16 replies to this topic

[JB007YH]

Does anybody know who currently holds the rights to producing Action figures? I loved the sideshow ones but its a shame they let the license lapse. I really hope they give it back to them or another company of that caliber for the 50th anniversary. I was always keeping my fingers crossed for a Bernard Lee, Moneypenny, Rosa Klebb, Nick Nack and others. I loved what sideshow did but I feel like they left many options unexplored.

[Attempting Re-entry]

My kids are forever asking me why somebody doesn't make Star Wars figures-sized Bond toys.

That's be pretty cool.

[marktmurphy]

I think Corgi had the licence a couple of years ago; they showed some 5 inch prototypes at the Toyfair not long after Casino Royale but they were never made.

Here you go:
http://commanderbond...-previewed.html

[Pussfeller]

I'm surprised Bond hasn't been merchandised more heavily, particularly with action figures. There are so many recognizable characters, it would be a natural fit.

[Poor Man's JB]

Possibly whoever currently owns Corgi has the rights to a [approx] 6" line but that is the only thing I am aware of at present; as noted above, they did exhibit prototypes but retailer interest was so low that Corgi didn't pursue it further (some of their choices -- Craig in the Hawaiian-type shirt, for instance -- I don't think helped).

Figure licensing is a curious thing: There are usually multiple licenses issued based on size (3.75", 6", 12", etc.) and may all go to one company or, as happened circa TND, could wind-up with separate companies. A manufacturer may even tweak their normal production so as to score a license and not conflict with another maker. For example, Exclusive Premieres was making 9" figures when they started negotiations with EON; somehow that encroached on Sideshow's 12" license so EP reduced it's Bond figures to 6".

MEGO was the last company that I know of to look at a Star Wars scale line of Bond action figures (obviously Corgi had the similarly-sized ICON series but those weren't toys) but, again, lack of retailer interest -- as well as financial trouble -- killed it.

Edited by Poor Man's JB, 17 January 2012 - 11:12 PM.

[JB007YH]

I remember when there was talk about those Corgis. I was so excited for their release that never came. Im sure my wallet is thanking the holy heavens for their stall in production

[Poor Man's JB]

I'm suddenly reminded that there is someone making unlicensed, ICON-type figures. No website but you can get on his mailing list. Issues a new figure about once a month.

[JB007YH]

Can you PM me his email address?

[Poor Man's JB]

Reply sent.

[marktmurphy]

I went to the Toyfair today; not much sign of Bond stuff. A Skyfall poker set, looks like Corgi are bringing the DB5 out again.

[doublenoughtspy]

Thanks for the update Mark, sorry to hear there wasn't much there.

I think simple economics demonstrate that Bond action figures just don't sell incredibly well. I've got the Gilbert figures from the 60s, Mego from the 70s, Exclusive Premiere's from the 90s, and the Sideshow from the 00s and each have their strengths and weakness, well except for the Exclusive Premiere's which pretty much sucked, with the possible exception of their affordability.

I would love to know the inside scoop of how well, or not well, the Bond Sideshow figures sold. Obviously the limited editions figures like Q and Jaws sold out pretty much immediately, and I think only a few of the figures (006, Wai Lin) hit the wholesale discount bin outside of Sideshow's distribution.

I'm wondering if they thought they squeezed all they could out of the brand, and that renewing the license wouldn't make economic sense, or if Eon raised the price too much and Sideshow balked.

[Poor Man's JB]

Sideshow HQ isn't that far from me and I made a valiant attempt a few years back to interview someone in their marketing department about Bond but as far as they seemed to be concerned, the license was dead and buried and not worth their investing any time in discussing.

[Syndicate]

Thanks for the update Mark, sorry to hear there wasn't much there.

I think simple economics demonstrate that Bond action figures just don't sell incredibly well. I've got the Gilbert figures from the 60s, Mego from the 70s, Exclusive Premiere's from the 90s, and the Sideshow from the 00s and each have their strengths and weakness, well except for the Exclusive Premiere's which pretty much sucked, with the possible exception of their affordability.

Guess Bond action figures are just not like Star Wars, Star Trek, Transformer, WWE, G.I. Joe and super hero action figures and other stuff related to those. I had seen the the Thunderball action figure at one of those hobby shop that sell expensive very nice and detailed action figures. Where one would not find a $12.99 -$20.00 action figure. From what I remember the Thunderball one was selling for like $87.99 brand new still in it box unopen. Outside of that, when Tower Records/Videos was still around they had the Licence To Kill action figures.

Edited by Syndicate, 11 February 2012 - 03:53 PM.

[James Blond]

I'm suddenly reminded that there is someone making unlicensed, ICON-type figures. No website but you can get on his mailing list. Issues a new figure about once a month.

Can you PM me?

[JB007YH]

Thanks Poor Mans JB, got the PM

[E S Blofeld]

It is unfortunate nobody is continuing with the Bond action figures, but I suspect it is a simple case of economics. I too am disappointed Sideshow dropped Bond, since they had a lot more characters they could have rolled out. On the other hand, Sideshow has gone from producing $40 figures to $100 figures...

Anyone have an idea what happened to the proposed Corgi line mentioned above? Placed on the back burner or dropped in the round file?

[Mark_Hazard]

Anyone have an idea what happened to the proposed Corgi line mentioned above? Placed on the back burner or dropped in the round file?

I understand that when Corgi was bought out, the idea was dropped.