Archive for the ‘Mattel’ Category:
Ask Matty for February 15, 2012 – Polly Pocket and the New 52
Here’s the latest Ask Matty Q&A, with more hope for the future Polly Pocket. And just as a reminder, we’re currently renovating the message board, so keep checking there for the latest news.
How do DC’s television plans, for instance the upcoming DC nation shorts, “Super Best Friends” and potential live action Green Arrow, factor into Mattel’s plans for future line-ups?
Sorry, this is not information we can share with the public at this time.
Will future waves of Action League feature New-52 style DC characters, or will Action League remain a haven for more classic characters?
You can potentially see new 52 characters in all of our lines. They are not restricted to 6″.
DC’s New 52 appears to be making many steps to broaden the exposure base of its characters, for instance, introducing digital combo packs, shucking high numbered books for ready-made collections and jettisoning continuity. Can we expect increased comic tie-ins, such as comic packs, action figure ads in the comic books or mail-in exclusive figures?
We do not have plans for comic book packs ins right now, but it is certainly something to explore.
Will there be an increased presence of gimmicks and action features in WWE, for instance, the Force Flex Lightning?
For the kid aimed product, yes. Collector product less so.
Will we see more DC Universe themed Polly Pocket figures and if so, will they remain a seasonal impulse item?
It is possible. Nothing to announce right now but the previous ones were big sellers!
Ask Matty February 1, 2012 – Action League Vehicles and the future of 3.75 Inch DC
Expecting some 3.75 inch love from DC at Toy Fair? Think again! But apparently we can expect to see what Dark Knight Rises toys! If you’d like to ask some questions, ask them over in the Ask Matty thread
1) Considering the number and variety of vehicles already produced for the Brave and the Bold line, is there any chance that some of these will be repurposed or re-released as part of the DC Universe line?
No, not at this time.
2) The DCU All-Star figures revealed so far have been an unusual combination of apparent repaints and figures requiring minimal tooling. Would larger waves allow more unique sculpts?
There will be some figures with more tooling and others with less depending on the best execution for each character.
3) Can we expect any news about the future of DC’s 3.75 plans at the upcoming Toy Fair?
No. We do not have a DC 3 3/4″ line planned at this time. Maybe down the road.
4) With Dark Knight Rises coming this summer, what product lines can consumers expect to see? 6 inch? 3.75 inch? Action League?
We will have this to announce at NYTF.
5) With a fresh slate of DC direct-to-DVD animated movies coming out this year, can we expect any Mattel tie-ins like either the Public Enemies line, or the one-off retailer exclusive figure pack-ins?
At this time, no we do not have plans for this in out 2012 lines.
Ask Matty for November 15, 2011
It’s been fantastic to see some of the Brave and the Bold Action League figures like kite Plastic Man and Batman with his claw shown at NYCC, but will the line be moving toward these “accessory packs” or sticking with two characters per pack?
We’re glad you like the packs with oversized accessories! We love introducing innovation to the line and will continue to provide new and exciting 2-packs — whether it be 2 figures or a figure and an awesome oversized accessory such as Larfleeze’s giant Glomulus construct!
I don’t think there’s been much talk of what accessories we can expect with upcoming Club Infinite Earths figures, other than Metron’s chair. Can you tell us a bit more about what comes with the figures, like stands or accessories?
We will have more reveals on Mattycollector.com in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for more info and images!
What does the cancellation of the Ghostbusters subscription mean for the future of other Ghostbuster-related merchandise, like future Retro figures, 12 inches or even possible “Action League” or Buddy style?
The cancellation of Club Ecto-1 does not eliminate the possibility for other Ghostbusters figures in the future. We are continuing to explore our options so that we can deliver the best Ghostbusters products out there.
We were shown the Green Lantern movie-themed Action League figures earlier in the year, but they still haven’t shown up in stores. Are they still planned for release?
Yes, these have shipped to Wal-Mart stores and it is up to Wal-Mart when they want put them out.
Todd McFarlane is apparently launching a cross-license “collectors club” with statues from the Walking Dead, Spawn, Haunt and the NHL. What’re the chances that Mattel could launch a cross-license line of toys in whatever format (6-inch, 3.75 inch, 12 inch, stylized)?
Always something possible but nothing planned at this time.
Mattel Q&A for 7/15/11
1. The Green Lantern comic packs have apparently started hitting Wal-Mart,
but can you give us an idea of when the movie packs will hit, and what the
pair-ups will be?
We will have this to announce at SDCC. Stay tuned.
2) Will there be any news about the future of Mattel’s plans for DC’s 3.75
inch scale at SDCC?
You will just need to come to our fan panel at SDCC at 3:00 on Friday the 22 to find out all of our plans for DCU in all scales and styles.
3) Even though it’s been cancelled, the final new episodes Brave and the
Bold have been trickling out for months now. Is there any possibility of
more Brave and the Bold branded product?
See the same answer above!
4) Hasbro appears to be going retro at SDCC this year, offering the
“missing” wave of Indiana Jones figures, and new miniature Mighty Muggs,
both supporting otherwise dead properties. Has Mattel considered using
SDCC to revisit classic products with one-off exclusives?
No. Unlike our competitors we like to use SDCC to put our all new original items for our fans, not older items we could not find a home for. We like to think this is going the extra mile and not resting on our laurels.
5) Speaking of Retro… if we understand correctly the DC Retro line is
done. Have you considered producing anything like blank bodies or head
packs to foster the custom community? Mego customs appear to still be
quite popular, and the unit sales of blank bodies would be boosted by a
“Green Lantern” pack featuring 4 different GL heads, or a “Legion” pack
with a variety of Legion heads.
We are still looking into the future of the Retro line. We know there are a small number of very passionate fans that love this line and much like JLU we would love to keep it going if there is enough support. The best way to show support in Retro figures it to purchase the current figures at retail and the GL Retro figures on Mattycollector.com. We can only produce more figures if we know there are enough fans/customers buying them. Much like JLU, Retro Action can be a group of small but loud fans and that isn’t always enough to keep a line going.
We need a certain baseline of “completists” to keep collector lines going. People who pick and choose characters are always great additional “day of sales” but without a constant baseline of fans (like we have for MOTU or GB subscriptions) who will buy any figure in a particular style, it is hard to keep a line going.
Mattel Q&A for May 15, 2011 – Polly Pocket Masters?
1) After seeing the Princess of Power Polly Pocket set, what’re the chances of seeing a full line of Masters of the Universe minis?
This item was done by the Polly team as a stand alone SDCC item. If seeing more Polly as MOTU characters is what you want to see, be sure to let the Polly team know! The MOTUC team that produces the 6” line does not have the current resources to continue this as a line. It would need to come from the Polly Pocket team!
2) What’s the future for Action League vehicles, hopefully ones that have some comic or movie connection? Wonder Woman’s jet seems like the perfect marriage of fun concept and cool vehicle.
It is something we are looking into. Nothing to announce right now, but never say never!
3) Will Swamp Thing’s hidden articulation be a feature used infuture action figuresand if so, is it limited to exclusives?
It is always possible. We’ll see what fan reaction is to Swamp Thing and go from there. The door is not closed!
4) Will MOTUC’s Marlena snd other exclusives havedifferences between their SDCC and Matty Collector Versions? We know there’s no Un-Men,butany other differences?
At SDCC she will be packed out as Queen Marlena, on Mattycollector.com she will be packed out as Captain Glenn. Both packs will have all the parts, but each will have its own unique bio on the back!
5) Now that many Vertigo characters are back in the DC Universe, what are the chances of seeing cute little Action League three pack with John Constantine, Death and Swamp Thing as a convention exclusive soon? It’s probably safe to say they’re not likely for a retail release.
Nothing is planned right now, but this is not out of the question in the long term.
Mattel Q&A May 1, 2011 – Voltron Subscriptions, Matty Collector Sales Gauge
1) As you know, there’s been some criticism of Matty Collector sales.
Collectors are told that future product hinges on sales, but no figures are ever given (of either actual sales or required sales) for business reasons and collectors get mixed messages about figure sales (product is pulled or “no longer available” to focus sales on other products like with the Cyber Monday Parademon controversy).
Have you considered implementing a “thermometer” or other way for fans to know when sales have met, or are failing to meet, expectations without giving away concrete numbers?
Actually yes, this is something we are looking into for the future!
2) Has Mattel looked into cross-packing Action League, Buddies or Rumblers with other lines? For instance, including an Action League version of a character with their DCUC version?
No, there are no plans for this type of mix and match between lines at this time. Cool idea though!
3) There hasn’t been a Fourth World figure in DCUC since Desaad in Wave 12, there were no Fourth World figures at all in DCIH, DC Universe Action League has so far been Green Lantern dominated, and the only place to find Kirby’s signature characters recently have been in the soon-to-go Justice League line. Can we expect more New Gods any time soon?
We do have more New Gods planned. You’ll just need to hang in there. They are coming!
4) Continuing our quest to ask you about every toy possibility: Is there a chance we’ll see Ghostbusters in an Action League or Buddies style? So far you’ve had 12 inch, 6 inch and retro style figures, but don’t you think they’d lend themselves to the more animated designs of a Buddy?
This is something we have looked into. No plans right now but maybe down the road, especially when and if there is a new film!
5) With SDCC coming up soon, will you be announcing any new toy line subscriptions?
Yes, there will be a Voltron subscription program. We will have details at SDCC.
Ask Matty 4/15/11 – WWE Build and Brawl, DC Universe Action League
1) Any plans to follow up on Jakks build and brawl line now that you have the WWE license ?
We are indeed looking to introduce the 1/18 scale into our line but of course we will do it in a new way rather than follow up on what a previous manufacturer did.
2) Will the Imaginext Robin ever get his cape? He looks kinda silly with the molded cape around his shoulders but no cloth cape on his back.
We will pass this along to the Imaginex team at Fisher Price. Thanks for the suggestion! Sorry we don’t have a confirmed answer at this time.
3) With some toylines, there’s a lot of obvious planning such as drafting the MOTUC biographies for many characters who might never even get figures. How far in advance do you guys plan for lines like DCUC or DCU Action League?
We have the line roughly thought out a for a few years, but as we are not the “owner” of DC we need to work with our license partners each year on which characters they want to see on shelf as well.
4) I don’t think anyone’s asked this in a while: Is there any possibility that me might see a 3.75 line of Masters of the Universe?
Always possible but nothing is planned right now.
5) Other than Walmart’s Green Lantern DCU Action League figures, are there any other retailer exclusive Action League figures in the works?
Yes, there will be more Action League exclusives. Stay tuned at SDCC for more!
