And that's where the price divides those in the market...thus it is limited...to what number or time frame is yet to be announced.
But I'm pretty sure Gentle Giant is targeting folks who've been willing and able to pay the current prices on the classic figure,
but who may be frustrated at the lack of a mint condition supply,
and thus gives an alternate to a pristine original alien,
without devaluing the original Kenner alien's rarity by re-creating an exact copy; a substitute supply to meet demand.
By making the figure larger, they have the advantage of selling to those who already own originals;
who might want a complement or companion piece to their Kenner Alien, like in my case.
Some collectibles aren't intended to make a non-stop killing, but to be something of value and beef up the company's overall brand, and help create a new niche and sell The company's niche offerings at large....in this case, the reissuing of jumbo sized versions of classic figures, whether Star Wars or Alien.
This is a niche item aimed at a very niche market...
If it was aimed at a newer, bigger market, they could've easily priced it a LOT lower...somewhere close to what a figure in that scale would cost these days and make an absolute killing, but they aren't aimed at the casual fan, when i originally thought they would be.
Heck, if jakks could fill the market with $15-$40 31" darth vaders, and get even the casual or part time fans to pick this vader up in droves,
GG could've easily done it also...like someone mentioned, technically speaking he's hollow plastic,
he is not made out of gold, but it is the limitation and the provenance of the piece or its features that will ultimately determine it's value.
That said, I HOPE JAKKS GETS THE LICENSE TO DO A 31" 1979 ALIEN....
It's too bad they didn't do a straight up recast, but I have a feeling, either another company will someday, or they just won't, to retain the value of the originals.....but time will tell
..there IS obviously a market willing to buy this product...
And
...almost every major toy from the past has been recast almost exactly, from fisher price toys to Barbie Doll, to original hot wheels, Star Wars figures (the 4 pack with Vader, Luke, Han, Chewie circa 1995/6)
