Craig Drobis is the SVP of Marketing for boys action figures and collectors for Jakks Pacific. Craig will be answering your questions for all Ask Jakks submissions. ToyHypeUSA will be sending him monthly questions and we will have your answers back on or around the beginning of each month. Send us your questions to [email protected], we plan to submit the next round of questions after New York ToyFair once new products and licenses are revealed. Send in your questions by February 20th.
Jakks Pacific products can be ordered on Entertainment Earth, BigBadToyStore, Megalopolis: City Of Collectibles and Amazon.com
1. For the most part, it sounds as though the DC Big Figs line has wrapped up, including Comic-inspired, film and television figures, with the exception of the Evolution Rebirth Batman figure. Do you think that Jakks will look at other ways to get some of these Big Figs into the hands of those collectors? Such as a subscription service sold exclusively through Jakks? Where are we in terms of other alternative ways to keep this line alive, and if there is a chance, do you think we’ll learn more about this at New York ToyFair?
You are correct that the only Big Figs currently in the market are the John Cena at Target and the Evolution Rebirth Batman which is also at Target and elsewhere. At this point, we are putting the Big Figs on hold and looking at ways to relaunch them in the future. Subscription may be the answer, but we are honestly not there yet. There is nothing new planned for 2019.
2. Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – any plans for product such as the 8-bit or another line?
Unfortunately we do not have rights to produce figures in the Rise look. We are pursuing a Radio Control item and that is to be determined as far as the launch timing.
3. Star Wars Episode IX – are there any plans for a Big Figs line-up, and I was wondering if Jakks ever considered a figure for Maz Kanata or are willing to considering any of the new Aliens from the recent Star Wars films?
Unfortunately per the other question, there are no new Big Figs planned for 2019.
4. Are we any closer to Bowser’s Castle as part of the Super Mario line-up? Would Jakks consider a cardboard diorama of this if plastic is not an option?
There are a lot of exciting things that will be unveiled in the Super Mario range at New York Toy Fair which I think will generate a whole new level of interest and series of questions about the product line. We had a very strong 2018, and thanks to the support of fans of all ages, we were able to navigate the changing retail landscape. We have Nintendo toys placed in more new stores which has hopefully made it easier to find the product, at least in the 2.5″ and 4″ scales.
5. Is there any chance that Jakks will be offering products inspired by the Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie? I was a big fan and collector when Jakks did the DBZ line back in the 2000’s.
Dragon Ball Z is not on our list of new introductions for 2019, however there are a couple new brands to be announced at New York Toy Fair which I think will get everyone excited.