1/6 Hot Toys - MMS 279 - Star Wars Episode IV: 1/6th scale Darth Vader

[Vader AL]

It's the helmet...something neither HT or SS has perfected....or it's Lucas/Disney.

 

[OutLander]

We all know some collectors would buy anything SSC or HT throws at them (you have to love the various companies fanboys and cheerleaders ), and others wouldn't make for example a difference between a Spud Potato Head and a Marmit Stormtrooper regarding accuracy. We also know some people still don't seem to understand what an accurate 1:6 or 1:4 figure means.

They think people who like accurate figures ask for every nick and dent to be present on the armor and helmet, when in fact the fans of accurate figures simply want a figure to look really good, like a scaled down character who stepped down from the silver screen. It is understandable that you cannot have a 1:6 figure match a 1:1 screen used prop, neither in accuracy nor looks, but still the figure can be made closer than the attempts we have seen so far from too many companies.

It doesn't cost anymore to make a more accurate figure.

It's the helmet...something neither HT or SS has perfected....or it's Lucas/Disney.

I would say it's Lucas/Disney calling the shots on the Vader design decisions.

 

[jkno]

The Vader posted above by DarthRazz IS Vader. Looks much better than HT. Might not be perfect, but that is an excellent ANH iconic Vader.

 

[WWEJedi]

Takes an Aussie to take down a troll obviously. He is making a nice start for his first ten posts however.

I can see my opinion differs from yours so clearly that means I am a troll...

Seriously? Grow up.

HT "quality" gave me two broken figures when I received them.

SSC quality gave me zero broken figures.

So here, let me explain my posts for you since you have trouble comprehending....

1st post - my opinion. Have you heard of one?
2nd post - Hot Toys gave me two broken figures.... personally I am not impressed...
3rd post - was a joke. Why so serious?

 

[Wor-Gar]

Always my favorite! All that little man needs is a keyboard.

 

[davejames]

They think people who like accurate figures ask for every nick and dent to be present on the armor and helmet, when in fact the fans of accurate figures simply want a figure to look really good, like a scaled down character who stepped down from the silver screen. It is understandable that you cannot have a 1:6 figure match a 1:1 screen used prop, neither in accuracy nor looks, but still the figure can be made closer than the attempts we have seen so far from too many companies.

Agreed. And for me it's not so much that HT didn't make these figures dead-on perfect; it's that they didn't even get them as close as we've seen with their other figures recently. When I look at the amazing work done on Alex Murphy or Gamora or Cavill Superman, I can't help but be disappointed that their SW figures don't even seem to approach that level of quality or attention to detail.

 

[Wor-Gar]

When I look at the amazing work done on Alex Murphy or Gamora or Cavill Superman, I can't help but be disappointed that their SW figures don't even seem to approach that level of quality or attention to detail.

Agreed! (see GIF above)

 

[VintijDroidGutzz]

I hope their Leia doesn't end up looking more like Linda Blair or something.

 

[Invictus Sol]

I think they are either rushing to get them out before Ep VII or it's LFL meddling. I thought I had heard, years back, that Lucas didn't want the toys to match the actors too closely, but instead represent the characters. Anyone know if that's true?

Either way, I'll hope for the best and keep my preorders. They'll still be the best representations to date and good enough for my shelf, worst case.

And at that gif, Vintij.

 

[irezumi]

Agreed. And for me it's not so much that HT didn't make these figures dead-on perfect; it's that they didn't even get them as close as we've seen with their other figures recently. When I look at the amazing work done on Alex Murphy or Gamora or Cavill Superman, I can't help but be disappointed that their SW figures don't even seem to approach that level of quality or attention to detail.

my thoughts in a nutshell

 

[Captain Britain]

I think they are either rushing to get them out before Ep VII or it's LFL meddling. I thought I had heard, years back, that Lucas didn't want the toys to match the actors too closely, but instead represent the characters. Anyone know if that's true?

Either way, I'll hope for the best and keep my preorders. They'll still be the best representations to date and good enough for my shelf, worst case.

And at that gif, Vintij.

I don't know if it's true, but it sounds just like the kind of dumb thing Lucas would say.

What gives me hope is that they released the original versions of the OT on DVD after saying for years they wouldn't. I hope something similar happens with truly accurate figures, that they do a special 'movie-accurate' Vader.

 

[Invictus Sol]

I don't know if it's true, but it sounds just like the kind of dumb thing Lucas would say...

Yeah, that's why I'm inclined to believe it, too. It would be just like Lucas to think that way, even if he has the likeness rights, because they're "his" characters.

 

[VintijDroidGutzz]

Either way, I'll hope for the best and keep my preorders. They'll still be the best representations to date and good enough for my shelf, worst case.

And at that gif, Vintij.

Yeah I'm down for'em all too so far, except Chewie.

 

[Wor-Gar]

It's likely he did ordain something like that (regardless of what likeness rights he currently holds) because it isn't just the movies and toys he's worried about but comics, books, posters, towels, everything that potentially would cost him likeness rights... his plan might have been top homogenize the character so that any future rights issues would be lost.

I was never clear on what likeness rights Lucas actually has over the core actors from the OT and for how long that agreement stands.

 

[VintijDroidGutzz]

That doesn't really wash to be honest.. because Hasbro have done some near impeccable likenesses with their small 4" figures.

Shame on the 'high end' companies - hang your heads!

 

[Invictus Sol]

...I was never clear on what likeness rights Lucas actually has over the core actors from the OT and for how long that agreement stands.

From everything I've read LFL owns them outright and forever. I think if any of the actors in Star Wars had balked on that he would've just replaced them. He seems to have had a vision for the merchandizing potential from the very beginning.

That doesn't really wash to be honest.. because Hasbro have done some near impeccable likenesses with their small 4" figures.

Shame on the 'high end' companies - hang your heads!

Hmm, how close can a 3.75" likeness really be, though. I dunno... I'm dubious it could be anything better than an approximation at that scale.

 

[VintijDroidGutzz]

You should check out some of the great sculptors that do custom heads in the 4" scale.

Just as an example though of what Hasbro can do:

 

[Invictus Sol]

I'd say Luke is a great example. No doubt it's "Luke", but is it Hamill? Personally I just see Luke.

 

[VintijDroidGutzz]

I'd say the Ralph head is a one for one.. almost.

 

[davejames]

I think they are either rushing to get them out before Ep VII or it's LFL meddling. I thought I had heard, years back, that Lucas didn't want the toys to match the actors too closely, but instead represent the characters. Anyone know if that's true?

Either way, I'll hope for the best and keep my preorders. They'll still be the best representations to date and good enough for my shelf, worst case.

And at that gif, Vintij.

Yeah either they're being rushed into production too fast, or HT just doesn't care as much about SW and decided to only put their B-team on the whole thing.

I don't really buy the Lucas thing though. I can maybe understand him wanting his more "ideal" ROTS Vader out there on the market instead of the rough, beat up looking ANH version, but why would he not want Han or Obi-Wan to look like the actors who played them? We've already seen various statues and busts over the years that did a better job capturing those actors, not to mention the previous SSC Obi-Wan which got a helluva lot closer to Alec Guinness than the HT version has.

And Disney seems positively enamored with the OT era right now, so I doubt they would want to enforce such a thing.