Exclusive: TAFs Interviews Director of NECA Toys!

Toy week continues here for you Schwarzenegger fans! TheArnoldFans caught up with one of our all-time favorite toy companies, NECA, to hear about the past, present, future... and even the "what COULD have been" Arnold-related toy lines. NECA's toy director, Randy Falk, gives us the exclusive updates on what's best in life including Conan, Predator and Terminator action figures! First up, the Terminator toys! Will there be a Michael Biehn Reese figure? Read on!

For those of you not in the know, NECA (The National Entertainment Collectibles Association) has provided the world with many of the greatest lines of rock and movie licensed action figures, prop replicas, HeadKnockers and other great collectibles. I for one have been following the toy company from the very beginning, purchasing their products that fill my own Schwarzenegger museum. But let's get on with the interview, shall we?

TERMINATOR

TheArnoldFans: Many fans are excited to see the recent NECA tweet that a possible 1/4th Terminator figure is being considered. Would this most likely be a T1 figure with sound chips and a light up eye?

Falk: No sound chip as we don't have voice rights and we're debating between T1 and T2, we love both and obviously the original has had less merchandise but T2 is the more well known and recognizable to the masses. It is a tough decision and we're still considering, working on costs with factories, and talking to our retailers about what they want to see as well.

TheArnoldFans: Have you pursued other T1 characters such as a Reese and an 80s hair Sarah Connor?

Falk: We have been considering Reese for some time and do have the rights. It is just a matter of evaluation the sales potential of the 80s version vs Future War version and we wanted to make sure our first sets sold well enough. No plans for Sarah as the market is too limited for that one. It just would not be profitable as a figure.

TheArnoldFans: In addition to a 1/4th scale Terminator, might there be plans for a 12-inch T1 Arnold?

Falk: No such plans at this time.

TheArnoldFans: Have you considered this line of figures to ever expand with vehicles or backdrop settings?

Falk: No vehicles as they are way too expensive to tool and produce and most retailers don't have the shelf space for them nor do they want figure accessories priced $40 and up.

PREDATOR

TheArnoldFans: For the past several consecutive years, NECA has given Arnold fans a treat at Comic Con. Previous years included figures from Conan, Predator, and T2. Will Arnold fans again have a reason to celebrate at the NECA booth at Comic Con 2012?

Falk: There will most likely be a Predator 2 related exclusive for Comic-Con 2012 but nothing directly tied to Arnold this year.

TheArnoldFans: Will NECA continue with the Predator license beyond Comic Con?

Falk: Yes, most definitely!

TheArnoldFans: Now that Arnold has given his likeness to be produced (and you did such a great job with Terminators and Conan), might we also ever get a Predator Dutch figure?

Falk: We are very interested in this and have pursued it in the past, Arnold's likeness is not included in our Predator license with Fox so we need to reach an agreement with Arnold separately. Since our products retail for a very affordable $15-$20 price point we work on very low margins and don't have a lot of extra money to devote to such an acquisition. We would love to do this but as a company it has to make financial sense for us to pursue.

CONAN

TheArnoldFans:  Now that the Conan the Barbarian line appears to be officially over, can you mention what Conan figures your team HAD ONCE seriously considered?

Falk: The next two that we had planned were Samurai Style Armor Conan and King Conan, they would have been great but the sales just weren't strong enough to support the continuation of the line.

TheArnoldFans: From the figures you've helped produce, you're obviously an Arnold fan. What are your top three Arnold films?

Falk: Terminator, Terminator 2, Predator. Thanks for reaching out to me and for your continued support and interest in NECA and what we're doing in the world of action figures.


Thank you, Randy and the entire NECA team!  Okay, let's recap our exclusives! We can hopefully within a year expect a Kyle Reese figure: future war or trench-coat (don't forget a tiny Sarah Polaroid accessory), we will be getting a GIANT Arnold Quarter Scale Terminator figure (hopefully T1 as we're a bit burnt out on way too many T2 produced figs), and we were soooooo damn close to getting a King Conan action figure! Crom may be displeased with the cancelled Conan line but Arnold fans will be delighted for the future in Terminator toys ... and hopefully we'll get that NECA Predator Dutch figure sooner than later!

If you go to the NY Toy Fair (possible new Terminator reveals) in February or San Diego Comic Con this year, check out their booth while they reveal all new toys and say hello to the crew. Keep your eyes on TAFs for more toy announcements and be sure to visit NecaOnline.com!