The Lord of the Rings Polystone Statue and PF Lines are alive!

[chaber]

I was just looking at SS's site and found it a little funny that they have 3 Pacific Rim statues teased/up for order and not a single thing from The Hobbit... just sayin'!!!!

Quoting myself, here... is that weird? Anyways, just saw another Pacific Rim collectible up on SideShow's FB page which makes it PACIFIC RIM - 4, THE HOBBIT - 0...

I haven't seen the film myself, but is it really that popular and with a big enough fan base to support these releases?

 

[Fritz]

Quoting myself, here... is that weird? Anyways, just saw another Pacific Rim collectible up on SideShow's FB page which makes it PACIFIC RIM - 4, THE HOBBIT - 0...

I haven't seen the film myself, but is it really that popular and with a big enough fan base to support these releases?

This question belongs in the "Pacific Rim" section of the forum, not the "Middle-Earth/Hobbit/LotR" section.

 

[theguru1]

Quoting myself, here... is that weird? Anyways, just saw another Pacific Rim collectible up on SideShow's FB page which makes it PACIFIC RIM - 4, THE HOBBIT - 0...

I haven't seen the film myself, but is it really that popular and with a big enough fan base to support these releases?

Sideshow are hoping it will be the next 'big' thing and that they can make a fast buck. If it happens to go really well, then they will do more, if it goes pretty average, they will let it die.

I think the Disney PF line is a clear recent example of how Sideshow will do things. Start with a big announcement, in the first year have 5-6 items previewed, pre-ordered or even shipping. Wait to see if it really all sells out fast, delivering quick turn-around and fast profits (all the Disney PF's are now sold out, it just didn't happen fast).
If it's a slow burner, then redirect development cost's back to Star Wars, Marvel, DC and wait to see what the next big thing maybe and do the same again. Say nothing about the state of the line they were so keen on and just let it die out.

Middle-Earth isn't exactly in that pattern, but I think Weta getting the 1/6 LOTR license back, along with I suspect a slow down in sales of their current LOTR items has resulted in a pause for thought and where best to spend development cost's for the greatest and fastest profit return.

 

[Geb]

Sideshow are hoping it will be the next 'big' thing and that they can make a fast buck. If it happens to go really well, then they will do more, if it goes pretty average, they will let it die.

I think the Disney PF line is a clear recent example of how Sideshow will do things. Start with a big announcement, in the first year have 5-6 items previewed, pre-ordered or even shipping. Wait to see if it really all sells out fast, delivering quick turn-around and fast profits (all the Disney PF's are now sold out, it just didn't happen fast).
If it's a slow burner, then redirect development cost's back to Star Wars, Marvel, DC and wait to see what the next big thing maybe and do the same again. Say nothing about the state of the line they were so keen on and just let it die out.

Middle-Earth isn't exactly in that pattern, but I think Weta getting the 1/6 LOTR license back, along with I suspect a slow down in sales of their current LOTR items has resulted in a pause for thought and where best to spend development cost's for the greatest and fastest profit return.

So...basically...what you are saying is...that it is just fine and okay for Sideshow to think only about the profit margin and capitalizing on profits. While this makes perfect basic business sense, I was at least hoping for a company like Sideshow to take a little care for the fans and 'customers' and at least try to bring us reasonably priced collectibles that would keep us interested and still maintain a profit margin...albeit perhaps less of a profit margin than these fast buck turners. This is the sad state that I think Sideshow is now in...more interested in the BIG bucks than taking care and supporting fans bases.

In comes Weta Collectibles...who appear (at least for now) to truly have a sense of love for the worlds they helped create...and take heart when fans clamor and ask for certain things...and, for the most part, tend to deliver. I've said it before...Weta may not bring the EXACT item people are asking for, but they try to create products for every potential type and budget. Personally...I like what Weta is creating...

 

[Bucky Underbelly]

Quoting myself, here... is that weird? Anyways, just saw another Pacific Rim collectible up on SideShow's FB page which makes it PACIFIC RIM - 4, THE HOBBIT - 0...

I haven't seen the film myself, but is it really that popular and with a big enough fan base to support these releases?

This question belongs in the "Pacific Rim" section of the forum, not the "Middle-Earth/Hobbit/LotR" section.

Seems like a legitimate complaint to me. They hold licenses for both properties but they seem to be showering far more love on the one that hasn't quite reached $400M worldwide, while they seem to be ignoring the one that topped $1B?

I mean, with things like Marvel, DC, and Star Wars, the sales numbers are there. They always sell well. So it makes perfect sense when Sideshow focuses its energy on those lines instead of Middle-Earth. That's fair. Just makes good business sense. But in this particular case we're talking about a movie that put up respectable but not runaway numbers in theaters and didn't have an existing collectibles track record.

Ultimately, I think the difference in the amount of support they're showing Pacific Rim vs. the support (or lack thereof) they seem to be showing The Hobbit is the fact that Guillermo del Toro is directly and personally involved with their Pacific Rim line. He's a big collector himself (and has been a Sideshow booster in the past) and it looks to me like they want to keep that personal relationship alive and well, regardless of ticket sales. (After all, they did do statues for Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, Splice, and -- a long time ago -- The Devil's Backbone.)

Just my guess.

 

[Fritz]

Oh, I don't know. That seems like a perfectly legitimate (and Hobbit-related) complaint to me. They hold licenses for both properties but they seem to be showering far more love on the one that hasn't quite reached $400M worldwide, while they seem to be ignoring the one that topped $1B?...

I was "trying" to be funny and emphasize the point because there isn't a specific Pacific Rim section.

 

[Bucky Underbelly]

I was "trying" to be funny and emphasize the point because there isn't a specific Pacific Rim section.

Sorry!

(I'm not very bright, is the thing.)

 

[pillpoppermd]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atqcOWgh634[/ame]

anyone of you guys seen this 18:28. Looks like a balrog maquette to me

 

[cstojano]

Yeah good one, glad I watched the "box team" part for nothing.

 

[Geb]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atqcOWgh634

anyone of you guys seen this 18:28. Looks like a balrog maquette to me

Hilarious...being that the video is only 18:27...lmfao!

 

[theguru1]

So...basically...what you are saying is...that it is just fine and okay for Sideshow to think only about the profit margin and capitalizing on profits. While this makes perfect basic business sense, I was at least hoping for a company like Sideshow to take a little care for the fans and 'customers' and at least try to bring us reasonably priced collectibles that would keep us interested and still maintain a profit margin...albeit perhaps less of a profit margin than these fast buck turners. This is the sad state that I think Sideshow is now in...more interested in the BIG bucks than taking care and supporting fans bases.

In comes Weta Collectibles...who appear (at least for now) to truly have a sense of love for the worlds they helped create...and take heart when fans clamor and ask for certain things...and, for the most part, tend to deliver. I've said it before...Weta may not bring the EXACT item people are asking for, but they try to create products for every potential type and budget. Personally...I like what Weta is creating...

yeah, pretty much, a least that's the general feeling I've been getting from Sideshow more and more recently. I could of course be wrong, and don't have access to their accounts and all that.

Not that Weta hasn't tried some things out and then killed the line off, they still need to make a profit and can only do so much at once. But usually it was something that really didn't work, sold super slow and then the license it was based on pretty much died as well, like Hellgate London for example.

Ultimately, I think the difference in the amount of support they're showing Pacific Rim vs. the support (or lack thereof) they seem to be showing The Hobbit is the fact that Guillermo del Toro is directly and personally involved with their Pacific Rim line. He's a big collector himself (and has been a Sideshow booster in the past) and it looks to me like they want to keep that personal relationship alive and well, regardless of ticket sales.

I too have a big feeling that there's a 'del Toro' factor in the whole Pacific Rim collectible push and they all wanted to give it a go and this film seemed liked a fair one to try. It's possible that in this case, they have no plans for a long line, and basically made a whole bunch and released/showed them all just about all at the same time. They may have thoughts of more if Pacific Rim 2 happens, but even if it does, if the statues mostly sit around for ages, I doubt Sideshow would make more.

 

[cstojano]

PR is a huge risk, an unexplainable one, perhaps even more so than Bigfoot PF... actually nah. SS does test the waters quite a bit though. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, etc. I sometimes get the impression the central core of the company yearns for the days of the small statue firm they used to be. I think they get really jacked about their SS Originals line, especially the horror stuff which they pour R&D into, and deal with the licensed stuff as something of a necessary evil that is fun and pays all the bills.

 

[gagaliya]

It really PISSES me off sideshow would waste all those resources on those ******ing retarded godzilla ripoffs etc..that noone wants instead of just allocating some resource and release merry & pippin to close out the fellowship for all the fans and customers who supported this series.

I just counted in my pax display, that's over 9 statues i bought for this series based on the understanding the fellowship will be completed. It's not like we are asking sideshow to give us merry & pippin for free... What a major ,,!,, to all the fans who bought and supported this series.

Anyway looks like we have 75 signatures now for the petition, i am hoping for 100 first but will start trying, to see if we can get a response from sideshow.

Ridiculous, whoever is making those business decisions need to get their head examined.

 

[Adolfo]

Maybe Weta will make a Merry and Pippin

 

[theguru1]

A new Pippin was the second most requested 'repeat' character, now that Weta have the 1/6 license for LOTR.

https://www.wetacollectors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40510

So you never know, they do listen, but we need to fill holes first.

 

[FrodoEyes]

It really PISSES me off sideshow would waste all those resources on those ******ing retarded godzilla ripoffs etc..that noone wants instead of just allocating some resource and release merry & pippin to close out the fellowship for all the fans and customers who supported this series.

I just counted in my pax display, that's over 9 statues i bought for this series based on the understanding the fellowship will be completed. It's not like we are asking sideshow to give us merry & pippin for free... What a major ,,!,, to all the fans who bought and supported this series.

Anyway looks like we have 75 signatures now for the petition, i am hoping for 100 first but will start trying, to see if we can get a response from sideshow.

Ridiculous, whoever is making those business decisions need to get their head examined.

Poor Gaga. Sideshow never listen.

Maybe Weta will make a Merry and Pippin

They've already done a Merry in 'Fellowship' clothes, and i'm sure they'll do a Pippin. And as they've done a Pipin in armour, i'm hoping they'll do a Merry in armour.

 

[Adolfo]

Poor Gaga. Sideshow never listen.



They've already done a Merry in 'Fellowship' clothes, and i'm sure they'll do a Pippin. And as they've done a Pipin in armour, i'm hoping they'll do a Merry in armour.

Merry and Eowyn in Armor on horse

 

[67L88Stingray]

Merry and Eowyn in Armor on horse

That would be sweet.

 

[theguru1]

Another week, another newsletter and just look at all those awesome Middle-Earth announcements...... not.

 

[67L88Stingray]

Another week, another newsletter and just look at all those awesome Middle-Earth announcements...... not.

Yea, at least they could tell us that there is news coming. At this point I think the pre SDCC announcement was just a brush off.