Mattel Comment on Back to the Future 8" at Toyfair 2012

[astro-greg]

So, I was just listening to the He-Man.org podcast's Toyfair episode. (Roast Gooble Dinner Episode 079)

Scott Neitlich, Brand Manager at Mattel, was discussing Mattel's obtaining the BTTF license. He stated that

"it's been a little challenging with things like Retro Action 8", and the 12" figures not doing as well. So it's been hard to only do figures in 6"..."

He goes on to talk about that because they couldn't split the costs over several lines, it was more challenging. And that they came up with the current prop replica board as a way to do something with the license (and of course wanting to make one forever.)

It is interesting to hear that they were even considering making Retro Action Back to the Future figures. It is also extremely disheartening to hear that this will likely not be the case. Especially, because they hold the license, preventing anyone else from making the figures presently.

I would have loved to have gotten BTTF Retro Action figures.
What does everyone else think?

[kennermike]

So, I was just listening to the He-Man.org podcast's Toyfair episode. (Roast Gooble Dinner Episode 079)

Scott Neitlich, Brand Manager at Mattel, was discussing Mattel's obtaining the BTTF license. He stated that

"it's been a little challenging with things like Retro Action 8", and the 12" figures not doing as well. So it's been hard to only do figures in 6"..."

He goes on to talk about that because they couldn't split the costs over several lines, it was more challenging. And that they came up with the current prop replica board as a way to do something with the license (and of course wanting to make one forever.)

It is interesting to hear that they were even considering making Retro Action Back to the Future figures. It is also extremely disheartening to hear that this will likely not be the case. Especially, because they hold the license, preventing anyone else from making the figures presently.

I would have loved to have gotten BTTF Retro Action figures.
What does everyone else think?

wow wassup Greg where you been hiding all this time?

[astro-greg]

I've been popping up over the last month, mostly in the custom sections.
Although I've been watching to see if/when there'd be another Seattle Meet.

[alex]

BTTF would of been great, but we would never get the car, which is a major player in this line.

[GoldBlade6]

If they can make a $120 hoverboard, I just don't understand how they can't manage to make a 6" scale DeLorean which is more highly demanded and ought to cost at least a little less...

Shame the 8" retros have done so poorly that Mattel has given up on them altogether, in every license. I wonder if Mattel sold more DC retro figures than Diamond sold Star Trek but Mattel still needed to sell even more than that due to corporate standards. Big companies are just a double-edged sword.

[Brown Bear]

That retro action idea by Mattel could have been spun off in so many directions. It's a shame they didn't run with it.

[astro-greg]

Numbers game and Mattel

It is interesting, as I have been listening to the He-Man.org podcast for awhile. And they have often speculated on the numbers when Mattel makes claims about not fast enough sell outs and the small number of collectors of the MOTU line.

It has been speculated that the figures sell in the tens of thousands units.
I don't know what the production numbers are for most companies 8" scale lines, but I guess Mattel couldn't sell enough to justify it.

It's a shame, because they seem to have much higher sale requirements, stricter safety standards (my suspicion for part of the reason the bodies turned out so bad on the retro action figures) and overall limitations that EMCE, Bif Bang Pow, and the other companies don't have.

It just solidifies more and more how small scale the 8" market is and what a labor of love it must be for all those who produce in this scale.

[MIB41]

If Mattel had marketed and distributed the 8 inch lines like they do the 6 inch lines, they wouldn't have had these problems.

[drmego]

When I saw how they wanted to do the card art, and then when I saw
how the legs and waist were done on wave 1, I began to suspect
that someone in Mattel production line did not like megos.

[megocrazy]

When I saw how they wanted to do the card art, and then when I saw
how the legs and waist were done on wave 1, I began to suspect
that someone in Mattel production line did not like megos.

I have to agree. The Retro line was pretty much shot in the foot right from the start. When you look at the lack of quality in the wave 1 releases how could you expect later waves to be successful? A waist is a waist. If I put a body suit on a he-man figure it wouldn't fall down.

They completely botched the engineering on it and didn't care enough to make the changes needed. I'm not saying it would have been the difference but I think it would have been a factor in the longevity. Emblems cracked when they were stretched. Absolutely no need for that. Not with today's technology. Supply was incredibly poor. I never saw half of the figures on peghooks at either of the TRU's near me. They either weren't there or sold out. I'm guessing they didn't sell out because they were never reordered.

When Mattel released the MOTU classics line in stores, like Walmart and Target, it was a flop. Those figures all ended up on clearance. They relaunched it again on the Matty site and it must have been a success because it still exists today. The difference being they own the He-man license outright and have to pay DC for theirs. I believe a better quality figure initially, may have given this line a chance as a Matty exclusive over time. Or a chance to be sold by a major retailer which also would have extended the life span.

[ZICA]

. . . When Mattel released the MOTU classics line in stores, like Walmart and Target, it was a flop. Those figures all ended up on clearance. They relaunched it again on the Matty site and it must have been a success because it still exists today.

Are you referring to the MOTU Commemorative line or the new Classics line? The Commemorative line was pretty much just straight reproductions of the vintage figures and I remember seeing them in a few different stores. The new Classics line basically gives homage to the vintage figures but also has its own unique look to set it apart. I've only seen a few of the Classics line figures in 2-packs at Toys R Us.

[Teemu]

The current MOTU Classics is one of the many hottest action figure lines going right now.(Its closing in on 4 years in already)Those figures are what the MYP 200x line should of been when it started in 2002...

apparently the Classics line is showing no signs of slowing down

[drmego]

The body design was fine - Green Arrow was terrific. But when it came time
to assemble wave 1, someone in the production line okayed the floppy
body before the figures were carded. I first saw them at DC Comics' offices
after the figures were on the boat.

[astro-greg]

It's interesting to hear that the failure was in production.

The bodies may not be our preferred style (speaking for most of the forum, possibly presumptuously), but I recently got ahold of the John Stewart Green Lantern and was surprisingly impressed. It stands properly and is a much better production than the examples I have from the 1st 3 waves.

It's just a shame that Mattel didn't maintain an active presence with this community. A dialogue here could have gone a long way towards supporting interest in the line. While they have a tentative relationship with the MOTU fan community, it has bore changes in the way Mattel runs the line, as well as hope in (at least some of) the fans to maintain support.

Maybe it's foolish of me to think so, but I want to believe if Mattel had at least a quarter the presence here that EMCE, Bif Bang Pow, Zica, and Castaways have they could have kept it going.

[MIB41]

The body design was fine - Green Arrow was terrific. But when it came time
to assemble wave 1, someone in the production line okayed the floppy
body before the figures were carded. I first saw them at DC Comics' offices
after the figures were on the boat.

I myself, never had a problem with the cosmetics of the body. I actually thought the update was pretty cool. It was just the pose-ability (or lack thereof) in waves one and two that made me raise an eyebrow. Personally I think they should have just used your Mego body. I think that would have pleased everyone and the results would been measurably better. Just my opinion.