12" is not stopped

[thenammagazine]

12-inch Gandalf was a true success on all levels, and we are very proud of the final product. While it is very disappointing to all of us to put the line on hold, we would rather have the line “end” on a high note rather than fade out on a whimper. Gandalf will, for now, stand as our favorite entry in our The Lord of the Rings 1:6 scale line.[/I]

Says it all (and what most of us realists have been saying since Spooktacular). I'm glad they finally fessed up. But I don't believe the part where they say they're committed. Had they been, they would've at least finished the Fellowship, three measly figures which could've been banged out fairly quickly. Merry and Pippin are just reworkings of Frodo and Sam requiring only head sculpts and minor wardrobe tweaks. Gimli would have been the only one requiring any really substantial, browbeating efforts.

 

[Entropy]

Says it all (and what most of us realists have been saying since Spooktacular). I'm glad they finally fessed up. But I don't believe the part where they say they're committed. Had they been, they would've at least finished the Fellowship, three measly figures which could've been banged out fairly quickly. Merry and Pippin are just reworkings of Frodo and Sam requiring only head sculpts and minor wardrobe tweaks. Gimli would have been the only one requiring any really substantial, browbeating efforts.

I just don't believe this. The development of the SS Lotr figures was not quick and easy. They, as stated, were the most difficult and time consuming of any figures for SS to do. And yes, even the remaining hobbits would not have been quick or simple rehashes.

 

[Deeznutz6]

Lets hope the Gi Joe line doesnt have "to much R&D"

Bottom line is they didnt make enough money

 

[Wetanut]

Waaaaaa

 

[Kibishii]

I never collected this line, but I always, always hoped that Sideshow would finish The Fellowship for you guys. I actually thought "on hold" would mean until The Hobbit came out. In all honestly, my heart weeps for you guys.

 

[Memnoch]

I never collected this line, but I always, always hoped that Sideshow would finish The Fellowship for you guys. I actually thought "on hold" would mean until The Hobbit came out. In all honestly, my heart weeps for you guys.

Well it does. Basically what SS is saying that when the Hobbit is released again, it will hopefully provide a more robust collector base for Middle Earth related collectibles, at which point they would probably put them out. What I would do if I were SS would be to prototype out Pippin, Merry, Gimli and Bilbo and release them when the hype starts around the Hobbit.

 

[Customikey]

DAMMIT!!!!

At least I got my grail figure, Gandy the Grey.

 

[thenammagazine]

I just don't believe this. The development of the SS Lotr figures was not quick and easy. They, as stated, were the most difficult and time consuming of any figures for SS to do. And yes, even the remaining hobbits would not have been quick or simple rehashes.

Wrong Bro. Merry and Pippin, with the exception of Pippin's scarf and the two head sculpts, can be bashed together from a mixture of Frodo and Sam (color tweaking aside). So it's not like they'd have to go back to basics for their wardrobes and accessories. The most difficult aspect of finishing the Fellowship would've been Gimli as everything about him would have to have been scratch built except his pipe.

Well it does. Basically what SS is saying that when the Hobbit is released again, it will hopefully provide a more robust collector base for Middle Earth related collectibles, at which point they would probably put them out. What I would do if I were SS would be to prototype out Pippin, Merry, Gimli and Bilbo and release them when the hype starts around the Hobbit.

There's no more "cup half full." Sideshow admitted the line's done:

While it is very disappointing to all of us to put the line on hold, we would rather have the line “end” on a high note rather than fade out on a whimper.

It's time to lay the optimism to rest, break out the trumpet and play a respectable verse of "taps" for the LOTR 12" line. It's done.

 

[The Ween]

I just don't believe this. The development of the SS Lotr figures was not quick and easy. They, as stated, were the most difficult and time consuming of any figures for SS to do. And yes, even the remaining hobbits would not have been quick or simple rehashes.

As I said somewhere else, they have a much bigger profit margin by making yet another SW Stormtrooper. If you notice in the SW figures, there are 12 figures that haven't sold out, 3 on pre-order with another on the way. I don't see them putting that line on hold because they can't get rid of those Jabba the Huts or the Rebel Commandos, but then, they do have to have those for the next Spooktacular.

And yes.....I'm bitter.

 

[Entropy]

Wrong Bro. Merry and Pippin, with the exception of Pippin's scarf and the two head sculpts, can be bashed together from a mixture of Frodo and Sam (color tweaking aside). So it's not like they'd have to go back to basics for their wardrobes and accessories. The most difficult aspect of finishing the Fellowship would've been Gimli as everything about him would have to have been scratch built except his pipe.

Sideshow would not have made them in that manner. The Merry and Pippin costumes and props are not the exact same as Frodo and Sam.

I'm not privy to the inner workings of SS development, but from everything I've gleaned from the production blog and other discussion, they would have had the standard from the ground up R&D for Merry & Pippin. They don't generally bash together new figs from other figs like Patient Zero or recycle items that often even when similar. Surely they would've had a new sculpt for Gimli's pipe just as they had new sculpts for Gandalf and Aragorn's pipes.

Measurements and patterns were in place for capes and shirts for the new bodies but all the elements of the costumes would have been researched and decided upon, materials chosen, patterns made/tweaked based on those materials, patterns further refined as needed, detail work designed and blocked out, new weapons and accessories sculpted, etc. It's the reason Sam's pants are not the same as Frodo's. They could have reused the same pants for both, but since SS goes through R&D for each figure they usually catch all those unique details and put them in the figure. One of the reasons this was, imo, Sideshow's finest 1:6 line.

 

[thenammagazine]

Sideshow would not have made them in that manner. The Merry and Pippin costumes are not the exact cut or materials as Frodo and Sam.

I'm not privy to the inner workings of SS development, but from everything I've gleaned from the production blog and other discussion, they would have had the standard R&D for Merry & Pippin. They don't generally bash together new figs from other figs like Patient Zero or recycle items that often even when similar. Surely they would've had a new sculpt for Gimli's pipe just as they had new sculpts for Gandalf and Aragorn's pipes.

Measurements and patterns were in place for capes and shirts but all the elements of the costumes would have been researched, materials chosen, patterns made/tweaked based on those materials, patterns further refined as needed, detail work designed and blocked out, new weapons and accessories sculpted, etc. It's the reason Sam's pants are not the same as Frodo's. They could have reused the same pants for both, but since SS goes through R&D for each figure they usually catch all those unique details and put them in the figure. One of the reasons this was, imo, Sideshow's finest 1:6 line.

I know what you're saying, but my point still stands. That they could very well have been put together a lot easier than scratch-building them. And as for reusing items, take a long, hard look at Ed's sneakers (Shaun of the Dead). How many times have we seen them?

 

[icruise]

I agree with Entropy Chicken that they would've done the figures from scratch rather than reusing parts (aside from things like the bodies, hands, and feet). Just because you can dye and slightly alter a piece of clothing as a customizer doesn't necessarily mean that would be possible from a production standpoint, or that it would make the figures a lot cheaper to produce.

That said, Sideshow does have a long history of re-use. Just look at how many figures use the same boots, hands, sneakers, etc.

 

[The Craw]

Sideshow would not have made them in that manner. The Merry and Pippin costumes are not the exact cut or materials as Frodo and Sam.

I'm not privy to the inner workings of SS development, but from everything I've gleaned from the production blog and other discussion, they would have had the standard from the ground up R&D for Merry & Pippin. They don't generally bash together new figs from other figs like Patient Zero or recycle items that often even when similar. Surely they would've had a new sculpt for Gimli's pipe just as they had new sculpts for Gandalf and Aragorn's pipes.

Measurements and patterns were in place for capes and shirts for the new bodies but all the elements of the costumes would have been researched and decided upon, materials chosen, patterns made/tweaked based on those materials, patterns further refined as needed, detail work designed and blocked out, new weapons and accessories sculpted, etc. It's the reason Sam's pants are not the same as Frodo's. They could have reused the same pants for both, but since SS goes through R&D for each figure they usually catch all those unique details and put them in the figure. One of the reasons this was, imo, Sideshow's finest 1:6 line.

you are correct. the clothing alone makes this one of the best 1/6 lines ever by any company. they went above and beyond. it's just beautiful that they were able to shrink down these designs to 1/6 scale and still hold the detail that helped make the films what they were. kudos to the SS clothing and accessories team for that one.

 

[Entropy]

And as for reusing items, take a long, hard look at Ed's sneakers (Shaun of the Dead). How many times have we seen them?

You're right, Pippin could've worn those.

 

[Entropy]

That said, Sideshow does have a long history of re-use. Just look at how many figures use the same boots, hands, sneakers, etc.

Oh god, those hands, those HANDS!!!

 

[Lee in MI]

You have recently revealed lots of great new 12-inch but nothing for The Lord of the Rings. Are there new figures of this license in production at the moment?

During Spooktacular, in a candid moment in the chat, it was revealed that the 12-inch LOTR line is on hold.

This is true…

Sideshow is moving forward with development on all other LOTR lines, including Premium Format, Dioramas, and Legendary Scale Busts. We remain committed to the LOTR license and love the world of Middle-earth.

It was a very tough decision to put the 12-inch LOTR line on hold. It is possibly the most difficult 12-inch license for development and production, challenging Sideshow to maintain the high quality and accuracy standards that we pride ourselves on. Each character requires unique problem solving, due to details of the costume, weathering or other paint applications, or different body shapes or sizes. As we’ve proven, they are certainly within the realm of possibility, but they do take a lot longer than the average product for development and production. Our development team is talented and not at all afraid of rolling up their sleeves and digging into the work when it is appreciated by the fan base and collector community.

Unfortunately, solicitation of figures like Faramir, Frodo and Samwise demonstrated that the interest in the 12-inch LOTR line is not as healthy as in years past; that the fan base is not as large as in those golden years. We say this knowing that there is an enthusiastic, loyal fan base remaining for our 12-inch line - there simply aren’t enough of us at the present moment. That being said, things certainly could change.

12-inch Gandalf was a true success on all levels, and we are very proud of the final product. While it is very disappointing to all of us to put the line on hold, we would rather have the line “end” on a high note rather than fade out on a whimper. Gandalf will, for now, stand as our favorite entry in our The Lord of the Rings 1:6 scale line.

Its officially over...for now. I can't believe these guys released what would be the equivalent of 1 figure per year since the Fellowship was released and they are, indirectly, blaming the lack of fan interest for the downfall of the line. How about just saying it was too difficult for us to produce in a timely manner to catch the fervor of the movies. How about just admiting that they missed the window of opportunity to release the line in a manner that would be profitable. How about just saying we effed up, got caught on our heels and didn't strike while the iron was hot and now no body gives a sheit about LOTR anymore.

At least then, I think it would be easier to stomach. Now we have a line full of holes, missing key members of the fellowship and having only one hope of seeing anymore figs ever released...and that hope is the Hobbit movie. Lets hope its successful.

Now, who wants to buy some SSC LOTR figs?

 

[shocktrooper_au]

Or maybe they are on hold until the hobbit comes out, in the mean time they are secretly developing a 16" armoured bas body for Sauron

 

[kl241]

Or maybe they are on hold until the hobbit comes out, in the mean time they are secretly developing a 16" armoured bas body for Sauron

Sauron is the LOTR equivalent of the Medieval Kurgan. And the death of the line can be blamed by poor selection of characters. I mean Faramir and not Gimli? WTF?!?!? The Fellowship will remain broken. This license was totally mismanaged. The excuse that these require longer production time than other lines is utter B.S. They seem to have no problem cranking out armored figures now for Star Wars but they can't make Sauron or the Kurgan because armored figures are too difficult and don't sell. Typical Sideshow taking on licenses they will never fulfill nor had any intention of fulfilling.

 

[Memnoch]

One figure does not equate to "poor selection of characters". Second, it's not an excuse that these require longer production times, it's a fact. Thirdly, armored figures have JUST started coming for Star Wars. This is well after Highlander was done with SS and even removed from their site at the request of the license holders. I believe SS had every intention of fulfilling the line but when the Hobbits don't sell even after price cuts, I think it shows the collector base and demand is just NOT there at the time.

 

[Protozaius]

I think when Frodo and Sam didn't sell very well that killed the line. When the MAIN characters don't sell it's time to go home.

I wonder if Hot Toys will pick up the line when The Hobbit is released.