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

[LoveMinusZero]

I just want it to look like this. Why can't it just look like this? Why, Dimi, why you do this to me?

 

[YankeesFanboy]

I just want it to look like this. Why can't it just look like this? Why, Dimi, why you do this to me?

Exorcist Rep.

 

[zeiss]

Hmm, these new pics show that the dome is (once again like SO many other vader collectibles, including most of sideshows various attempts) attached incorrectly. Just like both sideshow 1/6 releases, they've got the eyebrow ridge of the helmet smashed as close to the forehead of the face mask as possible and the bottom edge of the dome parallel to the bottom tube the ends in the tusk on the face mask. The end result making vader look surprised and like he has a mullet. Sideshow even tried to counteract the mullet effect on their second vader by making the flared skirt of the dome longer than it actually should be, when all they needed to do was tilt it back to a more accurate angle.

While the dome position varied from shot to shot in the movies (ESPECIALLY in ANH), it was always tilted back. And this tilt naturally results in the eyebrow area of the helmet sitting out away from the face mask a bit. Which also helps create the shadow over the eyes, making him look more sinister and not so shocked...

It's frustrating that so many collectibles get this dome tilt wrong because it is, imo, a CRUCIAL part of getting the over all look of vader down.

I will say the face mask (despite the inaccurate paint job around they eyes) looks like probably the best 1/6 sculpt to date. I'm thinking this face mask paired with sideshows V2 dome (with the skirt shortened a smidge and set at the correct angle) popped on a SS ANH vader might look totally killer! Now how much would that cost...?

QFT. It is amazing that so many companies miss the tilt of the dome that is in every scene that features Vader in the OT. Also, I think the Sideshow Deluxe dome might be an option. It will all depend on how tall and wide the HT face mask is. I fear it will be too large to fit well with the Sideshow dome. Heck, the Sideshow mask is too large for it's own dome. That dome only looks decent with the smaller Kaiyodo mask.

 

[LoveMinusZero]

Exorcist Rep.

Hahah, yesssss


It's pretty fascinating, and depressing, that it seems so difficult to capture the look of ANH Vader. I can understand it more when it's human likenesses, but Vader looks so simple, a dude in black with a big robot head, yet the smallest details throw off the entire look for him.

 

[TaliBane]

I just want it to look like this. Why can't it just look like this? Why, Dimi, why you do this to me?

Because your HT does a "certain something" in Hell.

 

[Hellion]

I just want it to look like this. Why can't it just look like this? Why, Dimi, why you do this to me?

Hands down best post I have read since joining this site!

 

[cel3027]

Nearly got put off han and chewie collectors set after reading posts but ordered anyway and they look great in hand so ive ordered this hoping they do it justice

 

[noisyrobot]

I don't know why 3D scanning and printing/prototyping isn't more common in the 1/6 scale business.
It'd pretty much guarantee accuracy and work out many of the quirks similar to the unique qualities of Vader's helmet.

 

[bruce_brucee02]

I don't know why 3D scanning and printing/prototyping isn't more common in the 1/6 scale business.
It'd pretty much guarantee accuracy and work out many of the quirks similar to the unique qualities of Vader's helmet.

I have a feeling that they use digital models for the 1/6 helmeted star wars sculpts. I noticed that Hot Toys didn't put the sculptors for the head sculpts of their helmeted Star Wars figures (as opposed to the ones with human likeness).

I.E. for the 1/6 Vader figure

Artists:
Figure Painted by Lok Ho
Figure Art Directed by JC. Hong

 

[cmiller99]

Yeah, but they still managed to totally screw up the helmet

 

[bruce_brucee02]

Yeah, but they still managed to totally screw up the helmet

True that! Really wished we could get a 1/6 printed scanned helmet

 

[abake]

Yeah, someone with one of those expensive replica helmets should scan one and downscale it...

 

[jedijim3002]

It looks like Vader, from a certain point of view!

 

[Darthrazz]

What's really irking me are the gloves.

 

[Rudimus]

If Hot Toys or anyone else made a scene authentic version of Vader from ANH they would get so many returns because the dome is crooked, or it's scratched, or it's not symmetrical, or it's not the scene specific Vader that they had in mind.

 

[Sturtrup]

If Hot Toys or anyone else made a scene authentic version of Vader from ANH they would get so many returns because the dome is crooked, or it's scratched, or it's not symmetrical, or it's not the scene specific Vader that they had in mind.

This is the world! All is going in the wrong direction! Damn!!

 

[TaliBane]

If Hot Toys or anyone else made a scene authentic version of Vader from ANH they would get so many returns because the dome is crooked, or it's scratched, or it's not symmetrical, or it's not the scene specific Vader that they had in mind.

But if it actually looked like Vader, it'd be a great start.

 

[davejames]

I still think there's enough room for HT to idealize it a bit (with a slightly more symmetrical mask and dome) while still keeping the essence of ANH Vader. Unfortunately even from a distance it's clear that something is off and too many of the basic proportions just don't seem to capture Vader from that movie.

Who knows, it may be possible for people here to futz it and improve it as much as they did Chewie, but I'm thinking this could be a much bigger challenge.

 

[Hologram AI]

Yeah, but they still managed to totally screw up the helmet

Don't see how that points to Hot Toys messing it up. This whole Star Wars license makes me wonder how much influence Disney/Lucisfilm has on the matter. If Hot Toy's own sculptors aren't working on all the armors pieces, then the digital files are obviously being provided to them. They can't do anything if that's what's being fed to them. They also get approval from Disney and it really wouldn't surprise me if they want Vader being protrayed within a certain range.

Same goes for the Stormtroopers, Boba Fett, etc
I doubt they sculpted the armor pieces themselves but instead just got the files directly from Disney.

 

[noisyrobot]

Don't see how that points to Hot Toys messing it up. This whole Star Wars license makes me wonder how much influence Disney/Lucisfilm has on the matter. If Hot Toy's own sculptors aren't working on all the armors pieces, then the digital files are obviously being provided to them. They can't do anything if that's what's being fed to them. They also get approval from Disney and it really wouldn't surprise me if they want Vader being protrayed within a certain range.

Same goes for the Stormtroopers, Boba Fett, etc
I doubt they sculpted the armor pieces themselves but instead just got the files directly from Disney.

I'd be highly surprised if Lucasfilm are supplying digital models. Is there any precedent for this?
I really doubt there's a conspiracy to idealise Vader going on here too. I don't see consistency anywhere with the way he is portrayed.