Statue Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Oakenshield Statue

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Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

13 is the target number of Dwarves for me :lecture
It would be a tragedy not to have an incomplete first 'Fellowship'. Granted, they may all not have big screen time, but in the book they were always there as a tight group. Make them ALL WETA :pray:

I'm really pleased they went with the original design of basic base as well to keep in line with the LOTR range. Great example of listening to the fan base (if you were amongst the majority who asked for this :wink1: )
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

I'm really pleased they went with the original design of basic base as well to keep in line with the LOTR range.

:exactly: Yup yup. I love the classic base. I also love the map engraving idea. Its subtle but very effective
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

Also, something else to think about people worrying about the shield is that I expect this at some point will be sold separately so you can get it if you so choose.

Josh, that would suck if they declared this an Exclusive, and then later down the line you can get both separately. What would make it an Exclusive with that approach?

I'm hoping the shield they come up with is the Dwarven shield that was previewed during the SS/W days, because that was square. Then again, it might be from the movie which could be something completely different.
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

Josh, that would suck if they declared this an Exclusive, and then later down the line you can get both separately. What would make it an Exclusive with that approach?

I'm hoping the shield they come up with is the Dwarven shield that was previewed during the SS/W days, because that was square. Then again, it might be from the movie which could be something completely different.

It wouldn't suck IMO. The exclusive would be these two would be a pair numbered set. So that way as they're both sold later they won't have the same numbered edition size, etc.
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

So, you're suggesting Exclusive if numbered, then other people can get unnumbered open editions later on? Kinda deflates the concept of an exclusive, IMHO.
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

So, you're suggesting Exclusive if numbered, then other people can get unnumbered open editions later on? Kinda deflates the concept of an exclusive, IMHO.

The exclusive would be these two being paired together with the same numbered edition and number on each. Then selling them separate later would please those not going. Agree to disagree on the last point.
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

Tim from WETA has answer about Thorin, first the extract about the shield and after I copy all the message:

"In addition, I confirm the shield is part of the exclusive collectible. It is worn under Thorin's cloak on his left side. We are not allowed to offer any further pics at this stage, but he will be on display at Comic Con, so you will no doubt see fan pics soon."

And now all the message:

"Hi Everyone,

As promised last night, I would like to explain our thinking for our Comic Con exclusives. Before starting, I would like to once again than you all for your comments and feedback, both good and bad. We sincerely do appreciate and respect everyone's opinion. It is always helpful to us too listen to your suggestions and feedback.

My intention in writing this note is simply to explain our thinking. I am certainly not trying to start an arguement with anyone, and will not be seeking to start any debates on this thread. This is just our opinion. You are of course all entitle to form your own opinions, and agree or disagree with us as you wish.

These are the factors that go into our decision making :

The Licensor for The Hobbit has allowed Weta (and a few other companies) the opportunity to display and sell 2 exclusives at Comic Con, 5 months ahead of the launch of the movie. This is quite unusual, as Licensees are usually held back from launching movie merchandise until 6-8 weeks before the movie launch. In this case, the Licensor has allowed us to join in what should be a very special Comic Con celebration for Middle-earth fans. We are very grateful and excited for this opportunity. We hope fans will be too. After Comic Con, we then go back to normal practice, whereby we need to wait until October to make any further announcements about our upcoming range. So we are not able to provide further information regarding our Thorin Oakenshield without shield until then.

San Diego Comic Con is easily the #1 event in the world for movies and movie merchandise. People fly in from all over the world for this week. People save up for years to go to Comic Con. For many people it is a once in a life time event. For example, this year we have been in communication with a family from Christchurch in New Zealand, who have dreamed for many years of coming to Comic Con. They have suffered through nearly 2 years of earthquakes, and have suffered damage to their home. But they are still using their life savings for flights, accommodation and expenses to come to Comic Con, in this most special of years. We meet these kinds of people at Comic Con each year, some post on the Shadow and Flame, but many do not. All of them have invested significant time, money and passion to get to the show. Many of them want us to offer something exclusive as a memory of their trip to Comic Con. This year we decided to offer Thorin Oakensield "with shield" as an exclusive to these folks to celebrate the upcoming return to Middle-earth.

We never intend to annoy or ignore any of our customers. However in the world of collectibles, every single decision we make will be popular with some and unpopular with others. We are very aware that some customers like Comic Con exclusives, and some don't. So we decided to offer Thorin Oakenshield without shield on our website from Oct, so that collectors would not miss out on this important character. We also tried to extend the geographical reach of Thorin Oakenshield with shield, by offering this piece at Ring Con in Germany and at The Weta Cave in NZ from Oct. We did this because of past feedback from collectors who live outside the US, that they never get a chance to purchase show exclusives.

Exclusives are not a new thing. Weta has offered exclusives at Comic Con, at the Weta Cave and for DVD box sets many times in the past. And many other companies offer exclusives at Comic Con. Some customers love them and some do not.

From a "business" point of view, Comic Con is very expensive. Weta travels further and has higher costs to attend this event in San Diego than any other booth there. So, of course, we need to try and recover our costs in doing so. Quite naturally, this is one of the factors in our decision making. If we are no able to recover most of our costs at the show, then we will no longer be able to attend.

In addition, I confirm the shield is part of the exclusive collectible. It is worn under Thorin's cloak on his left side. We are not allowed to offer any further pics at this stage, but he will be on display at Comic Con, so you will no doubt see fan pics soon.

Finally, for those of you who are not going to Comic Con, or Ring Con, or the Weta Cave, and wish to get one of these exclusive pieces, do not forget your secret weapon. This forum is special because you are a remarkable community of strangers from all around the world, who bond together, and consistently surprise and impress us with your kindness and generosity to each other. So use your secret weapon ... Talk to your fellow flamers who are attending Comic Con.


Thanks for reading this far. As I said at the start, these are just our thoughts. We respect that some of you will agree and some will disagree. My intention in writing this note is to keep you all informed

Kind regards

Tim "
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

I agree with everything Tim said. Very cool of him to write that and I hope people will understand and get off their backs a bit.
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

+1 about what Tim says, but for me the biggest concern is the price...
I don't think I'll collect the whole line, maybe some particular pieces (Smaug of course...)
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

Yes, I can understand the post and this is the reason I have copy all. This is a very good detail to write this post to explain all.

I'm spanish but I live this year in Belgium and this is the first time I can go to an event (RingCon in Bonn (about 200 kms)) and I'll buy it there in October.
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

well at least weta cares enough to post something. so looks like the shield IS part of the statue, not an add on.

i will just wait until inhand photo and get the ex off ebay flipper if it looks good. No way i am getting myself into the hobbit 13 after all this fellowship stress, but need something from the hobbit. Since thorin is the leader and 1/5 scale, this is perfect.
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

A great note from Tim.

One thing I will say is that this situation with licensing is going to be VERY tough on the impatient with this single collectible hitting the aftermarket ASAP and nothing new coming out Until October. Thorin could be a feeding frenzy online. Patience is key here.

Its also crazy they did two sculpts and molds for this piece. Shows how special this offer is from the licensing perspective.
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

Its also crazy they did two sculpts and molds for this piece. Shows how special this offer is from the licensing perspective.

I'm sure they wouldn't have to make two different sculpts, I actually believe the figure (Thorin) itself will be exactly the same for both the regular and exclusive and the shield will be an "add-on" piece (instead of the often used exclusive switch-out piece(s)) that, according to Tim, is placed under Thorins cloak (on a hidden peg or pin, or perhaps with magnets, which may probably not be present on the regular version). Judging from the only picture that has been released so far, which most probably is the regular since the shield is not there, it looks like there is some space under the cloak on the left hand side to fit the shield but if nothing is there you won't miss it.
 
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Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

I'm sure they wouldn't have to make two different sculpts, I actually believe the figure (Thorin) itself will be exactly the same for both the regular and exclusive and the shield will be an "add-on" piece (instead of the often used exclusive switch-out piece(s)) that, according to Tim, is placed under Thorins cloak (on a hidden peg or pin, or perhaps with magnets, which may probably not be present on the regular version). Judging from the only picture that has been released so far, which most probably is the regular since the shield is not there, it looks like there is some space under the cloak on the left hand side to fit the shield but if nothing is there you won't miss it.

I don't see any space....
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

Since thorin is the leader and 1/5 scale, this is perfect.

How did this go from 1/6 scale to 1/5 scale?

I just realized Weta will be sharing the booth with Gentle Giant this year and is sporting the 3 Trolls as the centerpiece.
 
Re: Weta Workshop Comic-Con Exclusive Thorin Statue

I don't see any space....

I mean something like this, if his shield were to be round. But I do realize now that this is his right side
and Tim wrote that it would be on his left, but when I tried to put it on the other side I couldn't get it
to look good. It's possible it's not even visible from this angle... I searched through the videoblogs and
actually found a short sequence where Thorin is holding something that looks like a shield, if it is then it
looks quite small and thin and would probably be hidden from this angle if it was hanging on his left side.

Well, it's not long now until we'll get to see the real thing. :)

2PYSJ.jpg



Thorin holding shield...?

LFsZa.jpg
 
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