There could be a host of reasons why one was approved another was not. Was MJ alive for the earlier release, or was he alive and they got the approval before he passed? That could factor in. I know after he passed his estate was in court all the time with this family member or that family member fighting for control. Anytime a new suit is filed an injunction is usually put on any non essential business, so any approvals would be on hold till the court ruled. Also, once the estate is liquidated to cover any old debt or money owed often times any new merchandise is put on hold.
Nope, the court proceedings were after the Doctor that killed him and between The Jacksons vs. AEG Live, there were never legal battles for the merchandising rights.
The only figures released or in the works before his passing were Billie Jean and Thriller. Bad and Beat-It were developed after his passing.
Since MJ died, there has been at least 3 other licensed Smooth Criminal figures:
As for other companies issue of merchandise..that doesn't make an difference . Each license agreement is different. If they are licensed. Not every product is. I've seen a few 1/6 that are unlicensed. A lot of that happens. Like the art punisher(I think it was art, anyway it's not hot toys and not licensed). As for why they would let the license expire..it may not have been up to them. And if they couldn't get approval for the one they already made why spend the money to get the license? Just because things sell well on the secondary market has no impact on hot toys.
Most MJ figures sold really well and are sold out everywhere, so HT made their money back. I am talking about licensed items here, not customs or knock offs.
My guess is that perhaps they didn't want to spend any resources to pursue the license any further... perhaps it went up in price... but saying the family didn't approve is pure BS. And that's what I've been saying all along... Blaming someone else, when it's obvious HT was at fault here is pathetic...
I see a lot of people act like they intentionally go with marvel out of spite or something. If they could make money on it they would. The fact that they spent money on a license means they wanted and intended to produce figures. License rights are not cheap. On top of that cost they paid to have the proto made. If they could have gotten it approved and released they would. But let's say they send it for approval and months past. They have to make money so they start with other projects. Then after months still no approval (maybe because the estate is in court or busy or whatever) and the license is coming up to expire in 6-12 months. By that time it's to late unless you renew. It takes 8-14 months from proto to release for most figures(from GI joe to he-man). Business wise it makes no sense to spend thousands on a license and due to whatever reason only be able to produce one figure. When u can spend around the same and make a bunch of figures (DC, predator, marvel, Star Wars) because the licensor moves approvals along.
HT has alienated a lot of costumers by focusing on just a 2-3 licenses and sending everything else to the back burner... I understand they are here to make money, but years ago it was great to see certain obscure characters or lines that nobody else would touch. But HT has long been in this for just the money, losing a lot of fans, and cheapening their product while increasing their prices.
They don't care at all about QC and solving existing issues and it shows.
BTW, in case you don't know they released a total of 4 Michael Jackson figures, so obviously they were selling.
What I am saying is that HT is blaming the family and that is BS as they have NO say in this matter... Is that too hard to understand?
why spend all that time to build a Delorean
and then not sell it?
I know right?...
