1.) Zach asks: Many fans, myself included, purchased all four of the Ghostbusters (including slimed Peter) when they were first released. None of these Ghostbusters came with a proton stream accessory. When will fans be able to purchase a set of 4 proton streams to go with our Ghostbusters figures?
No, there are no plans to offer the Proton Streams right now outside of that Peter figure. For the Ghostbusters line the accessories are often a selling point for the figures so we will not offering them in another format at this time.
2.) wilyjeff asks: Hasbro has clearly found a winning method of producing 3.75″ figures that are fun, detailed, highly articulated, loaded with accessories, and affordable, across both their own properties (G.I. Joe) and licensed ones (Marvel), that appeal to kids and collectors alike. Does Mattel pay attention to the production and/or marketing strategies of its competition in the boy’s action figure aisle?
Yes, we are always looking at competitive toys and new concepts introduced into the marketplace.
3.) George asks: I bought the DCSH 12″ Batman and it was really nice, then I bought the SDCC 12″ Flash and it was really nice, but then I bought the 12″ Green Lantern–it’s much more expensive than the prior two, and it’s flimsy, really light and has no stand. Why is it we keep getting lower quality products for higher prices?
Costs have risen significantly in the last few years. This is why we can no longer keep the stands with the 12 inch figures and maintain at $29.99 SRP.
4.) Heli asks: I was looking over the Green Lantern product at a local store and was surprised to see that a four-figure multipack actually cost more than four individual figures, despite containing exactly the same figures and accessories as the single-carded versions. I’ve noticed similar practices in the multipacks for other lines (like DCUC), where two figures packed together with less accessories than their single carded versions cost as much as (or more than) the single versions, which offer more value. I don’t know if I’m speaking for every consumer, but I generally expect multipacks to cost less per item than single packs. Understanding that Mattel doesn’t control particular retailer pricing, you DO offer suggested retail pricing to your partners; why was it decided that multipacks should be priced this way?
The suggested retail price for the four pack is actually $29.99 which is lower then the cost of 4 figures. Each retailer, in the end, sets their own prices and this is not something Mattel can control.
5.) wally2974 asks: Now that you have the rights to use likenesses of Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, & Terence Stamp, as you did in the 12″ line, many collectors are hoping it’s possible for you to produce a Movie Masters version. We all know it would be great to have a Michael Keaton Batman, in scale, to go with the Christian Bale Movie Masters figure, and of course, a Movie Masters version of Jack Nicholson to go with Heath Ledger. Since the Movie Masters line has become so popular with the Dark Knight & Green Lantern films, will we ever see 6″ figures from other movies?
While we are always exploring concepts like this, we have no plans to expand Superman movie figures into a 6″ line at this time.