Category: King Kong

A little bit of context

McFarlane Toys Movie Maniacs King Kong Action Figure

King Kong has been a pop culture icon since his first appearance in 1933. The giant ape has captured the imaginations of audiences for generations, and his popularity has only grown in recent years with the release of new films such as Kong: Skull Island and Godzilla vs. Kong. McFarlane Toys is a company that is known for its highly detailed and realistic action figures, and their Movie Maniacs line has featured some of the most iconic characters in film history. In this blog post, we will take a look at the McFarlane Toys Movie Maniacs King Kong Action Figure, exploring the history of the character, the company, and the figure itself.

The Eighth Wonder of the World: A History of King Kong

King Kong is a fictional giant monster resembling a gorilla, who has appeared in various media since 1933. He is often dubbed the “King of the Beasts” and the “Eighth Wonder of the World”¹. Kong’s origins have varied throughout his appearances, but he is often depicted as the last surviving member of a prehistoric species of giant ape². Although there has never been any real-life evidence to support the idea of giant primates existing during the time of the dinosaurs, Kong is often portrayed as a survivor of this prehistoric era, much like the Loch Ness Monster. It is believed that he survived the asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs².

In some continuities, Kong is native to Skull Island, a remote island in the Pacific Ocean inhabited by other prehistoric creatures, including dinosaurs³. Interestingly, King Kong Lives (1986) suggests that Skull Island and Borneo were once part of the same landmass, which would explain why members of Kong’s species were found in both locations³. In the MonsterVerse, Kong’s species originated in the Hollow Earth, a hidden world within the Earth’s core³.

Kong’s first appearance was in the 1933 film King Kong from RKO Pictures¹. The film was a massive success, and it spawned a number of sequels and remakes over the years. Some of the most notable King Kong films include:

It’s worth noting that the 1976 remake of King Kong was somewhat divisive among fans. While it was a visual upgrade from the original, it significantly toned down the monster action and didn’t feature any dinosaurs, which some viewers found disappointing⁵.

In addition to films, King Kong has also appeared in a variety of other media, including television shows, video games ¹, and comic books¹. Some of the most notable video game appearances include:

• King Kong (1982)
• King Kong 2: Ikari no Megaton Punch (1986)
• King Kong 2: Yomigaeru Densetsu (1986)
• Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie (2005)
• Kong: The Animated Series (2002)
• Kong: King of Atlantis (2005)
• Skull Island: Rise of Kong ⁶

Friends and Foes of the Mighty Kong

Throughout his various appearances, King Kong has encountered a variety of creatures, both friendly and hostile.

Kong’s Allies

Some of his most notable allies include:

• Ann Darrow: A recurring character in the King Kong franchise, Ann is often the female lead in the films. She frequently forms a strong bond with Kong, who protects her from the many dangers of Skull Island and beyond⁸.
• Lady Kong: Introduced in King Kong Lives (1986), Lady Kong is Kong’s mate and the mother of his child⁸.
• Pink Hawk: In the Skull Island animated series, Kong has a rather unique ally in the form of a giant pink hawk. This unusual bird not only acts as a scout for Kong but also brings him victims to devour⁹.

Kong’s Enemies

Kong has also faced off against a wide range of enemies, including:

• Godzilla: Kong’s most famous rival, Godzilla is a giant radioactive dinosaur who has clashed with Kong in several films, most recently in Godzilla vs. Kong (2021). Their battles are legendary clashes of the titans, with each monster vying for dominance⁸.
• Tyrannosaurus Rex: Kong’s iconic battle with a Tyrannosaurus Rex in the original 1933 film is one of the most memorable moments in monster movie history. This fight established Kong’s ferocity and his ability to overcome even the most fearsome predators¹¹.
• Skullcrawlers: These reptilian creatures are Kong’s primary antagonists in Kong: Skull Island. What makes these creatures particularly menacing is that they are responsible for the death of Kong’s parents, adding a personal element to their conflict¹².
• Mechani-Kong: A robotic duplicate of Kong created by the villainous Dr. Who in King Kong Escapes, Mechani-Kong is a formidable foe that tests Kong’s strength and ingenuity¹⁰.
• Gorosaurus: Another powerful adversary from King Kong Escapes, Gorosaurus is a dinosaur-like kaiju who puts up a good fight against Kong. Interestingly, Gorosaurus would later appear in Toho’s Destroy All Monsters¹⁰¹².

McFarlane Toys: A History of Detail and Innovation

McFarlane Toys is an American company founded in 1994 by comic book creator Todd McFarlane¹³. McFarlane was initially working with Mattel to produce action figures based on his comic book characters, but when they couldn’t agree on how to make the toys to his satisfaction, he decided to start his own company¹⁴. Interestingly, the company was originally called “Todd Toys” but had to change its name due to pressure from Mattel, who feared that consumers would confuse the new company with Mattel’s own established brands¹⁴.

McFarlane Toys is known for its highly detailed and realistic action figures, which often feature intricate sculpts and paint applications. In fact, when they first debuted, McFarlane Toys figures were notably different from other action figures on the market. While other companies often used only a few colors and simpler sculpts, McFarlane Toys prioritized detail and realism, setting a new standard for the industry¹⁴. The company has produced figures based on a wide range of popular franchises, including:

• Spawn: McFarlane Toys’ first line of figures was based on McFarlane’s own Spawn comic book series¹⁴.
• Movie Maniacs: This line features characters from popular films, including horror icons like Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Michael Myers¹⁴.
• Music figures: McFarlane Toys has produced figures of famous musicians such as KISS, the Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix¹⁴.
• Sports figures: McFarlane Toys also produces figures of popular athletes from various sports¹⁴.
• Other notable lines: The company has expanded its offerings to include figures from popular franchises such as DC Comics ¹⁴, The Simpsons ¹⁴, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, Warhammer 40,000, Mortal Kombat, Disney, The Princess Bride ¹⁴, and Avatar: The Last Airbender¹⁴.

McFarlane Toys has been recognized for its innovation in the action figure industry. They were one of the first companies to introduce ultra-articulated action figures with a wide range of motion¹⁷. They also pioneered the use of a more diverse color palette in their figures, offering fans a wider variety of options¹⁷.

To further engage with their fanbase, McFarlane Toys has launched a crowdfunding platform called Drawing Board. This platform allows fans to vote on and fund new figure releases, giving collectors a direct voice in the company’s future projects¹⁸.

McFarlane Toys Movie Maniacs King Kong Action Figure: Up Close and Personal

The McFarlane Toys Movie Maniacs King Kong Action Figure was released as part of the Movie Maniacs Series 3 in 2000¹⁹. This figure is based on Kong’s appearance in the classic 1933 film. The figure stands approximately 6 inches tall and features incredible detail, capturing the iconic look of the giant ape²⁰. As described by McFarlane Toys, this Kong is a “savage brute, but a sympathetic one, too.” He is a monster taken from his home and thrust into a bizarre and unfamiliar situation, where he reacts accordingly²¹.

Here are some of the key features of this figure:

• Highly detailed sculpt: The figure features a realistic sculpt that captures the intricate details of Kong’s fur, muscles, and facial expressions.
• Articulation: The figure has several points of articulation, allowing for a variety of poses.
• Accessories: The figure comes with a display base and shackles, recreating the scene from the 1933 film where Kong is captured and put on display²².
• Variants: There are at least two variants of this figure, one with the “King Kong” name on the base and one without¹⁹.

Where to Buy the McFarlane Toys Movie Maniacs King Kong Action Figure

The McFarlane Toys Movie Maniacs King Kong Action Figure is a highly sought-after collectible, and it can be difficult to find in stores. However, there are a few places where you can still purchase this figure:

Online:

• Amazon: Amazon offers a wide variety of McFarlane Toys figures, including the Movie Maniacs King Kong¹⁹.
• eBay: eBay is another good option for finding this figure, although you may have to pay a premium price²³.
• McFarlane Toys Store: The official McFarlane Toys online store occasionally has older figures available for purchase²¹.
• Specialty retailers: Some online retailers that specialize in action figures and collectibles may also have this figure in stock.

Physical Stores:

• Local comic book stores: Your local comic book store is a great place to start your search. They often carry a variety of action figures and collectibles, and they may have the McFarlane Toys Movie Maniacs King Kong Action Figure in stock.
• Specialty toy stores: Some toy stores specialize in action figures and collectibles. These stores are another good place to check for this figure²⁰.

The Future of King Kong and McFarlane Toys

Both King Kong and McFarlane Toys have a bright future ahead of them. King Kong will continue to appear in new films and other media, and McFarlane Toys will continue to produce high-quality action figures based on popular franchises.

Here are some potential future projects for King Kong:

• MonsterVerse sequels: Legendary Pictures has confirmed that more MonsterVerse films are in development, and it is likely that Kong will play a major role in these films. One of the most exciting possibilities is that Kong may finally earn his official “King Kong” title in the upcoming Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. This could involve him defeating the alpha predator of the Hollow Earth and potentially leading other members of his species. This would be a significant development for Kong’s character and would solidify his position as a true king²⁴.
• Son of Kong: There have been rumors of a new Son of Kong film in development, which would explore Kong’s relationship with his adopted son, Suko. This film could delve into the dynamics of their relationship, with Kong taking on a mentor role and teaching Suko how to survive in the dangerous world of Hollow Earth. It would be interesting to see how Kong navigates the challenges of fatherhood while also protecting his son from the various threats they encounter²⁶.
• Kong on the Planet of the Apes: This is a fan-suggested idea that would see Kong transported to the world of the Planet of the Apes franchise. This concept has the potential for some exciting storylines. Imagine Kong encountering a society of intelligent apes, with their own complex social structures and hierarchies. Would Kong be seen as a threat, a savior, or something else entirely? The possibilities for conflict and cooperation are endless²⁶.

Here are some potential future projects for McFarlane Toys:

• New licenses: McFarlane Toys is always looking to acquire new licenses, and they are likely to continue expanding their offerings in the years to come. With their impressive track record of producing high-quality figures from a diverse range of franchises, it’s exciting to think about what properties they might tackle next. Could we see McFarlane Toys figures from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the world of Star Wars, or even classic video game franchises¹⁴?
• Innovation: McFarlane Toys is known for its innovation in the action figure industry, and they are likely to continue developing new technologies and techniques to create even more realistic and detailed figures. This could involve advancements in articulation, sculpting, paint applications, or even the integration of electronics and special effects²⁷.
• Drawing Board: McFarlane Toys has launched a crowdfunding platform called Drawing Board, which allows fans to vote on and fund new figure releases. This platform is a testament to McFarlane Toys’ commitment to engaging with their fanbase and giving collectors a voice in the company’s future. It will be interesting to see what unique and exciting figures emerge from this initiative¹⁸.

Conclusion

The McFarlane Toys Movie Maniacs King Kong Action Figure is a true gem for collectors. This 6-inch figure perfectly encapsulates the monstrous yet sympathetic nature of the iconic ape from the 1933 classic. Its highly detailed sculpt, articulation, and accessories make it a standout piece in any collection. The figure’s connection to the original King Kong film, a landmark achievement in cinema history, further enhances its value and appeal.

With the continued success of the King Kong franchise and McFarlane Toys’ dedication to quality and innovation, the future looks bright for both. We can anticipate more thrilling adventures for the Eighth Wonder of the World and more exceptional figures from McFarlane Toys that capture the essence of our favorite characters.

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