Yeah, it seems like all the “old guard” properties that made a lot of these companies and got them where they are today... they’ve really kinda been left behind for “sure things.”
As crap as Valerian was, it would be nice to have some variety in the hobby. That’s all we ever get from Hot Toys though. Teasers. I’m surprised Alita is actually coming out, to be honest.
The only ones really giving us some variety are third party companies and smaller 1/6 companies like Asmus, ThreeZero and Star Ace. The latter has some of the worst officially licensed 1/6 figures you can buy though.
I’m not sure why Hot Toys only opted into the new Harry Potter films, instead of getting a blanket deal that could allow them to churn out most of the main cast from the mother series. I also never understood how they let Walking Dead, Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings slip through their fingers—especially the first two, in the prime of their popularity.
Hot Toys is so blinded by Marvel and Star Wars (and just anything within the House of Mouse) that they can’t really see the big picture. They’re letting so many opportunities slip by them. Altogether, it would be quite a lot of money for them. Would it match what they get from their Disney corner? No, but it could help fund expansion.
They need more factories and employees and people who are willing to challenge management to think outside the box. They’ve grown too complacent. I hate seeing what they’ve become, after discovering them in 2008 and being in sheer awe of the first few figures I picked up.