Master Replicas Cancels Ghostbusters Line

Before even prototype images were posted - and a single prop was released - Master Replicas has canceled their line of Ghostbusters items. The Master Replicas forum moderator had this to say:

As a fan, I wish I could reassure everyone that GB is still on for MR. Unfortunately, it is with deep regret that MR has decided to cancel the plans we had with Sony for Ghostbusters. While I cannot get into specifics, I can tell you on a personal level that we cannot afford to give Ghostbusters prop replicas the justice and treatment they deserve and I apologize for any frustration or disappointment this will cause any fans. Rather than hold on to the license and wait for what seemed inevitable, we've decided to make the announcement today. Thank you for your understanding.

That was posted yesterday, February 17th. Just five days prior the moderator hinted at development pictures. Now the line is dead before it really started.


This apparently happens often with Master Replicas. From what I have read on message boards, close to - if not more than - 40% of announced items and product lines go unfulfilled by MR. Some think the company is wilting.

It's a shame, really. The Ghostbusters community has been waiting for a company to step up and produce top of the line replicas for use at Halloween or for display in their collections. If you can't make replicas yourself then you are stuck trying to buy fan made stuff from others, which is even more expensive than what MR was reportedly going to sell the items for.

All is not lost, however. At least we know for certain that the videogame will be released this summer. Plus there are the Minimates and the two lines of figures from Mattel coming as well. Hopefully no one else lets us down. Ghostbusters fans have been through enough in the last 20 years.

Master Replicas Make it Official and Other GB Things

Ghostbusters replicas are coming. Master Replicas made the announcement, despite some technical difficulties, on Halloween. They have unveiled that they will be making 1:1 scale replicas (possibly more). Their first 2 items that they have announced are a Trap and Proton Pack. Seriously. 1:1 scale prop replicas. Again, I'm serious. Plus, they will include lights and sounds. WOW. Fortunately MR says they will try to keep the price reasonable for such great replicas. It's looking like $250-$400 for the trap (due out Spring 2009) and $900-$1200 for the proton pack. I know that sounds like a lot but packs with no lights/sounds can run $1200+ on eBay. $1200 plus would be a bargain. The pack is due out Fall 2009. Of course, 2009 is the 24th anniversary of Ghostbusters.

To go along with this super-duper line, they have unveiled a site for behind-the-scene looks and exclusive pictures. Hardcore GB heads will get the web address. As of now there is only a quiz (you must get 4 out of 4 to get in the main site) and the announcement. Here it is for those of you that don't want bother with the quiz.

I am very, very excited about this. Very. I pray that I can stash away some money to get these 2 things but that looks doubtful. Real life beckons, with the wedding in July and then a house (!) in the next 7-9 months. Yeaaaa.....

In other Ghostbusters news...

To recognize this special milestone, Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc has licensed the property for several new products to commemorate the anniversary, including: video games, toys, t-shirts, comic books, prop replicas, and a theme park attraction.

Holy. Crap. That is from the official Atari-Sony press release (via Kotaku). Will they be reviving the old GB attraction at Universal? Or will this be debuting somewhere else? Hmmmm.... Plus, it sounds like a whole bunch of officially licensed GB stuff is on the way in the next year!!!

And on a side note... w00t, 100th post!!!

Master Replicas to Officially Announce Ghostbusters Line of Items October 31st

I have been sneaking around the Master Replicas forum to see if I can learn anything new about rumored Ghostbusters prop replicas. I returned today and noticed 2 new pages of posts. The moderator has been dropping some hints since July. It has recently been confirmed that the Ghostbusters line will have its own web page. Reading the 14 pages of posts leads me to believe that MR will be making: the trap, PKE meter, and yes, a proton pack (please note that none of this is confirmed, just speculation). But that's not all. There is a possibility of scaled items such as busts, gear, and the famous Ecto. They are being real hush-hush about specifics. In a recent post by the moderator, he says that the line will be officially announced on October 31st. Nice timing. Hopefully some juicier tidbits will make their way out before then. I don't want to wait another month!

For those of you who know nothing about MR, check out the Star Wars items I own by them. Truly great stuff.

High Risk, High Reward

Basic economics says that to make a lot of money you have to risk a lot of money. There is no such thing as a low risk, high reward situation; there is always a chance of it blowing up in your face. Or, you could come out on top and look like a genius. While this isn't quite the same thing it is similar. Overall, I have spent a lot of money over the years on Star Wars items. From 1995-2008 I'd say the average price of a standard Kenner/Hasbro Star Wars figure at retail would be ~$5.99. To make things simple, let's say the average between 1995-200 after tax is $6.25. I more than likely have over 100 figures purchased in the last decade (plus a few years). That's AT LEAST $625 on basic figures alone. Then there are the variants, deluxe, exclusives, multipacks, battle packs, vehicles, etc. all for a plastic man/woman/creature/alien. I'm definitely willing to estimate I've spent well over $1,500 (in ~13 years) on Star Wars "toys". And in reality, that number has really been spent over the course of five years AT MOST, since I really only have been collecting from about October 1996 through August 1999 and now August 2007 to present. I never strayed from the "toy" collectible items. After all my first dive into the world of Star Wars was around the age of 8 and I was 13 when the Special Editions were released. Toys (and video games) were all I knew and could (barely) afford. Things are different now.

I have a job for one. I don't get a lot but I get enough to live. And occasionally buy a few figures. OK, buy figures every week (a lot of times though I am buying them for someone who hasn't seen a certain item yet...that someone being Brent Behrenshausen...and I get my money back anyway so I didn't technically buy it per se). But now that the easy to find figures are mine and I have most of the recent stuff, things are getting more expensive. There are some hard to find items that have escalated in price and I just can't justify spending that kind of money at the moment. That is, for a battle pack or vehicle. However, since January I have been scouring the internet for a few items that, once I knew they existed, knew had to be a part of my collection. The things I speak of are Master Replicas Star Wars Trooper helmets.

I knew the 1:1 prop replicas existed. It's hard not to. They are beautifully designed, created, and articulated. I have seen pictures of the full scale standard Clone Trooper (ROTS), 501st Trooper, Shock Trooper, Stormtrooper, and Shadow Stormtrooper. These helmets retail for $399-$499 and were very limited. As you probably know, I'm a member of the PSWCS and receive email updates of posts by other members. A gracious member yesterday (Bradley Portnoy) posted about a sale going on through FAO Schwarz. He isted a few of the for sale items with their original and sale prices. One of the items was a Master Replicas helmet. The helmet of the 212th Attack Battalion that fought on Utapau under the guidance of Jed General Obi-Wan Kenobi and Clone Commander Cody! And it was on sale at 62.5% off their original asking price!!! I contemplated for a few minutes but had to get one. When else would I get an opportunity to buy an item that looks so good AND is of my favorite character in the movies (and the helmet makes the clones)? So I purchased one. And I am so excited to see it in April. April 25th to be exact. That's when I return to Sinking Spring, PA for a weekend visit. I have all of my Star Wars items sent there because there is very little room for my collection in the apartment. Hopefully over the coming years I will be able to purchase all of the Master Replica full scale Trooper Helmets (I think there are six or seven total). It will be pricey but now that I don't have to restock waves of figures I missed, I should be able to save enough to buy one/year. Note: Master Replicas no longer has the Star Wars license so no more helmets will be produced by them.

Master Replicas 1:1 scaled replica 212th Attack Battalion (Utapau) helmet

Besides the full scale helmets, Master Replicas also produced .45 scaled helmets. This line included the standard Clone Trooper (ROTS), 501st Legion, Shock Trooper (exclusive), Commander Gree, Utapau Shadow Trooper (exclusive), Stormtrooper, and Shadow Stormtrooper (exclusive). I am proud to report that, over the last few months, I have been able to secure six of these scaled helmets, with possibly the seventh in my hands by Monday (well actually not in my hands since they are going to Sinking Spring, but you understand). I have purchased/acquired all but the Utapau Shadow Trooper scaled helmet and currently am bidding on one through eBay (crosses fingers). This is a really amazing collection and I am going to be thrilled to display these eight helmets (seven .45 scaled, one full scale). I can't wait to see them!

All seven of the Master Replicas .45 scaled replica Trooper helmets.

A related story: to get a hold of the scaled Shock Trooper Helmet I had to buy it from Germany. Yeah, the country. And the store, Toy Palace Germany, required that any customer wanting an exclusive (an by exclusive they mean 500 WORLDWIDE!!!) Shock Trooper helmet must buy two other scaled helmets. D'oh! Well of course the Shock Trooper one was the last one I needed. So I had to bite the bullet and purchase two other helmets to get that glorious Shock Trooper helmet. I didn't want to duplicates of any of the trooper helmets I already had (I could have gotten a second ROTS Clone or Stormtrooper helmet). Instead, I decided to get a Boba Fett and Luke Skywalker's X-Wing helmet. Not in my "character focus" but still cool items. I'm not necessarily going to keep them (hint to Brent) but they were necessary to get the uberexclusive scaled Shock Trooper helmet.

Master Replicas .45 scaled replica Luke Skywalker X-Wing Pilot helmet


Master Replicas .45 scaled replica Boba Fett helmet

Spending a little more cash on less items feels good for now. These helmets look amazing.