Obama vs Hong Kong Toy Company?

[Gorn Captain]

I'm a fan of Loading Toys, a Hong Kong based toy company.

They made some cool figures, like the latest (Mark Wahlberg in Shooter):
eBay.be: 1/6 Loading Toys Dangerous Man - Shooter Mark Wahlberg (object 270434774849 eindtijd 27-aug-09 19:58:49 CEST)
(scroll down for the close-up photos!)
They make the likeness "close but not too close", to avoid licensing problems.

But just now, all of their action heroes figures have been taking off the site, and replaced by...a picture of Obama.
LoadingToys

Strange.
So what happened?

Are they:
A/ planning to release an Obama figure (and nothing else)
B/trying to appease the US, and saying "yes we CAN make our action figures, you Evil Men from the West!"

I like this series, here's hoping they didn't get slammed by a law suit!

[Shanester]

A hack maybe? Odd for sure...

[starsky]

that's a great looking wahlberg figure!

[Gorn Captain]

that's a great looking wahlberg figure!

Finally!
Someone with good eyesight!

I was checking 1/6 figure forums, and they were all saying "looks nothing like Wahlberg..."

Some people are never satisfied....

[SUP-Ronin]

Well there are some obvious differences, as someone mentioned for licensing maybe. I guess it looks kind of like him, but I don't think I would have guessed Mark W. without the reference to the movie.




"Say hi to your mother for me."

[Gorn Captain]

Yeah, they clearly mentioned: if we have to pay for the exact likeness, a small fry company such as ourselves cannot cough up the $$$.

They showed a "progress report" with three different Tom Cruise sculpts, and they more or less went for the Valkyrie look. They steered clear of his usual hair style, etc.
I guess they didn't want a Cruise missile heading their way....

But still, I often look at "big boys" like Sideshow, and have to say that their likenesses aren't always that great either, and they have the licensing rights.
For example: The Raiders figures of Belloq and Toht.

Sideshow Collectibles, Inc. - Indiana Jones / Dr. Rene Belloq 12-inch Figure - Indiana Jones

Sideshow Collectibles Toht 12-inch Figure

I love Raiders, but these sculpts are nothing like the actors.