Seems since we are getting closer to UQS Darth Maul hitting stores, the SW question have really started to come in. SO since this week is a five-Friday month I will do the misc. questions as well as get caught up on SW.  Now on to your questions!

John Lamm
Since Hasbro does “3 3/4 figures and Sideshow does the “12 figures, how about a line of “6-7 Star Wars figures done similar to your line of Star Trek figures? That would be awesome! Also since you have the rights to do some Indiana Jones stuff, how about a line of figures for that too, especially now that Hasbro dropped the ball of Indy figures. Hasbro doesn’t seem to think that Indy can be supported as a collector line. The forums on various sites prove otherwise though. Quarter scale figures are looking good as well as the new banks that i’ve seen. Looking forward to seeing more Star Wars and Indiana Jones stuff from you!

DSTChuck: John, I’m glad you like what you have seen, I think you will really like the final products even more. Its nice to see that you have so much confidence in the job we’ll do to ask us to do more lines BUT right now Hasbro has all those sizes tied up and we did even ask about a collector-only line like Marvel Select… but for now we’ll just have to stick to what we have.

Brandon Giles
1.When DST does a Boba Fett figure in Ultimate Quarter Scale will DST go for a removable helmet and the actor likeness or go with a non-removable helmet. This question also applies for a Jango Fett figure and any clones or clone commanders.
2. What can we expect when DST gets to characters like Yoda? Will characters the size of Yoda be done in this line too?
3. When a Boba Fett Figure is done will ya’ll please consider giving him changeable armor to go for “The Empire Strikes Back” and The Return of the Jedi’s” distinct looks without having to buy two separate figures.
4. When Darth Vader is done in this format, please tell me we will get him with a three piece removable helmet!
5. Will any furry characters like Chewbacca or Ewoks be done with plush fur or sculpted plastic fur? I’d definately prefer the plush fur over sculpted. Please no wire frame body like the Hasbro Chewie!
6. Is Slave Leia a consideration for Star Wars Ultimate Quarter Scale. I know that would definately set the fanboy community on fire! Ha! As always, Thank You Chuck for answering our questions and Thank You DST for all the wonderful products!

DSTChuck: MAN Brandon you work me over on these Q&A’s!
1. I don’t think we’re far enough along to make a decision like that. We’ll have to look at how it can be done, if it is cost effective and how it would look.
2.  We could not do Yoda EXACTLY in this line, the license will not allow it but we do have some creative ideas that might get something in the proper scale out there.
3. Again its too early to decide something like that, but based on all the cost for all that tooling, such a feature might not be feasible.
4. Again WAY to early to decide that.
5.  We do have some ideas on how we can do plush fur but we’ll just have to see how it goes when we start developing that project.
6.  I would LOVE to do that figure but I have NO idea how to make it look good with all the articulation showing through.

Jayson Krebsbach
Kudos to you for creating a highly detailed and affordable line in this new UQS Collection. I have a quick question regarding the ANH Obi-Wan Kenobi. In the press release imagery it shows that he includes a lightsaber, but it looks to be Luke Skywalker’s ROTJ lightsaber rather than his proper ROTS/ANH hilt. Was this just an oversight for the photoshoot (and at SDCC) or will he ship with the correct lightsaber?

DSTChuck: Jayson, I have been asked that question a few times at the shows and Obi Wan’s saber has been an issue that we have gone over with Lucas in great depth. In Ep3 Obi Wan goes off to Tatooine he has one style of light saber THEN when we see him in Ep 4 the light saber he carries is somewhat different. In our opinion it is unlikely that living in solitude studying and watching over Luke that he would create a new saber SO with Lucas’ blessing, both Ep 3 and Ep 4 Obi Wan “Ben” Kenobi will come with the same Ep 3 saber. I hope that makes sense!

Clinton Linsley
with the ultimate quater scale line have you concidered releasing characters such as chewbacca,bobba fett and maybe even darth vader

DSTChuck: Yes of course we would love to do all of them.

Shawn Groves
I am a huge Star Wars fan and am wondering if there are any plans to produce the Imperial Armored Forms from the original trilogy, especially the AT-AT driver and the snowtrooper from The Empire Strikes Back? Thanks for giving us this forum to ask your questions!

DSTChuck: Yes we do want to do some armored figures in this line! Glad you like the Q&A, I wish I could go to a show every weekend but this seems like the next best thing.

Logan Serabian
I’m really excited for the banks line. So i have a few questions about it. I’m wondering where the money slots will be? Also what are your plans for the rest of the series? I’m a big fan of the original series so will you continue with that or will you do some of the prequel series? Thanks

DSTChuck: Most of the money slots will be in the back about 1/2 way down the head. We’re going to mix in prequel and classic and we hope to get maybe 4 of the bust style banks out each year.

Dave Cordes
Regarding the 1/4 scale Star Wars line, what does DST hope to achieve that will distinguish their line from the plethora of collectible action figures/statues produced by other companies like Hasbro, Gentle Giant and Sideshow collectibles? To be perfectly honest, I have not been overly impressed by the characters shown so far and have given this line a big pass. I just can’t get very enthusiastic about another scale of Star Wars figures when I am currently collecting 1:6 action figures and 1/4 scale Premium Format high end figures from another company. For one thing, I just don’t have the space or the money so I must be very selective and I think these are going to be a tough sell to a lot of fans, except for maybe the die-hard completest who are simply compelled to collect anything and everything marketed with the Star Wars brand. Why did you feel that a competing scale of this size was necessary to produce in an already oversaturated market and during an economic recession? Why not produce some exceptionally sculpted 7″ action figures similar to DST’s Star Trek figures that would compete with those offered by companies like McFarlane and NECA and would differentiate itself from Hasbro’s 3 3/4″ action figures and at a much more attractive price point and scale?

DSTChuck: Dave to be honest about 1/2 of this post is a lecture dressed up in a question isn’t it?? I really don’t want to allow that stuff here since it could be viewed as insulting to people that read this that might really dig what we’re doing. I’m going to allow this one to show that we don’t edit these questions but going forward we’re going to have to edit stuff like this down to the question.

Ok on to the question: What makes UQS different than what’s for sale in the market place: Well to start they are the largest fully articulated figures EVER made for Star Wars. They are currently the only figures being done with voice and sound effects. They are the only figures that when collected as a line will interplay with each other to recreate sceens from the films. They are the only line with original Dave Dorman art that will create a brand new SW universe mural. They are the only cloth figures for SW that will be available to all retail outlets not just a select few and on the web. They are the most affordable cloth line of SW figures on the market.

Henry Rmbish, Jr.
Forgive my newbie-ness… I followed a link here from Digg to the Tribbles post on the blog. But I didn’t see any on the catalog pages… Are these actually coming out on your site or are they available elsewhere?

DSTChuck: Henry welcome to the Asylum and so glad you’re a fan of Digg. You have stumbled onto the website we use to communicate with fans.  We don’t do any selling on this site BUT if you go to www.diamondselecttoys.com you can order or pre-order lots of cool stuff you might see folks here chatting about.

Brandon Giles
Is there any chance that DST could go after the Indiana Jones figure license for 7″ scale figures? Hasbro had the 3 3/4″, but it looks like the line will not be around in 2009. Indiana Jones would lend itself well to other lines that DST currently has. Relic items would be compatible between Stargate and the evil Nazi uniforms could be used on a “Patterns of Force” Kirk and Spock! What do you say DST? Any chances? This would definately fill a void in many peoples collections come 2009 when Hasbro backs out.

DSTChuck: Right now those sizes and categories are not available to us.

Jeff Peebles
How long is your Transformers license with Hasbro? Will you be releasing more bust after Feburary next year? I would like to see Trailbreaker, Tracks, Hound, Sunstorm (Starscream Repaint with flames), Wheeljack, Insecticons 3 pack, and lastly the Constructicons seperatly since Palisades already did Devastator. Thanks for the time, Jeff

DSTChuck: Jeff I am sorry to say we do not give specific information about our licenses out but I can tell you we have more TF stuff planed for some time….

Thomas McDonald
Hello again, Thank you for answering my question on the ships of Star Trek upcoming models. I wanted to also ask if there is a possibility that your marketing department may consider branching out from the current Star Trek ships and consider some of the classic ships of SciFi’s past. I am particularly interested in the original Lost in Space Jupiter II, Forbidden Plannet’s C57D cruiser, Stargate and Babylon 5’s ships as well. There are many classic movies that come to mind that I’d love the ships from and I believe your company would reach a wider market. Can you please consider this? I would like to see these made like your current Star Trek ships and not the statues. Thanks

DSTChuck: To be honest without the support of a large retailer it is very difficult to produce items like the ships and role-play items and make a profit on them. For now we think Star Trek has the history and fan following to support the line, in the future we might try some other licenses out.

Chris Hallett
Hi guys, Just wanted to say I recently bought the Cliffjumper and Jazz Transformers bust and must say I was very impressed. I also have the limited War Within Grimlock which is my favourite piece and just wanted to know if any more War Within characters would be released or if any of the other Dinobots would be made? Looking forward to the Prowl, Bluestreak and other G1 busts being released soon.

DSTChuck: We have frequently talked about adding more Dinobots to the line — so we’ll have to see.

Brian Petersen
Buffy seems to be a pretty diverse franchise with DST. Any chance that AA might step in and contribute with Minimates?

DSTChuck: We have considered it but no plans right now for Buffy or Angel MM, sorry.