Why Firefly/Serenity would be a worthy line to sell [Archive]

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Firefly Flanatic

12-16-2005, 10:16 PM

First off, thank you so much for this shiny new Whedonville forum!!!

So any Sideshow people who could help make a Firefly/Serenity line a reality I just wanted to point out some facts about Firefly and it's popularity. The DVDs were released three years ago and they are still selling well and, as a matter of fact, are listed at #16 on Amazon's 2005 Top Seller list.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/15762421/ref%3Dd%5Fbest%5F1%5F2/104-6693084-8679945

And it was at #60 for 2004, and #61 for 2003. The show is growing in popularity more and more as people are discovering it and since it started airing on the Sci-fi channel it's DVD sales have soared.

And yes, the Serenity movie itself didn't do all that great at the theater but it has been consistently listed in Amazon's top 100 listed dvds since it first became available for pre-order and is ranked #1 for the widescreen addition and #9 for the full screen addition in their Future Top Sellers List.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/browse/future-topsellers/-/dvd/ref%3Dpd%5Fbhr%5Fdnr%5F1/104-6693084-8679945

If the DVD sales for the series are any indication of how well the movie will sell on DVD I think the DVD is going to be a huge seller. I know a lot of these people who collect figures would love to see Sideshow do this line. These characters would look absolutely fantastic done at the 1/6 scale size like the Buffy and Angel lines and would probably attract even more collectors as well.

Josette

12-17-2005, 06:14 AM

Firefly is a line that I would like to see, and I've only seen Serenity (the tv series is on my Christmas list).

achteel

12-17-2005, 06:22 AM

I know a lot of these people who collect figures would love to see Sideshow do this line. These characters would look absolutely fantastic done at the 1/6 scale size.
I agree.....and I agree. :banana

Viking28

12-17-2005, 03:41 PM

I would rather have them or at least Mal and zoe in the 1/4 scale.

Darklord Dave

12-17-2005, 05:46 PM

I love the show and movie and I'd buy every 1/6 figure they did. (And a Serenity maquette). I don't know about 1/4 scale though - they aren't THAT visually interesting to interest me in that scale.

Farscape, on the other hand....

TheObsoleteMan

12-17-2005, 08:44 PM

I'm all for a 1/6 line. Mal would make such an awesome 1/6 figure.

Bum

12-17-2005, 10:50 PM

Hmmm....

Mal and his pistol and bandoliers...
Zoe with a rifle
Kaylee with her tools
Wash... and as an exclusive, comes with the dinosaur figures he had on console....

Jayne... with his array of rifles, grenades, and "Vera". which could be the exclusive accessory, OR the water/raindrop stick

Book...and... i dunno. a bible

Inara would just seem to be a barbie, except if you include with her, her weapons from the movie...

River and Simon could be a set. River with the combat boots...

possibilities...

ffl1940

12-19-2005, 06:30 PM

Gotta have a Kaylee, if they could make a sculpt with her smiling that looked good I'd get it. She defines "cute".

Azog

12-22-2005, 12:42 PM

Absolutely loved the movie, I mean loved it................GREAT MOVIE....can not say enough, oh man, LOVED IT!

Protozaius

12-22-2005, 01:32 PM

Sideshow really needs to make this line a reality. I cannot help but feel that the line would sell VERY strongly.

And I don't think that the film's small box office take is ANY indication that a colllectible 12" line wouldn't sell. If that is true why did Sideshow make a Pumpkinhead statue? Didn't that film make less than 5 million at the box office? Just because someone sees a movie at a theater doesn't mean that person will turn around and buy a $50 collectible from it. Titanic figures anyone? I firmly believe that the Firefly fan base is big enough and strong enough and more importantly,is the right KIND of fan base that would support the line.

Come on Sideshow! Make a 12" Mal figure! Just him... and sit back and watch the numbers. Let US convince you to make the rest!

EVILFACE

12-23-2005, 06:09 PM

How well have the current figures sold? That might be a good factor.

Darklord Dave

12-23-2005, 06:28 PM

The current figures didn't turn out too well, the sculpts don't really look like the characters and they only made Mal, Jayne and a generic Reaver. I think the 12" figures would appeal to a very different market.

TheObsoleteMan

12-23-2005, 08:24 PM

How well have the current figures sold? That might be a good factor.

You can't judge interest in a Sideshow 1/6 line from sales of the 6" figs, those things were atrocious. Only the most diehard Firefly fans would've bought those steamers.

Protozaius

12-25-2005, 11:17 PM

So the "special" announcement was for the LOTR 12" line...

Great news, I'll being buying EVERYONE of them.

Yet I was hoping that special announcement was going to involve a certain crew of a Firfely class ship....

As a Joss Whedon fan, I should have been satisfied with the Angel announcement... but I wasn't.:rolleyes:

Killbeggar

01-01-2006, 11:53 PM

I really don't want to collect another line as I don't have enough money right now.
BUT - for Firefly/Serenity figures I'd make an exception, I'd find a way.
Browncoats forever.

Killbeggar

01-02-2006, 12:06 AM

You can't judge interest in a Sideshow 1/6 line from sales of the 6" figs, those things were atrocious. Only the most diehard Firefly fans would've bought those steamers.

As a dedicated Browncoat I have to agree. My local comics shop has the Comic Con version of Mal and it's complete crap. I have seen the others and they are not any better. Course the Diamond Select logo never helps.
Browncoats forever.

threeonesix

01-03-2006, 08:50 PM

Book...and... i dunno. a bible

Just an exclusive version with his hair down.:horror

Hardcase01

01-04-2006, 12:42 AM

I'd buy every single firefly/serenity figure they made if SSC made them. That's 1/6th mind you.

Michael Crawford

01-04-2006, 06:40 AM

I'm all for a sixth scale line as well, and I think the fan base is there to make it a viable option for a company like Sideshow. You aren't going to mass market 100k of a smaller figure, but run a few thousand of Mal, and you'll make some cash.

And I'd buy every one of them. Not that *that* is any real surprise.

Michael
MWC

Ironman1188

01-06-2006, 09:27 AM

OK, I'm sitting watching the Firefly marathon on Sci-Fi and really think that Sideshow should make Caleb for the buffy line so we can get a Mal to start off the Firefly line.
Please??

mlarsen

01-06-2006, 09:48 AM

I'd go for a sixth scale line. I probably would get everyone. I would also go for a 1:4 PF but I don't think it's gonna happen.

BDboystoys

01-06-2006, 05:01 PM

I want this definately! but I would want them to wait. theres already alot happening tis year.

bluesparrow

01-06-2006, 05:42 PM

Watching it right this minute, and I'd really love a 12" figure of Richard Brooks as Jubal Early.

Protozaius

01-09-2006, 04:09 PM

The Sci-Fi Channel is sure getting a lot of mileage from these Firefly marathons. Why can't they offer Joss Whedon a port for NEW episodes of Firefly? :rolleyes:

They seem to have the cash to bank roll their Battlestar series, why not some Serenity? :confused:

BDboystoys

01-09-2006, 06:21 PM

Darklord Dave

01-09-2006, 09:41 PM

Just saw that Firefly is one of the TV shows being offered for ipod - $4.99 for a package of episodes.

Come on SSC - you know you wanna!

Protozaius

01-09-2006, 11:40 PM

I just heard that Joss Whedon wants to start Firefly back up!!!
Apparently its in a interview and Joss sed he wants everything to cool down before that would happen. He also sed maybe a tv movie.:D :D :D

Where did you hear that? The only thing I read concerning this subject was an Entertainment Weekly blurb with the title "Adidos, Firefly" where he states that the film Serenity is the end of Firefly... that the movie didn't do enough to warrant anymore films. It is interesting that he said this on the eve of the Serenity DVD release.

It is also stated that a Spike direct to DVD movie is in the works. IF Spike, why not Serenity as well?

BDboystoys

01-09-2006, 11:49 PM

here it is~

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=17800

Quote: A sequel's unlikely," Whedon told Empire with a note of clear regret, "but it's amazing what permutations of something can happen." But if not a theatrical encore, that leaves... yes, you guessed it, a possible return to the smaller screen. "As long as I was able to service the characters with integrity and had enough money so that I wasn't hampered, then I would love to return Serenity to TV. I love that universe; it continues and those characters live on. There could be a series, there could be a miniseries, there could be all sorts of things. I'm not ruling anything out. I'll let it simmer for a while and see if anyone calls."

bluesparrow

01-10-2006, 01:00 AM

Battlestar Galactica is co-financed by a tv channel in the UK, I think. I don't believe SciFi channel could afford to fund it all by themselves(well, they probably could AFFORD to, but they probably wouldn't spend the money).

Protozaius

01-10-2006, 10:37 PM

Thanks for the info, Bluesparrow... I didn't know that Sci-FI Channel had a partner in their Battlestar, It makes sense. Even though I have only seen the miniseries, the show looks pretty expensive.

And thanks for the link BD... it's good to hear from the horse mouth.

As Homer said "Now we play the waiting game... ah, the waiting game SUCKS, let's play Hungry Hungry Hippos!"

Darklord Dave

01-11-2006, 12:08 AM

Sci-fi wouldn't fund the critically acclaimed, but low rated Farscape, so I don't see them being Firefly's sugar daddy. Battlestar operates at a HUGE deficit with Sci-fi only funding a small fraction. Some complicated and creative financing would have to happen for new Firefly to end up on Sci-Fi.

hairlesswookiee

01-11-2006, 01:14 PM

a new firefly show would be great... i never watched the show until after serenity came out then i HAD to watch the show. i was really dissapointed on how they let the show die like that.

---SCI-FI is very weird how they pick their shows, look what they kept doing with stargate sg-1. it was originally a HBO (or showtime, cant remember) show, then it went to public broadcast, then sci-fi picked it up, canceled it, changed their minds, and are now talking about cancelling it again even though they have another stargate show going as well. out of all the current shows SG-1 was the last one to be renewd for another season while Atlantis and Battlestar were signed first.

WetaWork

01-23-2006, 01:49 PM

I’d definitely be interested in a 1/6th line. I also agree that the Brown Coats would come out in full force to support a Firefly line of SS products.

Batty

01-25-2006, 11:06 PM

I’d definitely be interested in a 1/6th line. I also agree that the Brown Coats would come out in full force to support a Firefly line of SS products.
I would be there.

Darth Kustomizer

01-31-2006, 12:40 PM

If they make them then I will come...or... err... I mean buy them...

Xeno

02-02-2006, 03:01 PM

Protozaius

02-03-2006, 03:38 PM

ok , I just said in another topic, but it fits here better..

I would LOVE to see a good Firefly line! I really dislike most of the 12" line from SS.. I'm always amazed to see how popular they are with a lot of ppl. Then again, the pricetag in the US is so totally different than in Europe.

Me , I would love to see a (GOOD) 1/4 PF line! a Great Jayne (an excl with that hat ofcourse!) and an Inara for starters! Damn that would be awesome! But if they're going to do them like they do (did?) the Star Trek line. then I say, leave it! :mad:

Welcome to the Freak Board Xeno! It's always great to see new people join the board.:joy :joy :joy

Having said that... what's up with the negative? Or more importantly, what made you a fan of SIdeshow for you to join the group?

I'm actually a fan of most of Sideshow's 12" work.. Did you see that new Angel head? STUNNING. And I've been VERY impressed with the unfolding "Star Wars" line.

And, of course... I LOVE DA APES!!!:banana :banana :banana

Xeno

02-04-2006, 02:24 PM

Hi, thank you for the welcoming word. :)

The negative part is just a personal opinion. No disrespect meant. I'm just much more of a "statue" kind of collector than an action figure/doll collector. I just like statues better. No fiddling with stands or trying to find a good way to let it stand up right etc.. Especially when the arms and/or legs are bare.. man those articulation points.. ugly as hell .. sorry.. ;)

I'm from Europe and the pricetags on those collectibles are probably 40-50% higher than the regular USD$ pirce I think.. And I have the general idea that in Europe those 12" line is a little less popular. Again, perhaps because of the prices. This is all speculation of my part btw, I could be totally wrong.

And why I joined? Mainly because I saw a Serenity/Firefly topic. ;) I'm trying to stay on the board but it's so darn huge to get through! :google :)

so.. next topic it is. ;)

(oh btw, I do have some action figures , I don''t "hate " them.. ;) )

Protozaius

02-24-2006, 03:12 PM

Well, I must say that my heart sank when I read the transcript from a talk with SS Head Honcho Tom Gilliland concerning Firefly:

SSC Tom - There are a lot of Firefly fans here, but that doesn't always relate to what we end up needing to do.

OUCH!:horror

So a SDCC announcement of a full 12" line of Firefly figures ISN'T HAPPENING?!?!?!:banghead :banghead :banghead

Time to continue the waiting game.:sick

It's strange that some of the things that Sideshow end up "needing to do" is that Tremors Graboid and that Reign of Fire bust. Am I the only one who thinks that a sculpture of dragon that doesn't include the rest of the body, specifically "the wings" seems somewhat pointless? If we were to get ONLY the head of a dragon, I think that the dragon in Dragonslayer has a far more dramatic look. Why was this Reign of Fire dragon head attempted? Here's Tom's answer:

SSC Tom - Reign of Fire was done because our good friend/sculptor Miles Teves did the design for the film.

So that is the answer! Someone who worked on either Firefly or Serenity MUST apply at Sideshow! Please SOMEONE!!! ANYONE!!! Do it for the well being of all those Firefly/Serenity collectors (who choked on those ghastly 6" movie figures) that NEED proper representation in the marketplace... specifically the 1:6 marketplace! :D

Ironman1188

02-24-2006, 03:20 PM

tomandshell

02-24-2006, 03:28 PM

It also still doesn't explain that Graboid either. :google

Sure it does--Michael Gross works part time as one of the janitors at Sideshow.

Ironman1188

02-24-2006, 03:30 PM

:mwaha Yeah, you'd think Reba'd give him a job. :wacky

Protozaius

02-25-2006, 02:10 PM

Here, Here PZ!!!
I agree completely. Maybe we can get Whedon to work part time at Sideshow being as it seems the already fruitful working relationship they have is not enough to get Firefly underway in 1:6. Does that mean that Whedon is not a "good friend" like Miles Teves? It also still doesn't explain that Graboid either. :google

See... this TOTALLY blows me away. Their Buffy line has been VERY successful. The Angel line has started off VERY strong with the quick sellout of the exclusive version of Angel... maybe not Mace Windu quick or even Aragorn quick but it was impressive nevertheless. Why can't they trust in the Whedon fan base? I would wager that the Firefly/Serentiy line would actually be MORE popular! There is no competition for the Firefly fan dollar... no continuing line of busts or 6" figures (I'm NOT counting those 6" Serenity abominations) as there is for Buffy and Angel.

According to the Toy Fair reports, all that it planned for Serenity is a Christmas ornament and a lighter. :horror

Sideshow... THE FIELD IS WIDE OPEN BABY!!!:naughty :D :naughty :D

Firefly Flanatic

02-25-2006, 03:40 PM

See... this TOTALLY blows me away. Their Buffy line has been VERY successful. The Angel line has started off VERY strong with the quick sellout of the exclusive version of Angel... maybe not Mace Windu quick or even Aragorn quick but it was impressive nevertheless. Why can't they trust in the Whedon fan base? I would wager that the Firefly/Serentiy line would actually be MORE popular! There is no competition for the Firefly fan dollar... no continuing line of busts or 6" figures (I'm NOT counting those 6" Serenity abominations) as there is for Buffy and Angel.

According to the Toy Fair reports, all that it planned for Serenity is a Christmas ornament and a lighter. :horror

Sideshow... THE FIELD IS WIDE OPEN BABY!!!:naughty :D :naughty :D

This surprises me as well. I know for a fact that a lot of Whedon fans would jump all over a Sideshow Serenity line. This would probably sell even better than the Buffy/Angel line. Darkhorse comics was stunned at how well the Serenity comics sold, it went way beyond their expectations. Here's a quote from a Q&A they did awhile ago:

NRAMA: In your eyes, what book (or books) proved to be the biggest surprise success of ’05? Conversely, what book(s) do you feel might have slipped through the cracks and were/are deserving of a little extra attention?

SA: Serenity did better than we imagined. We knew it would do well, but we weren’t prepared for that level of success, reprinting the first issue twice within a month… and it just kept going.

And the graphic novel for this series was their top selling book this past January selling a whopping 8,000+ copies. And Serenity is still in the top 25 of Amazons Top Sellers list over three months after it was officially released.

Serenity/Firefly had at least as large if not a larger number of fans as did BtVS, the dvd sales for the series is still selling strong and has been amongst Amazons top sellers list since it's been released three years ago so I think there is definitely a market out there for fans of this show. I hope Sideshow realizes this and takes advantage of this fan base because we really, really want to be taken advantage of.

Darklord Dave

02-25-2006, 05:50 PM

I also just noticed that this month Firefly is still in the top 5 of best-selling TV on DVD sets. (Or back in the top 5). It's been how many months since it came out?

Firefly Flanatic

02-25-2006, 08:21 PM

I also just noticed that this month Firefly is still in the top 5 of best-selling TV on DVD sets. (Or back in the top 5). It's been how many months since it came out?

It was released three years ago so that is very impressive that it is still selling as well as it is and shows that it's audience is increasing more and more.

I think if Sideshow gave this line a chance they'd be quite surprised at the response they'd get. I believe this line would do even better than the Buffyline imo.