Ask Sideshow LOTR Q&A's

[The Josh]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

That would be cool. I'd like to get a Sauron piece again.

 

[woodsy]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

Monday, January 10th, 2011

Question : Is there any possibility of a Sauron Premium Format and/or a Saruman? I was unfortunate enough to miss all of your previous Sauron products because I just recently discovered Sideshow.

Answer : Yup. Saruman and Sauron have just officially graduated from the candidate list to the confirmed, planned, product line-up for 2012. We’ll be collaborating with Jerry Vanderstelt on Sauron, who may or may not end up “officially” in the PF classification, but will be BIG.

Wow, I was looking at the Ask Sideshow section this afternoon, probably just before they posted these Q&A's. From the sound of things a Saruman PF is definitely on the way [am I the only one who wants a light-up palantir!], and either a Sauron PF or maquette [I'm betting it's a maquette!]. And I do recall Jerry mentioning a Sauron project he would be working on.......

Monday, January 10th, 2011

Question : Okay, Sideshow, straight to the point. When will we see our next LOTR Premium Format, and will it be the Mordor Orc?

Answer : Okay, straight to the answer. We hope to show you the next LOTR PF in … maybe February 2011, and it will indeed be the Mordor Orc.

This was my question...probably the "shortest" question I've ever asked. I suspected we might see the Mordor Orc PF during ToyFair and it looks like that is all but confirmed.

 

[woodsy]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

Monday, January 10th, 2011

Question : The Gollum Premium Format is, in a strange way, “two for the price of one,” and I was wondering if you might be considering offering other smaller characters, such as hobbits, with multiple characters on a single base. This would be a great way to tackle Merry and Pippin! (and maybe even Sam and Frodo?)

Answer : Gollum is rather unique, since the character itself is two-in-one. Merry and Pippin, and Sam and Frodo, require a fair bit more consideration in the execution of their costuming and dressing. IF a two-fer offering could be designed well, and executed well, sure, why not! And multiple characters on a single base? Indeed, outside of PF format, it’s almost as though you’re reading our minds! But two PF’s on one base would not significantly reduce the costs associated with producing the figures, so would make for a rather expensive set.

Sounds like SS is definitely looking at combining the Hobbits in the maquette line....something most of us have suspected. But it looks like that isn't going to happen with the PF's. It appears they'll be going solo, or not at all.

Monday, January 10th, 2011

Question : Can you please answer the one burning question for LOTR Premium Format supporters? Has the demand for Hobbits to complete the Fellowship been acknowledged, and if so, what is the verdict on chances of it becoming reality? Good or Bad? -AND- Several forums have held polls on the question of whether collectors would want Hobbits in Premium Format form including the Freaks board, the S+F forum, as well as the GD. The majority say ‘Yes’ for all 3, whilst others want only certain Hobbits. Can you please comment on this as people have taken the time to set up these polls and respond to them? Original question: “With money getting tight for a lot of people and collecting having to take a bit of a back seat to other less important things like bills, mortgage, food etc, could Sideshow PLEASE confirm one way or another if the Fellowship is to be completed in the PF line for LOTR? If not, who is least likely to make the cut and why? A detailed answer may help to answer more questions than it will undoubtedly generate (I hope!).” -AND- Can Sideshow please comment on the polls run on several forums asking for a complete Fellowship in Premium Format form, as the new line of maquettes will not be a substitute!

Answer : Just the one burning question? Be honest, LOTR fans are burning with far more than one question. Especially with the HEAT generated when the Hobbit films were officially greenlit, there are more than a few fires burning in the LOTR camps these days. Since we posed our challenge to the fan base to express real demand for the Hobbit’s in PF form, we’ve received very little physical feedback directly to us. We want a mail-in campaign, direct to Sideshow HQ, gosh darn it! Frodo lives, right?

In GREAT earnestness (because yours truly writing this rather tongue-in-cheek reply is a HUGE LOTR fan), we have HIGH hopes that the ranks of the LOTR fans will be reinforced by the incoming flood of Hobbit fans, justifying an overwhelming compulsion to pull the hobbits out of hiding in all formats. Dwarves too, what the heck! Time will tell.

This has to be one of Seaward's Hobbit questions. I'm not sure about that "very little physical feedback" comment though....I post at least 3-4 Hobbits questions/week and I know my "we need the Hobbits in PF" comments were recently received by all members of SS's prod. team. But if they want a mail-in campaign...count me in!

 

[woodsy]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

Wonder if that means Sauron will be done as a maquette then...

It definitely sounds like a maquette to me. I'm having a hard time believing SS will produce a 36" Sauron PF. I think it would be too big [a display nightmare] and too expensive....I'd still buy it, but I'd prefer to see Sauron as a maquette myself.

 

[Agent23]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

I'm with you there. I'd rather it be a maquette as well. You know, really...if the maquette line is handled properly it could be very successful and a very nice collection.

And I do miss my LOTR collection. I think the maquette line is a nice way for me to "start over".

With all the Hobbit news really taking off now, and the fact that LOTR will always be near and dear to me, I think I'm going to collect this line.

I got back on the wait-lost for Aragorn and Gandalf. And will order Legolas (even if a deposit is required.)

 

[LV702Eldar]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

Sauron maquette most likely. Would that make it the same height as the SSW one? What pose would it possibly be? In the movies I believe they only show Sauron during the Battle of the Last Alliance. Any ideas?

 

[cstojano]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

It definitely sounds like a maquette to me. I'm having a hard time believing SS will produce a 36" Sauron PF. I think it would be too big [a display nightmare] and too expensive....I'd still buy it, but I'd prefer to see Sauron as a maquette myself.

That's what I'm thinking. The SSW version is to me a difficult piece to top. its already huge and inline size wise with the PFs - although I suppose not comparatively speaking but still It doesn't look dwarfed next to the PFs and I'm not a stickler for book or movie specific scale accuracy when it comes to these pieces. Point is GTG, ML PFs look I'm sure fit in well with SSW Sauron. I suppose SS could up the ante with the armor and replace the poly cloak with a real cloak. I don't know though. SSW Sauron can be had for under 200 bucks (to the original questioner) and its already in a PF=ish pose, IOW not pooping Pippin or some of the other odd poses SSW did.

 

[woodsy]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

I'm with you there. I'd rather it be a maquette as well. You know, really...if the maquette line is handled properly it could be very successful and a very nice collection.

And I do miss my LOTR collection. I think the maquette line is a nice way for me to "start over".

With all the Hobbit news really taking off now, and the fact that LOTR will always be near and dear to me, I think I'm going to collect this line.

I got back on the wait-lost for Aragorn and Gandalf. And will order Legolas (even if a deposit is required.)

Absolutely, and not only is it a nice way to start over...it's the perfect time to start over. I really think this line is about to take off, and we'll certainly find out in the next few days as SS releases it's Legolas pic's tomorrow and pre-orders beginning on Thurs.

Sauron maquette most likely. Would that make it the same height as the SSW one? What pose would it possibly be? In the movies I believe they only show Sauron during the Battle of the Last Alliance. Any ideas?

Yes, if it's a maquette it will be the same size as the SSw version. Hard to say what the pose would be. The SSW version is from the opening scene with Sauron in Mt Doom. I imagine a SS version will be more action-orientated, perhaps with him swinging his mace as seen in the screencaps below.

 

[woodsy]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

That's what I'm thinking. The SSW version is to me a difficult piece to top. its already huge and inline size wise with the PFs - although I suppose not comparatively speaking but still It doesn't look dwarfed next to the PFs and I'm not a stickler for book or movie specific scale accuracy when it comes to these pieces. Point is GTG, ML PFs look I'm sure fit in well with SSW Sauron. I suppose SS could up the ante with the armor and replace the poly cloak with a real cloak. I don't know though. SSW Sauron can be had for under 200 bucks (to the original questioner) and its already in a PF=ish pose, IOW not pooping Pippin or some of the other odd poses SSW did.

No doubt, it would be extremely difficult for SS to top the SSW version, but an action-oriented version just might be different enough to tempt some of us who already own the SSW version....time will tell. The SSW version is 1/6 scale and yes, it fits right in with the largest of the SS PF's....a Sauron PF however, would be in a league of it's own.

 

[cstojano]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

No doubt, it would be extremely difficult for SS to top the SSW version, but an action-oriented version just might be different enough to tempt some of us who already own the SSW version....time will tell. The SSW version is 1/6 scale and yes, it fits right in with the largest of the SS PF's....a Sauron PF however, would be in a league of it's own.

I think some, maybe many, pass on the PFs due to to size as is. A 3 foot tall Sauron would be impressive but I don't know.

As for the action scenes, that is pretty similar to the diorama they already did pose-wise. I recall people have problems with how stiff that piece came out though. Since maquettes are not screen accurate and based on "essence" how about a picture holding up the ring after completing it, similar to the introduction to Bakshi's version.

 

[The Josh]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

Wow, I was looking at the Ask Sideshow section this afternoon, probably just before they posted these Q&A's. From the sound of things a Saruman PF is definitely on the way [am I the only one who wants a light-up palantir!], and either a Sauron PF or maquette [I'm betting it's a maquette!]. And I do recall Jerry mentioning a Sauron project he would be working on.......

That would be really cool. I'd like to see that in maquette form but that won't happen since the SSW piece had that look. Sauron will be a maquette would be my guess and should be quite impressive.

Sounds like SS is definitely looking at combining the Hobbits in the maquette line....something most of us have suspected. But it looks like that isn't going to happen with the PF's. It appears they'll be going solo, or not at all.

Thats fine by me. If it gets us the Hobbits and a complete Fellowship thats awesome.

No doubt, it would be extremely difficult for SS to top the SSW version, but an action-oriented version just might be different enough to tempt some of us who already own the SSW version....time will tell. The SSW version is 1/6 scale and yes, it fits right in with the largest of the SS PF's....a Sauron PF however, would be in a league of it's own.

Yeah, something from the battle would be cool. The SSW version is probably the most iconic version (in which I was quoted in the SS newsletter and site) and really hard to ever top.

 

[cstojano]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

Yeah for those that don't own the SSW version I really can't see you going wrong with it given how cheap it is. It's a shame really. If that piece came out before the boom in an ES of less than the 600,000 they made (750) it would be hugely expensive and a grail beyond the balrog I think.

 

[sigep756]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

So how tall is Sauron in the film? Ten feet or so?

That would make a maquette, what, around 24 inches to keep in scale with the rest?

 

[woodsy]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

I think some, maybe many, pass on the PFs due to to size as is. A 3 foot tall Sauron would be impressive but I don't know.

As for the action scenes, that is pretty similar to the diorama they already did pose-wise. I recall people have problems with how stiff that piece came out though. Since maquettes are not screen accurate and based on "essence" how about a picture holding up the ring after completing it, similar to the introduction to Bakshi's version.

Yeah, that's a good point...I keep thinking a Sauron statue has to be based on the Battle of the Last Alliance, but that isn't necessarily so. The only maquette to date that is scene specific is Boromir so chances are SS may do something out of the norm. Though an action pose would not surprise me in the least.

Yeah for those that don't own the SSW version I really can't see you going wrong with it given how cheap it is. It's a shame really. If that piece came out before the boom in an ES of less than the 600,000 they made (750) it would be hugely expensive and a grail beyond the balrog I think.

You're right, if they have done 750-1000 of these, instead of 600,00 it might be the most sought after SSW statue ever done, instead of one that isn't even worth the retail price. As tempting for SS as it might be, I think they would do well to keep the ES of their Sauron reasonably low.

 

[woodsy]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

That would be really cool. I'd like to see that in maquette form but that won't happen since the SSW piece had that look. Sauron will be a maquette would be my guess and should be quite impressive.

Yes, and yes.

Thats fine by me. If it gets us the Hobbits and a complete Fellowship thats awesome.

QFT

Yeah, something from the battle would be cool. The SSW version is probably the most iconic version (in which I was quoted in the SS newsletter and site) and really hard to ever top.[/

I have to agree. SS may produce a Sauron that might be considered to be somewhat on par with the SSW version, but I just don't see them topping it. The one attraction a SS version may have is a significantly lower ES, which is important to some collectors.

 

[The Josh]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

Yeah for those that don't own the SSW version I really can't see you going wrong with it given how cheap it is. It's a shame really. If that piece came out before the boom in an ES of less than the 600,000 they made (750) it would be hugely expensive and a grail beyond the balrog I think.

Yeah, the ES was way way way way too big for that piece. It missed the boom of the SSW stuff and they got left with a ton. Had it been more in line with other pieces from that line it would be valued much higher $$ wise. Though having piece is worth more than the $$.

 

[cstojano]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

Yes, and yes.





QFT



I have to agree. SS may produce a Sauron that might be considered to be somewhat on par with the SSW version, but I just don't see them topping it. The one attraction a SS version may have is a significantly lower ES, which is important to some collectors.

Geez, if SSW has any more price pressure from a competitive re-release the thing might be had for $0 plus shipping - so about 50 bucks

 

[The Josh]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

I have to agree. SS may produce a Sauron that might be considered to be somewhat on par with the SSW version, but I just don't see them topping it. The one attraction a SS version may have is a significantly lower ES, which is important to some collectors.

Right I think they will produce something as awesome but matching that moment from the movie that is in the SSW statue did.

 

[DaveMac]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

Sounds like SS is definitely looking at combining the Hobbits in the maquette line....something most of us have suspected. But it looks like that isn't going to happen with the PF's. It appears they'll be going solo, or not at all.



This has to be one of Seaward's Hobbit questions. I'm not sure about that "very little physical feedback" comment though....I post at least 3-4 Hobbits questions/week and I know my "we need the Hobbits in PF" comments were recently received by all members of SS's prod. team. But if they want a mail-in campaign...count me in!

I'm sure It was one of mine


I always thought that forums such as this were a good source for companies such as Sideshow to gauge interest in what collectors are asking for, but after reading their response to my question it's obvious they go more for the direct response.

I too think Sauron will be a maquette as opposed to PF and will keep fingers crossed that Saruman will be in both maquette and PF form

 

[Glennfett]

Re: LOTR 'Ask Sidsehow" Questions 14/06/10

so no 1/6th???