natureboyfauser
Superstar
Joined on: Sept 2, 2013 22:28:32 GMT -5
Posts: 663 
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Post by natureboyfauser on Nov 21, 2019 11:54:52 GMT -5
When you laid out your dream Elite line (Hot current WWE wrestler, Legend, NXT, etc ... I concur completely. I have not seen legends in the elite line as much and hoping you will get back to your formula ... because I love it. Also, I am so glad for redos like Animal and Hawk figures with Red shoulder pads .. Sgt. Slaughter redo in fatigues were all great etc ... would love classic barefoot Jimmy Snuka. BUT the new to the line figures are always a huge plus for me to buy. JUST FYI and Giant thanks again for being here with us.
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Post by WCWThunderRosa on Nov 21, 2019 12:08:34 GMT -5
AFA WOULD A JUAN CENA FIGURE BE LIKELY They’d have to sign him to a merchandise deal first |
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Post by Fighter Hayabusa on Nov 21, 2019 12:14:35 GMT -5
When you laid out your dream Elite line (Hot current WWE wrestler, Legend, NXT, etc ... I concur completely. I have not seen legends in the elite line as much and hoping you will get back to your formula ... because I love it. Also, I am so glad for redos like Animal and Hawk figures with Red shoulder pads .. Sgt. Slaughter redo in fatigues were all great etc ... would love classic barefoot Jimmy Snuka. BUT the new to the line figures are always a huge plus for me to buy. JUST FYI and Giant thanks again for being here with us. Legends are consistently in the elite line. 67 WCW Rey, 68 King Mabel & ABA Taker, 70 Vince McMahon, 71 Big Show, 74 Goldberg. Plus store exclusives Backlund, Sherri, Patterson, Rock, Brisco, Monsoon, Anvil, and Blassie. |
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popmichael
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Jul 17, 2017 16:28:13 GMT -5
Posts: 72
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Post by popmichael on Nov 21, 2019 12:38:33 GMT -5
Hi Steve,
There was a rumor a year or so ago that someone spotted a Marlena/Goldust Battlepack on Brickseek. Was there ever any truth to this being planned?
If so, and if Ms. Runnels is still signed, what are the chances of doing an Elite with her as Terri Runnels but add a cloth Golden Dress and cigar and she can be marketed as Marlena? (ala Sensational Sherri with her dress)
Thank you!
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Post by PJ on Nov 21, 2019 12:42:11 GMT -5
When you laid out your dream Elite line (Hot current WWE wrestler, Legend, NXT, etc ... I concur completely. I have not seen legends in the elite line as much and hoping you will get back to your formula ... because I love it. Also, I am so glad for redos like Animal and Hawk figures with Red shoulder pads .. Sgt. Slaughter redo in fatigues were all great etc ... would love classic barefoot Jimmy Snuka. BUT the new to the line figures are always a huge plus for me to buy. JUST FYI and Giant thanks again for being here with us. Legends are consistently in the elite line. 67 WCW Rey, 68 King Mabel & ABA Taker, 70 Vince McMahon, 71 Big Show, 74 Goldberg. Plus store exclusives Backlund, Sherri, Patterson, Rock, Brisco, Monsoon, Anvil, and Blassie. This is true. And don’t forget the Magnificent one... Don Muraco. But it’s still not enough for me and I wanted/want all of those minus Mabel.  |
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Post by Nivro™ on Nov 21, 2019 12:49:01 GMT -5
When you laid out your dream Elite line (Hot current WWE wrestler, Legend, NXT, etc ... I concur completely. I have not seen legends in the elite line as much and hoping you will get back to your formula ... because I love it. Also, I am so glad for redos like Animal and Hawk figures with Red shoulder pads .. Sgt. Slaughter redo in fatigues were all great etc ... would love classic barefoot Jimmy Snuka. BUT the new to the line figures are always a huge plus for me to buy. JUST FYI and Giant thanks again for being here with us. Legends are consistently in the elite line. 67 WCW Rey, 68 King Mabel & ABA Taker, 70 Vince McMahon, 71 Big Show, 74 Goldberg. Plus store exclusives Backlund, Sherri, Patterson, Rock, Brisco, Monsoon, Anvil, and Blassie. I'm willing to be the OPs concern is moreso the term he considers legends and what wwe/mattel considers legends. I personally dont consider something late 90s or early 2000s a "legends figure" I call the flashbacks. Anything 80s or earlier I consider legends. It's more of a personal terminology then anything. |
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Post by PJ on Nov 21, 2019 13:07:11 GMT -5
Legends are consistently in the elite line. 67 WCW Rey, 68 King Mabel & ABA Taker, 70 Vince McMahon, 71 Big Show, 74 Goldberg. Plus store exclusives Backlund, Sherri, Patterson, Rock, Brisco, Monsoon, Anvil, and Blassie. I'm willing to be the OPs concern is moreso the term he considers legends and what wwe/mattel considers legends. I personally dont consider something late 90s or early 2000s a "legends figure" I call the flashbacks. Anything 80s or earlier I consider legends. It's more of a personal terminology then anything. I don’t know I consider all those mentioned to be Legends and or Legendary looks other than Mabel and maybe Big Show.(era choice) |
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Post by Action Figure Attack on Nov 21, 2019 13:14:26 GMT -5
When you laid out your dream Elite line (Hot current WWE wrestler, Legend, NXT, etc ... I concur completely. I have not seen legends in the elite line as much and hoping you will get back to your formula ... because I love it. Also, I am so glad for redos like Animal and Hawk figures with Red shoulder pads .. Sgt. Slaughter redo in fatigues were all great etc ... would love classic barefoot Jimmy Snuka. BUT the new to the line figures are always a huge plus for me to buy. JUST FYI and Giant thanks again for being here with us. Check again. They’ve been present in many of the Elite waves over the last year and will continue to be in most waves. HH Rey, Mabel, Vince, etc. |
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Post by Action Figure Attack on Nov 21, 2019 13:23:23 GMT -5
Hi Steve, There was a rumor a year or so ago that someone spotted a Marlena/Goldust Battlepack on Brickseek. Was there ever any truth to this being planned? If so, and if Ms. Runnels is still signed, what are the chances of doing an Elite with her as Terri Runnels but add a cloth Golden Dress and cigar and she can be marketed as Marlena? (ala Sensational Sherri with her dress) Thank you! Yes, I had it penciled in. Twice actually. Just wasn’t in the cards. Not sure if a single fig is possible or not. |
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Post by Hulkster2001 on Nov 21, 2019 13:26:37 GMT -5
Forget JUAN CENA we need MR. AMERICA brother!!
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Post by Action Figure Attack on Nov 21, 2019 13:29:45 GMT -5
I understand there is an art to packaging and many of our collectors keep them in the packaging ... so for retail it is a must! BUT there are many collectors who rip open the packaging (me being one.) Is there a venue like a Ringside collectibles or someone else that could get just opened figures and save Mattel and the business (possibly the customer money???) I'm curious how much packaging adds to the cost of the final product? Thank you We’d have to create additional skus for any items offered like this. The amount of business generated by adding these additional skus would currently not outweigh the creation and management of them. Remember, things that seem to be free or low cost options still have manpower and resources involved. Those resources can be diverted to things that have a much larger ROI like an awesome exclusive line with all new figures as an example. |
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Post by Action Figure Attack on Nov 21, 2019 14:02:24 GMT -5
You mentioned working with the design team on gear choices; what were some of the first figures you worked on/pitched? Sensational Sherri RetroFest Mr Perfect RetroFest Hacksaw Shelton Benjamin (Chase) Halloween Havoc Rey WrestleMania Scott Hall There’s a lot more but it can be very collaborative. I can’t really take sole credit. |
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Post by Glorydaysofwrestling on Nov 21, 2019 14:05:03 GMT -5
You mentioned working with the design team on gear choices; what were some of the first figures you worked on/pitched? Sensational Sherri RetroFest Mr Perfect RetroFest Hacksaw Shelton Benjamin (Chase) Halloween Havoc Rey WrestleMania Scott Hall There’s a lot more but it can be very collaborative. I can’t really take sole credit. Really happy we got Sherri and those versions of Hacksaw and Rey! Great job. |
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Post by Action Figure Attack on Nov 21, 2019 14:14:23 GMT -5
Can you please clarify the long standing debate on these forums about supplemental lines (Slam City, Mutants, etc.) taking away budget from the core lines (Elite, Basic, Battle Pack, etc.)? It would be amazing to get an official word on if, how, why, why not, these lines impact the core lines, in particular if it takes away budget from Elite figures. They do not take budget away from Elites or Basics. Budgets are separate for each line. Let’s say we hypothetically pitch a new feature line to retail. It has X amount of tooling budget allocated to it. Retail for whatever reason decides to pass on the line and we cancel it. That allocated budget does not shift over to the Elite line or Basic line. |
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JL24FPS
Main Eventer
Director, Animator, Editor, Podcaster, Diabetic.
Joined on: Oct 25, 2006 14:05:42 GMT -5
Posts: 1,837
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Post by JL24FPS on Nov 21, 2019 14:15:30 GMT -5
Hey there! Thanks so much for taking the time to interact with us on here.
Any reason why we still haven't gotten Attitude Era versions of The Hardy Boyz? Closest thing was The New Brood, which might have been two of my favorite figures from this year. When they signed, was the plan always to create multiple modern versions of them, or have you just not found the right spot to include those looks yet?
I'm also REALLY hoping we eventually get a 2002/2003 era Jeff Hardy with the shorter blonde hair and white tank. What's the demand been for this figure, and where is it at on your personal priority list?
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Post by newgenandy on Nov 21, 2019 14:15:35 GMT -5
First Steve, thanks for answering these questions. A lot are "why can't you do x" or "will we get x in y attire" and you've been both patient and helpful :-)
My question: other companies (Hasbro being one with the Star Wars barge and Super 7 another with Snake Mountain) have recently done backer funded type projects for either costly large scale items or more niche items to ensure it is cost effective. Have or do you think you could consider a similar model for figures and / or playsets so you can bypass retailers and go straight to the customers who want niche wrestlers who may be under deals but not mass marketable. Or current / retro play sets like the original Raw setting at the manhattan centre (with apron, entrance etc) or maybe the smackdown iconic "fist" stage etc?
I appreciate the market appetite is one big consideration when setting up lines so a payment first no risk option would help overcome that?
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Post by Action Figure Attack on Nov 21, 2019 14:24:03 GMT -5
Why does the packaging change each year? I see many other lines that feature very little to no change throughout the years, for example, if you look at Hot Wheels from 1999 and 2019 there seems to be very little in changes outside of a natural progression (excluding special packages), but if you look at WWE packaging from 2010 to 2019 its drastic. It feels like a full on identity change every two years without letting you get comfortable and used to it. I feel this is like brand identity, when I see a Target or McDonalds I see the same appearance year after year. Sure there are occasional updates, but I don't know how I'd react if they changed their appearance year after year. Has there ever been thought given to keeping the packaging consistent and the same year after year and just let the series number do more of the talking? Both WWE and retailers prefer the change in packaging. At the beginning of the year, it clearly makes a statement that there is new fresh product on shelf due to the differentiation in packaging design. Of course we are aware of competitors and discuss but this current formula is here to stay. |
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Post by Old School Collector on Nov 21, 2019 15:27:20 GMT -5
Did the cancelled elite Koko B Ware ever make it into production stage, or was there ever a prototype created / attire chosen for it ?
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DFriedman
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Sept 2, 2014 21:30:23 GMT -5
Posts: 242
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Post by DFriedman on Nov 21, 2019 15:35:46 GMT -5
Hey AFA, thanks again for your responses. I've read previously that Gangrel is high on the list of figs you'd like to make. If Gangrel were to sign a legends deal would there be any other issue with the name which could stop a figure being released? If so would it ever be legally possible to theoretically make a Brood pack with no inclusion of the 'Gangrel' name? All uncertainties would be cleared before signing him, once he would hypothetically be signed we should be good to go. Gangrel actually outright owns his name finally. |
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Post by TheLastDude on Nov 21, 2019 15:46:48 GMT -5
Can you please clarify the long standing debate on these forums about supplemental lines (Slam City, Mutants, etc.) taking away budget from the core lines (Elite, Basic, Battle Pack, etc.)? It would be amazing to get an official word on if, how, why, why not, these lines impact the core lines, in particular if it takes away budget from Elite figures.
Let’s say we hypothetically pitch a new feature line to retail. It has X amount of tooling budget allocated to it. Retail for whatever reason decides to pass on the line and we cancel it. That allocated budget does not shift over to the Elite line or Basic line. We're going to need to make that blinking neon banner bigger for all this knowledge. |
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