Money. A Lotta Money. As in a lot being left on the table with the 007 license holders not partnering up with some toy company to give modern figure collectors a new obsession.
With over 25 films, some of the most memorable characters in cinematic history and tons of variant options, the 007 license is a goldmine that someone seriously needs to start tapping into for the 6-inch action figure market.
Exclusive Premiere cranked out a Bond line for awhile, but considering sculpting and advances in articulation, it’s time for someone to take a new crack at it. Let’s face it, a high-end Bond line could easily go 30-40 characters before we start hitting the loser characters.
For my four figure wave lineup, I stuck to the formula of a Bond, a Bond Babe, a main villain, and a henchman from various 007 films. Here’s how I’d roll the line out:
Wave 1
James Bond (Sean Connery from Dr. No) — The original 007 has to be the first in the lineup. And there’s no better way to kickoff Bond in the line than in a tux with his Walther PPK and a martini . . . you know the rest.
Scaramanga (Christopher Lee from The Man With the Golden Gun) — Lee significantly raised the quality of this Bond film as the expert marksman that never missed. Scaramanga would come with his golden gun and a bonus Nick Nack figure because no million dollar hit man should be without his manservant/henchman.
Jaws (Richard Kiel from The Spy Who Loved Me) — The quintessential Bond henchman also has to show up in the initial wave. Typically I loathe action features, but I’d be perfectly fine with a steel teeth chomping gimmick.
Domino (Claudine Auger from Thunderball) — Oh sure, Honey Ryder would have been the obvious choice, but this Bond Babe actually rescued Bond for a change. Plus, Auger wasn’t exactly a slouch in the looks department either. She’d come with a harpoon gun and scuba gear.
Wave 2
James Bond (Daniel Craig from Skyfall) — The current 007 rightfully deserves next-man-up status. Give him that sharp grey suit from his confrontation with Silva, and this will be be a smooth-looking figure.
Alec Trevalayn (Sean Bean from GoldenEye) — 007’s former brother-in-arms got the Sideshow Collectibles treatment, but this time I want to see one that perfectly captures his facial scarring and cocky attitude.
Baron Samedi (Geoffrey Holder from Live and Let Die) — As far as henchman go, the dear Baron really didn’t do a whole lot besides look cool, but man does he nail “cool”! Stack him with his cape, tarot cards and top hat, and we’ll have one of the more distinct characters standing out on the display.
Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh from Tomorrow Never Dies) — There’s few worthwhile figure options from TND, but the line absolutely should include Bond’s tail-kicking partner from Pierce Brosnan’s second outing. Wai Lin should come with a machine gun, throwing stars and a copy of Elliot Carver’s newspaper.
For my Waves 3 and 4 suggestions, click here, but who’d you like to see in this end-all, be-all Bond line?