2009: the end of an era?

[Karatka]

But that never stopped HT making Kane, Drake, Vasquez, Apone, Hudson or Ripples who were made without license either?

IIRC, there were serious license issues with Kane and Apone, with the net result that the end figures don't hugely resemble the actors. This is not so bad for harder SF figures where the equipment makes up for it, but would be an issue with Predator figures who only have standard present-day gear. If you believe the rumours, the same problem has delayed the release of the Predator human figures. Similarly, I gather Carl Weathers' likeness for Rocky was only secured after a lot of wrangling.

HT do have a cheeky habit of using celebrity liknesses for their figures - I guess it's acceptable as long as it's not marketed - but I think Danny Glover's lawyers might have something to say if his likeness was used in a P2 figure without permission.

 

[thenammagazine]

Anyway, Hot Toys are a business - if it will make money they will at least consider it. The Lost Predator has sold out, Machiko hasn't, and that will probably inform their future decision-making (obscure movie preds vs custom designs). I would be VERY surprised if their Predator line finishes with P1.

That's not really a fair comparison. While Machiko looks awesome (and yes I own her), she's still not a Predator. In order to make a fair assessment, it'd have to be Predator vs. Predator.