Hi all!

With AvP-R coming next month, the Predator community is jumping with new updates, goodies and rumors… it’s an exciting time to be a Predator buff! Earlier this morning, Sideshow posted up a ton of pics and the Pre-Order page for the full size Wolf Predator Bust! You can check it out by clicking here.

Here’s the info on this new piece from their site:

Sideshow is proud to partner with Amalgamated Dynamics Inc (ADI) to bring you the Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem prop replica and maquette line. The line features some of the most advanced weaponry from the Predator’s arsenal, as well as reproductions of the creatures from the film. Each prop replica and maquette is an exact reproduction of the original prop or design sculpture, as created by ADI for the film.

The Predator Life-Size Bust is cast in high-quality polystone and fiberglass, and features soft polyurethane dreadlocks that are individually cast and attached to the bust. The piece is detailed with all the gruesome features of a Predator who has encountered the acid-blooded Xenomorphs many times before, complete with scarring, dead eye, and a missing mandible. Each piece is hand-cast, hand-finished, and hand-painted to exacting standards, then individually hand-numbered.

(As a note, the exact number being produced has not yet been determined)

Artist(s): Amalgamated Dynamics Inc Artists Joey Orosco, Mike Larrabee, and Matt Killen.

Product Type: Life-Sized Replica

Product Size: 27″ H (686mm) x 18″ W (457mm) x 23″ L (584mm)*

Est. Product Ship Weight: 35.00 lbs (15.12 Kg)

I only a few comments at this point…

First, the colors look better now than they did in that banner ad. I don’t know if they overdid it digitally for that Ministry of Information post or if they toned them down in these new photos, but it looks much better now. So that’s looking much better.

Second, what’s up with the dreads? Don’t know if it’s the way they bored the holes or if it’s the material used for the dreads, but they look weird with that big curve they have neat the top of the head. They should hang down, not stick straight out at the sides and then curve down… I’m thinking they probably settle after a bit of time on display and won’t look so odd.

Third, is it me or has Sideshow scrapped the free shipping they were offering on these large ticket items? I noticed even the $5000 R2D2 replica only has free shipping in the US. Anyhow, that kind of sucks…

Anyhow, if you want to see more pics or would like to pre-order this bad-boy, you can do so directly from Sideshow by clicking HERE.

Here’s a recap of everything else Sideshow has up for pre-order so far in regards to AvP-R:

The Predalien (Edition size TBD):

AvP-R Predator Helmet: 1000 units (Scheduled release date is 1st quarter 2008)

AvP-R Shuriken: 750 units (Scheduled release date is 1st quarter 2008)

AvP-R Shoulder Plasma Cannon: 500 units (Scheduled release date is 1st quarter 2008)

NECA UPDATES:

Clyde is keeping a close eye on NECA for updates, and he just let me know that NECA has posted additional photos of the masked and unmasked Predator figures as well as a new article you can read at www.necaonline.com

I like the styling of the new photos, they look pretty awesome! BUT I’m always scared when companies only show dark photos with lots of Photochopping filters added, because it’s a common tactic used to conceal weaknesses in a product. I think NECA is under a lot of pressure to make these figs look awesome though, so I’m sure they’ll come through in the end. We’ll find out in January once the figures are released and I get my hands on a set!

That’s it for now gang, enjoy!
Dan