NECA HAS OBTAINED UNIVERSAL MONSTERS!!!!

[Anton Phibes]

Ah! I didn't notice that! So we are down to the Magnificent 7 being the films then. I wonder if there are tiers, or if they have decided they dont care if others are "in the group" of characters they are desiring to merchandise moving forward. The Invisible Man isn't included on this current wall mural. Unless he's nekkid.

[Anton Phibes]

I asked AI about the Metaluna Mutant thing. Its answer:

NECA's Metaluna Mutant figure does not feature a "TM Universal" marking because the character's inclusion within the Universal Monsters franchise is a point of contention and not officially recognized by Universal Pictures.

The Metaluna Mutant originates from the 1955 film This Island Earth, which is not part of Universal's classic monster film series, despite the character's iconic design.

There was a legal dispute between Universal and the designer of the Metaluna Mutant, which resulted in Universal losing the rights to the character's design, preventing it from being marketed as an "Official Universal Monster".

This legal issue caused figures of the Metaluna Mutant from other companies, like Super7, to be removed from the "Official Universal Monsters" checklist, although the figures themselves were still produced.
 
As a result, while NECA has released an Ultimate Metaluna Mutant figure, it is not officially branded as a Universal Monster, which explains the absence of the "TM Universal" marking.

[Mike Scott]

There was a legal dispute between Universal and the designer of the Metaluna Mutant, which resulted in Universal losing the rights to the character's design, preventing it from being marketed as an "Official Universal Monster".

So, why is this other person/company's brand not on the MM toys? What did he/it actually win? (Rhetorical question.)

[Anton Phibes]

I dunno. I am wondering which designer it was, as a few hands were involved with his creation.

[Mike Scott]

. . as a few hands were involved with his creation.

Are any of them still living?

[Anton Phibes]

Are any of them still living?

Probably heirs or some such. It's a bit of a mystery to us, the unwashed masses,lol.

[Mike Scott]

Probably heirs or some such.

The grave robbers.

[Count Zachula]

Does anyone know how long ole NECA has the Universal license, and which films are part of the license? In this new regime change after buying Karloff's likeness from Miss Sara, losing to the Chaneys in court, and whatever the bloody blue blazes went on with Metaluna Mutant, I am just curious what's what.

See....they haven't really ventured out past these films:

1. Dracula (and Carfax Abbey b/w version)
2. Frankenstein
3. Wolfman
4. Mummy (Im-Ho_Tep and Ardath Bey versions)
5. Bride of Frankenstein (The Monster and The Bride)
6. Creature from the Black Lagoon
7. Phantom of the Opera (standard/suited version, and Masque of the Red Death version)
8. Invisible Man (standard/suited version and Kemp House version)

Now, there are oodles of paint variations and package variations.....but it seems limited to these 8 films.

The Metaluna Mutant bearing no TM, so am not counting him. Nosferatu and London After Midnight both non Universal, as are the Vincent Price and Horror of Dracula figures, despite including them on their checklist.

Does anyone suspect the license may be limited to the 8 standard bearers these days?

Not sure how long they have the license for, but look at NECA's other long lasting lines...TMNT, Alien, Predator, Even Gremlins...some of these they have been producing for 10 years.  It could be a matter of the line making enough money to keep paying for that license.  NECA is obviously trying to keep giving collectors the well known monsters IE all the variants.  Say what you will about that but if it helps them save money in order to produce more lesser known characters, I'm all for it.

I am surprised we got Bride version Monster, Ardath Bey and the Robed Invisible Man, but we're not out of the woods yet!  I think we'll all be pleased once we start seeing Creature Walks Among Us, Werewolf of London, Ygor, Fritz etc.

Heck, if we got Metaluna Mutant then Mole Person probably isn't too far behind (though I do not get the appeal, but I ain't judging).     

[John Pertwee]

I could see a Glenn Monster or a Son Of Frank Frank, but Ygor, Renfield, Fritz and or other non Monster figures might not be on the table.

[darkmonkeygod]

I think we'll all be pleased once we start seeing Creature Walks Among Us[...]

Seeing the Walks Among US Creature re-issued in the newest S7 blind box Universal series gives me hope that whatever licensing issues there were a few years ago have been ironed out in Universal's favour and that he's again in the mix for being licensed out anew. I've long wished Mego had seen a profitable reason to produce one, but... nope.

[Count Zachula]

I could see a Glenn Monster or a Son Of Frank Frank, but Ygor, Renfield, Fritz and or other non Monster figures might not be on the table.

Ygor is at least a Lugosi license, with Super7 and Retro-A-gogo producing stuff of him. The Dwight Frye characters would be more of a white whale.  I think Sideshow were the only ones to ever make Fritz and Renfield figures.

[TheMadScientist]

Think there's a couple people in the Kansas City area. The Target in Mission has 2 Metaluna Mutant figures and 3 of the London after Midnight figures

[MrDark1]

What's really scary is the latest retail releases of Neca items.

Trying to collect all their color Toony Uni Monsters retail, and it's been a nightmare of a hunt.  Walmart got them in b/w, Frank, Wolf, Dracula/Lugosi, but no color version.

Several months back, my local Target had only the color Frank, none of the others were ever stocked, today, at Walmart, I find a color Creature only from the 2nd wave-maddening!

I have yet to see my Target get Mutant, or Hammer Peter Cushing, or Phantom/Red Death. 

Truly frightening out in the wilds of retail !

[TheMadScientist]

Anymore, I just order from BBTS and wait for it to land in my pile of loot. It can be fun to go monster hunting for figures in store, but I usually just end up wasting time and gas.

[Mcfly22]

What's really scary is the latest retail releases of Neca items.

Trying to collect all their color Toony Uni Monsters retail, and it's been a nightmare of a hunt.  Walmart got them in b/w, Frank, Wolf, Dracula/Lugosi, but no color version.

Several months back, my local Target had only the color Frank, none of the others were ever stocked, today, at Walmart, I find a color Creature only from the 2nd wave-maddening!

I have yet to see my Target get Mutant, or Hammer Peter Cushing, or Phantom/Red Death. 

Truly frightening out in the wilds of retail !

Metaluna is in stock on target w Free shipping

https://www.target.com/p/neca-this-island-earth-1955-ultimate-metaluna-mutant-7-34-action-figure/-/A-94881786