Randy here-at the tail end of September! Sorry for the absence but I was visiting family and friends back on the East Coast, especially my nephew Happy Jack, the cutest youngster in the world. I defy anyone to prove me wrong! (Sorry, godfather part of me talking.)
While back in Mass, I happened to catch a screening or two of Predators on the big screen (54″ flat screen?! Vya con queso! I gotz to get me one of them!). I had seen it in theaters and liked it. It wasn’t close to the original movie but it was sure as hell better than that AvP crap movies. Don’t even START me on that rant!
So I was a little surprised to see Hot Toys announce a new figure figure from Predators: Laurence Fishburne’s Noland.
Surprised since it’s been a while since we last say any figures from this property from Hot Toys. And, well, honestly-he’s not as prominent a character to have a figure made. Personally, I would’ve gone for Oleg Taktarov’s Nikolai or Danny Trejo’s Cuchillo… because the world NEEDS more Danny Trejo figures!
That being said, its seems like Hot Toys has brought its usual A-game to the table again. Noland is a scavenger, collector and, most importantly, a survivor. And Hot Toys has brought all his gear along.
This gear includes laser gun(wonder if it still worked?), ax, extendable spear (like the one in Predator 2!), a pair of forearm armor with extendable blades on right hand side (Hmmmm… did he only have that during the reveal?) and detachable helmet with leather-like materials (a broken Predator mask attached to a samurai helmet-NICE!).
Plus, naturally the six extra palms/hands for the different poses & weapons, as well as the costume pieces including sculpted armor for the shoulder, chest, waist, thighs and legs. The likeness of Laurence Fishburne seems spot on to me. As always, I hopes it makes it to the final product that way.
While I might be surprised that Hot Toys made Noland, I’m happy to see that the license is still alive and kicking for them. C’MON Hot Toys- I REALLY would dig more figures from Predator! Say a Blair or Mac or Dillon… Ah screw it! I want figures of the entire team! And while your at it, how’s about going back and doing the full Colonial Marine squads from ALIENS?! I mean it was ONLY the 25th anniversary back in July! Eh, can’t say I don’t keep trying!
You can capture & pre-order Noland through Sideshow right now. He’s due to ship out in the 1st Quarter of 2012, according to Sideshow/Hot Toys.
Not to be outdone, NECA Toys will be releasing their 4th series of Predator figures in November. Figures include City Hunter Predator, Boar Predator and Shaman Predator. NECA has posted that work is being prepped for a 5th and 6th series as well, though they likely won’t hit until next summer or fall 2012.
Come December we’ll also be seeing a Toys R Us exclusive Predator Two-Pack! Figures are Berserker Predator and City Hunter Predator. City Hunter figure will have two left hands for the skull & spear. Here’s a look at the work in progress.
And the 1/4 scale Predator will be back but in a slightly new form: Gort Predator! This is due in late November.
As for some of NECA’s other lines, let’s get the word right from them:
ALIEN/S: “Currently discussing the future of Alien(s) here for 2012 and beyond.”
TWILIGHT/HUNGER GAMES: “yes, plans for more Twilight & some Hunger Games. Stay tuned..”
ROCKY: “2012.”
TERMINATOR: “no Sarah, maybe Reese…depends on 1 & 2 (Series 1 and 2)”
RAMBO: “coming in 2012, just no time to get to it right now. Too busy.”
“RandyOfAFTimes you’ll be pleased as we’re starting w FB(First Blood) & def doing poncho.” I’ve always dug Rambo in the burlap poncho for reasons unknown. I am happy!
(Predator images are from NECA Toys)
Hope to back back on track in October with a few more posts of news and reviews!
Be seeing you!
RANDY
One Comment on "PREDATORS TO BE UNLEASHED BY HOT TOYS & NECA!"
The Hot Toys Noland 1/6 Scale Action figure from the Predators movie came as a little surprise for most collectors. We really didnt expect to see him and frankly speaking, he was not a much anticipated figure either. I believe the main focus of this line will always be on the 3 Super Predators, the Berserker Predator, Falconer Predator and the Tracker Predator. These 3 are truely great Hot Toys figures and definitely not to be missed.
For a full review of the Hot Toys Berserker Predator, do check out my site at http://www.amazingtoyfigures.com/2011/11/hot-toys-berserker-predator-12-inch-action-figure-movie-masterpiece-series/
Thanks!