Jumbo alien, jumbo price

[jwyblejr]

Considering what they paid Jordan for an original,I'm not surprised.

[raycastile]

This would have been a fun, nostalgic purchase at $75-$100. It might have been cool at $200, though that would have been pushing it. At $400-$500, it is just a tacky indulgence for people with more money than taste. Buy an original and have something genuine. The 1979 Alien is a historic, classic, innovative toy. There is nothing historic, classic or innovative about this new jumbo Alien. It could have at least been fun, but $500 isn't fun.

The 24" height is too close to the 18" original. Increasing the height to 30" or 36" would have been transformative, providing some aesthetic justification for the piece. But at 24", it just seems like a slightly out-of-scale reissue. Really more of a recast than a reissue, as Kenner isn't putting this out.

I watched the Toy Hunter episode with the Alien. I seriously doubt Gentle Giant depended on that particular Alien as their one and only source. They had already announced the toy by the time that episode was taped last fall. I would think GG would have already started developing the prototype by then.

[raycastile]

This would have been a fun, nostalgic purchase at $75-$100. It might have been cool at $200, though that would have been pushing it. At $400-$500, it is just a tacky indulgence for people with more money than taste. Buy an original and have something genuine. The 1979 Alien is a historic, classic, innovative toy. There is nothing historic, classic or innovative about this new jumbo Alien. It could have at least been fun, but $500 isn't fun.

The 24" height is too close to the 18" original. Increasing the height to 30" or 36" would have been transformative, providing some aesthetic justification for the piece. But at 24", it just seems like a slightly out-of-scale reissue. Really more of a recast than a reissue, as Kenner isn't putting this out.

I watched the Toy Hunter episode with the Alien. I seriously doubt Gentle Giant depended on that particular Alien as their one and only source. They had already announced the toy by the time that episode was taped last fall. I would think GG would have already started developing the prototype by then.

[samurainoir]

smaller consolation prize.

http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BA85255&utm_source=EE_DN&utm_medium=email&utm_content=BA85255&utm_campaign=DN_022014&id=ME-002202116

[Gorn Captain]

Sadly enough, these will sell out in no time.
Which then gives companies the message that "it's all good, the price is no problem!"
And that will continue the terrible cycle of companies bleeding customers dry, and collectors freely offering their jugular.

I hope somebody (probably in Asia) recasts this thing a million times and sells them for $20...

[samurainoir]

http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=GE80267&utm_source=EE_DN&utm_medium=email&utm_content=GE80267&utm_campaign=DN_022814&id=ME-002202116

for folks who do want to drop coin.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^....and drop something else when they see that price!

Chris

[enyawd72]

That price is just laughable. Their 12" Star Wars figures are bad enough at $80-90 especially when Hasbro is selling comparable figures with all new sculpts for $10.

As a novelty item, that Alien is a $100 figure at best.

[mvanis]

I really loved the GG line, honestly you could pick up the 12 SW line at ~60 each or so, which is probably reasonable when you factor in figure, packaging, etc. I had a huge number of them- then I saw the Wampa and decided I had to have it... until I saw the price tag. It's one thing to try to be profitable, it's another to try to rob someone. I sold all of my GGs after that and am out of the line.

[Access]

The fact that there is 3 pages of responses to this however does prove that we'd all love to have one! But I agree, I'm much happier with my original for half the price of this reissue

[enyawd72]

For $449 I could buy an illegal alien, and they'll mow my lawn...

[palitoy]

I would always choose vintage, deals are out there.

[mvanis]

You can buy the vintage for half the price, **** you can find a boxed one (probably more wear and tear, but still) for this price.

[samurainoir]

I've got a vintage one, so i'm definitely not picking one up. Although I can understand the price point. Given that they have an existing base of high-end consumers already paying that kind of coin for statues, and already wanting this category of product as demonstrated by the 12" Star Wars... would you rather cater to 1000 people at $500 bucks a pop, or 10,000 at $50? The "limited edition" of 1000 seems less-risky to me if you almost always guarantee a sell-out from the gang over at statue forum or sideshow freaks. That increases desirability and marketability over time as we watch high end boutique outfits like this grow that spectrum of market. Who wants a life-size stormtrooper Kenner replica for $2300? You've got to be either Ricky Schroeder or the kid from Richard Pryor's The Toy to own that thing right?

Its' the difference in marketing the $10 bottle of wine vs the $40 or $100 y'know?

I guess our own mego-centric community will be tested around this if/when the 18" FTC figures start to get announced. What price point am I willing to drop for a giant replica of Mego Batman or Superman when I see them up close and personal and it hits the right emotional nostalgic nerve? Given what the 12" FCT figures are going for, I'm sure there will be plenty of folks who won't be happy. Lots of toys I can't afford or have the space for either.

I recognize that i'm generally not the demographic for Gentle Giant product.


although check this out...

[Gorn Captain]

Is that a Sigourney Weaver sculpt?
Oh boy...