NECA: Alien Movie Franchise Figures

[a-dev]

That's pretty sound thinking, yes. I wouldn't dispute anything there.

As you say though, I think there's good cause to hope for Vasquez and possibly Drake too - Drake in full smart gun gear/ stripped down using just flamethrower (maybe with alternate acid burnt face)

 

[cplhicks]

I think I have NECA figured out for human characters. I know their "formula". At least I think I know it for their "fan boy" lines. Their new release movie lines obviously have their own rules. This came up in the Hot Toys aliens thread as well. In modern movies, likenesses of a character are usually predetermined into contracts and movie rights include likenesses of the characters. For most modern movies, when you get the movie rights, you can make the characters with the actors faces all day. However, back in the 80s, the actors often owned their own likeness. It was something that had to be negotiated separate from having the movie license. Understanding this, you sort of see why new crap is so much easier to get made *CoughHungerGamesCough*

But for older movies, where NECA has to buy the likenesses separate each time, they want to get their money's worth out of it, and understandably so.
Look at who they have actually paid in these "fan boy" lines of older movies:

-Arnold: Goodness gracious, how many figures? 8? 9? Theoretically still counting? One face fee, multiple figures.
-Sigourney Weaver: Only 1 confirmed, but you just KNOW they will get at minimum 4 figures of her. Probably more. Lets be honest.
-Bruce Campbell: At least 6 figurs, still going with the Retro ones coming out.
-Lance Henrickson: At least 2 confirmed (regular bishop and torn in half), plus options to do AvP and Alien 3 if they want. The point is multiple figures.
-Michael Biehn: 2 Hicks figures so far with hints the racal ops battle could be coming. Plus his terminator figures.
-Paxton: 2 figures so far. As A-Dev said, multiple figures still possible. I know I would buy a pre-burned, $&!+ eating grin cocky figure.


The you look at their other character figures they make.
-Alien 3 Merc: no likeness rights so its still relatively cheap. Project is a go.
-Cain: no likeness rights. Project is a go.
-Entire lineup of Predators. ALL OF THEM: No Likeness rights, reusable molds, they can't pump them out fast enough.
-Deadites: No likeness rights, so why not dabble? They did a few.


So seeing all this, I think we can guess what to expect. When you say "They should make...." we should all think, can they turn this face into 4+ different figures? Or can at least 2 variants sell well enough? One-offs will never happen when a likeness has to be purchased separate.

If Al Mathews says "I want what you paid Biehn/Paxton". I don't blame Al. He is asking to be treated equal, but NECA can't make 3 Apone figures let alone expect them to sell on the same level. It is in this dynamic I now see that most of our wish list figures are never gonna happen.

Although I will say I think Vasquez has to be coming. I think she has the fan demand to drive sales and there can be 2 figures easy (full smart gun rig, and rest of the movie setup). Only 2 varients, but I think the sales will flourish, so i truly believe she has a shot.

I agree with everything you said here. I understand all of these issues it's I just get frustrated being so close yet so far. Reality bites sometimes.

 

[bigbisont]

I agree with everything you said here. I understand all of these issues it's I just get frustrated being so close yet so far. Reality bites sometimes.

yeah, it actually really bummed me out when I proof read it...

 

[a-dev]

I wonder would NECA entertain the notion of filling out the rest of the squad with generic faces. Make accurate armour and appropriate guns but just use randomers as the basis for the headsculpts. I would still buy those.

Just looking at my new Operations Battle Hudson here and the new BD Warrior, love them. (also inhaling that NewToySmell deeply) More please.

I also wouldn't say no to more types of BD Alien, some with limbs being blown off or something.

 

[Jester]

I wonder would NECA entertain the notion of filling out the rest of the squad with generic faces. Make accurate armour and appropriate guns but just use randomers as the basis for the headsculpts.

You mean like:

- Generic female headsculpt on female body with Dietrich's armour = "USCM Medic"

- Generic headsculpt on Windrix body with Crowe's armour = "USCM Rifleman"

- Generic headsculpt on Windrix body with Apone's armour = "USCM Sergeant"

- Generic headsculpt on (modified) Windrix body with Frost's armour = "USCM Flamethrower"

...etc, etc?

I would still buy those.

I'll buy any Marines they care to make, so long as they have helmets.

 

[Dyson]

Same here, The only legit one left that I really want is Vasquez

 

[a-dev]

@Jester - Exactly

 

[bigbisont]

I'll buy any Marines they care to make, so long as they have helmets.

It occurred to me the other day that I already bought 13 marines (most for customizing)...but I could go for this plan as well. I'd buy properly equipped 'generic' head marines without hesitation. But only if properly equipped and, YES, with helmets.

 

[Jester]

I hope you're reading this, NECA people...

 

[Vitus]

Doesn't that fall under "Never google yourself"

 

[TBlake]

That could be fine although I'd at least want Vasquez and Drake to get their own real likenesses.

 

[a-dev]

Proper likenesses would of course be the ideal but knowing that'd never happen its an alternative.

I would also hope that Apone would be black and would have a moustache, while not otherwise looking like Al Matthews. Likewise the remaining caucasian marines, no moustaches since none had them. I always hated that about the Hot Toys Kane, fine, it can't look like the actor but did you have to give him a Freddie Mercury tache??! That's too much, now my imagination can't see anything else.

 

[Jester]

Proper likenesses would of course be the ideal but knowing that'd never happen its an alternative.

What are the chances of generic USCM? I'd like to think there are at least as many people out there willing to army-build Marines as there are for Xenos, which have been in near-continuous production by one company or another across different scales for roughly a decade now.

 

[TBlake]

I wouldn't be surprised if we see any generic Marine two packs eventually. They could give a lot of different accessories per pack similar to what they're doing with the Gorilla Soldier two packs.

 

[bigbisont]

I wouldn't be surprised if we see any generic Marine two packs eventually. They could give a lot of different accessories per pack similar to what they're doing with the Gorilla Soldier two packs.

That would be great. I could dig that.

Until such things exist, I make do hacking and chopping. I finished my Frost. Painted grenades correct color, added VP70 holster (fimo), and added shoulder tape "Nuke Em" message.

 

[a-dev]

That looks great^ Actually something of a resemblance in whatever sculpt that is.

 

[BuGz]

Yeah that is really good. NECA needs to take note! !

Bri

 

[TBlake]

That's a pretty nice custom.

 

[Jester]

That would be great. I could dig that.

Yeah, generic Marine two-packs would be beyond awesome.

Until such things exist, I make do hacking and chopping. I finished my Frost. Painted grenades correct color, added VP70 holster (fimo), and added shoulder tape "Nuke Em" message.

Nice work. Is that a modified Hicks headsculpt, or did you get it off another figure?

 

[TBlake]

I like the generic Marines idea even more now, if anyone has a Twitter account maybe they could ask them directly to see how they feel about it?