FTC teases Harry Potter

[rykerw1701]

So there weren't any updates on this at SDCC. Any body know anything? Anyone....Bueller? Bueller?

[huedell]

The point I was making that Huedell doesn't seem to get is that Potter, like Batman or Trek or Universal Monsters, has crossover appeal with another audience outside Mego fandom. He's trying to turn my Batman 66 analogy into me saying that its the same audience, its not.

T-bolt---this is actually odd. I must be the worst writer in the world, because I am not saying you're saying that. All I was saying is that you were saying the '66 was doing well outside of Megoheads...and my point was, what works for 1966 will not work for Potter because 1966 fans buy into a certain aesthetic that a younger sect will not.

Basically: I'm taking your info (which I never doubted or misrepresented), and saying while that's promising, it still (because of the generation gap of collectors) doesn't guarantee the same kind of sales.

It's just a theory though. I could be wrong.

I just think the clothed-figure is not appealing to a younger generation in a notable and/or highly profitable and/or mainstream way (and that's whether the figure's style is current FTC 1966 or retro Mego WGSH style), compared to an older generation---except, possibly for the very high end stuff like Hot Toys (but even THAT niche is a non-mainstream marketplace).

EDITED TO ADD: I guess something I'm saying that should be pointed out is, that IF you an "oldster" just because you're not an oldster that's a diehard Megohead, doesn't mean you don't have oldster tastes overall---subconsciously, if you will, if you're, let's say over 38 years old.

My theory comes down to generational aesthetic mindsets, not "Mego diehard" vs. "non-Mego diehard".

If you're around a certain age, you're likely to like the clothed action figure aesthetic, and if you're younger you're likely not to like it that much. Seems the marketplace has communicated this in a few different ways in recent years.

[TRDouble]

The Potter line would be a great opportunity for FTC to introduce both a bandless body and a new female body.

[thunderbolt]

The point I was making that Huedell doesn't seem to get is that Potter, like Batman or Trek or Universal Monsters, has crossover appeal with another audience outside Mego fandom. He's trying to turn my Batman 66 analogy into me saying that its the same audience, its not.

[Wise4671]

In my opinion if FTC were going to try to bring a new generation into the 8" format this would be the line to do. Think of how many of these are going to sell at the Disney Harry Potter store at the theme park. Not to mention most kids are really into Harry Potter. If these are done right this could be Huge for FTC.

[huedell]

I happen to also be member of the batman 66 board and a line like this is doing well outside this fan site and crossing over to non mego collectors over there, same with the Hot Toys offerings.

Ok, now, I say the following without the slightest hint of sarcasm, that was all the info that I was curious about. WHEW! I was poking around for those like yourself who had access to the marketplace vibe for product outside the collector-nerd sect, and more specifically the "Mego maniac" sect, which is us.

Now, that said: IF FTC Potter can work that kind of magic (akin to what you said about FTC Batman '66), I feel it's only winning "half a battle" in that Batman '66 is more of an "oldsters game" overall than Potter, and because of that, the more (again,. as I've seen it), oldster format may have a different effect on a younger generational property like Potter.

I say this because it seems Mego style, unless 12-inch scale and ULTRA detailed, ULTRA quality (i.e. Hot Toys) seems to fizzle out pretty quickly unless it's presented to an adult collector market TO adults who have a high tolerance for the style and quality a company like FTC and their soft goods doll-body 8-inch figures represent.

I feel the need to mention that for all the negativity that is more/less in my posts regarding what I see as a possible mismatch between FTC/Potter, I still wish all the best for ANY toy company (be it FTC or whoever).

But when I see a certain scenario such as FTC poised to give Potter the "Retro format (albeit higher end)" treatment, I think of many missteps made with toylines in the past, and it inspires me to throw my interpretation out there. I welcome any opposing view. It's this kind of 'both sides" dialogue that (I believe) will help the whole collector's community pinpoint the earmarks of a successful or unsuccessful line.

[thunderbolt]

Cool....why did he leave us?

he's a busy guy with a kid and all. Guess too much to handle and goofing around here.

[nobody]

aww, c'mon. Hey, Meule actually shows up there once in a few weeks or so.

Cool....why did he leave us?

[UnderdogDJLSW]

I think this line will do surprisingly well. My daughter just turned twelve and is getting in to the movies and books. As others have mentioned there is a theme park, quidditch teams, etc. I think the mego-ness (if they are 8" cloth figures) would lend itself to the HP fan base very well. We won't be the only ones customizing I am sure.

[thunderbolt]

I'd like to join that board, but you'd just bust my chops on there as well.

aww, c'mon. Hey, Meule actually shows up there once in a few weeks or so.

[nobody]

I happen to also be member of the batman 66 board and a line like this is doing well outside this fan site and crossing over to non mego collectors over there, same with the Hot Toys offerings.

I'd like to join that board, but you'd just bust my chops on there as well.

[thunderbolt]

You're right T-bolt---because I went back and checked your original post---and you put the words in your mouth yourself---
you didn't leave it at "appeal"---you said it was "doing well" outside the old nerds---


geez, you'd think you'd pick your battles more

I happen to also be member of the batman 66 board and a line like this is doing well outside this fan site and crossing over to non mego collectors over there, same with the Hot Toys offerings.

[Wise4671]

Do you want the sculpts to be based off the actors or descriptions from the book?

I'd be good with either, but it would be more difficult to nail the actors, although the Batman 66 line has been very good.

I would like to see them from the movie. My kids would enjoy them if they are if they are from the book all I would hear is that doesn't look like ---- so yeah Movie all the way.

[TRDouble]

Do you want the sculpts to be based off the actors or descriptions from the book?

I'd be good with either, but it would be more difficult to nail the actors, although the Batman 66 line has been very good.

Wow. I never thought of that.

I think it would be interesting to see the line based off the book, but did we see all of the characters as they appeared in the book? It is a cool idea, nonetheless.

But I think to succeed, the line would have to be based on the movie likenesses and not the book. And if they go in any chronological order, that means a Richard Harris Dumbledore!

[BATMAN89]

Harry Potter? That's a little less interesting than "The Big Bang Theory" figures. At least one figure from BBT came with a Batman shirt. So I bought it on sale, kept the shirt, and parted out the rest of him.
No use for HP.