Can the licensing be expanded for new figures?

[Convincing John]

Okay, we all know about the licensing of which characters from which shows Palisades can make. Some of us are grumbling (myself included) that they can't make JHH figures. (Leon would be awesome!)

But is there any impact us fans can have to influence the licensing to include JHH and other Muppet shows and products? Fans vote and speak up and now we have great figures like Sweetums and Jim Henson on the way...because they listen to us.

I myself would love to see some figures that immortalize the early characters of Henson's. Imagine yourself setting up your Muppet figures to display, and you just get the new series of figures you ordered in the mail. Now imagine that they are:

Wilkins and Wontkins, complete with cans of Wilkins Coffee, brick wall and cannon
Sam (from Sam and Friends) with WRC television camera (you look inside the little viewfinder and you can see a picture of Jim and Jane puppeteering
Kermit with rounded feet (of course) magnetic wig, Yorick and Yorick's cloth face (Yorick is made from softer PVC to give him that "chomping action")
Harry with television, cigarette and Poison to Poison sign
Omar, Professor Madcliffe, Mushmellon in a three-pack
Rowlf with Baskerville and box of Purina Dog Chow (c'mon, we all like !)
And special exclusive...Time Piece Jim Henson! Jim is dressed in a tux and top hat, with a diving board and wings like he had from the film! Press the button on Jim's back and the wings flap!

You could display the two Sams (eagle and human together), the Jim Henson with the Kermits, Wilkins could hang out with Gonzo, and think of this: couldn't you just see Sweetums, Uncle Deadly, and Phil Van Neuter crowded around the cowering Wontkins?

Wontkins could go a lot of places, actually...the experimental table of Muppet Labs, the counter of the Swedish Chef's kitchen ("Todee, oongush herdee ber de du, gur pressed Wontkins!") You could even put him at Link's place at the PIS playset with Patrol Fozzie beside him..."Alright, fella. I caught you going 20 over the light-speed limit. It's off to the hoosegow with you!"

The companies are listening to Muppet fans, and I personally have a fondness for the early characters. It's sad when the only merchandise of the early days of Henson's career (those legendary Wilkins and Wontkins puppets especially) are wayyyy out of a lot of our budgets.

Yeah, Palisades might have difficulty with the Wilkins and Purina licensing, but what if it could be done? Would you want Sam and Friends figures? Only Muppet fans who really study Henson would recognize these guys...so why not take the "exclusive" route with them?

It'd just be nice to have your own Wilkins and Wontkins without shelling out major bucks for the legendary puppets. Every time they go on Ebay, I always think of the restaurant scene from GMC with a minor change:

Kermit: (looks at the screen on his laptop computer on the table) "GASP!"
Piggy: "What is it, dear?"
Kermit: "Oh, I just find it amusing that the Wilkins and Wontkins puppets are the same price as an Oldsmobile."

How about you? If Palisades could, would you want the licensing expanded to include other Henson movies and TV shows?

Convincing John

 

[Whatever]

These would only appeal to diehard fans. That is to say not enough people. They won't get made.

 

[homerthegreat]

It's not likely many more MUPPETS will get made...

 

[WiGgY]

I would say at least 10 more figures are to be expected.

 

[Convincing John]

These would only appeal to diehard fans. That is to say not enough people. They won't get made.

Yeah...I can see your point. But then again, they made Doglion not too long ago as an exclusive, and not many would know him by name. The same could be said for Marvin Suggs and maybe Crazy Harry as being unrecognized by the general public. I was amazed (and happy) to see them made as figures.

Maybe we can hope for a DVD of Henson's early work. The Ed Sullivan one was awesome!

Convincing John

 

[Luke]

How about you? If Palisades could, would you want the licensing expanded to include other Henson movies and TV shows?

It's a pointless question. Palisades now have a Disney license, it's nothing to do with Henson. The license they have is now very defined, before with Henson they might have been able to do a Digit or something from VMX at a push but now they can't even do that. We are really lucky right now to be getting ANYTHING from Palisades, i don't think you realise how things are.

If they could do it, no i wouldn't want them to go that obscure. If the Muppets are having a problem selling them i'm pretty sure Wilkins and Wontkins have no chance. Even an exclusive has a minimum amount needed to sell, a new sculpt you are talking about a few thousand sales needed. They sculpted Doglion at a time they still thought the minis would be sold in multipacks so that was the reason for an obscure there, it would be mixed in with main characters. I'd support the license being expanded with a Fraggle character or even a line of Fraggle characters but obviously it's not going to happen under the Muppet banner now.

 

[Convincing John]

It's a pointless question. Palisades now have a Disney license, it's nothing to do with Henson. i don't think you realise how things are.

No, I didn't think about the Disney license at the time of my post. Sorry. Thanks for clearing up the Doglion query for me. Of course I'm grateful for the figures and other Muppet stuff we have now thanks to Palisades. I'd gladly vote along with you for Fraggle figures as well (if they ever considered making them)...and if they made 'em, I'd buy 'em all! Fraggle Rock rocks!

As for Wilkins and Wontkins figures...you're right, they won't make 'em, but envisioning a miniature Wontkins with the Swedish Chef makes me smile.

BTW, with the new Disney license...does Disney also own Jim's rare old films (like Time Piece) and commercial spots (like Wilkins)...or does Disney not have any interest in that stuff?

Convincing John

 

[WiGgY]

They own all things with the Muppet Show Muppets. Specials, shows, movies, and I think Bunny Picnic and that stuff as well. They don't own Sam and Friends, Fraggles, Story Teller stuff (which is odd since it was half of the Jim Henson Hour), Dark Crystal,Labyrinth, and stuff like that. Basically they just took the most popular stuff.

 

[Luke]

As for Wilkins and Wontkins figures...you're right, they won't make 'em, but envisioning a miniature Wontkins with the Swedish Chef makes me smile.

Yeah it would be nice if that kinda thing could ever realistically be done for the really hardcore Henson fans.

 

[beaker]

Wiltkins and Wontkins: the first Muppet figures(form 1958) heh

Actually, for people that say they shouldnt go that obscure...for two years theyve been getting more and more obscure. Im glad the licence has ben allowed to tun this long, and they are continuing with the mini Muppet line. Im not sure the mini muppet line gets the love it should(its certainly my fave Palisades product next to Zim) Id love to see Jim Henson Hour somday in mini Muppet form, even if it isnt Palisades.

As it stands tho, like Luke said; the Muppet licence is *very* up in the air at this point as regards to 2005. Just because something is sculpted, doesnt neccesarily mean it will get a release. I mean, I'd be willing to pay a lot for just a penguin ptototype on ebay or Palisades direct...so hopefully S10 may be able to come out as an online or ebay thing.