Answers to WTFWTK 2.8!

[JVS3]

Toyguru has once again provided answers to your questions.
Check out his answers to your Round 8 questions!

1. With the recent news about the movie, which undoubtedly means further delays on any future release, will Mattel fast-track the production and release of a new cartoon or direct-to-DVD cartoon movie to have some sort of tie-in and media push with the MOTUC line?
We are working on several new MOTU projects but you’ll have to bare with us as we don’t have anything to announce quite yet. But to answer your questions directly, we are not currently “fast tracking” a direct to DVD movie.

2. With the recent events in worldwide economy, is Mattel coming up with any game plan to help keep the MOTUC line alive in case the economy has an adverse affect on sales?
MOTUC has always been a line aimed at adult collectors. While we can not control larger economic factors, if people are not purchasing product, it will be hard for us to produce it. But with that being said, we like to focus on the positive, that being that a NEW MOTUC line is actually being produced! This is huge awesome news. Without a movie or a cartoon or a comic book line there is still a new toy line! That is giant. We hope this alone excites and energizes fans. While we are looking into other MOTU franchise opportunities, we just don’t have additional news to announce at this time. But rest assured, MOTU is alive and well at Mattel!

3. In addition to the earlier inquiry about a LEGO line and the economic concerns above, is any other small-sized line a possibility, such as a line similar to Hasbro's "Heroes" lines?
We hate to sound repetitious, but anything beyond doing single carded figures will have to wait until we review sales of the first few characters. Mattel took a large risk producing a toy line based entirely on the support of the fan base (i.e. no current new entertainment). While we are all for doing boxed sets, larger characters, 2 packs, vehicle, small scale figures and everything else under the sun, we just can’t comment on anything beyond the basic single carded figures until we see how well the first few figures perform.

4. Will there be any mid-thigh articulation in either the male or female figures? On the forums, it would appear that most vocal fans do not favor this type of articulation.
Nope. No mid thigh. The articulation will be the same as King Grayskull.

5. Since the male MOTUC figures will have shorter furry pants to increase leg mobility, what will be done on female figures to also give them more leg mobility? Plastic mini-skirts, while appropriate on some figures, would hinder leg articulation and mobility if a stiff plastic is used for the skirt.
When we get to the first female figure (which will be Teela by the way) we will make sure articulation and sculpting is at the level you have come to expect from this line. The Four Horsemen, Toy Guru and Matty are all huge MOTU fans and are putting a lot of love into this toy line!

6. Since POP figures will not have rooted hair, that means they won't need to come with a comb like with the classic POP figures. Does this mean they could have another weapon to go along with the shield that many classic POP characters had?
It is quite possible. We will look to include as many accessories as make sense for all of the Classics figures. But yes, it is likely a comb will not be included and more likely we will indeed to shields and other weapons. Maybe even a sword that is comb-like as an homage!

7. When the annual preorder is offered, will this also include exclusives from conventions and/or from other vendors?
No. The pre order will only include the “figure of the month”. Originally Faker was going to be an extra figure, but Mer-Man was running late so he will become the March figure. Any extra figures produced for conventions or other retailers will not be part of the annual preorder.

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Click here to read the responses to the questions from Round 6.
Click here to read the responses to the questions from Round 7.
And have fun discussing Toy Guru's answers to your Round 8 questions!

[JonWes]

Interesting (not necessarily surprising, though) to hear that Teela will definitely be the first female and that they haven't quite gotten to her yet. I'm still betting she's coming in 2009.

Swords that look like combs? Heh. Good to hear that they'll get extra weapons though, possibly.

[RyDell]

Teela will be great, solid answers. I truly hope folks buy into these figures, they look amazing, They are larger, articulated, and just plain awesome on all accounts. Things like the "shine" from a flash I hope won't discourage folks from ordering these. I wish I could afford more than 1 of each character, but I will make certain I have at least 1 of everyone (possibly 2 Mer-man figs, cuz he's the best)
Toy Guru, thanks for the updates, this product is top notch and I for one can not wait for Dec 1st.

[Judeh Simon]

Teela is first! YAY!! I was worried they would release a certain green teela variant or evil-lyn first, not that i don't want the others, but Teela is the first lady of motu and should always be treated as such.

[Baena]

Teela comin' up? YES!!!

Anyone else still confused on Faker?
He will be the figure for March... And he will be available at NYCC as an exclusive?

[He-Man54]

Anyone else still confused on Faker?
He will be the figure for March... And he will be available at NYCC as an exclusive?

I believe that's it...seems he is filling dead space since Mer-Man apparently won't be ready by then.

Since we already have Faker coming, what if they did him as the exclusive as well as a bonus figure and let the March figure be Moss Man since we already have Beast-Man? I know it's just another repaint but at least it's a cheap way to get two figures that month.

[JonWes]

Teela comin' up? YES!!!

Anyone else still confused on Faker?
He will be the figure for March... And he will be available at NYCC as an exclusive?

It seems to me the advantage of going to NYCC is that you get him a month early.

[Eric]

What I like about all these Answer sessions is that you continually get the sense that Toyguru, Matty, and anyone else involved are truly pumped for this line and are doing their best to give us the best MOTU line ever (even when they don't come out and say as much).

[Mern-Ra]

What I like about all these Answer sessions is that you continually get the sense that Toyguru, Matty, and anyone else involved are truly pumped for this line and are doing their best to give us the best MOTU line ever (even when they don't come out and say as much).

AMEN to that!

[Tallstar]

I'd like to see what kind of comb-like sword designs the 4H can come up with for POP...lol

[Irian]

With Teela confirmed as the first female figure, I'll bet on a Godess figure as a future exclusive.

[Lay Ze-Man]

Good answers!!

No thigh cuts = awesome
Teela first female figure = double awesome
Consistent articulation between male and female bodies = triple awesome (insert third smiley here)

Now, if December 1st would freakin' hurry up and get here already so we can all show Mattel how much we all buy the HECK outta these figures!!

[Defendery]

The creators putting a lot of love into the line. That is what I like to hear. As long as we all do the same we at least give it a chance to really do well and carry on like we all want it to. Love = cash on our behalf of course.
But seriously, it is not that much cash. Eat less fast food, go to one less movie a month, cut back on the drugs and porn, do whatever you have to do to get behind MOTC to give it the best chance to last. I think it is indeed a big risk to produce a line without assisting media and tailored to an already existing fan base. We need to prove that the risk was worth it.

[Patreek]

I love how he just casually mentioned Teela like that. Thats BIG NEWS! Really cool! I predict the second female then will either be Green Goddess or evil lyn.

Also that mention of retailer exclusives was pretty telling i think ;-)

One place I think they could seamlessly articulate is the seam between the boot and leg. It would be totally hidden and easy enough to do.

Finally several new MOTU projects makes me REALLY happy to hear!

[theblock]

So sweet, I'm defenitly buying Teela when she comes out, theat news made my day. So now by no thigh cuts do they mean what the Marvel figure line has been doing with female figures when their legs meet the thighs with ball joints?

Also, did they already ask whether or not they'll look into a return of the mini-comics? I don't remember.

[Tallstar]

Finally several new MOTU projects makes me REALLY happy to hear!

Wonder what these 'several projects' could be? Maybe a new video game somewhere in there.

[HE-Fan78]

So today is the 14th right!! That means we're 17 days away from placing our orders
Let the countdown begin!!!!!

[sailoruranus]

Yee-ha! I love that several of my questions have been chosen to ask. I'm excited that Teela will be coming up first out of the ladies, but I'm still a little nervous about the skirts they're going to use. Maybe they'll have removable plastic skirts or something so they can sit.

[Baena]

Wonder what these 'several projects' could be? Maybe a new video game somewhere in there.

Wow I would love this!

[motu77]

Keep the answers coming!!!

[PaTrIcKfOgArTy]

Yee-ha! I love that several of my questions have been chosen to ask. I'm excited that Teela will be coming up first out of the ladies, but I'm still a little nervous about the skirts they're going to use. Maybe they'll have removable plastic skirts or something so they can sit.

Or maybe they won't have skirts...Teela, Evil-Lyn and the Sorceress originally didn't wear skirts in the classic toon, comics or toys...I kinda hope they don't have skirts but rather the painted jumpsuit things the classics did.

[Mern-Ra]

Or maybe they won't have skirts...Teela, Evil-Lyn and the Sorceress originally didn't wear skirts in the classic toon, comics or toys...I kinda hope they don't have skirts but rather the painted jumpsuit things the classics did.

AGREED. I hope they don't have 'em and doubt they will!

[chuc98]

Awesome! No mid-thigh articulation AND Teela is the first female character!

[The Trollan Stud]

Kudos to Mattel for always having a very informative Q&A.

Glad to hear Teela is the first female character they'll get to.

[hhhelmsley]

Wonder what these 'several projects' could be? Maybe a new video game somewhere in there.

That would be awesome!!!