Welcome to another round of Ask Sideshow! Every day we receive many new questions from our collectors, which have been submitted to our Ask Sideshow Form! We’ve chosen a few to answer below. If you are interested in submitting a question, please read about what questions we can and cannot answer at the bottom of this page. [Suggestions for Submitting a Question]

Your Questions Answered – 11/30/09

Many fans have noticed that art prints have become the exclusive on many of your Marvel statues. Is this the new norm? While beautiful, there is only so much artwork I can put on my walls, and these prints really do nothing to make the EX statue special. Please reconsider going back to making exclusives that add to the actual statue!

While the art prints have been very popular additions to our products, we do not intend for ALL Marvel products to include print exclusives. In some cases, we are choosing to beef up the regular versions with the switch-out parts that enhance the statue in addition to offering an exclusive with a print. We do hope to bring more original art to market through our products, and do thank those who have an appreciation for the talents of our skilled illustrator friends. For those that prefer physical add-ons, there’s plenty of great stuff coming.

Are there plans for a Cyclops Premium Format or Comiquette in 2010? Considering the very important role that he has played in X-Men history and the critical role he is playing in the current comics, I we will see a statue of this key character that only Sideshow can produce.

Yes, yes indeed.

I missed out on the fantastic Dr. Doom Premium Format which was released a few years ago. Your Doom PF is the best rendition of the Marvel infamous villain! Are there any plans of making more Dr. Doom in other areas: Comiquette, VS Diorama, or even 1:1 Life-sized bust? The Monarch of Latveria needs more Sideshow love!

Doom will return! Mere mortals cannot know when Doom will strike, or where, but Doom WILL return!

Your Marvel dioramas are amazing. Will we ever see a Wolverine vs Hulk diorama? Maybe even the Ultimate versions? There are so many great match-ups that would translate into an awesome statue – Prof X and Magneto, a full body Venom vs Spiderman (exclusive could be the black costume!), Spiderman vs Green Goblin, Wolverine vs Deadpool. Also, are there any plans to produce a Nightcrawler or Gambit statue?

There’s a very, very good chance that we’ll satisfy several of your wishes in the coming years – some very soon.

Are you able to hint at when a Premium Format of a Stormtrooper or stand alone Clone Trooper will be made and when it would be released? Also would the armor be sculpted or would it have separate pieces, like the Scout Trooper PF?

We’ve previously confirmed that both Stormtrooper and Clone Trooper Premium Format figures are in development (and not necessarily in that order), but we’re happy to say it again. We’ll share some sneak peeks with you soon!

What about the option to buy clothes/base bodies/accessories for your Star Wars line? I would be stoked at the option to customize a Jedi, Rebel, or Imperial character and not have to buy things piecemeal on eBay to do so. They could be small runs of clothing and male/female nude bodies that people could choose from. Heck you could even bring in more Hot Toys Truetype bodies (or Sideshow bodies) if you were so inclined and just offer the clothing items you already have.

We love you – you’re cut from the same cloth as our design team. Customize, enjoy, and PLAY. We would love to offer more options for accessorizing and redressing your Star Wars figures, but we feel that the best way for us to do that is to bring more and more new characters and figures to market. You’ll have to continue to piecemeal them, but you’ll have a greater variety to choose from. We may offer more Sideshow body styles independent of other figures – it’s an active discussion at Sideshow HQ.

We all know Sideshow has Premium Format versions of Jedi Luke and C-3PO in development, but can you give us any information on other fan favorites, such as Stormtrooper, Chewbacca, R2-D2, are they in development for the PF line? And if so when can we expect them? I would also love a PF Snow Trooper & PF Hoth Han Solo (you could even sit him on a Tantaun for a truly epic PF to rival the PF Speeder bike). Also if and when you do release R2-D2 it would be great if you could released a Duo base that allows C-3PO & R2-D2 to be displayed together, like you did with the Frankenstein & Bride PFs. Thanks Sideshow – keep ‘em coming!

We’d be happy to! The Stormtrooper, R2-D2, and others are currently in development. Your other suggestions (and they’re well within the realm of likely) are duly noted.

I have a question, as do so other many collectors out there. Will we being seeing any bounty hunters in this 1/6 scale line? Also, any droids R2-D2 and C3-PO anytime down the road in 1/6th? And will you finish off the Jedi’s, like Agen Kolar and Yoda (of course!) in this awesome 1/6th scale line? And Count Dooku? I just love this series! I’m glad your sticking with the 1/6th scale line and keep up the great job on these special figures!

Most definitely – bounty hunters are an essential part of the Scum and Villainy line! Yes, C-3PO and R2-D2 are coming in 1:6 scale from both Medicom (soon) and Sideshow (later), so you’ll have an excellent selection of droids to add to your collection. Yes, we are looking at other Jedi candidates – we’ve felt their recent absence and hope to add some momentum to the Jedi Order in 2010 and into 2011. Dooku – definitely and sooner than later.

Why don’t you guys do a Modern Warfare 2 series of collectibles?

Noted, and we will pass along the suggestion.

Unfortunately I missed out on the Lara Croft 12-inch figure, and I’m so disappointed. It looks amazing! I’m a HUGE fan of Sideshow Collectibles and Tomb Raider. Is there any chance of more 12-inch Lara figures being made?

We’re sorry to say that it’s unlikely that Sideshow will produce another 12-inch Lara Croft in the near future – we understand that the licensing rights have passed on to another company. We do recommend using the Sideshow Retail Network or secondary market sources like eBay to track down the Sideshow 12″ Lara Croft, or any other older items that you need.

When do plan to open up the Pre-ordering for the Kratos Premium Format that has been teased at?

The Kratos figure has been a difficult piece to develop, and the release date is very much to be determined. We have determined that the figure will be a fully sculpted maquette in approximately 1:5 scale, and are working now to complete the prototype for licensor approval. If that all goes well, we may be able to offer a pre-order opportunity in early 2010.

Since a Cave Troll is about the same size as Abomination, what are the chances of getting a Cave Troll Premium Format Figure?

Yes, you’re right that we’re getting bolder about bringing larger characters to life in 1:4 scale. We’ve had several concepts for the Cave Troll on and off our line lists, but we will be bringing the Cave Troll back in some form. It’s too early to promise you a PF Cave Troll, but it could be possible.

In light of what seems to be the next announcement in your LOTR diorama line, the “Clash of Kings” Aragorn vs the King of the Dead, have you ever considered consulting with some of you loyal LOTR fans on websites such as the SSFreaks board, etc….before going ahead with some projects? I ask this because it seems of late you just aren’t quite “hitting the mark” when it comes to some projects. It’s not that these dioramas aren’t really good, because they are….but they are falling short of the potential greatness they could be achieving. With the Balrog vs Gandalf dio you failed to produce the bridge scene most fans were expecting, or at the very least Gandalf’s sword should have been plunged into the Balrog’s chest. With the Ringwraith dio you failed to add a larger, single base that could have incorporated some much desired Weathertop environment, and Frodo. It would have really have put this dio on a whole new level of awesomeness, but sadly the lack of environment and the “island” Frodo take something away from the greatness of this piece. And now we have your latest diorama which features yet another Aragorn. Had you consulted with some of your loyal fanbase on this one, before giving this project the go ahead, I can assure you most would not have been very receptive to another Aragorn piece, especially when there are so many characters that have yet to see the light of day. It seems to me there are times when those involved in such projects are a little too close to them and can’t see the whole picture, and this is where the input or advice of knowledeable, faithful LOTR fans could provide an invaluable perspective.

We do take feedback from the LOTR threads on the various forums and the comments left on our own site, and we do read the thoughts posted about our product designs and execution. We look for common requests about character and subject choice, and we listen when multiple voices echo a similar desire or critique. Every LOTR fan (and this is true of all bigger franchise properties) has something very specific in mind when they think of a particular scene or sequence, but there is such depth and richness to LOTR that it’s unlikely we’ll match to everyone’s ideal when approaching a very ‘near and dear’ scene. We hope that you’ll appreciate what we get right, and let us know what you’d like to see in the future.

Does Sideshow have the rights to use Arnold Schwarzenegger’s likeness from the original Predator film? I’d love a Dutch PF!

We would too! It’s an effort that we’re actively working on.

When will we see a 1:1 Predator 2 bust? Preferably the main Predator 1st and then the elder Predator would be cool also.

You’re right that it’s a matter of when and not if, but we have yet to begin the development.

Is Sideshow going to make a Beach Head or Shock Wave G.I. Joe 12-inch figure?

Yes, Beachhead is development and will be unveiled in early 2010. Shock Wave has just recently graduated to a spot on our line list, but we have yet to begin development.

I just started collecting both the Medicom RAHs and Sideshow 12-inch figures. What’s up next for the Real Action Heroes, as well as the rest of the “Indiana Jones” 12-inch line? Thanks for all of your amazing assortments. Flawless products (especially the RAH packaging; love the front photo shots), keep them coming!

We will certainly share your praise with Medicom, the company responsible for the wonderful RAH figures. At the time of this Q&A, we are not aware of what the future holds for Indiana Jones in RAH form, but we will ask Medicom.

Is the Universal Monsters 12-inch line completely dead? I really hope they come back some day!

Yes, it’s been dead for some time now, but… we are reconsidering.

A couple of years ago, you posed a question to your customers asking us which horror premium format we would like to see most and Pinhead from the Hellraiser movies won. Are there plans on producing any of the cenobites?

Yes, we are a bit closer to seeing the cenobites realized in Premium Format, although it’s too early to confirm for sure.

I must admit I was very surprised to see you guys announce a Rambo Premium Format Figure! Well played!! Now, I was wondering if you guys are looking at doing a Rambo 4 PF at some stage? Now that I would love to see!! Also, with Rambo you always have Rocky….. please please please tell me you’re looking at doing a Rocky PF too? Thanks guys keep up the good work!!

Yes, based on the response to the first Rambo PF, we are likely to look to other Rambo films for inspiration for future products.

Thank you all for submitting such intriguing questions. Keep watching our Production Blog and listening to our Podcasts as we continue to answer more Ask Sideshow questions in the future!

Suggestions for Submitting a Question

Do you have a question for our Production Team? [Ask Sideshow!]

Please Note: If you would like to submit a question using the form, please remember that Ask Sideshow should NOT be used as a way to solicit for a job, contact Customer Service, ask about a shipping date, or register a complaint. Most of those questions, comments, and solicitations can be most efficiently sent to us by filling out our online Customer Service Request Form.

Also, a fair warning: Questions that ask, “Will you be doing/Why don’t you do [insert license or character name]?” will probably never be answered. We’re happy to drop hints when we can, but we cannot answer any direct questions about what we’re planning in the future for a variety of reasons, which include (but are not limited to) licensing, production, artistic contracts, and ever-changing schedules and projected release dates. Please feel free to use the form for all these sorts of questions or quasi-suggestions, BUT don’t be offended when we don’t answer to your full satisfaction… or don’t answer at all – it’s not personal, we promise!