Diamond Select is launching the first figures from its new Monty Python license (see 'Diamond Select Continues To Expand'), Monty Python and the Holy Grail Talking Figures, Series 1, this November.  Diamond Select's launch is part of a major expansion of Monty Python activities this fall, which center around Sony's release of a new Collectors Edition 2-Disc Set of Monty Python and the Holy Grail DVDs on September 16th.  This is the third DVD edition of this film -- a regular DVD and a Special Edition with additional features have previously been released.  In fact, the Special Edition sold over 500,000 copies in its first three months of release in 2002 -- an amazing feat for a two-decade-old movie in its second time around in the DVD format.  A new Special Edition (the second version released) of The Meaning of Life is also being released in September, on the 2nd. 

Sony is supporting the property with an ad campaign (in Rolling Stone and other venues) and a consumer contest.  Diamond Select figures will be among the prizes and will get mentions and hopefully images where the contest is advertised. 

Diamond is also planning a cross-promotion with Museum Replicas, which will be releasing Holy Grail replica helmets, surcoats, swords and shields in the coming months.  Museum Replicas' first release, the helmet, will include an insert promoting Diamond's figures; Diamond's first figure series will include an insert for Replicas' helmets.

In addition to the DVDs, there's a robust licensing program with lots of products that could be boutiqued together.  In toys, in addition to Diamond Select's 7-inch figures, Sideshow has figures sized 12' and above, and Toy Vault has plush and tchotchkes (see 'Toy Vault Plans More Python').  In other categories, Balzout has t-shirts, Aquarius Entertainment has posters, and Virgin and BMG have soundtrack CDs. 

Diamond has its second series of figures sculpted, painted, and ready to go based on the response to the first series.  The characters in the second series are Sir Galahad, Sir Lancelot, and The Bridgekeeper.