Well, for a descent percentage of the sculpts that have some proto to production slide, it?s pretty clear that it?s a paint app issue where the factory painters just can?t match the JC Hong brilliance (at least not in the time they are given to complete a daily tally).
But for some figures, where the slide seems much more structural, we?ve been conditioned to believe that studios reject the prototype and demand a new sculpt be resubmitted for approval (which in just about every case is CLEARLY worse that the original effort). Farmboy Luke definitely falls into the latter category.
And although I write that last paragraph with a measure of skepticism, I honestly can?t think of a more believable scenario.
Why would Hot Toys, or any other high end figure manufacturer, willfully choose to produce a figure with an obviously lesser likeness, and therefore rack up fewer sales? The answer is they wouldn?t. But on the other hand, why would a studio, by willful action, CAUSE a figure manufacturer to produce a lesser figure knowing this would impact sales negatively, causing the studio, in turn, to put themselves in a position where, potentially at least, they could not demand as much for the licensing fees upon renewal because the profit to investment ratio is that much less favorable to the figure producer? The difference might be along the margins, but still.... isn’t it the job of any company to maximize revenue/profit?
Is it really the vanity of actors themselves that is to blame? Do they really have a say regarding the reproduction of their likenesses after they have turned over these rights to the studios that produce their films? Do they REALLY care whether some random Barbie doll (their hypothetical words, not mine) I some random nerd?s basement bares an acceptable likeness of them as long as the depiction is not vulgar?
I don?t know. I just can?t ever seem to solve this puzzle...
But to answer your question, Talibane, I think EVERYTHING is wrong with the production sculpt compared to the proto, and I think the hair is THE LEAST of the issues because the proto has just about the same hair sculpt as the production piece (with all its faults), and yet the proto TOWERS over the production sculpt in just about every other way. So I don?t think this is a paint, or even a mold issue. I think the production figure has a COMPLETELY redone sculpt, and it?s a damn shame...
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