NECA's Ultimate Muppet Action Figures

[Thor]

No problem. I highly recommend Kenny Durkin. I don't know him personally, but from my several conversations with him online, he seems like a good person who's really interested in contributing to the Muppets fan community. I bet he'd answer any questions you have about the items he's selling or special requests. I definitely think it's worth checking out his stuff.

EDIT: He even created YouTube videos to demonstrate how to paint the figures, for the people who bought the unpainted options.

Thanks so much! Will definitely reach out to Kenny when I’m closer to purchasing Bobo. Would also love to see him or NECA make Ma Bear, Hilda, and Bean Bunny. Who would you most like to see?

 

[Random numbers]

Thanks so much! Will definitely reach out to Kenny when I’m closer to purchasing Bobo. Would also love to see him or NECA make Ma Bear, Hilda, and Bean Bunny. Who would you most like to see?

Kenny teased that he'll be selling Sal Manila later this month, which I am really excited about. Since I doubt NECA will make him, Sal is one of my top wants from Kenny. Other than Sal, I hope Kenny makes more of the bigger monsters like Luncheon Counter Monster, Mean Mama, and Behemoth because lack of articulation doesn't bother me as much for those bigger characters.

I hope NECA makes Bean Bunny. That seems reasonably likely. They could potentially make Ma Bear, too, but I don't think Mildred is likely. My current wishlist for more obscure characters that I think NECA may actually make is Bean, Joe from Legal, Bobo, and Walter.

 

[rowlfy662]

When this line got teased the 6 characters i expected NECA to make that Palisades didn't were an articulated Robin,Bean,Bobo,Foo Foo,Mahna Mahna & The Snowths. So half of them being in wave 1 gives me hope for more obscure characters down the line (Trevor mentioned Boppity is one of his favs, I'm not joking) but really its all dependant on sales. I wouldn't be surprised if they sneak minor characters into the line as pack ins for example if they do a Bunsen & Beaker 2 pack could it include Waldo, Animal coming with generic Muppet Bunnies, Rowlf being a deluxew with Baskerville maybe even Gaffer or the Koozebanians fingers crossed. I just wouldn't expect new versions of Dr Phil Van Neuter or Marvin Suggs unless this line becomes NECA's next Ninja Turtles

 

[The Count]

A bigger more correct in-scale figure of Gaffer is one of my wants and could be packed with Rowlf. Robin could be packed with the newer version of Kermit which could be one of the two core characters for Wave 2. Bean Bunny could be packed with Animal instead of a generic rabbit from The Bun-Bun Brothers. Also, it was said that Muppet fruits and vegetables would be packed with figures if they're particularly light on accessories other than the alternate heads and hands.

 

[Thor]

Adding smaller characters like Bean as pack-in’s would be great! And a new version of Animal would probably be good as the Palusades version had a pose that would only work if he’s playing the drums.

NECA wave 1 is all Muppets Show, but i’m cool with that. I remember Palisades could only produce Muppet Show characters for their first 3 waves. Anyone know of NECA has a license beyond just the Muppet Show characters?

 

[rowlfy662]

I believe they have the full license so they can make things from the Movies (well the ones Disney own), Muppets Tonight & other Muppet productions since the Disney buyout. The only thing that might not be included is Muppet Babies. Even when Palisades got the other licences Babies was still a no go.

 

[Random numbers]

Nice list of figures, Rowlfy. I agree that those 6 characters seem like the most reasonable ones we should expect figures of. In addition to pack ins, they could do multi-packs of smaller characters. As you point out, and as I've probably said earlier in the thread, it's interesting and nice how Palisades-aware the first wave of figures is. NECA will have to try to cater to both general collectors and those of us who have already collected the Palisades line, since I assume us Palisades collectors are still a decent portion of the potential customer base.

Fortunately for NECA, I think most of the main Muppets figures could use updates, which should appeal to both general and Palisades collectors. By my count, that's like 11 or 12 figures they can make that would likely sell well, so 3 or 4 more waves. I also think Bean, Bobo, and Robin would appeal to both groups. I'm really interested to see what happens with characters like Sam Eagle, Swedish Chef, Uncle Deadly, and Statler and Waldorf. Personally, I don't feel the need to upgrade those figures because the Palisades versions still hold up, but those are pretty popular characters. I'm curious how many Palisades collectors will be interested in buying new versions of those characters.

I'm also curious how the new Muppet Show affects character selection for the line, assuming Disney produces a full season. The special included more of the classic female Muppets, like Hilda, Mildred, and Miss Mousey. Could they become popular enough over the next couple of years to warrant figures? What about some of the other newer characters, like Walter, Beverly Plume, and Joe from Legal? I was surprised they didn't show up in the special. Given how much Disney included them in recent productions, I thought they would have had bigger roles going forward and become popular enough for figures. I guess we'll see over the next year. Fun times!