Asmus 1/6 Lord of the Rings - Bilbo Baggins

[Tolkien Nerd]

I like it! I’d buy that. Reminds me of my old Toybiz Bilbo…where it all began collection-wise for me!!

Agreed. If I remember correctly, Bilbo was my first Toybiz figure. Loved the door etc and the expression on Bilbo`s face was perfect. Even though I`m still getting the Asmus Bilbo, I still wish we were getting a smiley face Bilbo as the alternative head sculpt. That possessed head sculpt ain`t going to see the light of day in my house!!!!

 

[Venzhe]

It seems to me that the side pieces of the door could be sold with deluxe versions of other figures. Are they really that much more than selling the deluxe versions of Helms Deep wall pieces? Build-a-dio.

 

[Chopper Face]

I’d 100% slap down full price for a kickstarter project. Just depends what sort of run-size Asmus would need to make this worthwhile. They’ve got the finished prototype already so no harm in testing the waters.
The story so far, as I recall; they teased the dio with Bilbo, got us all excited, then announced Bilbo with nothing but a random patch of grass for a base after deciding in private that the dio wasn’t worthwhile.

 

[Asmus]

I will pass that idea to the team,
i was talking to them the other day, the factory quoted no less than USD 400 ...

 

[Waiden]

I will pass that idea to the team,
i was talking to them the other day, the factory quoted no less than USD 400 ...

Add shipping etc. and yeah I see why you did not go for it

 

[Tolkien Nerd]

I will pass that idea to the team,
i was talking to them the other day, the factory quoted no less than USD 400 ...

I would still be all over this. Please Asmus make it happen, I`m sure there will be enough interest.

 

[BagginsOfBagEnd]

Add shipping etc. and yeah I see why you did not go for it

Yeah me too, a price like that might put some people off...still if it was available via retailers and I could payment plan it I’d be interested.

 

[chrisstbh]

Add shipping etc. and yeah I see why you did not go for it

I’m assuming that’s manufacturing cost and doesn’t include the profit margin for Asmus too. So it’d be a bit more + shipping.

 

[RandomHero]

“No less than $400” most likely means more than $400, I’d guess it ends up being closer to $450. I’m sure shipping costs on something that heavy are going to be another $50 minimum, plus Asmus needs up make money here as well.

All said and done this is probably a $550-600 USD endeavor. For as beautiful as the piece is, I’m not sure I could justify that. That’s 3 figures.

 

[Sassafras]

“No less than $400” most likely means more than $400, I’d guess it ends up being closer to $450. I’m sure shipping costs on something that heavy are going to be another $50 minimum, plus Asmus needs up make money here as well.

All said and done this is probably a $550-600 USD endeavor. For as beautiful as the piece is, I’m not sure I could justify that. That’s 3 figures.

I could, based on it being iconic; and when I factor in the time it would take me in time and labor, to even attempt something like that, it's a positive bargain IMO.

 

[RandomHero]

I could, based on it being iconic; and when I factor in the time it would take me in time and labor, to even attempt something like that, it's a positive bargain IMO.

Absolutely, I'm not disparaging anyone for wanting it, it's a beautiful piece. I was just personally speaking, I'm very quickly running out of display space for new figures so I don't know how I'd fit this in my collection, nevermind that dropping $500-600 on it would certainly make me sacrifice on other things elsewhere.

I hope somehow this can see the light of day for those who want it. And I've pledged to try and support Asmus as much as possible on their LOTR line, I just don't think I could do it here.

 

[Asmus]

Thanks all for the enthusiastic discussion,
we are now thinking about making a very small run (like 100 or so),
so that's see what happens.

I am told to manufacturing, we will need to make modification based on production requirements,
such as the fake plants may need to be sculpted bush instead.

And we will need to make the inside of the door too.

 

[PersonOfTheYear]

Asmus should do a special Bilbo and Bag End pack. Comes with the Bilbo Figure + Bag End diorama + exclusive Bilbo head sculpt (Happy edition).Then they can charge a premium price for it

 

[Tolkien Nerd]

Thanks all for the enthusiastic discussion,
we are now thinking about making a very small run (like 100 or so),
so that's see what happens.

I am told to manufacturing, we will need to make modification based on production requirements,
such as the fake plants may need to be sculpted bush instead.

And we will need to make the inside of the door too.

This sounds more and more promising. Thank you Asmus for giving me some hope, although I fully understand that it`s not yet a done deal.

 

[Chopper Face]

Just makes me wonder if heavy resin is really the best option for something like this.
Of course, I know nothing about manufacturing or the cost of materials at the moment so any enlightenment is welcome.

We’re entering Weta environment statues territory at this price point and it’s not a good time to be shipping heavy items so considering all the options couldn’t hurt.

 

[Someperson]

Thanks all for the enthusiastic discussion,
we are now thinking about making a very small run (like 100 or so),
so that's see what happens.

I am told to manufacturing, we will need to make modification based on production requirements,
such as the fake plants may need to be sculpted bush instead.

And we will need to make the inside of the door too.

the inside of the door in the films is a work of art!

 

[superdoug]

Just makes me wonder if heavy resin is really the best option for something like this.
Of course, I know nothing about manufacturing or the cost of materials at the moment so any enlightenment is welcome.

We’re entering Weta environment statues territory at this price point and it’s not a good time to be shipping heavy items so considering all the options couldn’t hurt.

True. If there is a way to make it look good and make it out of plastic or something light I would be okay with that if it keeps the price point down.

 

[DioramaMaker]

I think using heavy materials for any environment isn't the smartest idea. From shelving weight to shipping, it just doesn't add up. Maybe a sense of premium but no one hefts their display bases around screeching "look how heavy it is, it's worth so much". It's the same stupid **** with InArt using real wood and metal for their Joker base. It's a giant publicity stunt to imbibe "value".

But I suspect that for manufacturing somewhere along the line, polyresin is cheaper than making the metal molds for plastics, which is why it ends up being used more often.

In the early 2000s we were doing a lot with rotocast stuff, like the 12" Toybiz figures. I'm surprised that isn't used more commonly for light weight, larger pieces anymore.

 

[asgardianboy]

I think using heavy materials for any environment isn't the smartest idea. From shelving weight to shipping, it just doesn't add up. Maybe a sense of premium but no one hefts their display bases around screeching "look how heavy it is, it's worth so much". It's the same stupid **** with InArt using real wood and metal for their Joker base. It's a giant publicity stunt to imbibe "value".

But I suspect that for manufacturing somewhere along the line, polyresin is cheaper than making the metal molds for plastics, which is why it ends up being used more often.

In the early 2000s we were doing a lot with rotocast stuff, like the 12" Toybiz figures. I'm surprised that isn't used more commonly for light weight, larger pieces anymore.

Polystone needs no molds?

 

[FlyAndFight]

Polystone can be fragile and is definitely more expensive to ship (heavier).

With prices continuing to go up and up, I wouldn't mind a form of plastic being utilized as the material used on this and subsequent 1/6 scaled diorama pieces.