The Movie Maniacs News Archives.
10-13-98 through 2-1-99
2-1-99
Ok, so this is really late but it's nothing that pressing anyway.
In this Month's Toyfare there is a small article on McFarlane's upcoming
projects.
Mentioned were the Upcoming Austin Powers line, as well as new additions to the X-Files line (Now on hold) and Movie Maniacs.
Maniac wise, all that was mentioned was that The Crow and Pumpkinhead were confirmed. Of course we all know by now about that. Still it's a pretty good article if you like McFarlane Toys so if you'd like to check it out CLICK HERE.
I personally can't wait for the Heather Graham figure from the Austin Powers line. Heather and the McFarlane way of making figures? Please excuse me while I faint!
Thanks to RIFF RAFF for the notice.
1-28-99
I have still not found a good site that sells the figures online. If you know of one or are one, please E-Mail me immediately. You will be helping a great many people out!
In the meantime if you are Desperate, Please try Ebay.com. It is a great Auction page that sometimes you can find good deals on and sometimes you can just find what you are looking for if you are willing to pay for it. It just depends on the Auction. If you want to check out the Movie Maniacs for sale on Ebay
If you have not dealt with Ebay before, please take a minute to set yourself up and become familiar with it. It can be addictive and lots of fun. but make sure you check out the seller before you do business with them.
Just to Absolve myself from any liability, Myself or Movie Maniacs is not responsible for any Bad results or unsatisfactory transactions. I am just a normal fan like you just trying to help all the desperate people out. I get nothing from this personally.
1-27-99
Pinhead Lives
Well, here he is, I had been told that the Prototype or Master Mold was done and then the rights fell through and here ya go.
It looks so impressive in just this small picture that I hope they don't give up on trying to get the rights. He would be perfect to Anchor the Third Series.
I have heard that the Head contains somewhere around 128 pins and I believe that is a sickle type weapon in his left hand. The Costume, from what I can tell, looks dead on.
Again, this was made before the rights fell through and doesn't necessarily mean he will still be made. I just thought you would all like to see the picture.
This picture is courtesy of the Raving Toy Maniac's Pre Toy Fare coverage and was sent in by Staveleigh.
Thanks Man!
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Speaking
of Toy Fair. I am hoping someone who reads the page is going and will be an official
reporter for us. I would love to hear info on any and all lines but especially McFarlane.
Also. I would love to see any pics. They will get full credit on the page and it will be
greatly appreciated. Also, if you are someone with contacts and you want to send info but
not get into trouble, please don't worry, I would not do anything to cause that.
Toy Fair is February 12-15 in New York City.
Please visit the OFFICIAL TOY FAIR WEBSITE for more info.
1-26-99
A new Poll is up and this time we are taking a break from our usual "Who Do You Want?" category and addressing the situation with the Ash figure.
In a story below, we reported that McFarlane had looked into doing the Ash figure, but decided it would be too costly to produce.
What we are trying to do with this Poll is find out, If McFarlane did a great Ash figure with all the right accessories and extras, would you be willing to pay a little more for it?
To Vote CLICK HERE.
Thanks to ZACK SMITH for the Idea on the Poll!
1-20-99
We are proud to add a new section to the page.
THE WORKSHOP will be the place to feature Ideas on what figures you would like to see in the future and how you might like them done. Check it out and keep letting us know your ideas.
1-19-99
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IT'S OFFICIAL!
I Received word today that the Final 2 maniacs in series 2 Will indeed be GHOSTFACE and MICHAEL MYERS! Which means, barring any production or business problems, these 2 are IN!
YES! IT IS A GREAT DAY FOR FANS EVERYWHERE!
This comes on the Heels of a big victory by Michael in our latest Poll. There will be a new one up soon!
This now makes the tentative lineup for Series 2 complete featuring Michael Myers, Ghostface, Chucky & Tiffany, Norman Bates, Pumpkinhead, and The Crow.
The Expected release date is somewhere around late summer or early fall (August/September)
1-15-98
Here's another interesting story from the Rumor mill.
Apparently McFarlane HAS done research into making Ash from the "EVIL DEAD" series of films, and in doing so, they decided that the figure would be to costly to make and just to plain for the line. I think later they realized the uprising interest for the figure, but by then they had already put it on the shelf.
Don't give up hope though, this is of course still Unconfirmed, and they can always change their minds down the line if it's true. Personally, I can't think of anything cooler than a nice Ashley J. Williams Figure Complete with Chainsaw and Severed Hand! Let's hope they haven't buried this altogether.
1-7-98
I heard an interesting RUMOR today that is still unconfirmed, but someone claims to have heard that the 2 undecided figures for Series 2 may turn out to be Ghostface from SCREAM and..Please remember this is still UNCONFIRMED!
Michael Myers.
Ok, I was ecstatic too but take it with a grain of salt until we found out if it's legit.
However, I decided to take some initiative to McFarlane so Round 3 of the Poll is up, and I decided that in order to show how much he is wanted, Michael Myers is included in it.
I can't give the Poll too him though so I had to put some formidable Opponents against him to make it all the clearer that WE WANT THIS FIGURE!
So please VOTE NOW and maybe this will indeed happen.
Ghostface won the last round so our point is made with him. Ash came in at a respectable #2 so McFarlane please take note!
I also heard that the target date for Series 2 right now is August 99. We'll hope they can step it up, but for Mike and Father Death, I will wait patiently!
1-5-98
Series 2 is SET to Go.
Recently I received an E-mail from a spokesman from McFarlane Toys who told me a couple of Interesting things.
First, the Pinhead figure is NOT currently being developed.
The licensing rights still haven't been worked out with Disney and until that happens the figure can't be made. I have to hope McFarlane is still keeping their options open on it though, but as of now, it is still a NO GO.
I was assured though that Pumpkinhead, The Crow, Chucky & Tiffany, and The Anthony Perkins Norman Bates are locked in for Series 2.
No word on if or what any other additional figures might be but I would expect at least one or two more to possibly come.
As always, I will post more as I hear it.
And Finally...
Sorry for the lack of Updates lately, The Flu finally caught up with me and unfortunately it was more nasty than Leatherface's Scraproom.
12-31-98
Happy new Year everyone!
I am starting up a mailing list so if you would like to receive notices letting you know when the page is updated just send me and E-Mail and let me know.
12-30-98
The New Bad Boys of Series 2???
Wes Pederson from the Marketing Department of Electronics Boutique has Confirmed that the information they have on their site is indeed Genuine and Correct!
Electronics Boutique Online is now taking orders for Pinhead, The Crow, and yes, it has been confirmed that the figure listed as FATHER FACE, is indeed the Killer from SCREAM. Expect this name to change along the way, but EB is taking orders for it.
12-29-98
We have a new store to add to the Hunting ground. I have just found out that SPENCER Gift stores are getting in the PG versions of the Maniacs. No word if they will carry the PG-13's as well, but it seems like Spencers wouldn't have a problem with them so we will just have to wait and see.
The Figures are retailing at Spencer's for $10.99.
Something very interesting was brought to my attention yesterday.
The Electronics Boutique Website now has a lot of figures available to order online. Stuck amongst them were these interesting listings.
MOVIE MANIACS SERIES 2 FIGURES
MANUFACTURER: MCFARLANE TOYS
AVAILABILITY: 09/03/1999
SHIPPING TIME: Ships within 24 Hours of release. (US)$9.99
CROW FG
MANUFACTURER: MCFARLANE TOYS
AVAILABILITY: 09/03/1999
SHIPPING TIME: Ships within 24 Hours of release. (US)$9.99
FATHER FACE FIGURE
MANUFACTURER: MCFARLANE TOYS
SHIPPING TIME: Special Order: Ships in 2-3 weeks. (US)$12.99
PINHEAD FG
MANUFACTURER: MCFARLANE TOYS
AVAILABILITY: 09/03/1999
SHIPPING TIME: Ships within 24 Hours of release. (US)$9.99
Now, I don't know how correct or incorrect any of this information is, but if this happens to be true, we learn that the 2 unannounced figures could possibly be PINHEAD, and, If I am interpreting it correctly, the figure listed as FATHER FACE, could be the SCREAM killer being that he is known as both "FATHER Death" and "GhostFACE". Also, being that it is priced $3 higher than the other figures, it might mean we will get the "Stu and Billy" 2 pack, with removable costume many of us have voiced interest in.
We also get a clue that the line might not reach stores until September of Next Year. I personally hope this is not true, but we will have to wait and see. I am trying to get official word on this, so if anyone hears anything, please let me know ASAP.
Special thanks to Michael for the Info!
5 0 0 0
I Just wanted to send out a special THANKS! To All of you who have visited, especially more than once, and put the site over 5000 hits in just over 2 weeks.
It may not seem like a lot to some, but it means a lot to me!
THANKS!
Ok, All you fans who have been writing me letter upon letter, asking for an Ash, you are really letting your boy down in the Poll, as he has been terminally lurking around 3rd place.
MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD AND VOTE!!!
12-28-98
Well, I finally have an early word on who will be included in Series 2 of the Movie Maniacs line. Seems all of us who were waiting on a Michael Myers, could possibly be waiting a little longer.
Here is the Tenative Line for Series 2
Chucky/Tiffany 2 pack
Pumpkinhead
The Crow
Norman Bates
and, 2 figures to be determined. May be Michael, may not, we'll just have to wait and see.
On the other hand though, either I am doing a decent Job of picking Maniacs, or someone has been paying attention to the Polls because the double winners of Round One of the Who do you want Poll are both scheduled for Series 2.
Coincedence or not? You be the Judge.
12-26-98
In this Months Toyfare, the Maniacs get a couple of mentions.
First, Leatherface makes the TOP 10 Hottest Action Figures List, coming in at number 8. Great Start for the Maniacs!
Also, in the Market Watch section they talk about how Monster like figures are once again becoming popular. More Graphic and Gory figures seem to be doing well among collectors and it is because of the success of lines such as Movie Maniacs. Other lines in the same category are fellow McFarlane toys, Monster Playsets and SPAWN.
The Small article does contain one prediction that I am inclined NOT to agree with.
Toyfare says that out of the PG and PG-13 lines, it thinks that the PG line will be more collectable since it is made to suit the standards of certain retailers.
I don't think Toyfare has done their homework because of the simple fact that finding PG figures is Much easier than finding PG-13 ones; not that either are easy to find! PG-13 has my bet for bankability in the future, but hey that's just my opinion, I could be wrong! (Thanks Dennis!)
12-25-98
Merry Christmas to All, and to all a good Fright!
12-23-98
Round 2 of the WHO DO YOU WANT? Maniacs Poll is now up.
I have taken your suggestions and taken the best of the bad for the next round. Remember, this all goes onto a final competition so be ready to make tough choices near the end!
12-22-98
The Leatherface Section of the Page is now up! Check it out if you have been debating whether to wait for the PG-13 version or not. I think you will find it helpful.
I am still looking for a good Online retailer that sells the Maniacs. Many of people have been asking do if you happen to come across one, or know of one, please E-mail me and let me know.
I am also looking for any scans of the PG versions of the figures since mine are all PG-13, with the exception of Patrick who only has one version. If you have the ability, please help me out. I will give you credit on the page.
I am also still looking for good suggestions for the Idea Page.
A new Poll is coming very soon! I have had many great new suggestions and I am thinking we will do a few polls and then do a best of the best to see what's really in demand!. Once the Old Poll reaches the 200 mark, I will change it.
12-19-98
Last night Kaybee Toys in my area had 1-2 cases of the Maniacs out. They were the PG-13 models and $9.99 each. Please let me know if you find them in your area.
I finally got a Leatherface and am proud to say that section of the page will be up soon! He is really great! and definitly worth waiting on the PG-13 version for!
There were 3 Leatherfaces at the store so it looks as if McFarlane has corrected the distribution problem.
I now know that a variation has been made to the packaging of Leatherface. When I first saw him, the Head and Arm accessories were placed inside the accessory bucket, now they are displayed on the side of the package over the bucket.
12-17-98
I have had many people writing me asking if there is anywhere online you can buy the figures and the truth is yes an no.
I only know of a couple of sites right off the top of my head and they are all sold out right now.
If anyone knows of a good trustworthy business site that is selling the Movie Maniacs figures, please E-Mail me and let me know! I am looking around now and I hope to have at least a couple of sites up soon! Please be Patient! I feel your pain and am working hard to help everyone out!
In the meantime you may want to Check out Ebay.com. It is a great auction site and lots of fun, but prices can be inflated and you should check out the people you are buying from to make sure they are trustworthy. Be careful though, it is addictive.
More about Case assortments. I got a mail today from a new friend and fan of the site who happens to be a stockperson at Toys R Us and they told me that there are different case shippings so it is not just on particular order for each shipment.
On the newer shippings it seems that EVE is the short packed figure with Leatherface packing out at 2 per case. I believe this is good planning by McFarlane since Eve was quite numerous and being found more easily than the rest.
They Assured me that the next time a case comes in, they will do a complete count for me!
THANKS!!!
I have tracked down what I think is the Original Case Assortment of Figures. I do believe this to have changed by now though but here it is anyway:
3x Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street, 3x Jason from Friday The 13th, 2x Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, 2x Eve from Species II, 2x Patrick from Species II
12-16-98
Here's some news for the rumor mill.
A reader who works at a Comic shop claims that in 2 cases that he has recieved, the JASON figure is the one that is short shipped. I don't know if this is in addition to Leatherface or if he is the lowest number per case but I would tend to lead twoards the former since I see more Jason's than Leathers, and call me crazy, but I think more people are out to get everyone's favorite Goalie. I could be wrong though.
If anyojne has opened a case or works for a toy store or McFarlane, please write in so I can get a definite case assortment. If you happen to go to your local toy store and see an unopened box, get someone to get it down for you and do a quick count for me while your snaging your treasure. I would greatly appreciate it!
I am looking for good Ideas on ways to do the Idea Page. This page will showcase the many Ideas for the figures you want made in the future . I hope that once McFarlane Toys gets word of this page they can use it as a guide to know what fans are looking for so it has to be nice! E-Mail me your comments and suggestions!
12-12-98
I saw the majority of the line at K-Mart today! They were the PG versions and it looked like only 1 or 2 cases. You might want to check your local K-Mart since some stores order and ship on similar schedules. Keep your eyes peeled.
Due to the fact that some big chain stores ship simultaniously, I will try to post where I see the Maniacs in Greater numbers, as if a shipment was just put out.
12-11-98
The FAQ page is now up!
Check it out and find the answers to your questions.
12-10-98
First off, I just want to send out a big
THANK YOU
for helping get the site off to a great start! In the 2 days after being posted on Yahoo and other web searchers I went from 35 hits to over 700!
This is a first for me so I thank you all for it. I will do my best to be THE site for news and info on the Maniacs line. As always, please feel free to send any news, comments or questions my way.
Well, Christmas is upon us! GIVE THE GIFT OF MANIACS
If you can find them that is. I know it has been slow going, but ever since the first, under ordered shipments kept selling out, stores are starting to get bigger shipments in. I have begun to see FREDDY, EVE, and PATRICK semi-regularly.
The rarest figure so far seems to be Leatherface. I believe he has the shortest assortment in the case, probably limited to one or two. I am working on finding out the exact case assortment, if anyone knows please let me know so I can share it with everyone.
Many people are upset that when they do find them, it's the PG versions (see below) and unfortunately, the majority of stores carry them so Hardcore fans will have to do some Hardcore searching if they want the Extra gory PG-13 versions.
Unfortunately you will probably have to pay a little more also.
I have seen the maniacs ranging in price from $7.95 to $12.95 at regular stores.
Unfortunately, the cheaper ones are also the stores who carry the cleaner ones.
The PG-13 versions are at KB Toys and Media Play for $9.99. This is just what I have seen myself. If anyone has seen other prices or stores carrying versions please let me know.
Ok, the official names for the Variations are PG and PG-13 versions.
From my own personal research I have found out that Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Babbages all carry the PG versions while KB TOYS and Media Play and Suncoast stores carry the PG-13 versions.
Here are the Variations as I know them at this time.
ALL FIGURES- No Blood splattered on clothes but blood remains on weapons in PG versions.
EVE- PG version has covered Breasts, while the PG-13 has the more accurate nipple like sculpts on Breasts.
Leatherface- PG-13 version has body parts in the bucket. The PG version has the body parts hidden behind the poster stand.
The Maniacs headline the latest issue of the McFarlane collectors club magazine.
Inside Todd McFarlane gives his thoughts on the line and it also features brief descriptions.
Contained in the descriptions is one of the funniest typos ever, instead of listing Jason's last name as VOORHEES, it is listed as VERHOOVEN. Guess somebody was watching a little too much Starship Troopers that week.
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I am currently working on an FAQ an Idea page so please bear with me and let me know your ideas for future maniacs.
Also, please check out the Poll to vote for future maniacs.
Until I get the FAQ page up, I'm sorry, but I don't actually sell the figures, and Michael Myers IS coming!
There is a reasonable explination on why he wan't in the first line.
11-28-98
Well, we have our first variation report, and with McFarlane, you can count on Several!
This one is more important than most though to the buyer. It seems that the figures come in 2 versions; Regular and Gory. The only difference I have heard thusfar is that the Gory versions are splattered with blood.
Mcfarlane set up the variation to appease the family friendly values of stores such as Toys R Us and Wal-Mart, which is a pretty nice gesture. You get to build a good business relationship with the stores while giving Fans an option on how they want their figures.
Anyway, other non-conservative stores such as Media Play and Suncoast are carrying the gory versions.
Now you just have to decide which one is best for you.
10-13-98
Movie Maniacs goes online to bring you the latest news Info and pics of McFarlane Toys' newest and long overdue line of figures.
Now for the News.
The First line of Figures consisting of JASON, FREDDY, LEATHERFACE, EVE, and PATRICK is now out in stores. I picked mine up at Media Play but others such as Target, Toys R US, etc. should be getting their shipments in for Halloween as well. They are selling very well right now so don't go Psycho if you can't find them right off.
There have been complications with the license for the Pinhead figure and it looks like it might not make it to the next line. As far as I know, McFarlane is still working on the rights to do Michael Myers, and Hannibal Lechter for the next line, these are just a couple of the ones he mentions in his interview with Beckett's Hot Toys Magazine this month.
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The Maniacs grace the cover of the latest Toyfare. It's a pretty cool magazine and comes with a free poster of the cover which is great if your a fan, or looking for a cool backdrop for your figures. Check it out!
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If you have any news, info, or questions you'd like to send over, please feel free to do so!
I know it's a little off the beaten path but I thought I would mention that there is lots of great stuff out there for Halloween.
You can go to just about any store supplying Halloween gear and find something to do with SCREAM. I think these will end up being very collectable down the road when Scream hits it's classic cult status. They are also pretty cool Items to have anyway if you just enjoyed the Film.
Spencer Gifts has another great selection of Items, my favorite being a line of 18" collectable dolls featuring Freddy, The Cryptkeeper, and Michael Myers.
The Freddy is the same doll released in the Mid 80's as the Talking Freddy Doll, it just has new packaging. The big surprise, and my personal favorite, is the Michael Myers doll.
It is well crafted and detailed very well. The mask and clothes are perfect and he even comes holding a butcher knife that is removable. The only thing I could complain about is that the Limbs are just rods padded with poly fill stuffing, and he has a bit too much hair. Neither though is what I would consider a major flaw.
The coolest feature by far though is that you can squeeze his chest and he plays the Halloween Music. If you are a Horror fan you have to get yourself one of these.
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