I'm waxing nostalgic tonight. I just got the Hot Toys Back to The Future Marty McFly and he's super sweet. It's not just that he's a well-designed, long awaited figure, but it's just ridiculously awesome that a franchise like Back to the Future is getting toys made for it 30 years after its initial release—and we get them in the highest of high-end 1/6 scale badassery.
I love movie toys...probably mostly because I love movies. My favorite way to unwind is to zone out to a great film. Sometimes it's the big budget action film, sometimes it's the gross-out comedy, sometimes it's a forgotten classic, or sometimes it's a campy zombie flick—it really just depends on my mood. The figures and products that are tied to movies can range from being exceptionally awesome to utterly horrible. More often than not we get numerous versions of the character in different sizes and shapes, done by different companies at different price points so that all levels of collector can get themselves a figure of their favorite hero or villain.
Most collectors would agree though that the top film toys come from companies like Hot Toys, Sideshow, and NECA. Hot Toys has become the benchmark for figure design and they have unlocked the mystery of how to impress collectors with the deepest pockets: simply sell the best possible version of the character so therefore the buyer can accept no substitutes. Over the years we have been treated with fantastic (and expensive) Hot Toys figures that topped the want lists of millions of fanboys. From Predator's Dutch to Tim Burton’s Batman to Christopher Reeve as Superman, we’ve been treated to top of the line versions of our heroes, villains, robots, and monsters. We're able to display the characters of our youths in all their hyper-detailed glory, but some us (me) are never happy. Sure 1/6 figures are expensive to produce and Hot Toys is no stranger to yanking the rest of the line if sales aren’t cutting it (see Watchmen), but if you’re a fan of cinema and movie-themed action figures, there is ALWAYS going to be a film that’s main character or cast is screaming to be immortalized in plastic. Here’s a list of the top 10 (okay 12) films fanboys like me are demanding figures from for some shelf-dominating sweetness.
HAPPENING NOW: INDIANA JONES and the TEMPLE of DOOM
Raiders of the Lost Ark is considered classic. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is fun and cheeky and Crystal Skull flat out sucked, so what’s that mean for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom? As a kid Temple of Doom was my fave Dr. Jones story, probably because the first hour is white knuckle and the NES game is one of the better Indiana Jones video game adventures. It's true that after the chilled monkey brains the film had some pacing issues (Winnie/Indiana love story—yawn), but then the barehanded heart surgery happens and you're right back in there. ToD is a solid Indy story that has held up well and for most fans ceased to be the least favorite film after Crystal Skull was released. And with all the colorful characters...why no decent figures?
Sideshow has revealed that they are tackling Indy at least, but I won't be satisfied until I see a Short Round and Mola Rom on my shelf. I'd buy a Thugee Guard too, but who am I kidding, we haven’t even got a decent Marion yet, so if it came down to just Indy and Mola Rom, I wouldn't be surprised. Maybe toy companies are still licking their wounds from the KotCS Indy overstock, but this Indy film has been neglected far too long in 1/6 form.
FANBOY PIPE DREAM: SPACEBALLS
Mel Brooks’ sci-fi send-up is considered one of his classics, but it was a film that gained much of its following after home video release. The film’s many references to Star Wars were actually okayed by George Lucas with one caveat to Mel Brooks: NO TOYS. Brooks sheepishly agreed, which is why the toy angle is satirized when we hear of the faux sequel “Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money.” And that's what has happened--not one figure ever. It's a shame though, figures of Dark Helmet, Lonestar, Barf, Princess Vespa, D.O.T. and Col. Sanders top my want list. With rumors of a Spaceball sequel in the works, we may see this line come to fruition, but count on needing Godfather Lucas' blessing to do anything at all. If we see some Funko figures first, either in ReAction 3 ¾" style or POP! figures, it would be a good sign that the licensing has lightened up a bit.
10. LOST BOYS
Okay—onto the actual list. Regarded as one of the best vampire films to date, Lost Boys has had smaller incarnations of its characters released by NECA, but never crossed over to the 1/6 market (which is weird because vampire toys are usually big sellers). Obviously David and Michael would be the top choices for the line, both with normal and vamped-out sculpts. A Frog brother 2-pack would be sweet, along with Sam maybe even Max and the other members of his vampire brood. The movie is so quotable (DEATH BY STEREO!), talking chips may be the way to go, even if the chips were placed in the bases. And isn't it about time we got some 1/6 Coreys?
9. FLASH GORDON (1980)
Flash Gordon's an unfortunate forgotten hero. He was one of the first comic adventure characters and he had heavy influence on both the Superman and Batman comics in their earliest incarnations. The campy 1980 film is full of colorful characters and great toy opportunities, which is probably why NECA also released a few figures from this film too. Sam Jones in both the Flash t-shirt and battle armor would be musts in 1/6 and so would Ming. I would imagine there are some hardcore Flash Gordon collectors out there, so a 1/6 line with Flash, Emperor Ming, Dale Arden, and maybe even Prince Vultan or Princess Aura could work. Cue up the awesome Queen soundtrack and take my money Hot Toys!
This Just In: SDCC 2015 Flash Gordon Exclusives
8. TOMBSTONE
Cowboy toys aren't as popular as they used to be, so it’s about time for a resurgence of cowboy figures very soon. Tombstone needs to be part of the resurgence. Considered one of the most revered modern westerns in recent history, Tombstone showcased the life of Wyatt Earp and his brothers during their attempt to make their fortunes in Tombstone, AZ. Things don’t go as planned and gunfights ensue. With stellar turns by Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Michael Biehn, and Powers Boothe, this film is ripe for some fantastic 1/6 scale figures. Both Doc and Wyatt could come with numerous looks with both the head sculpts and outfits and for a film that is so quotable, maybe lines from the film should be featured somehow. I'm definitely your huckleberry for these figs!
7. PULP FICTION
Quentin Tarantino has kinda gotten the shaft with figures for his films. We were all stoked when Enterbay picked up the Django: Unchained rights (and showed some great looking sculpts of the characters), but then recanted due to public outcry that a figure of a former slave was in bad taste. Reservoir Dogs has made various attempts—the best being the Mr. White, Orange, and Blonde by Sideshow in 1/6 scale, but selling a plain old dude in a black-and-white suit can tough—probably why Pulp Fiction has been passed over for proper figures. Of all of Tarantino's works, Pulp Fiction is definitely a film that deserves some 1/6 toy love and while it is encouraging that we've had both licensed Mini-mates and Funko figures from this groundbreaking movie, it's way overdue for a proper 1/6 line. Obviously Vincent and Jules need figs, but Winston Wolf, Jimmie, Mia, Butch and Marcellus would all be great to see immortalized in high-end 1/6 glory. How about a 1/6 scale 1974 Chevy Nova for Jules and Vince to tool around in while discussing mayonnaise on french fries?!?!
6. BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA
John Carpenter has made numerous figure-worthy films over the years and some attempts are better than others. Michael Myers from the Halloween series has gotten the most love in uncountable incarnations, but Carpenter’s Kurt Russell vehicles haven't fared as well. Snake Plissken seems to be the perennial favorite for toys and Big Trouble in Little China is enjoying new shelf presence with both Funko ReAction figures and POP! figures, but isn't it about time for 1/6 versions? Jack Burton, Lo Pan, Egg Shen, and Wang Chi are musts--as well as Lightning, Thunder and Rain (with various light-up effects). David Lo Pan in a wheelchair? Give me a light up skull head-sculpt and I'm buying!!!
5. BLOODSPORT
Van Damme's breakout film is full of great characters, but a Bloodsport line would be more about finally getting a 1/6 Van Damme figure from his heyday. Bloodsport is easily the best of his early films and with characters like Ray Jackson and Chong Li, you’d at least have the three most interesting fighters in the line. Other fighters from the film would probably be hard to sell, but I think most Van Damme fans want a Frank Dux on their shelf doing a full split. The figure should come with 3 different facial expressions and you could package him with both street clothes and a tournament outfit. And Chong Li on a decent muscle body with the exclusive pack-in being Ray's Harley bandana? Yes, please!
4. CONAN THE BARBARIAN/DESTROYER
One of the few Arnold flicks that DOESN'T have toys, this entry's a damn shame, but I see it being rectified sooner than later. With Arnold Schwarzenegger signing on for Conan 3 (The Legend of Conan), we might see some toy love for this great barbarian franchise. Sure Conan the Destroyer was overwrought, but it had cool characters that would translate into cool figures. If nothing at all, the first film is a classic fantasy story with all the looks of some of Frank Frazetta's best artwork. Conan the Barbarian helped make a star out of Schwarzenegger and you could easily produce 3 versions of Conan from his various looks throughout the film, but Thulsa Doom and his tight bangs would make a sweet showpiece as well. Zula, Bombatta, and Akiro "The Wizard" would be great additions from Destroyer, but I’d be okay with just tackling the first film properly be we started demanding a figure of Grace Jones.
3. THE PRINCESS BRIDE
Admit it, you love it. How could you not? Easily the best fairy tale film to date (I'll argue it against Legend and Dark Crystal all day), The Princess Bride is a classic story of love and loss. It boasts swordsmen, giants, kings, miracle workers, and albinos. It's a perfect film with a great balance of action, humor, adventure and drama. Westley/The Dread Pirate Roberts figure could come with both outfits and different sculpts and you could do a nice Vizzini and Fezzik two-pack. Inigo Montoya would need to have both clean and battle damaged versions and Prince Humperdinck would need to come with the chair from the final scene. And of course, you can’t forget the Princess Bride herself.
2. BLADE RUNNER
Easily the biggest head scratcher on the list probably because Harrison Ford is no stranger to toy licensing, Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner is considered to be one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time. Its cinematic style changed filmmaking forever and its visual effects can be seen in one way or another throughout nearly every sci-fi film since its release. The movie itself has FIVE different endings but zero official toy lines! Android Hunter Rick Deckard has had numerous bootleg 1/6 figures--Brother Productions most recently released him and a decent Roy Batty but neither was officially licensed. With a sequel in the works that both Scott and Harrison Ford have signed onto, we may finally get some great licensed figures of Rick and Roy, but also Priss, Rachael, and Tyrell in the next few years.
1. MAD MAX
The original films are cult classics and the new film is totally badass, so with four films of awesome post-apocalyptic character designs, were the hell are the toys?!?! The Mad Max franchise inspired numerous wannabees committed to celluloid in the 80’s and gave all of us a pretty good idea of what the world would be like after a major apocalyptic event—mohawks and football pads for everyone! With all the hype surrounding the latest film, it’s crazy that Max hasn’t gotten a full a line of figures in ANY scale. Road Warrior did have some N2 Toys released a few years ago and they were peg warmers, so maybe that’s why makers are a tad bit gun-shy, but a 1/6 half-naked goalie masked figure of The Humungus needs to be on my shelf asap. With four different films and four different Max looks, you would easily have the support of a full line with so many versions of the main character. C’mon Hot Toys—bring me the Road Warrior!
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