Questions for Asmus

[Spartan Rex]

Don’t want or need the throne, but thanks for offering Thranduil again.

 

[superdoug]

The Throne will be no way less than 500 USD alone, it is too big.
Personally I don't see how it can be sold over 200 copies .

We are paying close attention to Weta's price and production number,
but it is not up yet. It is not hard to guess they must have met the problem of pricing,

Only way I could do it then would be buying it through Sideshow on their payment plan but I would also want the lead time to be like Hot Toys
where it would be preordered a year in advance. If they split it into 8 payments plus the original 10% deposit it could be something I could maybe stomach especially if it was going to be a centerpiece of my collection.

With that being said. I would honesty prefer a $500 Balin?s tomb diorama with swords for the hobbits and the correct bow for Legolas.

 

[Chopper Face]

I’d like a Treebeard upper torso and head diorama base to sit Merry and Pippin on.
What would people think about buying an un-painted Thranduil Throne? That would surely save on the cost but there probably aren’t that many people confident enough to paint something so large and intricate so they’d have to fork out a fortune to some opportunistic, salivating artist... like me...

Now, if Thranduil’s getting a throne, bring on possessed Theoden!

 

[Asmus]

Both figure and throne are in very rough stages.

 

[Bilbo Skywalker]

The Throne will be no way less than 500 USD alone, it is too big.
Personally I don't see how it can be sold over 200 copies .

We are paying close attention to Weta's price and production number,
but it is not up yet. It is not hard to guess they must have met the problem of pricing,

Including the figure?

If it?s 500 for just the throne, I agree that will be a tough sell honestly.


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[FlyAndFight]

I will most likely pick up Thranduil to display with Thorin and Bilbo. While I would love the throne, I just don't have the display space for it. But if it ends up looking amazing, I may have to find space for it!

 

[jal76]

I would hate to see the figure delayed for a throne that is definitely more of a niche piece when you factor in size and cost.
Hopefully the throne will not be included with the figure and will be an entirely separate option.

 

[DakRen]

Omg that throne is amazing, all the sculpted elvish details! I will do anything to have it!

 

[ObiGlennKenobi]

Asmus are on fire with the LOTR line!!
A new Thranduil would be amazing.
Now imagine Haldir in all his armour!!!
Killing it Asmus!!
That throne looks amazing.

 

[lordnastrond]

Both figure and throne are in very rough stages.

View attachment 492440

I don't care if I have to sell a kidney, I am BUYING that throne!!

This figure/set has just soared to the top of my must buy list!!

Do I have the money? Probably not.
Do I have the space? Definately not.
Do I care? No, I want it.

That said, $500 USD for the throne on its own IS a very tall ask, with the figure I think more people could justify it.

And speaking of the figure, his robe looks beautiful!! Looking forward to seeing him all decked up - will he come with his cloak?

 

[Antarion]

So the new Thranduil will not come in his very nice armor but Throne Room version?

I still need to pic him up at a resonable price, cause the armor version looks so f...nice!

 

[lordnastrond]

Asmus - just to pick up a thought someone said before, I do think bigger investments like this Throne set would be more accessible to a greater number of collectors if payment plans were available. I admit I have no idea what the legalities/issues there might be, but I do think it would help boost the number of figures sales as it would allow collectors to purchase both more expensive pieces as well as more pieces at once.

Goodness knows my collection wouldn't exist without payment plans......

This, in combination with your Asmus site-exclusive accessories, would also probably tempt more collectors into purchasing from you directly, as opposed to sites like Sideshow which do offer this service on your products.

Just a thought!

 

[xequae]

If anyone wants to have a payment plan for the bigger items, you can use Paypal credit. You can split payments over 6 months interest free for payments over $100.

If the throne is released, I will probably pass. I don't have that kind of space. That does look impressive though.

 

[Lizard Lips]

Both figure and throne are in very rough stages.

That throne is epic.. I'm stunned already, what a work of art!

Whilst the $500 price tag is tough to swallow I'm actually happy for the die hard collectors because this means they have the opportunity to pick up substantial and sometimes unique pieces that other companies may never make.

Asmus, if you're intending to release more substantial dioramas provided the demand is there of course, I'm sure you'll find many collectors here (myself included) who will bite depending on the release.

Balin's tomb as another poster suggested is a must have for a Moria display
Perhaps a chunk of Weathertop or a larger Amon Hen diorama
Denethor's throne, heck the entire Throne of Gondor (though I note Denethor was ruled out)
Witch King's fell beast though maybe not the entire beast at full 1/6 scale because that would be insanely huge...

 

[ObiGlennKenobi]

or even a Balrog head,Bilbos door,Theodons throne and so on.

 

[superdoug]

or even a Balrog head,Bilbos door,Theodons throne and so on.

All of those would be great. Another one would be Gandalf’s cart from the beginning of the Fellowship. They could release it with a special version of Frodo. Use the same sculpt from a normal release and just put him in an accurate custom from that scene.

 

[Sassafras]

The Throne will be no way less than 500 USD alone, it is too big.
Personally I don't see how it can be sold over 200 copies .

We are paying close attention to Weta's price and production number,
but it is not up yet. It is not hard to guess they must have met the problem of pricing,

Lurking around the (mostly) WETA collecting forum (https://www.flameofudun.net/forum/collecting/weta-workshop)
the chatter is WETA Thranduil throne will be $2500-3000. This is a guess based on other WETA pieces.

Putting it out of reach of most - like WETA sez, "for the discerning collector" which means IMO it will be the high end collectors who could afford the WETA Treebeard will purchase the WETA piece. The WETA shipping alone is probably going to be horrible. Since it will be a very limited edition a purchaser will also have to be able to store the boxes. As well as be able to display a statue that big.

U could ask the community too if - u make Thranduil's throne as a kit - e.g. painted or unpainted - would that work. I don't paint but would happily tackle the throne - painters could weigh in but I think just some browns washed with black would be enough.

"Garage kits" as a "cottage" industry with small production runs seem to be pretty popular - maybe u could offer the Throne as a self-assemble kit? Sort of like selling extra parts. I have no objection to assembling a kit; and besides I like to know what adhesive I am using. U wouldn't even need special packaging.
(Just looking at the proto I could see 4 pieces, maybe more - stairs, chair, 2 antlers - would all fit in a shoe box for shipping)

(Even WETA isn't going to develop and ship that *beast* as one piece.)

For sure u have already sold 1 throne; maybe 2, to me. I'd pay u for a CUSTOM copy with shipping too.

IMO 500-600$ is reasonable considering it is 1) licensed product; 2)made by company with meticulous attention to detail; 3)larger figures and poorly made collectibles regularly approach that price tag or pass it; 4) when Amazon series ramps up and re-hypes Middle Earth suspect anything Middle Earth is gonna have price inflation.

Even WETA is touting that their version of the throne will be able to be displayed without Thranduil too. Just a thought, but for me the throne as a stand-alone just screams Middle Earth, like Bilbo's door would. Thank you for re-considering too!

PS. For myself while Balin's tomb is a popular request - I would never buy or display something like that, it's too dark of a theme for me to have on shelf day after day.

I’d like a Treebeard upper torso and head diorama base to sit Merry and Pippin on.
What would people think about buying an un-painted Thranduil Throne? That would surely save on the cost but there probably aren’t that many people confident enough to paint something so large and intricate so they’d have to fork out a fortune to some opportunistic, salivating artist... like me...

*Shrug* I would happily buy an unpainted throne, even with no painting skills.
If I were ASMUS I'd release as a basic painted kit - e.g. a very basic paint job - and let customer self-assemble. Use good quality plastic re the weight or have customer add own ballast. Customers could customize as they like. Even overpainting entire piece with greys might be kinda interesting, for the "statue" effect. Like painted Dragon co. "models"/statues u self-assemble https://news.toyark.com/companies/dragon-model

 

[FlyAndFight]

All of those would be great. Another one would be Gandalf’s cart from the beginning of the Fellowship. They could release it with a special version of Frodo. Use the same sculpt from a normal release and just put him in an accurate custom from that scene.

Don't forget that Asmus was working on Gandalf's cart and then decided not to move forward with it. As I said in that thread, I would have LOVED to get the horse drawn cart loaded with fireworks.

 

[BagginsOfBagEnd]

I would hate to see the figure delayed for a throne that is definitely more of a niche piece when you factor in size and cost.
Hopefully the throne will not be included with the figure and will be an entirely separate option.

Agree with this.

 

[ThomastheTank57]

Just please keep cranking out new characters before diving deep into dioramas. Lets get these important characters made into figures