars consisted of creatures, spacecraft and Jedi Knights. We designed many pre-production designs for Star Wars in drawings and renderings as well as model and sculptings. Each of our designs were original creations vivid and full of emotional content. Each concept had it's own bio at hopes of appearing in any of the films. Some of the designs were created with a direct link to the story without lots of connections with actual toy design. Our main focus was to show Lucasfilm that we could assist them in their pre production as well.

Question:

How does Hasbro decide what items to create for possible consideration for toy production?

Answer:

Budget and uniqueness play a very important factor. Each one of our ideas were carefully scrutinized to make sure kids and collectors would buy them. We would present all of our concepts to our VP's who then made all final decisions. Once approved we had the green light to jump into production. Keep in mind all throughout our internal meetings we also got approval through Lucasfilm while we were developing our toys.

Question:

Take us through the design stages for the toys, how does a toy go from a mention at a meeting to reality?

Answer:

First, after watching the films and looking through any Star Wars related materials, we would discuss a concept or an item that we thought would be cool to do and get to it. We would provide a sketch or a quick model and present it to our team leader. Once the ideas are approved within our team we then get approval through Lucasfilm. If and when they approved the idea we begin pattern drawings and sculpting creating our in house samples. From that the sculpting department and the pattern shop begin and rough 3d models are created.

Hard copies are made from the molds created from the original sculptings and patterns. After that we are ready to add color to breath life into the toys. Before you know it we are receiving first shots from China. And after a couple of weeks we would see our creations in package and then in stores.

Question:

How many hardcopies are made for the modern line, and what type of material is used to create hardcopies of today?

Answer:

Hardcopies vary from item to item, for instance for a figure we may do 3 or more.

One for painting to be done in China, one for photography for packaging and catalogs, and one for displays and internal presentations. They are usually made out of resin, very durable and paint friendly.

For vehicles we would use approximately the same amount.

Question:

Of the hardcopies that are made how many are painted?

Answer:

Three is the magic number. Sometimes on rare occasions more are painted . But three are done for the reasons stated above. If rushed they may do one and we would take photos for advertising, and then sent it to the orient as a painting model.

Question:

During the release of the films were there any "in house" items created for the employees?

Answer:

When the re-releases for the original trilogy movies came out nothing was given to just the Hasbro employees. There was a limited edition figure that was of Luke Skywalker in his Jedi outfit with special printing on the card signifying its difference from other action figures on the line. When the new movies came out the only item that we got that no one else was able to receive were the special sneak preview tickets of episode one that required a black light shining on them to reveal the Lucasfilm brand.

Question:

Can you give us some examples of toys that were in prototype stages but ultimately never made?

Answer:

When the films were being re-released with new footage, some thought it would be cool to introduce these new scenes in toys, some were cool others were not. The Jabba the Hutt and Han Solo conversation in the hanger was going to be made into an interactive toy with sound effects and moving Han Solo and Jabba figures by moving levers on the hanger base. The hanger was lost but the two action figures were made into a display box set. There was also an attempt to do brand new tool for a new Death Star playset with lots of play value.

It could be folded up very nicely and opened up into a nice sized toy re-creating the trench run and other elements of the main story. For the new movie and to coincide with the release of the Star Wars cross section books a die-cast line was spawned, but never made it to final production. Each die-cast toy was to have featured a base that would lift the top portion of the vehicle revealing the pilots and inner workings of each vehicle. A large poster was also to be included for these toys to add to their appeal. Models of a Naboo starfighter, and X-Wing were created, with future production to be done on Anakin's Pod Racer and the Millennium Falcon.

Editor's Note: View the SLA Naboo Fighter die cast prototype

Question:

What was one toy concept that was at least considered to be created but ultimately never made?

Answer:

The best idea that was never made was going to be the remote controlled AT-AT. Everyone one the team at that time wanted one and with Zoids all over our offices it was the natural thing to do. True scale X-Wings and TIE Fighters were cool but a walking turning AT-AT with light and sound effects would be the ultimate Star Wars item next to a scaled version of Darth Vader's Executor for Action Fleet.