This week in Ask DST, the inimitable DSTChuck answers all your Minimates questions! Check it after the jump!

Dean Andre: I just found out that the remaining Batttlestar Galactica MiniMates have been cancelled. I can understand there not being enough orders to justify production, but why do we only hear through retail stores rather than directly from the source? I know it’s not good news, but I think it still should be mentioned here on the official site as soon as these determinations are made. Is it possible that some of these characters could be released in a boxed set? I was really interested in getting some of the remaining Cylons especially Sam Anders and Tory Foster. They were such a large part of the first half of this season, and I can only imagine they will be a big part of the wrap up. It would also be nice to have Leoben and Natalie (or Athena), if you could possibly do a Cylon 4 or 5 pack. I was also looking forward to New Caprica Starbuck, but of course, she’s not a Cylon (or is she?). Thanks for reading and giving us the opportunity to ask questions!

DSTChuck: Dean, that’s an interesting question. DST sells to retailers, they are the ones that order from us; so, we tell them the order is canceled so they can tell customers the item is canceled. We’ll have to see if there is an additional way that  we can get the word out without stepping on the retailers’ toes. We would very much like to finish the Cylon set as well, that’s why we have been saying it’s on hold — in case we can find other ways to get the MM into fans hands.

Matt Strawbridge: I’ve been buying minimates since the very beginning and especially love the super hero ones. I buy at least 2 sets of all the Marvel ones (and the DC ones) and sometimes 3 sets for extra parts. Something I hear alot about online and in my local comic shop is the desire for more classic villains to be made. So what do you think of the following wants? Kang the Conqueror, The Lizard, Titanium Man, Electro, and Vulture. All these guys would be great compliments to the heroes that they battle and they’re all important characters to the Marvel mythos. I especially like the idea of a Kang. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I’ll keep supporting you guys. I can’t wait for the bolt-face Iron Man!

DSTChuck: We do get frequent request for villains and while the hero figures do sell better, looking back we think we have done a fair share of the bad guys. That said, we are always looking at more villains we can mix in and plan to keep adding them as we do more waves.

Joseph Wagner: Three questions, feel free to use any or all of them (should you be so inclined). With the awesome T2 minimates being announced, are there any plans to extend into the other Terminator movies or to the Sara Conner Chronicles? The comic Spirit minimates also look awesome - any chance this could lead into an expansion of minimates into other “classic” comic characters (Dick Tracy, The Phantom, The Shadow, Flash Gordon, etc)? Someone asked a question about the Doctor Who minimates and it was mentioned that AA only did the design work. Would it be possible to share these designs or some of the other designs that have been done for minimates that won’t or haven’t been released? Thanks! -Joe Wagner

DSTChuck: The license for Sara Conner is separate from the T2 license so for now we have no plans to add that license. I think Spirit was somewhat unique with the movie tie in — but you never know. We do not own those designs so we can not show them without permission from Underground toys. Sorry.

Eric Q: I’m sure I could answer this questions myself, but… I’m a *huge* fan of Firefly and Serenity, and was wondering if there was even any talk before about turning the best damn crew into Minimates? A box set would have been perfect! Though I’m guessing DST is done with Serenity since the Zoe statue was cancelled, sadly.

DSTChuck: We did discuss it at length but I think it’s not going to happen. The show does have a solid following but we’re just not sure if there are enough of them out there to make a wave or box set work.

Matt Strawbridge: Concerning the Hulk in the “Heroes” 4-pack that’s due out around April: 1) Will this be the same color green as with the Avengers 1st Appearance Hulk? 2) Will there be any re-tooling of those shoulders to increase movement? Thank you

DSTChuck: 1) Its close but I don’t have a final production Hero Hulk to compare. 2) No new tooling was done.

Penelope Quincy: Will there ever be an NFL line of Minimates? that would be sooooooo cool!

DSTChuck: Some in the office so really love sports so we’d love to do them down the road but for now the complexities of one of the larger leagues leaves us in a holding pattern.

Sam Ford: Hey y’all. TM2 Dinobot from MMMV here again. I was really, REALLY sad to hear about BSG. But enough about me, let’s talk about y’all! XD 1) In these “hard economic times” do you feel y’all are closer to the market than the big guns, or safer? Like, I see Hasbro taking risks, and because they’re so large, when they win, they win big (Robot Heroes) and when they tank, they tank equally as grand (Indiana Jones). I’m just wondering how close an eye y’all have to keep on the markets, and how much wiggle room you have time wise. Also, does this mean you will be scaling back production this year? 2) At one point in time, many many years ago, y’all did Rock minimates. Do you think there’s a chance of music inspired minimates making a return? Like Elvis, or the man in black himself, Johnny Cash? 3) Iron Fist mask, check. Swashbuckling Sulu sword and hand, check. Dread Pirate Roberts, check? Will we ever see this much-hoped-for Princess Bride set? Please? 4) You’ve got Platoon, and Arnold from Terminator. Will we see Predator Minimates? That would be the ultimate hunt. 5) A Tomb Raider set would also be nice. I know I’ve seen both of these questions asked before, but here goes. 6) For your Ultimate Quarter Scale, will we possibly see a Slave Leia? And would Yoda be in scale with the rest, or would that drop him too far into competitor’s licenses? 7) Transformers busts. I love them. Keep ‘em coming. How about some Beast Wars love though? Thanks, –TM2

DSTChuck: The economy has everyone concerned DST included…You have to keep an eye on the real world. While I don’t want to say we’re going to be crazy, I think we have taken many educated risks this last year: UQS, Ghostbusters, T2, and selling collector Toys to TRU. Just like Hasbro, some hit some don’t, but we’re scaled back if only for the fact that we don’t do any Marvel statues anymore. I don’t think we’re looking at any music licenses right now, nor are we working on Princess Bride, Tomb Raider or Predator.  I have NO idea how we would do a good looking Slave Leia with all those joints. Yoda is a long shot for the reason you outline BUT we’ve got our thinking hats on. Not sure how much Beast Wars love you’re going to get.

Brian Felgar: There are a lot of sad pandas out here in Minimateland over seeing prototypes that end up getting shelved for one reason or another. So, I was wondering: since the ‘mates are already designed, are you at liberty to distribute the source art so the ambitious customizers out there can make their own?

DSTChuck: That’s something we’ll have to look into!

Scott Taylor: Did the Minimates Platoon box set do well enough for a second box set to be made? The first Platoon set had some of the best army-mates to date and I’d love to see more made. Thanks!

DSTChuck: I think Platoon will only have one set, sorry.

Jeff Hollick: I just want to compliment DST / Art Asylum on the latest Minimates offerings! The character selection, attention to detail and value for money are among the best in the toy business. Thanks for the great product and keep it coming!

DSTChuck: Cool… thanks for collecting these little guys. More cool stuff planed, hope you like them.

Joshua Yarosz: Hi, I was wondering (Marvel height restrictions aside) if there is a chance or possibility of a 6-8 inch blank minimate being produced? something similar to the black and white mighty muggs, for us customizers. Thanks in advance!

DSTChuck: It is POSSIBLE we could make a large blank MM but the cost would be very prohibitive.

Michael Reed: Have you ever considered making props/toys from the Lost in Space TV series? The Jupiter2, 1st and 2nd season laser pistols and rifles, the B-9 robot, the Rocket Belt, etc. These would sell and the work you do is always quality with an affordable price. Please consider this and give us your thoughts. Thank you. Mike

DSTChuck: We’ve talked about LIS but I don’t think its ever gone past just chatting.

Brian Petersen: Any chance we might see some Watchmen minimates?

DSTChuck: Honestly I don’t think so.

Sergio Garcia: 1.The new heroes and villains sets look amazing, is there any chance you’ll be making more sets like those in the future? 2.Magneto,from the villain set,helmet or no helmet? Thanks and keep making them mates! Serge

DSTChuck: Hopefully you have seen that we’re doing more box sets this year for Marvel then we have in the past… Yes Magneto comes with his helmet.

Tony Shilling: Hi DST!! Well, I’d probably would have asked this at your NYCC Panel on Friday, but unfortunately that was the day I couldn’t go, which upset me a lot because Minimates are one of my favorite products you offer. What I want to know is pretty much plain-and-simple: With your recently announced Wolverine wave, the one for the movie that replaced the fan-favorite wave, you gave us some concept art to feed off of. I have to say, I am a huge Moviemate fan, and these were some of your best works yet, especially Blob. But what confused me is that you gave us pictures for 9 Minimates, while waves normally have 7. I have a feeling that the Tank-top Logan and Silver Fox (whom is a Minimate I was really excited for) will be an exclusive, but only you can give that word. Well, are they?? They looked great, and I hate to see them as “back-up designs.” and while on that subject, I can understand the choice for so many Wolvies, but no Gambit?? From the previews and the ads, he appears! to be a key character and it’d be a shame to pass up on him and Silver Fox. Your products have been great, so keep ‘em coming!!

DSTChuck: Hmm you might be onto something with that Silver Fox idea….

Henry Woo: Since you had made an Iron Fist minimate, is there a chance for you to make a minimate of the Master of Kung Fu, Shang Chi who in his heydays was much more popular than Iron Fist. A two pack with his father, Fu Manchu, would be ideal. If you wanted to, would you be free to make these minimates under the Marvel license or would you have to deal with the estate of Sax Rohmer (creater of Fu Manchu). Thanks.

DSTChuck: We have made a Shang Chi bust in the past so I am sure we’re ok to make a MM but I have no idea about Fu Manchu. We’d have to ask.