Palpatine 1:1 bust

[MaulFan]

i smell a new thread coming......DARTH VADER 1:1 SCALE

Not going to happen unless the contract between LFL and eFX differs from the contract Master Replicas had, the MR contract secured them rights to 1:1 helmets and Sideshow couldn't do a Vader bust because his helmet, even if not wearable, would go against that contract.

 

[anakin1138]

Not going to happen unless the contract between LFL and eFX differs from the contract Master Replicas had, the MR contract secured them rights to 1:1 helmets and Sideshow couldn't do a Vader bust because his helmet, even if not wearable, would go against that contract.

This is unfair as If Sideshow has the license to make a line then they should have the freedom to do which character they wants even If Helmeted... as long as the helmet won't be wearable I don't see a problem. Damn contracts...:emperor

 

[MaulFan]

This is unfair as If Sideshow has the license to make a line then they should have the freedom to do which character they wants even If Helmeted... as long as the helmet won't be wearable I don't see a problem. Damn contracts...:emperor

It does suck, but at the same time, it's very smart as a business of MR to have secured the rights they did for themselves. It's a major blow to the collector as it means other companies can produce items that likely MR would/did never get to, but it is what it is. Like I said, the props license is going to a new company, and depending on how all that works, SSC could have stepped in to try and get some rights or develop a relationship with eFX where they can do 1:1 prop type elements for the bust/statue line.

 

[Parker]

According to the new Sideshow Radio, we will be ordering Palpatine Thursday night, as predicted.

 

[MaulFan]

According to the new Sideshow Radio, we will be ordering Palpatine Thursday night, as predicted.

That news is worthy of :emperor:emperor:emperor:emperor:emperor Emperors.

 

[anakin1138]

That news is worthy of :emperor:emperor:emperor:emperor:emperor Emperors.

Ditto, can't wait:emperor

 

[anakin1138]

It does suck, but at the same time, it's very smart as a business of MR to have secured the rights they did for themselves. It's a major blow to the collector as it means other companies can produce items that likely MR would/did never get to, but it is what it is. Like I said, the props license is going to a new company, and depending on how all that works, SSC could have stepped in to try and get some rights or develop a relationship with eFX where they can do 1:1 prop type elements for the bust/statue line.

Yes Maulfan, a cooperation between Sideshow and eFX to make 1:1 helmeted busts would be much appreciated...:emperor

 

[The Josh]

That news is worthy of :emperor:emperor:emperor:emperor:emperor Emperors.

Indeed!!

Now do I want this? Which I do but I don't know if I should. Also if I order do I want Flex Pay? Or regular?

 

[FelMar]

Indeed!!

Now do I want this? Which I do but I don't know if I should. Also if I order do I want Flex Pay? Or regular?

You need it next to Maul !

 

[The Josh]

You need it next to Maul !

That's what I'm thinking too. :emperor:maul

 

[MaulFan]

Indeed!!

Now do I want this? Which I do but I don't know if I should. Also if I order do I want Flex Pay? Or regular?

Josh, you seem awfully on the fence with this piece. If I were you, first off judge by the images you may be underwhelmed anyway. What I'd do in your position, place a regular order, wait for SDCC cuz this will likely be a Q3 piece,
plan to save the money, and if things change, cancel down the road. Flexpay is nice cuz you don't lay it all down at once, but if you get past the first payment thinking I will keep this order, you lose out if you find you want/need to cancel your order.

 

[The Josh]

Josh, you seem awfully on the fence with this piece. If I were you, first off judge by the images you may be underwhelmed anyway. What I'd do in your position, place a regular order, wait for SDCC cuz this will likely be a Q3 piece,
plan to save the money, and if things change, cancel down the road. Flexpay is nice cuz you don't lay it all down at once, but if you get past the first payment thinking I will keep this order, you lose out if you find you want/need to cancel your order.

Yeah, that's true. Probably the route I will go cause I'm really split on this. Would be cool to have but money/space are a HUGE concern at this point.

 

[MaulFan]

Yeah, that's true. Probably the route I will go cause I'm really split on this. Would be cool to have but money/space are a HUGE concern at this point.

Exactly why I never use FlexPay, as much it's easier on money, you end up having to really commit yay or nay to a product up front. Sideshow's cool about it's cancellation policy so I just place orders and make most of my decisions when the time comes. Not likely, but the rest of the year could be a bust for you and you might think well Palpatine bust really works now, or your living situation changes and you think wow I got plenty of room. I would be surprised if this bust is anything short of Q3, so you've got plenty of time for changes to occur between now and shipping, see where life takes you, secure your order while you have a chance to.

 

[The Mike]

Like I said, the props license is going to a new company, and depending on how all that works, SSC could have stepped in to try and get some rights or develop a relationship with eFX where they can do 1:1 prop type elements for the bust/statue line.

Since the majority of the brainchildren at MR are heading over to eFX for the Star Wars license I would assume that the status quo will be held and that SSC will still not be able to do anything 1:1 Helmeted. Although one has to wonder if we'll see SW LSB offerings of these pieces like Boba and Vader and whether or not that'd break the strict contracting. MR even found themselves at times in difficult positions with their SS line because they couldn't cross into Code 3's old license arena (which eFX now owns) so they could in theory provide scaled vehicles unless they were larger than a certain scale....

 

[MaulFan]

Since the majority of the brainchildren at MR are heading over to eFX for the Star Wars license I would assume that the status quo will be held and that SSC will still not be able to do anything 1:1 Helmeted. Although one has to wonder if we'll see SW LSB offerings of these pieces like Boba and Vader and whether or not that'd break the strict contracting. MR even found themselves at times in difficult positions with their SS line because they couldn't cross into Code 3's old license arena (which eFX now owns) so they could in theory provide scaled vehicles unless they were larger than a certain scale....

Well the follow question here is, what sort of role and viewpoint do the people at eFX from MR have regarding the Star Wars license, because my impression was it was more the artsy, fan boy type guys, where the contract granting MR so much may have been some big wigs that were more concerned with product. Not to mention, being a whole other company, maybe eFX and Sideshow will partner up to be distributors of eFX and SSC could lend fabrication people to eFX for 1:1 costume replicas, which would be sweet. Time will tell how this new contract unfolds, but since LFL's been going 3 years strong with Sideshow and had good relations with them, if they felt opening their options more would be beneficial, they may negotiate with eFX to get the best out of both companies.

I'm with you though, between the helmet issue and SSC not intending, at least they said so awhile ago, to do humans in 1:1, I'd love to see Star Wars LS, but that may conflict with GG in some capacity, but I'd love an Old Ben or ROTS Obi-Wan LS bust, Darth Maul, Padme , ROTS Anakin, Vader, Boba Fett, Jango Fett, plenty of characters would rock even at 1:2 or 1:3 scale.

 

[The Josh]

Exactly why I never use FlexPay, as much it's easier on money, you end up having to really commit yay or nay to a product up front. Sideshow's cool about it's cancellation policy so I just place orders and make most of my decisions when the time comes. Not likely, but the rest of the year could be a bust for you and you might think well Palpatine bust really works now, or your living situation changes and you think wow I got plenty of room. I would be surprised if this bust is anything short of Q3, so you've got plenty of time for changes to occur between now and shipping, see where life takes you, secure your order while you have a chance to.

Right and I think that's why I will order it and see what happens as the year goes on.

 

[The Mike]

Well the follow question here is, what sort of role and viewpoint do the people at eFX from MR have regarding the Star Wars license, because my impression was it was more the artsy, fan boy type guys, where the contract granting MR so much may have been some big wigs that were more concerned with product.

Bryan Ono and Barry (from MR's original crew!) as well as a few others are heading over there and it was my understanding that Bryan was the point man between LFL and MR, he handled the entire Sci-Fi division but understandably the majority of his time was devoted to SW. He knew what they could and couldn't do and I remember with the Luke V2 in discussing certain things with him about it, he often said that at various points he'd have to call LFL directly and get approval before proceeding on this and that, etc.

eFX could very well distribute via SSC and we'll know for sure when SDCC hits and they unveil their company officially but since they have pulled Amy Blanchard from MR as Customer Service Manager to work at eFX in the same capacity I would imagine that eFX will sell their stuff via their own site like MR does or else why have an in-house CSM?

Either way time will tell, but I would bet more on the status quo than anything else.

 

[MaulFan]

I would imagine that eFX will sell their stuff via their own site like MR does or else why have an in-house CSM?

Well exposure would certainly do them favorably. Granted, most of us around here are familiar with GG, SSC and MR, but if you think of the numbers of people that buy Sideshow Star Wars figures compared to how many post here, there could be thousands that aren't even aware MR existed, so having someone like Sideshow could get your name out to an even greater audience. Plus, there may be customers hesitant to go through eFX as they may be weary of how they run things because they don't know one of the better CS employees from MR is with them and such, and having Sideshow's support could build some quick credibility for them too. They don't need SSC to distribute, but there would be benefits to the relationship. SSC could even make figures exclusively for sale through eFX to drive business over their site to gain exposure. As has been often said, Sideshow is very smart in it's relationships with Medi, HT, Bowen, etc. because the relationships are mutually beneficial and when companies put their creative talents together, great products emerge.

 

[The Mike]

SSC could even make figures exclusively for sale through eFX to drive business over their site to gain exposure.

I agree with everything said except this. I think MR learned their lesson and so in retrospect eFX did as well with diversifying too much from what they were. MR was set up as a Prop Replica company, so when they started selling Cookie Jars and Prints and coins as well as importing certain Medi figures etc, it was a culture shock because not only were those things at times more expensive via MR but it wasn't what the company was. SSC is a different animal altogether because they are a "collectibles" company so its game to all and any collectibles.

If eFX is set up like a Replicas company similar to MR's original status, look for them to stay there as a smart business move.

As has been often said, Sideshow is very smart in it's relationships with Medi, HT, Bowen, etc. because the relationships are mutually beneficial and when companies put their creative talents together, great products emerge.

This is true, you could possibly see pieces sold at SSC similar to Bowen or even Museum Replicas where you could essentially get them direct or get them from distributors...its possible.

 

[MaulFan]

Final eFX sidebar comment here, haha, I hope some of the early MR 1:1 sabers are done again, different in some way as not to devalue things for the MR owners, but available again for those who missed out. All the first wave, I'd love to own but was way way wayyyy out of my budget when they came out, I'd love to get the Luke Hero saber and an AOTC/TPM Obi-Wan saber, and of course Maul 1:1.