Ask DST #433: Star Wars, Avatar, Marvel Select, & More!

It’s a new Ask DST, and Diamond Select Toys and Gentle Giant Ltd. president DSTChuck is here to answer your burning questions. You may hear “no” a few times, but there’s a whole lotta “yes” as well, so read on to see what Chuck has to say about Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, Avatar the Last Airbender, Invincible, Iron Giant, Godzilla and more!

Jason Y.

Any thoughts of doing a Gallery statue line based on the Street Fighter license?

DSTChuck: I think that might be a cool line, but we do not have the Street Fighter license right now, so we’d have to see.

Callum T.

Hi is the Netflix show Trese something you would look at? and is Farscape?

DSTChuck: We are not currently looking at either property, sorry.

Trish H.

I absolutely love the figures Diamond Select did for the first season of Castlevania, the Netflix adaption.
Is it possible you guys will design and put out a new line of Castlevania figures? I would buy every figure and statue.
Diamond Select does amazing work and I really appreciate the details, colors, and design. Thank you guys for making such wonderful collectibles.

DSTChuck: Thank you for the kind words, but we don’t have any plans right now for future figures.

Francesco G.

Hi! New Marvel Select collector here! Is there any chance for an updated Classic Wolverine action figure?
Are some older Marvel Select action figures like Ultron, Dr. Strange, Silver Surfer, and Mephisto ever getting back in production?

DSTChuck: Right now, we are not actively planning a new Wolverine. For the older figures, we look at that with our sales team every month or so, to see if there is demand for a new production run.

Stephen T.

Any updates on the Ecto-1?

DSTChuck: Sadly, that is no longer in development, due to the new upcoming movie. Hopefully we can get back to it in the future.

Kyle J.

Two part questions:
1. Do the Marvel Select rereleases count towards the total number you’re able to produce in a year?
2. Will we see any rereleases of the big guys, specifically Rhino?

DSTChuck: I cannot really answer the first one as directly as you would like, sorry. I am not aware of sales requesting more Rhino, but I will look into it. BUT I can tell you there is nothing I am aware of that would prevent that being re-run.

Jason W.

I am a huge fan of the X-Men Animated Bust line. I’ve been wanting to collect mini busts for a while and as the X-Men are my favorite, I’m glad this line was released so I could finally start becoming a collector. I am curious about future busts. Will there be more characters such as Storm, Beast, Professor X and Jubilee? And even villains such as Mr. Sinister, Mystique, Apocalypse and Juggernaut? Or the two versions of the Phoenix from the show? Thank you and keep up the amazing work!!

DSTChuck: Glad you like the line! It’s been a blast to work on! YES, several more of the ones you asked about ARE planned, and you should see news shortly.

Anthony P.

Hello. Is it possible for you guys to make X-MEN Sentinel figures? A classic "Days of Past' version. Maybe 20 inches or close. Easier to army build, than the Haslab. I've got 2 of those coming. If Diamond were to do some for around $250 or less each, I'd definitely get at least 3-5. And I know many other collectors would do the same. Thank you.

DSTChuck: I am sorry, that is not something we are able to make at this time.

Konstantinos T.

Hello, I would like to ask if there is any chance for you to make more figures from Pirates of the Caribbean?

DSTChuck: I am sorry, we are not able to make more figures from that line at this time.

Hunter K.

I absolutely love the Last Airbender gallery statues you've released and wanted to ask if any more are on the way? It would amazing to complete the current set of 3 with an Earth bender.

DSTChuck: YES, there are more coming shortly.

Marcos A.

Hi, just wanted to say that I’m a big Minimates fan, loved them ever since I was a kid. I know there has been fewer and fewer releases over the last few years and most of the recent lines and waves were Marvel-centric (not that I’m complaining, it’s Marvel Minimates that I collect the most), but there are two fan-favorite franchises I would love to see you guys make Minimates sets of: RoboCop and Evil Dead. I’d do anything to see Ash Williams and Murphy in Minimate form, but that’s obviously that depends on the rights holders to each franchise: MGM and Renaissance Pictures. Would Minimates waves with these two properties not be completely out of the question?

DSTChuck: Right now, we do not have rights to make product for those properties, and it would not be practical to get a license for just Minimates. BUT never say never!

Nick P.

Hello, the Iron Giant Select is looking great, and the 'Battle Mode' one is looking really nice as well. Just curious if there's a chance that we can get a Select of the full Attack Mode version with the open chest, the tentacle lasers on his back, etc, like the Attack Mode Vinimate of the Giant.

DSTChuck: I am sorry, but that is not a version we have planned at this time, but never say never.

Mark D.

Really curious if we’ll ever see those Teen Titans Go statues be released?

DSTChuck: I am sorry, but that line is canceled.

Christopher D.

I have noticed recently that there are no longer any Star Trek items on the site. Why is that the case? Did your guys' contract to make Star Trek items end?

DSTChuck: I am sorry but the new website only list items that are in stock, and we do not have ay Trek items in stock. We have hit some roadblocks with Trek that were out of our control, but we’re hopeful they will be cleared up and work continues.

Daniel A.

When the animated line was introduced one of the reasons given for going from 1/6 to 1/7 scale was reducing the price point. The last piece, Breaker, although not listed with the rest of the “animated” pieces on the website is still a 1/7 scale piece, and came in about $40 higher than the others (for both the exclusive and non-exclusive versions which still seems weird). Now the just announced Animated Vader at $125 is more expensive than most 1/6 busts. What’s with the price increase on this line and is this something we will continue to see?

DSTChuck: Daniel, you are correct, the price was ONE of the reasons we added the 1/7 scale line, BUT it was not the ONLY reason. Yes, we do want to keep that line and all our products at the lowest SRP possible. With rising costs at all levels, including overseas freight, that is hard to do right now. Wrecker is a very large piece with a great deal of “mass,” as is Vader including his cape. Going by our standard price structure, based on cost, it was impossible to put those out at a lower SRP. Some future bust will cost more as well – it could also be due to deco, like a Mandalorian that has many paint operations and steps. All we can do is try to keep the cost as low as possible, but they will not all be able to be released at a price below $70.

Callen S.

Hi I’m wondering is there a possibility for Indiana Jones action figures?

DSTChuck: I am sorry, but with Hasbro involved, I would think it pretty unlikely we could do traditional action figures for Indy. BUT never say never!

Sean C.

With the recent announcement that the Star Trek license is returning to Playmates, what does this mean for DS going forward and specifically, how will this affect the Enterprise C and Reliant in the Starships line?

DSTChuck: The road blocks we hit on Trek and have been working through are not a result of Playmates.

Peter A.

Any plans on Marvel Anti-Venom mini bust or 3D legends ? Please add more symbiotes.

DSTChuck: That has not been planned at this time, but never say never.

Simon G.

Will there be an Uncle Iroh action figure for the Avatar The Last Airbender range?

DSTChuck: Yes, artwork for Iroh was revealed in our San Diego Comic-Con panel. Look for him to be offered in the near future.

David J.

When will you release Ghidorah to compliment the Godzilla statue?

DSTChuck: That will be for sale by the time you read this.

Mark H.

I know in the past you produced a PVC based on Invincible's Atom Eve, but it's almost impossible to find now! With the popularity of the new cartoon, is there any chance we'll see a reboot, or more PVCs from the Invincible series?

DSTChuck: We have discussed that with the studio, so cross your fingers. From our side, we’d love to do more products.

Mike L.

Are there any plans to expand the MK Diamond Selects statues? The price point is amazing for such high quality statues and I'd love to see more of the classic character styles beyond just Sub Zero, Raiden and Kitana. Any chance we can see an MK2 Baraka and an Ultimate MK3 Jade?

DSTChuck: More Mortal Kombat Gallery Dioramas have been discussed, we’ll just have to see how it goes.