12" lotr line on hold

[Wor-Gar]

And they may not get The Hobbit license or still have the LOTR license. So sad we got Faramir and no Saruman or Gimli. At least we got Gandalf. Image if he were absent!

So close.... so very close....

Really it gets down to one: Gimli

I could do without Merry and Pippin. Sure, completists will say you need 'em. But for me, I actuall prefer Boromir and Faramir. If I had to cut two -- it would be Merry and Pippin.

So really we're just one shy. That's not too bad.

The bigger disaster is no Ringwraith or Witchking or Saruman or Gothmog or Lurtz or orcs or... well, any villains at all.

This is the first line that I've collected that has had no single villain driving me.



May I say this would be a good time for any customizers out there to offer up some LOTR villains...

 

[Darklord Dave]

I'm thinking a initiative similar to what the PotA fans did to get characters made in a massive custom project.

My first thought was Merry and Pippin - get everyone to buy up the hobbits still languishing at SSC. Then commission sculpts from someone really good and hire a seamstress to make the different pieces of costume needed.

Another thought is Saruman - there's the GG bust and the Hasbro Dooku to base sculpts off of. I'm not suggesting recasting, but just some way to get Saruman heads into as many hands as possible.

 

[galactiboy]

I was thinking a hard wire in a cloak to hold the shape, but is the hood really empty? Perhaps a black or gray painted headsculpt that looked like the witch-kings would be appropriate?

I was thinking have like a plastic insert that would make a concave bowl coming off of the neck and the hood would attach to that. Then there is something rigid that would hold a good strong shape, but there would be fabric around it giving it the illusion like in the film.

 

[Entropy]

I'm thinking a initiative similar to what the PotA fans did to get characters made in a massive custom project.

My first thought was Merry and Pippin - get everyone to buy up the hobbits still languishing at SSC. Then commission sculpts from someone really good and hire a seamstress to make the different pieces of costume needed.

Another thought is Saruman - there's the GG bust and the Hasbro Dooku to base sculpts off of. I'm not suggesting recasting, but just some way to get Saruman heads into as many hands as possible.

The sculpting will be easy compared to the tailoring.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Another thought is Saruman - there's the GG bust and the Hasbro Dooku to base sculpts off of. I'm not suggesting recasting, but just some way to get Saruman heads into as many hands as possible.

I wonder if you could bust the head off the Saruman bust and use it? I did it with the GG Tarkin and Agent Smith.

Also, for Saruman's clothing, maybe you could use the DiD Gandalf the White as a base, then just add a large piece of white material for his cloak/robe.


I'd love to get someone to do some Orc armor -- I've always wanted to use the Ex Orc head that came with Boromir to build a Moria Orc.

Maybe we should start a "Custom LOTR" Thread to pass on ideas and get something started?

 

[toystales]

I am wondering if someone here can talk to people in SS and get them to agree to make Gimli and we will "confirm" our pre-orders by paying for the figure upfront during pre-order? Maybe if we pay upfront, that will convince SS to make Gimli?

 

[Wor-Gar]

I am wondering if someone here can talk to people in SS and get them to agree to make Gimli and we will "confirm" our pre-orders by paying for the figure upfront during pre-order? Maybe if we pay upfront, that will convince SS to make Gimli?

Nice idea, but I'm not sure the 10-20 of us here would justify the cost for them, even prepaid.

Can you imagine what would happen if SS took orders like that?

 

[The Craw]

personally i think the line needed more chicks. that is what really killed it.

 

[LordAzrael]

I think Gimli was one that was NEVER going to be made. Unfortunately the body was just too different.

I would have expected the other hobbits though. Maybe if we are lucky they might turn up as convention exclusives or something similar ?

 

[ColdFusion]

This is sad. Like I've said in many posts, I just started collecting Sideshow stuff. Starting with Star Wars and LOTR, and then will work my way into some Marvel. I have a a few of the 12" LOTR (Faramir, Aragorn, Legolas) and despite a few flaws I do really love them. I plan on getting Sam and Frodo eventually, but am not in any rush. While I am sure they are great figs, something about those hobbits are so "blah" to me....I dunno what it is. I just don't feel the URGENT need to get them like I do some other stuff.

However I see Gandalf EX is now on Second-Chance, I dunno if they have a lot of stock on him in the warehouse, but if they do, that could have played a factor. Still sitting on stock of three figs. I will probably order Gandalf today, wait on the hobbits. Regardless, I would have loved to see them finish the line with at least getting a complete Fellowship....as EVENTUALLY I would have gotten around to getting all of them.

One thing I notice while reading the thread. And this is true with most message boards I've ever visited is, the wishful thinking. All this "maybe they'll do this..." or "Maybe we can...." While I enjoy seeing people's passion and enthusiasm for the line. I hate seeing people get their hopes up for stuff like that, because the fact is, it's probably never coming back.

 

[Brandybuck]

All I needed was a Gimli to be satified but now this line is a big disappointment. I would have bought 3 ringwraiths for a Weathertop display.

 

[blackcoatcowboy]

Actually, it was GANDOLF.

Sideshow upgraded almost everyone's regular Gandolf to a Sideshow Exclusive Gandolf.

GANDOLF's unpopularity caused the delay of the last of the Fellowship: Gimli, Merry, and Pippin.

They just said it's on hold in the chat


at least they didn't say it's dead

who would have thought it would be frodo and sam that stalled the line

 

[Wetanut]

I'm absolutely crushed.

 

[The Ringer]

Actually, it was GANDOLF.

Sideshow upgraded almost everyone's regular Gandolf to a Sideshow Exclusive Gandolf.

GANDOLF's unpopularity caused the delay of the last of the Fellowship: Gimli, Merry, and Pippin.

Gandalf!

 

[The Ween]

Actually, it was GANDOLF.

Sideshow upgraded almost everyone's regular Gandolf to a Sideshow Exclusive Gandolf.

GANDOLF's unpopularity caused the delay of the last of the Fellowship: Gimli, Merry, and Pippin.

How do you know this if I may ask?

 

[YoNoSe]

I knew it was Gandolf's unpopularity!

 

[thamesvalidude]

I knew it was Gandolf's unpopularity!

As Ringer said: GANDALF

 

[Mudshark]

Sorry to bring the rain again, but I find it sadly ironic that Sideshow would put on the brakes just when they've hit their stride. The last three releases are outstanding examples of the promise this line holds. And with the release of Clonobi, armored LotR characters also appear to be right around the corner.

Sales have slowed as interest has waned, but this situation could yet be remedied with a new game plan. If they've been reading our posts in the most recent threads here, then I'm sure they have a pretty good idea why things have gone south from the consumer side of the issue. Therein lies the answer.

Sales may have slowed to the point where they no longer consider the line to be viable, but it's due in part to the way they decided to manage it. I don't think it's too late to give the line a long overdue kick in the pants by turning out a couple of quality villains, even now. At least they'd have a clear idea whether the line was really worth continuing or not, based on the response they get.

 

[IrishJedi]

Sales may have slowed to the point where they no longer consider the line to be viable, but it's due in part to the way they decided to manage it.

 

[The Craw]

they should've just lowered the edition sizes. if they are taking so long to sell out the exclusives why not go back to the 750 edition size for exclusives and lower the regular editions to 1500 or less. i thought i heard that they only need to sell 500 or so to hit a break even point. the regular editions sell out cuz retailers buy them up but the exclusives only sell off the site so if nobody buys em, they are stuck with them.