[vadersquest]

Q-I would love to see a Wolverine vs Hulk diorama!


A-So would we! Really, truly. It’s simply a matter of when, not if.


Q-Are there any plans for Sideshow to make Comiquettes of Spider-man villains Menace and Anti-Venom?


A-Both are great characters, and both have made a memorable impact in their young careers. Both are on our radar, especially Anti-Venom, but not yet in our planning.


Q-Who makes the decisions on what character is going to be made? I would love to see different characters instead of the same ones, just in different formats.


A-I believe that all we can do is nod, say ‘Duly Noted,’ and get back to making a BIG variety of Marvel characters. Variety, got it.


Q-I am a big fan of the Marvel Premium Format figure line. I would like to see Sideshow expanding the PF line to more obscure Marvel Superheroes like Doctor Strange. Is Doc Strange planned for the Premium Format Figure series? Strange PF would look like a gold mine to me!


A-We would argue that Doctor Strange is not so obscure. Strange, sure, but not terribly obscure. Yes, Doctor Strange is part of our planning, but exactly where he’ll appear has yet to be determined.


Q-I would love to see a full sized Sentinel comiquette or diorama. It would be awesome to see the diorama with the X-Men and the Sentinel, but have the X-Men very small like the Silver Surfer that came with the Galactus bust. Also a Sentinel bust with light-up eyes would rock too!


A-Duly noted, and you have a very good chance of seeing your wish granted.


Q-I am a huge fan of Marvel and Star Wars, and for some time have had this question: What is the difference between the Premium Format and the Commiquette or Maquette? Is it just the size of the sculpture, the type of pose, angle or the fluidity of the moment the statue is in? So far the major difference I have found is the size, but some of the Star Wars Premium Formats are the same size as Marvel Comiquettes, so I’m a little confused. Just curious! Also, is there going to be a problem with the creative decisions, like which character and how many variations and any other changes, now that Disney bought Marvel?


A-Premium Format typically denotes that there is some fabric element in the product, or a great deal of metal, or another mixed-media element. Premium Format is nearly always 1:4 scale. Comiquette is typically full sculpture and all polystone, and scale can vary, though they’re often 1:6 - 1:5 scale, and sometimes are in fact 1:4. Maquette is typically reserved for our higher-end products or those that were in fact taken from film-production source materials, where they served as true maquettes for character design artists and costume fabricators. We can see how this might be a little confusing, but in truth we try to orchestrate these three lines in a way that allows multiple opportunities to interpret some characters, while allowing you to display complementary characters from various formats in an aesthetically pleasing way. Sometimes, there are odd-balls because the execution just feels right for the character. We don’t expect any big changes from the Disney Marvel acquisition, except possibly greater opportunity to capture the world’s greatest heroes (and villains)!


Q-I have your impressive Mark 1 Iron Man in 1:4 scale - love it! Do you guys have any plans for a 1:4 scale Iron Man Mark 3 movie version??


A-We are developing new Iron Man products in 1:4 scale, but we’ve turned all of our attention to Iron Man 2.


Q-I’ve been on the fence about getting your 1:2 scale Iron Man maquette for a while now. I’ve been waiting for an Edition size since its release, which may help me in making a decision to place an order. Do you have plans to announce an ES for this piece soon?


A-No, we don’t intend to close the edition size soon, and it is possible that we may keep it as an open edition. If we do close the edition and finalize the edition size, it is likely to happen after the first of the 1:2 Scale Iron Man Mk 3 Maquettes has been shipped. For that reason, we won’t be individually numbering these pieces out of a specific edition run. We hope this clarification doesn’t deter you from ordering the 1:2 Scale Iron Man, but we don’t believe that this is a piece that should be ordered on the basis of an edition size. This is a special project and a piece that we regard with the utmost pride and respect. It’s a statement piece, meant for fine art collectors and the most dedicated Iron Man fans. It will not be available forever, but we do want to give Iron Man fans time to make a decision about this piece - it is certainly a big one.


Q-Will Sideshow ever release a “Revenge of the Sith” Clone Trooper in full white/generic/clean armor? Is really nice to get every armored trooper in his basic look. Thank you, and congratulations for your fine works, especially with SW line!


A-Thank you for the kind words! Because there are so very few of the clean white Clone Troopers in ROTS, we originally felt them to be very low priority. However, with the more extensive use of the clones in the Clone Wars CGI, and after seeing the inspired custom work that many of you are doing with the clones, we do think there are good reasons to release a ‘basic’ white trooper. We’re currently evaluating several designs, including some that would provide a ‘deluxe’ basic trooper with multiple helmet styles, so that you could choose your preferred clone style (whether you prefer Ep 2, Clone Wars, or Ep 3).


A-When will we see Yoda in the Star Wars 12-inch line?
Our plan is to give you a look at Yoda in 1:6 scale within 2010, and you should have him in your hands within 2011, if all goes as planned!


Q-I would love to see a life-size Boba or Jango Fett!


A-Both Boba and Jango are VERY high on the list of candidates for life-size development.


Q-Any chance you might make an accessory pack for the armored Star Wars General Kenobi figure that would include a jousting lance and Mark I type Clone trooper helmet that we could add on to the figure?


A-It’s more likely that we would focus on General Kenobi’s appearance in the newer Clone Wars CGI than return to the previous animated source material for future products. However, some designs including General Kenobi & Durge have been discussed for diorama possibilities.


Q-Since you’ve tooled the armor for the classic trilogy Stormtrooper action figure, any chance we might get an expanded universe version of the Shadow Trooper in all black armor with silver highlighting?


A-It’s a safe bet.


Q-Not so much of a question, as it is an idea/suggestion that I think could do very well for Sideshow. I think that Sideshow could make some great products from the Call of Duty video game franchise/license. It would tie together several similar lines and products for Sideshow. Possible/Potential Products could include: Item Replicas (full or scale) - Ray Gun, Wunderwaffe DG-2, Monkey Bombs, Teddy Bear, Perks-a-Cola Machines (JuggerNog, Quick Revive, Speed Cola, Double Tap, Pack-a-Punch Machine) - (from COD: World at War -Zombies); weapons, trophy patches, level badges, etc. from all COD’s. Dioramas, Premium Format, or 12″ Figures - Nazi and Japanese Zombies, Hell Hounds, Main characters( Tank Dempsey, Takeo Masaki, Nikolai Belinski, Edward Richtofen) - (COD: World at War -Zombies); Main Characters and Military Figures - (COD: World at War); Main Characters and Military Figures - (COD4: Modern Warfare); Main Characters and Military Figures - (COD4: Modern Warfare 2). Plus other potential ideas… small scale diorama piece of a level or location (similar to the Mines of Moria, etc. from the LOTR lines), etc. Given the popularity of both this franchise, and the anticipated record sales of COD4: Modern Warfare 2, combined with zombies and military items…. this would be a VERY lucrative license for Sideshow!


A-Holy cow, you’ve given this some thought! We certainly have a lot of COD fans in the office, but truth be told it’s not a license we’ve fully evaluated yet. So neither yes nor no, but it’s something that would have to happen further down the road.


Q-I have several Sideshow statues and have many more on Pre-Order. My favorite license is Lord of the Rings. I wonder if you plan to do something for the Ent, Treebeard? A diorama or a maquette? Please, many people want to see the Ent in all his glory!


A-While we do love the Ents, we can’t be too hasty about this particular answer.


Q-I have to say the vast majority of LOTR collectors are less than amused by the results so far of your latest LOTR poll [”Which Middle-Earth character would you like to as a Premium Format Figure?”]. Most collectors believe [and rightfully so] the poll is “rigged” and is nothing more than a vehicle for Sideshow to launch an impending Eowyn PF that is already in the works. The only other conclusion that can be drawn is that someone has figured out how to manipulate this poll in order to alter the final results. This too is a disturbing scenario, not only because of the implication of website tampering, but also because it seems to show a general lack of knowledge/familiarity on the part of Sideshow concerning their own license. As surely someone at Sideshow should have realized long ago something is amiss concerning this poll, and that action should have been taken before this poll became the laughing-stock it has become. Would you care to comment on this issue?


A-Wow, you have some strong feelings about Eowyn! Believe it or not, she is a fairly oft-requested character, and as one of only three powerful female characters within LOTR, she holds a fairly unique status. We are not currently in development on an Eowyn PF, although a win in this poll would certainly help to propel that process. At the time that this answer was written, Boromir had leapt ahead in the poll results, which we hope has given you a little peace of mind. The polls are carefully monitored and, while we can’t control ‘campaigning’, they do represent a fairly accurate cross-section of those who choose to participate.


Q-Any chance we might see a life-size Predator some day?


A-Yes, there is a chance. Outside of Star Wars and Marvel character candidates, Predator is our most actively discussed life-size project.


Q-I have been loving the 1/6 G.I. Joe line, and am very excited about the upcoming dios and hopefully very soon Premium Formatss. I was wondering, how soon can we expect the Baroness in any form? She is one of my favorites, and haven’t gotten a decent collectible of her since Palisades did the bust so many years ago. And, while I am on the subject, how soon for any females in the Joe line for that matter? I know there isn’t a lot to go around, but we need some ladies!!


A-Baroness is not yet planned for the diorama line, but she is planned for every other format to be utilized for GI Joe. You will see some Joe universe females revealed in 2010.


Q-The Indy vs Mola Ram has to be one, if not the best dioramas to date. Words cannot describe how amazing this piece is. Please, please, please tell me there will be more dios that will span all the films in the series, featuring a lot of the great characters that we may or may not see in the other formats. Marion, Sallah, Short Round, Willie, Henry Sr. just to name a few…


A-Yes, we do have high hopes for this line, and several fun concepts in development. It may be a little while before the next diorama is revealed, but we hope to find a nice pace of two or three a year for the Indy Dio line.


Q-Please tell me there is a Prop Size / Life-Size Tiffany (from Seed of Chucky) coming out this year to go along with the most amazing prop replica Chucky in existence. Only Sideshow can do her justice!


A-We would love to bring Tiffany to life in life-size, but we’re probably going to tackle a new version of Chucky first.


Q-Does Sideshow have any plans for a Premium Format Russell “Maximus” Crowe from The Gladiator?


A-We’re sorry to say that this is a grail project, as licensing restrictions makes it difficult if not impossible to create an accurate and ‘official’ Russell Crow likeness.