Round2 Acquires Star Wars License

[Analyzer]

As far as the "not another X-wing" sentiment, I am actually kind of looking forward to a repop of the old MPC X-Wing. That could be sweetened by maybe a new cockpit or at least a new pilot and astromech and a new stand maybe

But what about the 1/43 box scale?

It actually fits with the DiAgostini scale for the Falcon. plus sizes close enough for Star Wars Legion stuff

And I would [ove to paint up Red Squadron in a decent size.

It obviously is not as accurate as Bandai, but I think it has much better details than the Revell kits

Plus the revenue will pave the way for something new

 

[Hunk a Junk]

Disney is rough!! I received a cease and desist letter from them over a Baby Yoda drawing I had in my Etsy store, it referred to Intellectual property, and it wasn’t friendly at all so couldn’t imagine how they treat big companies. I was in the wrong, but it was an aggressive letter.

Exactly. You just have to remember that even though their letter was aggressive, they actually don't care that much about you. They're worried about bigger fish who would point at you as precedent that Disney isn't protecting its property so therefore they can steal it.

 

[Hunk a Junk]

As far as the "not another X-wing" sentiment, I am actually kind of looking forward to a repop of the old MPC X-Wing. That could be sweetened by maybe a new cockpit or at least a new pilot and astromech and a new stand maybe

I wouldn't want to deny anyone getting a repop of the MPC X-Wing, but for me I have too many memories of frustration trying to make that kit actually look like an X-Wing (multiple times). For me, I just want a model that looks like the vehicle I see on screen. Building the PG Falcon was a dream come true. I didn't have to spend months and months performing major surgery, making replacement parts, or buying expensive after market stuff just to get it kinda looking like the Falcon. I could spend my time getting the paint job right or adding modifications that pleased me instead of fixing other people's errors or indifference. Now when I look at it, regardless of the angle, it looks like the Falcon should look. That's so satisfying to me. It's a high bar I hope R2 can match.

 

[JeffBond]

I loved the size of the old X-Wing and I would love to see a Y-wing done in that scale...

 

[Toadmeister]

I loved the size of the old X-Wing and I would love to see a Y-wing done in that scale...

A 1/48th Y-wing kit is long overdue. Perfect subject for them as their first new tool,

 

[robn1]

I'm hoping to see the fighters in 1/32, but I'll take 1/48.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

I don't understand these things sometimes. No one is paying top dollar for a model kit to get a figure to 'play with', which is the market for MicroMachines (which are not model kits). Its like saying someone can't import oranges because it impinges on the sales for baseballs... lawyers!
Stupid.
Regards, Robert

It's weird. I remember years ago that LEGO wanted to release sets of figures. For example, a set of Stormtroopers. Hasbro threw a fit because they had the license to produce SW figures. So LEGO got around it by including a mini vehicle with the figures. I don't know why the same doesn't apply to models. Model kits, aircraft in particular, have included pilot figures for at least 60 years if not longer. I don't know why including a figure, which is obviously for the ship/vehicle, would make Hasbro contest it, as it's obviously not a toy to be played with.

 

[jlwshere]

After spending an hour writing what I believed to be a most eloquent post , only to lose it all (yes, yes I DO hate it when that happens...) here is what I would like to see..

1/43 (at least 1/48) STAR WARS Millennium Falcon in $200 -$300 range (if it "must" be).

Here is my reasoning - which is not based on any business decisions on what goes into creating a new model... I just want one.

Bandai PG is great but too small to appreciate all of the details - the price is also over inflated (especially after retail prices) for a lot of economical reasons but also because they have the "niche" product, so they can.

Deagonstini Falcon, while a good size is also over inflated (again, they have the "niche") but is Empire Strikes Back and not STAR WARS

Hasbro 1/48 toy falcon - good size. Dimensions and geometry seem to be closer to STAR WARS than ESB (not accurate but it's a toy). Retailed for only $60(!) at the time. After retail on this is now in the hundreds because people are converting them to either STAR WARS or ESB. Don't know how much is spent in raw materials, but I'm guessing it's more time and skill for the scratch builder, but a lot more if buying 3d printed conversion parts

Round 2 has already shown they can put out some mighty fine kits in the 22"-32" size range for $100 - $150. Given the extra plastic for a Falcon let's double the price on the high side.

They would then own a new "niche". An original Falcon in a larger scale.

Oh, and don't forget the supplemental parts pack(s) to convert the STAR WARS falcon to ESB or the final trilogy (Build all three kids!)

 

[Jedi Dade]

I'd buy it ^^^

and I think creating a line of 1/48 kits would be a smart move really. Bandai has done most of the SW models in 144 and 72, so 48 would kind of complete the standard scales.

That being said I don't think we're going to get that... I think we're going to get repops with slight improvements over the original AMT/MPC kits. It would be interesting to see what "improvements" they make to the MPC Falcon.

Jedi Dade

 

[Hunk a Junk]

The Bandai PG Falcon is the absolute gold standard for licensed Star Wars models, IMHO. It's as close to "perfect" as we're likely to ever get from a major kit manufacturer. I don't see R2 creating a new tool Falcon kit that would come even close to the quality or accuracy of the PG. Honestly, I don't want them to even try. There are better subjects that would fill a void and allow the company to prove a commitment to quality and accuracy. For my money (literally), the perfect first new tool kits for them to make would be a Blockade Runner and a Sandcrawler. They are ANH vehicles, so they would have that OT appeal fans love so much, and they have never been done as larger scale styrene kits. The Blockade Runner at a decent size (maybe 14" in length or so, whatever the closest scale to that would be) and a sandcrawler in 1/72ish are some of the remaining Grail kits in the Star Wars line and would fill the bill nicely.

 

[Metaluna mutant]

The Bandai PG Falcon is the absolute gold standard for licensed Star Wars models, IMHO. It's as close to "perfect" as we're likely to ever get from a major kit manufacturer. I don't see R2 creating a new tool Falcon kit that would come even close to the quality or accuracy of the PG. Honestly, I don't want them to even try. There are better subjects that would fill a void and allow the company to prove a commitment to quality and accuracy. For my money (literally), the perfect first new tool kits for them to make would be a Blockade Runner and a Sandcrawler. They are ANH vehicles, so they would have that OT appeal fans love so much, and they have never been done as larger scale styrene kits. The Blockade Runner at a decent size (maybe 14" in length or so, whatever the closest scale to that would be) and a sandcrawler in 1/72ish are some of the remaining Grail kits in the Star Wars line and would fill the bill nicely.

A proper size, mass produced Corvette is my grail kit -- and frankly has been since I saw SW in 1977! I have a Bluemoon Rebelrunner kit and have held off touching it for years because I want it built just perfect, and want to take my time on it.

That...thing...produced by Bandai? That's a keychain charm.

 

[Hunk a Junk]

Besides, how fitting would it be if R2's first new tool Star Wars kit was the first Star Wars spaceship to ever grace the screen? It would be instant home run to launch a new series of kits.

 

[NakedMoleRat]

Well, I would like a nice large scale millennium falcon. I have to admit that my eye is not exactly trained on that ship to know if the conduit is bending in the wrong direction alongside the dorsal side or not.

And I don’t know enough about the greebles to see if they got them perfect or not. To me, as long as it’s a nice large scale model and it looks like the falcon, I’m good with it.

 

[Toadmeister]

ANH escape Pod.

Fairly simple kit even in a large figure scale.

Would be a skam-dunk WIN


Same with an Imperial probe droid.

 

[TazMan2000]

Everyone has an opinion of which would be a contender for Round 2's first model. I mean one designed by them exclusively and not a improved re-pop. It would have to be something that hasn't been done to death, or at least in a scale that hasn't been done to death. And despite what members here think would sell well (including me) it will be Round 2 and their new owners that will be making the big decision. But Round 2 does listen to their customers...so....


A Blockade Runner (in a larger scale)
Sandcrawler (never been done outside of a garage kit)
Y-Wing 1:48
Probe Droid
Shuttle Tydirium (accurate)
AT-AT (larger scale)
AT-ST (larger scale)
Docking bay 94? (not their usual forte, but they did do a nuclear disposal area for their Space 1999 Eagle, but I heard it wasn't a great seller).
Lars Homestead?
Slave 1 (despite there being several kits, I'm thinking there is a lot of fans out there...probably more now, with it being in the Mandalorian)
Razor Crest
R2 and C3PO (accurate)
Cloud Car
Mon Calamari ships (limited interest?)
Rebel Transport (limited interest?)
U-Wing
Vader TIE 1/48 (added edge10 idea)



TazMan2000

 

[edge10]

Everyone has an opinion of which would be a contender for Round 2's first model. I mean one designed by them exclusively and not a improved re-pop. It would have to be something that hasn't been done to death, or at least in a scale that hasn't been done to death. And despite what members here think would sell well (including me) it will be Round 2 and their new owners that will be making the big decision. But Round 2 does listen to their customers...so....


A Blockade Runner (in a larger scale)
Sandcrawler (never been done outside of a garage kit)
Y-Wing 1:48
Probe Droid
Shuttle Tydirium (accurate)
AT-AT (larger scale)
AT-ST (larger scale)
Docking bay 94? (not their usual forte, but they did do a nuclear disposal area for their Space 1999 Eagle, but I heard it wasn't a great seller).
Lars Homestead?
Slave 1 (despite there being several kits, I'm thinking there is a lot of fans out there...probably more now, with it being in the Mandalorian)
Razor Crest
R2 and C3PO (accurate)

TazMan2000

That's a pretty fine list. I would like to add a 1/48 Vader's TIE to the mix.

 

[Hunk a Junk]

Something to keep in mind is that the reason R2 got this license now likely has everything to do with new Star Wars content Disney is soon to be delivering and making. In addition to Mandalorian Season 3, we have Andor in the next year, then Obi-Wan, the Rangers show, and Ahsoka. Models, we have to keep in mind, are promotional items used as tie-in merch for new movies/shows. That's why we have kits of Solo's speeder bikes and not a TIE bomber. It's very likely R2's first new tool kit (and their second, third, and fourth) will all be new vehicles or figures from one of the new shows. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

 

[NakedMoleRat]

A Chromed Razor Crest would be nice.

 

[Toadmeister]

A Chromed Razor Crest would be nice.

Revell Germany announced one.

 

[janglesworthy]

one thing that has never been done is a destroyer droid as far as I know of at least. Theres a ton of prequel stuff they could do.