NECA has built its lines around key cult movie hits for 2005, with some particularly strong licenses for core consumers.  A company spokesperson told us that Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is expected to be the company's top line worldwide (see 'NECA Unveils Hitchhiker's Prop Replicas'), but Sin City will be the top line in the U.S. (see'NECA Shows Off Marv Figure').  Early order action on NECA's Sin City line was described as 'amazing,' with every specialty mall chain running full programs. The first products are arriving over the next 45 days; Series 2 of the 7' figures and another wave of other merchandise will ship in August. 

 

Kill Bill was NECA's top line last year, and it's expected to continue to generate sales in 2005, with a Series 2 of the 7' figures shipping in August, in time for the DVD box set release.  Bill, PaiMei, and another Bride figure will be among the figures in that series. 

 

NECA will field a new range of Halloween-oriented Nightmare Before Christmas  figures in August (Series 2) and a Christmas-oriented line in October (Series 3).  Series 2 figures, with Four Horsemen sculpts, will include Santa Jack, Dr. Finkelstein, and an Oogie Boogie box set.  NECA will also market 100s of other NBX items, including homeware, shipping in three phases between August and Christmas.  The range is wide enough to include a stylish NBX poker set, which was on display at the NECA Toy Fair showroom.

 

NECA's Cult Classics line is a movie line for smaller properties that don't have their own line.  Cult Classics Series 2 will ship in September for Halloween, with Frank the Bunny, Leatherface in Tuxedo, Nightmare Freddy, and Tall Man from Phantasm.  Series 3 will release around the end of the year, and will include Bubba Ho-Tep 'and other surprise.'

 

An 18' T2 Endoskeleton is planned for May, with lights, sound, and a $39.99 MSRP.

 

In June, NECA will release the Hellraiser Cenobite Lair Box Set, with four modified sculpts for the figures, at a $49.99 MSRP.  NECA is promising a surprise at the end of the year for Hellraiser. 

 

POTC Ser. 2 Cursed
Barbossa 7" Figure

Pirates of the Caribbean Series 2 (7') will ship in October, with Jack Sparrow, two pirates, and Elizabeth Swan.  A Cursed Barbossa zombie version is also planned as a boxed separate boxed item. 

 

NECA will continue to work with Four Horsemen to market Masters of the Universe products, its only TV line.  Mattel is not producing any new Masters of the Universe figures in 2005, so NECA's products are it for MOTU collectors.  They plan to continue with micro-busts, statues, and will introduce new 6' mini-statues in scale with the old Mattel action figures.