Big Chief Studios - 1/6 Doctor Who - Tenth Doctor (Series 4) David Tennant

[Ex-Parrot]

As soon as they do Eccleston a percentage of their customer base tunes out, which is why I think they'll hold off on doing him for as long as possible. Because while those fans are still paying attention, you have a chance of tempting them into buying other product. If they feel like they have completed their collection, they'll move on, and it becomes a hell of a lot harder to get their attention and money back again.

I would not be at all surprised if we saw the War Doctor, possibly even Davison and McGann (as both have new series connections), and/or even another Capaldi (if his 'look' changes significantly), before Eccleston eventually happens. Or maybe other popular new series supporting characters (Captain Jack maybe, or even another attempt at a female companion again with Clara, or if they can clear the likeness rights, Rose), or even some key villains/monsters, first.

I have little doubt that they'll make Eccleston, he's a guaranteed seller, I just think, strategically, they'll likely hold off on doing that for as long as they possibly can.

Now just wait and see as they preview the Ninth Doctor at the same time that they put the 9th/10th Doctor TARDIS up for order to 'celebrate the 10th anniversary of the new series', just to prove me wrong...

 

[GodParticle]

As much as I'd personally love to see a Sixth Doctor sooner, rather than later, particularly while Colin is still with us and in good health (really can't see any of the remaining classic Doctors being an issue as far as signed editions go, eithr), I believe those were actually related to the defunct Titan minibust range. Or so was said at the time, if I recall correctly.

Ah, ok. I never heard of that line before. I'm personally hoping for a 5th or 3rd doc next

 

[The Mike]

I could be wrong, but I think they will do Christopher Eccleston next. It's the 10th anniversary of the return and that would finish off the current series Doctors.

Call it a hunch but I have a feeling that we'll be waiting on Eccleston for a while. Not because they are baiting him out but I have a feeling the actor himself will snag into the process. I have a feeling that'll be their biggest hurdle whether it be signing off on likeness or something like that. I think the next Classic Doc will get will be the 5th and the next Neo Who offering we'll get will be the War Doctor.

 

[DVD1]

I think The Mike has a good point.
I am still convinced that the whole Other Doctor was created to fill the gap in the 50th anniversary storyline after Mr. E refused to take part.
I'd like to think I'm wrong, but I'd agree that he will distance himself from the figure release, thus pushing forward The Other Doctor. I am convinced that Mr. Hurt is chuffed to bits at being a part of Who, and will be more than happy to sign off on a BC figure. Not to mention of course, that his look is very interesting, making for a great figure.

 

[BagginsOfBagEnd]

^ Good point, yes there were issues with Eccleston taking part in the 50th Anniversary special - I had forgotten all about that! Hope it won't mean an incomplete set of Doctors in the long run

I would be more than happy with a War Doctor figure though as one of the next releases - I absolutely love the 'Day of the Doctor' episode.

 

[Ex-Parrot]

Eccleston has no say in how his likeness as the Ninth Doctor is used for merchandising purposes whatsoever, so all Big Chief has to do is deal with the BBC in regards to the Doctor, as they retain all rights to the character and all incarnations and associated likenesses as far as approvals and merchandising goes. So other than a cheque possibly being sent his way, they don't need his permission or anything else, unless they want to for other reasons (such as a signature edition...though fat chance on that front, I'd say). Who was a minor merchandising goldmine for the BBC even before the show came back and turned it into a merchandising juggernaut, so you better believe merchandising and likeness rights into perpetuity were always a part of the deal for the new series Doctors.

Eccleston can do, or not do, whatever he pleases as far as returning to the role or being associated with it in any way, but as far as merchandising the Ninth Doctor, he doesn't have a say, or at least not one that holds any real and actionable sway anyhow. Nor do I recall ever hearing any word that he was either bothered by that fact, nor even particularly interested in it to begin with. Hence why in the past few years we've seen the Ninth Doctor still on the cover of audio books, novels, and E-books. The titan minibust of him, the character options figure re-releases and variants, prints, posters and artwork releases featuring him, and tons of other merchandising besides, everything from toby jugs to t-shirts, coins to minature figurines, and all points in between.

It is a different situation with the companions, however, as RTD ensured that they retained their likeness rights during his tenure (or that it returned to them after their tenure was up, I can't recall which it was offhand), so any merchandising would have to meet with their approval. This is what led to all the trouble with Character Options and their proposed new figure version of Rose never seeing the light of day a few years back, and also led to temporarily removing the use of Rose on book covers and the like (though I hear that Piper, or her reps, have eased up about such stuff in more recent times). And I suspect it is a deal that is still in place, or was at least, as similar issues cropped up for Big Chief during the whole Amy Pond debacle, too.

But yeah, anyway, I don't see anything stopping Big Chief from making a Ninth Doctor figure when it suits them to do so. I just wouldn't go expecting a signed version...

 

[The Mike]

Eccleston has no say in how his likeness as the Ninth Doctor is used for merchandising purposes whatsoever, so all Big Chief has to do is deal with the BBC in regards to the Doctor, as they retain all rights to the character and all incarnations and associated likenesses as far as approvals and merchandising goes. So other than a cheque possibly being sent his way, they don't need his permission or anything else, unless they want to for other reasons (such as a signature edition...though fat chance on that front, I'd say).

I wonder how extensive those contacts actually are. Back then it was an attempt to revive a series and wasn't the BBC cash cow that it is now. Even now while we have some stuff we don't nearly as much as the others for example. Hot Toys has posted for example actors holding up pieces for likeness issues, even Jim Gordon for the Batman line was held up for a long time due to issues with Gary Oldman, I remember reading that here actually, so while BBC could make the stuff, it doesn't mean that Christopher Eccleston couldn't slow it down. The smaller figures don't really need that, the mini-bust to a degree could fall into that category but just because he is on things doesn't mean that new contracts like BCS' would get folded into the mold.

Plus these contracts can be muddled. Some things are covered some things aren't. I'm sure 1:6 figures weren't exactly on the minds of the licensing crew back then. Weird stuff happens like not being able to use the smiley face on The Comedian's Hot Toys Watchmen figures because DC's licensing agreement didn't cover this new film even though it was used on mini-busts, figures, comic covers, etc. HT couldn't do it. Or the Predator figure of Billy that had to be heavily, heavily painted because Sonny Landham wouldn't sign off on likeness and it was the only way to get around it by making his face so painted it wouldn't need it.

I still say that there will be a Ninth Doctor but I have feeling BCS would have wanted him out already before dipping back into the Smith and Tennant pools which are sellers for them. I have a feeling the actor will slow things down more than they need to be simply because with Who he drags his feet. I mean Thor: The Dark World he was Malekith and a dynamic look that almost begs to be a figure in 1:6 scale. They made the smaller ones no problem with passable licenses but nothing larger.

 

[DioramaMaker]

And BCS came through on the phone and I have my payment set now. Where there email fails they seem to come through on the phone.

 

[Captain Britain]

Full front the eyes look fishy but posing it well looks awesome. I probably pose him with the 3D or the regular glasses.
View attachment 170655

After the fantastic job they did on the new Eleven I keep wanting to pre-order this... but can't quite bring myself to do so. It's something about the sculpt, it's a great likeness yet somehow fails to appeal - it's not heroic, not charismatic, it just doesn't capture his character. It looks like he's daydreaming.

Did anyone get any pics at SDCC that make him look better? I saw the one on the BCS Facebook page but that didn't show him off to best effect (and he was wearing his glasses, which didn't help). I love the blue suit but the sculpt needs to be there for me to buy.

EDIT: the red shirt is a weird choice as well (check out those collars too!) especially as he's wearing his white shirt in the photo on the box - so buying this would mean paying £20-£30 for a decent shirt to replace the red one. Hmmm.

 

[davejames]

Yeah I'm not really crazy about the expression either, but I'm a big fan of the blue suit look so I had to get it anyway. And I think I probably will switch out the shirt with a white one, since that was the combination he usually went with (I believe the red shirt was only worn in the Time Crash mini-episode).

 

[DioramaMaker]

From the BCS fans page.

 

[JonWes]

I've always thought it was a gorgeous expression for a later-season 10th Doctor. It's a nice change from the first release.

 

[RiverWind]

I've always thought it was a gorgeous expression for a later-season 10th Doctor. It's a nice change from the first release.

Yes, the expression is very good. But the hair....it isnt my favourite...
I lost the previous Doctor 10th version, so I bought month by month, I will finish to pay it someday Oo

 

[Captain Britain]

From the BCS fans page.

That looks a whole lot better, thanks.

 

[Matner77]

Only two more payments left and he's paid off. I love this payment plan scheme, I wish more collectible companies would use it. Hoping the 9th & hinted at 8th will be up soon

 

[VincentVegaFFF]

Yeah, it's a much less bitter pill to swallow when you can spread the cost of the figure out over such a long time. It would be great if other companies did that, especially Weta now that they're releasing more expensive pieces.

 

[davejames]

Only two more payments left and he's paid off. I love this payment plan scheme, I wish more collectible companies would use it. Hoping the 9th & hinted at 8th will be up soon

The question is which 8th do we want? I would have always thought the TV movie version before, but now I'd kinda prefer him in his cool mini-episode costume instead...

 

[illproxy]

def the mini-ep outfit i think

 

[JonWes]

I really want both. I guess it might be smart to do the mini-episode look first, though.

 

[Captain Britain]

I keep looking at that photo above... and while it is clearly a brilliant sculpt and paint job I'm just not feeling the expression at all, it's way too neutral. But that said I think the first Ten sculpt has definitely had its day now after the new Eleven, which I think has been a real game changer in terms of head quality.

What would sway me to buy this is if the Tennant head that is supposed to be coming with the Eccleston figure has some character as well as being a great likeness - maybe if there's the ghost of a smile. Then I could stick this on a spacesuit Ten and use the next Tennant head for the blue suit.