Even though I'm looking forward to seeing other major characters in PF format, I'm really going to be more excited about the generic characters (if they're made).
Lurtz rocks and I haven't read anyone disagree. The reason I think Lurtz is praised so high is because Weta never gave us this figure in armor, he has sculpted armor (which fits and looks better than fabric and cloth IMO) and his face is not soley based off a human likeness. Plus he has an exclusive with a very cool change of weapons. You can change out the regular arms with the exlusive arms and almost have a new piece.
Frodo is the complete opposite in those aspects and has gotten very mixed reviews. (Personally, I don't have much of a problem with the PF Frodo other than the "wet hair" and the eye paint. I still don't like the nameplates just because it forces the statue to be displayed at a specific angle but that's just me.)
The two problems I see with major characters are:
1. A good number of us have the LOTR Weta pieces. As an example, I have the Weta Frodo statue and bust. The likeness isn't there for either. I like them but I have no need for a 3rd Frodo piece who's likeness isn't there. For a lot of people, the likeness is going to have to be very close to buy duplicates of characters they have even though it's a different format.
2. These are $250 - $350 a piece. The more expensive a piece, the more critcial people will be of it. With the 12" line, even if the likeness isn't there it's almost worth the $50-$60 for the handful of accessories alone. With a $250+ price tag and no accessories (with Frodo anyway) the likeness to the actor is really going to have to be there.
That's why I'm hoping to see more PF's like a Uruk-hai pikesman from Helm's Deep, a Mordo Orc, Gollum, Treebeard or another ent, etc. With human figures, I'm hoping to see some generic soldiers who's faces aren't based off a specific actor's likeness and that have great armor like the Gondorian Fountain Guard, Prologue Elven Warrior, etc.
With that being said, I still hope to see major characters including ones we didn't get from Weta like Faramir (in ranger outfit) and Haldir (in elven armor from Helm's Deep). I just hope cool generic characters aren't overlooked with this line because they could be realy crowd pleasers!
Again, this is all my opinion and I could be completely wrong but those are my thoughts.
P.S. Sorry for the long post.