Emce Repros of Tarzan, Conan or Isis ?

[Mego-Amigo]

Just wondering if it would be as difficult to get the license to do repros of the Mego Tarzan, Conan or Isis since you would not be dealing with big companies like DC and Marvel and if anyone other than me would care. If you read this Paul what do you think ? Maybe you could work with Dark Horse on the Tarzan and Conan. I would think Isis would be the easiest license to aquire though from Filmation. I would be first in line if this could be done.

[shazam7208]

Those would be cool, if it were possible.

[Werewolf]

Isis would be cool. But the rights are complicated from what I understand. The main problem being, Filmation doesn't exist anymore and hasn't for a very long time. Classic Media owns the Filmation library. There's also likeness rights issues to the TV character. DC does have their own version of Isis which is fairly close to the Filmation one. DC Direct even made a figure of her.

[torgospizza]

I honestly think Conan's do-able. I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure NECA's dropped the license from the Schwartzenegger films, and I haven't heard so much as a peep about merchandise for the upcoming film. If EMCE or another company were to make figures, they might possibly be the only figures of any scale. If the film does well, BOOM, someone's cleaning up.

[ScottA]

What could you possibly want to improve on Megos Conan?

[Werewolf]

What could you possibly want to improve on Megos Conan?

A less "Hulk Smash!!" looking face?

[drmego]

Joe and I met with the licensing people for Conan, Tarzan, Zorro, the
Lone Ranger, and others a few years back. They all want thousands up
front and a guarantee of XXX amount in royalties.

Most of these properties don't have enough sales potential to justify
the cost of entry - which is why you don't see anyone making figures
of them. We have been able to work another way to see some rather
marginal characters be mego-ized, but some license holders refuse to
change with the market conditions.

[wayne foundation 07]

A less "Hulk Smash!!" looking face?

To me it was a don't look at my "furry underpants" looking face

[Jason73]

Joe and I met with the licensing people for Conan, Tarzan, Zorro, the
Lone Ranger, and others a few years back. They all want thousands up
front and a guarantee of XXX amount in royalties.
.

It's nice to know that you guys don't leave any stones unturned.

[livnxxxl]

What really bites about the whole licensing thing is that the companies holding the licenses seem not want to have anything to do with the 8" line unless they are going to make a small fortune.

In the mean time with nothing being done at all no money is being made at all either. That does not make much sense from my view point. Something is better than nothing.

[Mego-Amigo]

Thanks Paul for letting us know you have tried. Sounds like these licenses are as difficult to obtain as DC or Marvel after all.

[scifiguy94]

What really bites about the whole licensing thing is that the companies holding the licenses seem not want to have anything to do with the 8" line unless they are going to make a small fortune.

In the mean time with nothing being done at all no money is being made at all either. That does not make much sense from my view point. Something is better than nothing.

Unless you're talking about an STD.

[livnxxxl]

Unless you're talking about an STD.

That is very true. In that case I would rather have nothing instead of something.

[drmego]

The people involved are licensing agents - either repping the owner
of the property or working for the company who owns many
characters rights.

They don't care if "X" toy is made or not - but they get in trouble
for de-valuing the property by making a deal for less money.

I have heard that Warner Bros. licensing will not pick up a pen for
less than $50,000 up front - but I can't say that is true - I'm just
repeating what I heard.

The media company that owns the Lone Ranger would rather the
character not have an action figure than admit that the property
is worth less.

[livnxxxl]

So in other words a "middle man" is involved. No wonder a lot of cool things are kept from being done. That is the trouble when companies get too big.

Thanks for the insight Doc.