Should Hot Toys be making figures without the actor likeness rights?

[King Darkness]

Some people seem to want to place blame on Hot Toys, like they are maliciously creating figures without the likeness rights, which is not the case.

But what ever, I am board with the topic.

 

[creecher]

So what was Hot Toys supposed to do when John Hurt said no to his Kane likeness?

Cancel the figure?

I am just suggesting they do their homework first before taking the test and disappointing collectors, who sure enough will buy them anyway. Have all the paperwork out of the way before accepting a contract. Get the green light before running the amber or red, and hoping things will come together as planned. For my $150 I want the figure to be the best it can be. That may be their intention, but they are falling short of the mark on too many occasions.

Sideshow built their reputation on great head sculpts, back in the day when they pumped out figures for $30 a pop, and up until recently, what, about a year ago when they upped it to $90 from $60.

Who would have missed Scissorhands if they hadn't done it or announced it? No one. No one would have known they might do the Nostromo crew members if they hadn't bitten off more than they could chew.

King. I is just bit chin for the bit ches, ^^^^^^ dogwoman. You just clicheing for the clitches? Hmmm, that isn't right is it? Whatever.

 

[creecher]

Some people seem to want to place blame on Hot Toys, like they are maliciously creating figures without the likeness rights, which is not the case.

But what ever, I am board with the topic.

 

[King Darkness]

 

[creecher]

I'd like to point out I'm not blaming them for maliciously creating figures, just for maliciously not creating figures as they could or ought to be. I'll also admit to breaking my promise never to buy another one of their figures and am about to fall of the fence and get this Scissorhands. I hope you're happy Hot Toys, because I'm not.

 

[galactiboy]

Some people seem to want to place blame on Hot Toys, like they are maliciously creating figures without the likeness rights, which is not the case.

But what ever, I am board with the topic.

I love how you can get a word like maliciously correct, yet ^^^^ up on bored

 

[creecher]

Adds new meaning to Chairman of the board. Go Iggy Poop.

 

[King Darkness]

I love how you can get a word like maliciously correct, yet ^^^^ up on bored

 

[galactiboy]

 

[Darklord Dave]

So what was Hot Toys supposed to do when John Hurt said no to his Kane li

Sideshows Bespin Luke doesn't look a thing like Mark Hamill, yet they have the actors likeness rights. .

Wow, that's just crazy talk - that's one of their better Lukes.

But this isn't an "off" sculpt. Like Kane they didn't have the actor's likeness rights from this particular property and can't make it look like him without legal repercussions. Now that Depp is the highest paid actor in the world, I would imagine his little creep of a manager demanded something outlandish for likeness rights.

With PotC when Disney signed Depp they locked up the likeness rights at the same time - so licensing for PotC with Disney includes the rights for the Depp likeness. However back in olden times not every movie was a merchandising juggernaut and frequently likeness rights aren't negotiated - that would be true of Edward. So any merchandising of Depp's likeness would have to be negotiated seperately.

When McF did their Edward figure Depp wasn't so popular so the deal was probably more makeable. Also Todd has friends in the industry and was probably able to grease the wheels that way.

 

[darren1228]

But this isn't an "off" sculpt. Like Kane they didn't have the actor's likeness rights from this particular property and can't make it look like him without legal repercussions. Now that Depp is the highest paid actor in the world, I would imagine his little creep of a manager demanded something outlandish for likeness rights.

With PotC when Disney signed Depp they locked up the likeness rights at the same time - so licensing for PotC with Disney includes the rights for the Depp likeness. However back in olden times not every movie was a merchandising juggernaut and frequently likeness rights aren't negotiated - that would be true of Edward. So any merchandising of Depp's likeness would have to be negotiated seperately.

When McF did their Edward figure Depp wasn't so popular so the deal was probably more makeable. Also Todd has friends in the industry and was probably able to grease the wheels that way.

Well put Dave

 

[EVILFACE]

Who would have missed Scissorhands if they hadn't done it or announced it? No one. No one would have known they might do the Nostromo crew members if they hadn't bitten off more than they could chew.

maybe, but either way, fans now have a very nice figure to choose.

Their Terminator doesnt look like Arnold, but the figure kicks major ass. I would have hated for HT to forget about making the figure cause of the likeness issue.

Wow, that's just crazy talk - that's one of their better Lukes.

Jedi Luke yes, Bespin no.

 

[creecher]

maybe, but either way, fans now have a very nice figure to choose.

You're right there. It's too nice not to get, because there'll probably never be another opportunity, like now, to get one. It really bugs me. Depp ought to step in and give Hot Toys a dispensation, as a favour to his fans, and allow his likeness. You'd think he'd be flattered. He probably doesn't even know.

 

[wookster]

But this isn't an "off" sculpt. Like Kane they didn't have the actor's likeness rights from this particular property and can't make it look like him without legal repercussions. Now that Depp is the highest paid actor in the world, I would imagine his little creep of a manager demanded something outlandish for likeness rights.

With PotC when Disney signed Depp they locked up the likeness rights at the same time - so licensing for PotC with Disney includes the rights for the Depp likeness. However back in olden times not every movie was a merchandising juggernaut and frequently likeness rights aren't negotiated - that would be true of Edward. So any merchandising of Depp's likeness would have to be negotiated seperately.

When McF did their Edward figure Depp wasn't so popular so the deal was probably more makeable. Also Todd has friends in the industry and was probably able to grease the wheels that way.

Very well put!

The way I see it is, there are a lot of old licences floating around out there that are owned by various production companies, management teams and individuals. The question is would you rather have something or nothing. On some 'licences' because of age, the legal wrangling would be a nightmare (and we all know how much legal advice is!) or on others (like Bladerunner, Brazil or Dune, to name just three) the movies were so bogged down in controversy even during production and editing that all concerned aren't even speaking to each other.
So would I buy a set of Bladerunner figures if they didn't have image rights?
Yes, in a freakin flash I would!
I know people don't like the 'well, you don't have to buy it' argument, but I'm sorry, but in the real world it's a fact, if a company makes a product available manufactured to the best of their (legal) abilities, there it is on the shelf, your decision.

So to sum up, yes I believe consumers should be given the chance to make their own decision, we vote with our cash. If it doesn’t sell the practice will end. I’m more than happy with the face on this one, looks close enough for me to look great on the shelf, but I would like the hair to be a little more like seen in the movie, but even that’s not enough to kill the deal for me.

 

[The Craw]

should hot toys be making figures without likeness rights? why not? medicom does it all the time.







ps. nobody better quote this post and exchange medicom with SS and say "fixed" or im gonna reach through the screen and ^^^^^-slap you.