1/6 Hot Toys - The X-Men License - Interview with Chan

[a-dev]

Not only has HT been making Wolverine figures from the worst films in the series and overpricing them, but each Wolverine so far has had major likeness issues. A perfectly sculpted Hugh Jackman in his 70s attire fairly priced would certainly sell out in my opinion.


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It's ridiculous when you think about it.

 

[Motuxmen]

Not only has HT been making Wolverine figures from the worst films in the series and overpricing them, but each Wolverine so far has had major likeness issues. A perfectly sculpted Hugh Jackman in his 70s attire fairly priced would certainly sell out in my opinion.


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Though I would buy it, and any xmen really, as stated above, nothing supports this.

The only way to gauge future sales is to look at past performance. There have been three wolverine figures. And before each one people where saying the same thing you are about a 70s wolverine. Yet, when released they did not do as well as the other marvel figures, and they cost more in licensing then the other figures(both marvel, and fox have to be compensated, as does Hugh.).

You and I can assume because this movie (dofp) did better that the figures would sell better. But generally people buy characters they like, and don't base that on box office numbers. Though wolverine looks good in 70s clothing, as a figure that would be really simple. Costumes, weapons, armor are things that sell figures. Bell bottoms and wide collars are not a huge draw.

I future wolverine, in costume, with armor would most likely sell better. And they could do a 70s as a toy fair exclusive to get more out of the sculpt.

But, it's hard to sell hot toys on that. Given past performance of the licenses.

 

[pturtle]

There's no real reason to think likeness would be improved on subsequent releases (see: Tony Stark). And you could speculate that it would sell, assuming everything worked out, but HT likes to gamble on the sure bet. Of course, I would love to see these happen, but Chan's history tells us to be cautious when hoping for something that isn't really obvious, like more Iron Men or Predators. By the time a figure was even released the next film will probably be coming, so the rational move from Chan's POV, if he's going to do X-Men at all, is probably to look forward to that, and try to line up a prototype or two to coincide with the release of the film.

Well, HT did a much better job on the DX13 compared to the DX10, and even though it's 1/4 scale they did a much better job on the QS001 compared to the DX12.

HT already has an agreement with some of the actors, that was hard part, why not go through with the line?




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[karamazov80]

HT already has an agreement with some of the actors, that was hard part, why not go through with the line?

Again, because choosing to create and release a figure is a huge investment, and this is not the safest one for HT.

 

[a-dev]

Again, because choosing to create and release a figure is a huge investment, and this is not the safest one for HT.

Safer than some of the other stuff they've put out/are putting out. I'm looking at Lone Ranger and certain stuff in the Disney section. I expect those licenses weren't free. But they'll do what they do.

 

[Motuxmen]

Safer than some of the other stuff they've put out/are putting out. I'm looking at Lone Ranger and certain stuff in the Disney section. I expect those licenses weren't free. But they'll do what they do.

Your right, not free. But a completely different situation. To get the license for Lone Ranger they pay Disney, and that's it. For xmen, they pay marvel, they pay fox, they pay the actors. 2/3 more license fees.

On top of that, the Lone Ranger line(tonto or say malefiecent) had no previous figures to judge future performance. This was the first test figure of the property. That's not the case with xmen and wolverine. They have three previous figures to use as a gauge.

 

[karamazov80]

And there are always going to be exceptions here or there (like Crow), but there are lot of licenses that fit into the "maybe" pile for Hot Toys, and only a few of them are going to get figures. In that case, you're rolling the dice as to what's coming next, though factors playing against it (lack of existing Wolvie sales, fact that DOFP has come and gone from theaters, apparently additional costs and effort involved in obtaining rights) aren't helpful I'm sure. But Tonto wasn't shocking, because it was Depp, who Chan apparently loves despite the lack of sales for his figures, and the figure got hyped as the movie was coming out, similar to Malificent (we saw the same with GI Joe). Now that HT has missed the boat, I think a released movie like DOFP has a much less likely chance (see also: Prometheus).

 

[pturtle]

Which is exactly what I was about say, they are making a lot of risky figures these days, making figures for the longest running superhero franchise that just put out the highest grossing superhero film this year that was critically acclaimed seems like a pretty safe choice to me, especially when they have not just popular characters, but some of the most popular actors working today.


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[a-dev]

Your right, not free. But a completely different situation. To get the license for Lone Ranger they pay Disney, and that's it. For xmen, they pay marvel, they pay fox, they pay the actors. 2/3 more license fees.

On top of that, the Lone Ranger line(tonto or say malefiecent) had no previous figures to judge future performance. This was the first test figure of the property. That's not the case with xmen and wolverine. They have three previous figures to use as a gauge.

Fair enough.

See what happens is all we can do.

 

[karamazov80]

Which is exactly what I was about say, they are making a lot of risky figures these days, making figures for the longest running superhero franchise that just put out the highest grossing superhero film this year that was critically acclaimed seems like a pretty safe choice to me, especially when they have not just popular characters, but some of the most popular actors working today.


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Avatar--one of the biggest movies ever. One figure, still in stock at SSC.
Alien vs. Predator--crap movies, disappointing box office, about 700 Hot Toys figures produced from them so far.

Just saying.

 

[Motuxmen]

Fair enough.

See what happens is all we can do.

Very true. I'm with you in wanting these figures. I've got multiple wolverine tattoos. I love xmen as a property. It's my favorite comic franchise. This is one of my oldest tats. 15 plus years old.

 

[karamazov80]

Is that from the McFarlane Spider-Man cover? Very cool. Brown Wolvie is probably my favorite superhero design.

 

[Motuxmen]

Which is exactly what I was about say, they are making a lot of risky figures these days, making figures for the longest running superhero franchise that just put out the highest grossing superhero film this year that was critically acclaimed seems like a pretty safe choice to me, especially when they have not just popular characters, but some of the most popular actors working today.


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And because it has those things going for it, the license rights are a lot higher. And they are not only payable to the studio that made the film, but to marvel, and to the actors.

It's about profit margin. And risk vs reward.

If you make 1000 dollars but have to invest 900, it's no better then if you make 200 and invest 100. You make 100 each way.

As others stated, and myself, box office and gross of the film mean little. aSM2 out sold all the raimi movies..but most people prefer the Spider-Man 3 figure to the upcoming asm2 figure. Avatar sold more by itself then every single predator and alien movie combined but has one unsuccessful figure to show for it. And on and on.

Is that from the McFarlane Spider-Man cover? Very cool. Brown Wolvie is probably my favorite superhero design.

Its a custom drawing, based on the brown costume. I agree, though, brown costume is my favorite as well.

 

[pturtle]

Avatar--one of the biggest movies ever. One figure, still in stock at SSC.
Alien vs. Predator--crap movies, disappointing box office, about 700 Hot Toys figures produced from them so far.

Just saying.

That was always a unique situation, but even still, this is a slightly different situation from that, taking into account all the positives of making figures from this franchise other than just box office, the X-Men films seem like a safe bet to produce figures for, none of those characters/actors from Avatar are as popular as the characters/actors from the X-Men franchise which already has a loyal fan base, Jackman/Wolverine, JenniferLawrence/Mystique, Michael Fassbender/Magneto, Patrick Stewart/Professor X, Ian McKellan/Magneto etc….

A Sam Worthington/Avatar just isn't in the same league.

And because it has those things going for it, the license rights are a lot higher. And they are not only payable to the studio that made the film, but to marvel, and to the actors.

It's about profit margin. And risk vs reward.

If you make 1000 dollars but have to invest 900, it's no better then if you make 200 and invest 100. You make 100 each way.

As others stated, and myself, box office and gross of the film mean little. aSM2 out sold all the raimi movies..but most people prefer the Spider-Man 3 figure to the upcoming asm2 figure. Avatar sold more by itself then every single predator and alien movie combined but has one unsuccessful figure to show for it. And on and on.



Its a custom drawing, based on the brown costume. I agree, though, brown costume is my favorite as well.

From what I understand, either film in the TASM series has not been more successful than any of the films in Raimi’s trilogy, and there has only been one ASM figure produced and that doesn’t look like it’s selling out anytime soon, and same for the figures from the sequel.

I really don’t know about all the technicalities of who pays who, how much HT has to pay the actors, Fox, or Marvel, but if they’ve already made 3 figures from this franchise (all from the worst films in the series) why not take a chance and capitalize on the success of DOFP, arguably the best film in the series.

 

[elleas]

DOFP Charles and Erik and basically everyone from the movie would be very high on my buying list. I mean, it's great to get several figures of a character you've missed the first time, but...
A little diversity doesn't hurt.

 

[Invictus Sol]

From what I understand, either film in the TASM series has not been more successful than any of the films in Raimi’s trilogy, and there has only been one ASM figure produced and that doesn’t look like it’s selling out anytime soon, and same for the figures from the sequel.

I really don’t know about all the technicalities of who pays who, how much HT has to pay the actors, Fox, or Marvel, but if they’ve already made 3 figures from this franchise (all from the worst films in the series) why not take a chance and capitalize on the success of DOFP, arguably the best film in the series.

Because they can make more, with less investment, on a bunch of other licenses. Should be obvious by now that these figures aren't going to happen but I guess this horse is destined to be beat until the cycle starts again for AoA.

 

[egel]

If you make 1000 dollars but have to invest 900, it's no better then if you make 200 and invest 100. You make 100 each way.

Err, to me this is a huge difference.

 

[WhoaItsJBot]

Not only has HT been making Wolverine figures from the worst films in the series and overpricing them, but each Wolverine so far has had major likeness issues. A perfectly sculpted Hugh Jackman in his 70s attire fairly priced would certainly sell out in my opinion.


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That's exactly why I don't have a Wolverine yet. The sculpts just aren't good enough for me to be spending $230 on one... but as you said a perfectly sculpted 70s Wolverine I would PO day one.

 

[pturtle]

That's exactly why I don't have a Wolverine yet. The sculpts just aren't good enough for me to be spending $230 on one... but as you said a perfectly sculpted 70s Wolverine I would PO day one.

Same here, and I'm a HUGE fan of FoX-Men but I refuse to have multiple subpar Wolverines in my collection.

I still remember when The Wolverine was first revealed, everyone seemed interested, as soon as we saw our first in hand pic, that thread turned into a ghost town.


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[Taibhse]

That's exactly why I don't have a Wolverine yet. The sculpts just aren't good enough for me to be spending $230 on one... but as you said a perfectly sculpted 70s Wolverine I would PO day one.

You and Pturtle have hit the nail on the head.. most peeps are making their buying decision, based on whether they like the head sculpt.. however that is a very high risk issue for Hot Toys, if collectors decide they don't like the HS, the figure's sales will tank.. so any figure where the actor's face is obscured by a mask, helmet, make-up etc. is a much safer bet for sales.
Imho, this is why Sideshow made a smart choice going for the comic likeness rights.. and Collectors are more likely to see X-Men figures they like.

..excluding their current Wolverine prototype.