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Hot Toys Inteview - CHECK OUT THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS HERE!

16K views 51 replies 43 participants last post by  rivera2171 
#1 · (Edited)
So way back in August, I posted a thread asking for forums members to post their questions for what has quickly become the premiere name in 1:6 scale film and military figures: Hot Toys.

Now, months after the questions were sent to the company, they've finally replied with some answers which will no doubt have fans and collectors talking for weeks to come...

Without further ado...


General Questions


1) Does Hot Toys surf the web to see what fans and collectors are talking about and do you ever check out OneSixthWarriors.com to see what we, the fans, are saying about Hot Toys and your products?

HT: Yes, we do. We believe it's very important to know customers' comment. It helps us to review in which areas, how and what Hot Toys should improve in next.

2) Has Hot Toys considered making a less expensive, more basic "entry level" figure? While most of your figures have loads of gear and accessories, they also cost over $100.00. A lower priced figure would allow fans who can't afford your regularly priced figures to still purchase Hot Toys figures, but with fewer accessories and gear…

HT: We tried to release the "entry level" figure before, but fans were not expecting Hot Toys to do "simple" figure. Also, there are many "entry level"alternatives for fans to choose in the market.

3) Are they currently working on any new "nude" type 1:6 bodies? If so, are there plans for any body types with no visible joints?

HT: Yes, we are currently working on new "True Type 1/6th scale body". Articulation is very limited for a body with no visible joints, which is not best fit for all 1/6th scale figure projects, so we just use this special body type for some products only, not apply to all figures.

4) Has Hot Toys considered creating a replacement part program for the pieces and parts that seem to be deteriorating on some figures? Example: the rubber used on the dome of ED-209 or the broken legs on the Aliens warriors figures?

HT: Yes, we do, but we only accept replacement claim via our official website with some criteria.

5) Who does your research and development and how extensive are they in their research?

HT: Our director - Howard Chan and our product development team. They are not only focusing the 1/6th scale product trends, but also other toys and collectibles in different areas. It helps to enlighten our product idea and development in new directions.

6) Has Hot Toys ever considered sponsoring or attending a 1:6 scale hobby show here in the USA?

HT: Yes, we are planning on it. We hope we can bring our best job to the US and have direct communication with our fans and collectors in the US.

7) Are there plans to release a carded version of the female body similar to the True Type 38 nudes?

HT: Oh yes, we know many fans are expecting it on forums, please stay tuned in 2009.

8) Many fans consider Hot Toys head sculpts some of the best in the business. Are there any plans to release carded head sculpt sets for those who don't want to buy full bodies and only want to purchase the heads?

HT: What our fans really love to see is the head sculpts featuring talent likenesses, but it seems like it's hard to deal with the carded head sculpt sets due to the licensing issues.

9) Does Hot Toys have any plans to design and manufacture their own non-military, non-licensed figure line?

HT: Yes, we do.

10) If the Hot Toys artists could work on any license or property and make 1:6 scale figures of it, what would it be and why?

HT: Definitely Star Wars, most of our artists and staff are big fans of Star Wars movies. If Hot Toys can work on the Star Wars line, fans could have chance to see the Star Wars collectibles in next quality level.

11) Hot Toys is currently the 1:6 scale's "gold standard" by which all other manufacturers are measured. How does that make you feel and what do you have planned to continue improving?

HT: Of course, we are so glad to know about it. In fact, our production department and our staff have great interest and passion in 1/6th scale products, we gain useful experience in each project and apply the improved skills to the upcoming projects. So fans can see Hot Toys' products keep improving from time to time.

12) How do you acquire or attract such talented artists? Have you ever hired someone because you saw their work online?

HT: Yes, we always keep eyes on potential talented artists who shared their work online… Self recommendation is also welcome and will be considered. Certainly, we would consider if their work can well fit to Hot Toys' product style or not.

13) As a company that started out doing primarily military collectibles, how has the introduction of licensed characters affected your business and company direction? Where do you see Hot Toys progressing in the future?

HT: The introduction of licensed products allow Hot Toys brand widely known by, not only the collectible market, but also the mass market, but we strongly believe our passion to deliver high quality product is the real reason to draw customers' attention in these markets, so our company direction is to keep improving our production technique, bringing higher quality products and getting further recognition in future.

Movie Masterpiece and Video Game Masterpiece Questions

1) You've revealed the three Iron Man armors from the Iron Man film; can we expect to see a Hot Toys 1:6 scale Iron Monger figure?

HT: We do not have future plan on this figure yet, the product size is the main concerns for this item.

2) Can fans expect to see Hot Toys working more with Marvel Studios to bring future Marvel comic book movie figures to collectors? With Iron Man 2, Avengers and Captain America movies already planned; can we expect to see more Marvel 1:6 scale figures?

HT: It seems like we have the same expectation as our fans . We hope to bring these well-known figures to collectors and our fans too; we wish we don't disappoint you all, let's see any positive announcement in 2009.

3) Can fans expect to see more Hot Toys diorama-style bases and accessories - like those included with the AvP Cleaner Kit Wolf Predator - included in other licensed figures? Will we ever see this type of base for the military figures?

HT: Sure, the diorama-style bases will be included in other licensed figure… and it's a good idea for the military figure too!

4) When can fans expect to see the original Alien as a part of the MMS series?

HT: Not too far, we've planned to release it in 2009 because next year is the 30th anniversary of the original Alien movie, the release in 2009 will become much more meaningful.

5) Are there any plans to release a MMS Alien Queen figure from Aliens?

HT: Yes, but we're still considering if it is released in 1/6th scale format or not.

6) Fans of both Aliens and Predators would like to see more human characters - like the forthcoming Captain Dallas and Executive Office Kane - included in the MMS line. Are there any plans to make more human characters from either the Predator or Alien film franchises?

HT: Yes, please stay tuned! (Editor's Note: See HERE).

7) She Predator Machiko is the first in your new line of Hot Angel figures? Tell us more about this new Hot Angel line and what type of characters and figures will be made?

HT: Hot Angel is a line features female characters in classic movies, in which using Hot Toys' viewpoint to redesign the characters. Because of the licensing issue and newly added creative designs involved, each Hot Angel project takes much longer time in preliminary development stage then the regular Movie Masterpiece project. So, we don't have any specific schedule of next Hot Angel release, but we'll ensure each Hot Angel is "prefect" before announcement.

8) Are there any plans to release additional Pirates of the Caribbean figures? Collectors want a Barbossa 1:6 scale figure from Hot Toys…

HT: Currently we don't have any plan on the additional Pirates of the Caribbean figures.

9) What other video game figures do you plan to make? Fans would love to see characters like Dante from "Devil May Cry" in the Video Game Masterpiece line as well as Nariko from "Heavenly Sword" as a part of both Hot Angel and Video Game Masterpiece. Thoughts?

HT: Fans can expect to see more figures from Videogame Masterpiece in Q2 2009, stay tuned!

10) You've made Robocop and ED-209, are there any plans to make a Cain from Robocop 2?

HT: Yes, we do have the plan, but still need some time to work on it.

Military Figure Questions

1) Where do you get the inspiration for your modern military figures?

HT: From updated news on TV and newspapers, military books and editorials.

2) When can fans expect to see more modern firearm sets released and will Hot Toys ever release handgun or knife sets?

HT: Sure, Firearms 5 will be coming soon in 2009 too, it's a continuous series. But we never think about releasing handgun and knife sets.

3) Are there currently any plans to release more figures based on the classic lines like the SDU, GIGN and SEAL Team 5 VBSS figures and have you considered making anti-terrorist figures such as SAS CRW, GSG-9 or GEK Cobra?

HT: All these are our favorite military topics, fans might expect any of these military figure from Hot Toys in the future.

4) Now that you're releasing two British soldier figures, are there any plans to release other international figures?

HT: We are also looking for a perfect topic of the international figures, but our main focus is still the US soldier figures.

*****UPDATE*****

Two more questions answered...

Now that you've released 1:6 scale vehicles as a part of the Movie Masterpiece line, will you release 1:6 scale military vehicles - either historical or modern?

No plan currently, but we hope to bring the 1/6scale military vehicles to the market.

Any plans for a modern handgun sets?

No plan at this moment.

*****END OF Q&A*****​

To be completely fair to OSW, we included a number of questions in the interview which weren't answered by Hot Toys, and while no reason was given as to WHY these questions weren't answered, I've already followed up with Hot Toys to give them the opportunity to again address these questions or explain why they didn't answer them...

1) Is Hot Toys currently working with Sideshow Toys to replace the old female body type they're still using? The Prometheus looks to be a big improvement over the Buck male body. Can we expect that a similar female figure is in the works?

2) What has the experience been like working with DC Direct to bring your highly sought after Dark Knight line to the U.S. in greater force? How has this differed from working with Sideshow Collectibles?

3) Have you considered releasing more Colonial Space Marines in conjunction with the release of the new video game Aliens: Colonial Marines, which is billed as being a direct sequel to the Aliens movie and is reportedly canon according to Fox?

4) What other Movie Icons figures can fans expect to see besides the new Michael Jackson?

5) Since you work with Sideshow, who has the Star Wars license, is it possible fans could see Hot Toys make Star Wars droids, robots or vehicles?

6) Have you considered releasing sci-fi weapons set containing weapons (and variants) from the miscellaneous sci-fi figures previously released in the Movie Masterpiece lines? (Aliens, Appleseed, Predator, etc)

7) Are there any plans to release carded equipment or uniform sets without figures?

8) Are there any plans to release a modern forces sniper with ghillie suit?

Thanks again to all who submitted questions!
 
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#14 ·
Would love to see them pick up Star Wars, I know some have had enough of it from other companies, but it would be nice to see what they'd come up with if they ever get it.

On the other hand with the number of licenses they're handling, it could affect their Military line; glad he mentioned they're still going strong with it.
 
#15 ·
I guess the thing about many of these licences is that they'll really only make a couple of characters from each film - the ones that will sell the best.

Iron Man for example - 3 suits of armour. Maybe Tony Stark in a suit (isn't there a head around, or was that a Limited Edition thing?) They could do Jim Rhodes, but why bother, since they've got the Ranger SCAR gunner. Beyond that, they can just stick any other minor-character celebrity sculpts on their regular military lines and we can bash them ourselves. So the IM line is 3 figures, or 4 if they figure out how to do Iron Monger.
 
#17 ·
Thanks Jess! I say overall it was pretty positive. I liked the "gold standard" statement. While there are a lot of impressive figures and manufacturers out there these guys have pushed the envelope on quality and diversity. Just look at Machiko's or Bruce Wayne's face sculpt /paint applications. Not to mention there inovative rubber suits, D.K. tumbler, Briareos.... uh, ok I'll stop now.

Thanks again Jess.

Tom
 
#18 ·
Thanks for posting this... not a lot of specifics, but glad to see this tidbit:

4) When can fans expect to see the original Alien as a part of the MMS series?

HT: Not too far, we've planned to release it in 2009 because next year is the 30th anniversary of the original Alien movie, the release in 2009 will become much more meaningful.
 
#22 ·
10) If the Hot Toys artists could work on any license or property and make 1:6 scale figures of it, what would it be and why?

HT: Definitely Star Wars, most of our artists and staff are big fans of Star Wars movies. If Hot Toys can work on the Star Wars line, fans could have chance to see the Star Wars collectibles in next quality level.
Yup, this will be a very welcome move if HT really go for it. But I reckon SW license will cost them a bomb. IMO, no one company had really made a dead ringer sculpt of Han & Luke. Kudos to Sideshow for making a very good likeness sculpt of Carry Fisher's Princess Leia Organa of Tantive IV but they have yet to get it right on all their Luke's and Han's sculpt imo. If HT pick this up, I'm quite sure they'll do Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill justice.
 
#24 ·
Nice! They answered one of my questions!

7) Are there plans to release a carded version of the female body similar to the True Type 38 nudes?

HT: Oh yes, we know many fans are expecting it on forums, please stay tuned in 2009.

And darn it...they left out another of mine that they SHOULD have answered (though they may not be allowed to answer this due to contracts with Sideshow)...

1) Is Hot Toys currently working with Sideshow Toys to replace the old female body type they're still using? The Prometheus looks to be a big improvement over the Buck male body. Can we expect that a similar female figure is in the works?

That's awesome they're going to release the female figure carded though. I'll be buying a few of those. :) Now I can only hope that they work on a better female body for Sideshow...
 
#29 ·
1) Is Hot Toys currently working with Sideshow Toys to replace the old female body type they're still using? The Prometheus looks to be a big improvement over the Buck male body. Can we expect that a similar female figure is in the works?
Hot Toys did NOT work with Sideshow on the Prometheus. Only the hobbit body(they cut the articulation in) and the armor body.
 
#26 ·
Some of the answers sounded a bit elusive like 'we don't want to give away what is in the planning stages but have patiences/hope'. At least they're not afraid to say, politely, that they could do a better job on the Star Wars line then SST could ever do. At least one of the military questions didn't come back with 'yes we're planning on releasing German military forces from WWII'
 
#30 ·
a question i really wanted to see answered by hot toys if they ever do another q&a: will they consider doing a line of riot police figures? e.g. the peruvian riot police (who look badass!) or concept military figures (like the future usa shiftsuit armour uniform soldier) these would make great figures, plus, no other companies have made them yet (same cant be said for star wars. no matter how good hot toys makes any possible future star wars figs, there will be loads of people who will pass because they are satisfied with the ones they have already from other companies)
j
 
#32 ·
Hopefully with the release of a female carded body Saturday Toys or someone like that will start releasing civilian or military female clothing. In my experience the Ripley/Elizabeth Swann bodies don't really fit the clothing intended for CGs or Triad very well.

And hardly anybody make female military stuff in 1:6 at all, there's been some notable exception but it's slim pickings.
 
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