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rudy
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JAKKS Pacific
part two
In the last Action Figure Zone we looked at Wrestling figures, with
most of our attention focused on JAKKS Pacific's WWF line, which is
basically the only game in town on the mass market. Since that report
was filed, JAKKS has announced some new additions to the WWF line, and
we'll take a look at those, plus, we'll look at their other action figure
offerings for the coming months.
First off, there have been some additions and changes since the last
AFZ. The "Ring Stunners" line of figures has indeed been renamed
"Stunt Action Superstars" and will also include a figure of
Rikishi that slaps his ample behind. There are additional series of
the highly-articulated "Finishing Moves" figures in the works,
as well as a new assortment of "Rebellion" figures. Hitting
the stores any day now, are the following:
Finishing Moves Series 3
Billy Gunn vs. Steve Guerrero
Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit
Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy
Rebellion Series 3HHH
Jeff Hardy
Kurt Angle
Steve Austin
The Rock
Undertaker
There are rumors circulating that JAKKS Pacific is going to attempt
to do full-body scans of the wrestlers in order to create more accurate
representations of them, but there are many technical issues preventing
this, and some observers think that the news is simply an April Fool's
gag run amok.
In addition to the above-listed figures, upcoming WWF figures include,
Commissioner William Regal, The APA, Tazz, Raven, and later in the year,
Rhyno and Spike Dudley (Spike may only be available as part of a boxed
set of Dudley Boyz). Jakks Pacific is also offering sneak peeks on their
website of figures of WWF officials (and twin brothers) Earl and Dave
Hebner, as well as a 12" statue of The Rock. These items may not
be produced, but they look interesting. The 12" Federation Fighters
line has been repackaged and is now available on blister cards for about
five dollars less than they were originally. These are available on
the JAKKS Pacific website (http://www.jakkspacific.com) but have also
been sighted in some stores. The new blister-carded versions come with
a display base, but otherwise, are the same as the previously-released
12" figures. The figures currently available are Stone Cold Steve
Austin, The Rock, The Undertaker, and Kane. A 12" figure of The
Big Show is shown on the Jakks website, but is not available yet. In
addition, a 12" prototype of Kurt Angle was shown to fans at the
fan gathering before Wrestlemania last month. If this line continues,
we hope that they improve the body beyond the barely-articulated one
that they're using now.
Other websites are reporting that JAKKS Pacific will be taking over
the WCW line of action figures from Toy Biz, as I told you they might
in the last AFZ. This is not a done deal yet, and those announcements
are premature. While Toy Biz has gladly dropped all rights they held
to the WCW, JAKKS Pacific will not launch a WCW toy line until the newly-acquired
WWF subsidiary proves that it can sustain a line of merchandise, and
with a rocky start to the new WCW (a TV deal is yet to be finalized),
that may not happen until next year. None of the WCW wrestlers have
been subjected to JAKKS "Real Scan" technology, and it's highly
unlikely that anything will be done with the WCW action figure line
until Toy Fair, next February, if that soon.
Don't be surprised, however, if a few of Toy Biz's later WCW offerings
straggle their way onto the mass market, or go straight to discount
stores. In the event that WCW does get re-established, and once again
spawns a healthy action figure line, these latter-day Toy Biz efforts
might be rare and highly sought-after.
The Mummy Returns
JAKKS is also releasing figures based on the movie "The Mummy Returns"
, which features WWF wrestler, The Rock. Let's go to the press release:
JAKKS Pacific, Inc has signed on as a toy licensee for Universal Pictures'
and Alphaville Productions' ``The Mummy Returns,'' the sequel to the
worldwide box office hit ``The Mummy.'' The film is scheduled for release
on May 4, 2001.
JAKKS Pacific will create a line of action figures play-sets and accessories
based on the characters and story lines from the film. These new action
figures are expected to be available at mass-market and specialty retailers
nationwide in Spring 2001 and it is currently anticipated that the line
will include:
-- Sword Fighting Rick O'Connell
-- Rick O'Connell with pygmy mummy
-- Imhotep -- The Mummy
-- Mortal Scorpion King
``JAKKS Pacific is one of the industry leaders in action figures,''
said Elliot Lederman, vice president, licensing and toys at Universal.
``Their innovative scanning technology enables them to replicate remarkable
life-like toys. We are very excited about 'The Mummy Returns,' with
its original cast returning in addition to the new characters including
The Rock as The Scorpion King, the Annubis Warriors and the pygmy mummies,
and we anticipate that JAKKS will create an awesome line of toys that
will appeal to both boys and collectors.''
``We are truly thrilled to be working with Universal Studios Consumer
Products Group on 'The Mummy Returns,' said Jamie Wood, senior vice
president Action Toys, JAKKS Pacific. ''Given the original 'Mummy' movie's
huge success world-wide and with our experience creating action figures,
we are optimistic that our toy line based on the property will be well
received at retail.``
Brendan Fraser reprises his role in ``The Mummy Returns'' as adventurer
Rick O'Connell and is joined by returning co-stars Rachel Weisz, John
Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr and Patricia Velasquez. They are joined
by newcomer Freddie Boath and WWF superstar The Rock as The Scorpion
King. The new film is again written and directed by Stephen Sommers
and produced by James Jacks and Sean Daniel.
``The Mummy Returns'' is set in 1935, 10 years after the events of the
first film. Rick O'Connell (Fraser) is now married to Evelyn (Weisz),
and the couple have settled in London, where they are raising their
9-year-old son Alex (played by screen newcomer Freddie Boath).
When a chain of events finds the corpse of Imhotep(Vosloo) resurrected
in the British Museum, The Mummy Imhotep walks the earth once more,
determined to fulfill his quest for immortality. But another force has
also been set loose in the world...one born of the darkest rituals of
ancient Egyptian mysticism, and even more powerful than Imhotep. When
these two forces clash, the fate of the world will hang in the balance,
sending the O'Connells on a desperate race to save the world from unspeakable
evil and rescue their son before it is too late.
With the opening date of the movie mere days away at this writing, the
toys have yet to find their way into many stores. Let's hope JAKKS has
better luck with this film than they did with Josie and the Pussycats.
BATTLEBOTS
JAKKS other big licensing coup from Toy Fair was the acquisition of
part of the BattleBots line. Their Road Champs division signed a licensing
agreement with BattleBots Inc. to manufacture and market a line of toys
based on the popular ``BattleBots'' television series.
The series, which is broadcast on Comedy Central, consists of weekly
segments filmed at BattleBots competitions held at various sites around
the country. ``BattleBots,'' the ultimate contest of engineering, strategy
and creativity, offers entertainment for the entire family. The robots,
which are designed for combat and weigh from 25 to almost 500 pounds,
feature an array of destructive weaponry such as hammers, saws, and
spikes.
The Road Champs line will include wind-up and pull-back toys inspired
by competition contenders and winners. ``BattleBots represents an excellent
addition to our Road Champs division,'' said Stephen Berman, president
and COO of JAKKS Pacific. ``The BattleBots line, which is already generating
excitement among our retail partners, will evoke the imagination and
excitement of the originals. The new toys, introduced at the International
Toy Fair in February, are expected to be on retail shelves well ahead
of the 2001 holiday season.''
Hasbro will be offering their own line of larger-sized remote control
BattleBots toys through their Tiger Electronics division.
That's it for this Action Figure Zone. Next time: Playing Mantis and
Formative international.
Later, Rudy
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