In regards to Hasbro not wanting to release a Masterpiece in the middle of movie line consider MP Starscream. He was released in November of 2007, right in the middle of the first movie line. Hasbro also said something about continuing Universe with exclusives and limited releases. It wouldn't surprise me to see Grimlock as a store exclusive in the middle of ROTF. Though I can't really imagine how they'd get away with his sharp claws and tiny drink glasses. I don't see the teeth being as big an issue because they're out of the way and it'd be hard for a child to stab themselves in the eye with them.
I really hope Grimlock doesn't end up as a store exclusive. We still haven't gotten a whiff of Starscream in the UK. Yeah, that's right, Hasbro: people outside America buy Transformers.
Plus because they released it via TRU exclusive here, the price was close to the cost of importing it anyway. If they just sell the thing to anyone it tends to be more reasonably priced. Its not just TRU, when they made the Masterpiece Prime + Trailer an exclusive for Target, Target sold it for A$200. When the 20th anniversary Prime was mass released he ended up going for the same price as leaders.
Based on observation and experience, A Hasbro/western release of MP Grimlock most likely would have the claws on the dino-arms replaced with a more rubbery plastic, or at least shortened/rounded off, as they are hard, pointy, and potentially dangerous in the Japanese version. It's possible the teeth might be blunted or softened, but they don't seem too dangerous to me, and one pretty much has to clamp the jaws on a finger or some such to come close to doing any damage (though I wouldn't put that past a kid.) I would expect Hasbro Grimlock to have the same metal and chrome as the Japanese version. I suppose it's possible that could be changed if the intent was to reduce the MSRP, But Hasbro has not typically cheaped out on paint apps for the MP toys it has released so far (DVD20 Prime might count, but it's also a repaint of the earlier 20th anniversary model with an extra base.)
Something just occurred to me. How much would a Hasbro MP Grimlock release probably cost? I want one REALLY badly in case you haven't already noticed.
I honestly won't be caring about this unless someone beats it into the Hasbro exec's heads that people other than those in the US want TF's No MP starscream No wingblade up here in Canada (somone PM me and tell me if wingblade is a shelfwarmer yet?
I overheard someone asking about this at the Hasbro booth at TFcon. They rep said somehting to the effect that we will see another Masterpiece release but it will not be Grimlock. I thought he said it would be something we have not seen before.
@jourdo: But...we've seen all the MP figures. How can there be one we haven't seen or don't know about? @Feralstorm: I was wondering the same thing.
I'd like to have the toy, but I don't know if he'll be released in Canada. Plus, I don't have the $100+. I'll ask for him for Xmas then! Hooray!
Didn't BotCon start today? Because, at BotCon any info on Hasbro release MP figures will be revealed.
You may have to wait until Saturday, and the associated Hasbro presentation, to find out whatever there is to find out.
*sigh* Apparently, we're getting MP Thundercracker. I really wanted Grimlock, but since I didn't get MP Starscream, I'll get Thundercracker.
It's Skywarp not Thundercracker. Although I was hoping for it to be Grimlock, Skywarp excites me. He used to be my favorite seeker, so maybe this will revive the character for me.