1. Sorry this isn't a Star Wars question, but since it's a Hasbro HasLab project I'm hoping it still counts. The Tron: Heroes of the Grid HasLab ends tomorrow [this was sent in a week ago - AP] and it's nowhere near its 10,000-backer goal. I actually wanted to support it; the price seemed fair and I've been a Tron fan since the Tomy toys in '82. I've collected the NECA reissues and the Disney Parks exclusive Super7 ReAction figures, so I'm absolutely the target audience... but even I couldn't find any momentum to jump in on.

So here's my question: What should Hasbro take away from this likely failure? What exactly is the strategy behind their "375" line? If it's for niche properties, Tron is plenty niche — yet this still couldn't get off the ground. I just don't see the endgame here, and I'd love to hear your perspective.
--Chris

If fans aren't begging to give you money for a collectible, you're probably not in a good place. Like you, I didn't see this as something that was going to have the momentum to succeed. That's not necessarily a fan problem, or a Hasbro problem, but one of marketing and infrastructure. Ghostbusters and Star Wars and Marvel and their house brands all have institutional fan sites ensuring that numerous, disparate factions of fans are going to know an item exists. I know if I had an item to promote, I could reach out to Rebelscum or HISS Tank or TFW2005 or any of a number of other places. But TRON? I couldn't tell you. It's like Planet of the Apes - awesome, but lacking a specific manic collector presence. If you're trying to sell a high-dollar SKU to both hardcore fans and an oblivious/non-existant silent fan who will start collecting because of this item, that's a real challenge.

After decades of collecting we're seeing a lot of the same thing over and over, especially as legacy brands age. Star Wars was fresh and interesting because we got waves with about half old guys and half new costumes or new characters... until about 2011. If Hasbro isn't offering a never-before-made item, or a new take on a grail-level rare piece, I assume they will continue to struggle. The rare-ish theme park-only ReAction Figures (and bikes) for TRON are easily had on eBay for roughly what the cost in the shops. That's enough to tell me there's not a big market for this property.

With the recent Gunship struggling and the Cantina not meeting its Wolfman goal, the oft-foretold end of the Generation X and older Millennial collector may be approaching. If you're in your 40s or 50s, you've got a lot of stuff - heck, you're a great example. You've purchased multiple 3 3/4-inch versions of these same toys and characters, and risk-free zero-cost reservations weren't enough to get you on board. You didn't feel a need, and unless there's a big urgency to buy these things we'll continue to see them falter. I can't imagine a lot of fans saw any real sense of value here, even though it's probably not terrible for what you get in the box.

I assume the reason for this set being offered was either Disney saying "we want to expand our licensing relationship" to Hasbro, or an excited fan inside Hasbro saying "We need to try this." The sculpts were great, the quality looked amazing. $259.99 is a lot of money for five figures, two vehicles, and a light-up display stand. I would assume the next 375 item is going to face more internal challenges at Hasbro, especially if it's from Disney who seems very interested in only pushing items from the top of the cast list. I think in this case, the license was too old and too obscure for success despite the figures looking to be some of Hasbro's finest work at this size. It would be awesome to see Vermithrax Pejorative too, but that's not going to happen.

...but maybe 10,000 weirdo all-new alien figures could be fun. Maybe. I'd buy it.

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2. It feels like over the last 2+ years, Hasbro was releasing "pre-orders" on a monthly basis; allowing us to see product 6+ months out.

I noticed today the only outstanding vintage wave (The Stranger/Padme/Vader) is due in March 2026 but was just revealed as released already and should be hitting the US much earlier and...nothing else? Am I missing something?

Any idea why Hasbro is pulling back on pre-orders? Is this a ramp up to the movie in May 2026?
--Jeremiah

I'm fairly sure there will be pre-orders for the new movie, but not until next year. Back in the good old days, we got either no pre-orders, and generally toys started to show up about one to three months before the movie. I would assume that's what's gobbling up the production lines now. (Am I right? I actually don't know off the top of my head.)

Hasbro hasn't announced its on-shelf dates for The Mandalorian and Grogu stuff to the public yet, but my understanding is they want to have stuff to buy with the movie. At this point I would say your assumption is probably a good one, and start saving your nickels so you're ready for whatever might be on the horizon next year.

Due to the sometimes crafty nature of Hasbro and Disney, it's possible we're already pre-ordering figures from the movie and don't know it. The Black Series Boba Fett from The Book of Boba Fett could be in the flick. You'll recall Hasbro did some reissues in its Archive Collection that just happened to tie in to The Mandalorian season two, and we also just happened to have Palpatine with Throne as an Amazon exclusive timed with The Rise of Skywalker. So I'd eye anything coming out in the first half of next year with a raised eyebrow. I don't know anything specific, I just am assuming there's gonna be something in there Disney asked Hasbro to do that's going to Dark Side of the Moon with The Wizard of Oz.

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FIN

Well, it's not exactly a big season for commentary. But Target has some of its exclusives on sale, like the Epic 5-pack for $24.49. Entertainment Earth has a BOGO 50% offer. And if you really want to give a gift that'll make a difference, you can pledge $1 a month to the GalacticHunter.com Patreon to help pay hosting bills! Eh? Eh??? I mean that'd be what I want for the holidays.

Hope you had a great holiday, and we'll have lots more blather next week.

I do have questions for next week. I'd love more for the rest of the month! Send 'em if you got 'em.

--Adam Pawlus

Got questions? Email me with Q&A in the subject line now! I'll answer your questions as soon as time (or facts) permit.

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