The Merchandising Juggernaut begins...

[Obi Wan of the Fellowship]

Here are case assortments of the action figures that will be coming out from toy biz. Some pics might show up later this week from toy fair.
Available In august:
Frodo
Strider
Lurtz uruk-Hai
Legolas
Witch King
Sam
Gandalf
Saruman
Gimli
Orc Overseer
Two Packs:
Boromir vs. Lurtz,
Merry and Pippin vs. Moria orc,
Galadriel and Frodo
Deluxe figures:
Arwen w/Asfaloth
Ring Wraithw/horse
12" Figures:
Frodo
Gandalf
Arwen

In October:

Bilbo
Galadriel
Aragorn
Pippin
Elrond
Two packs:
Frodo and Sam
Saruman vs. gandalf
Gil Galad vs. Elendil (yippee!)
12" Figures
Aragorn
Gimli
Galadriel

In December:

Arwen
Merry
Boromir
Twigh Light Ring Wraith (???)
Frodo
Two Packs:
Frodo vs. Twigh Light Witch King
Aragon and Arwen
Gimli and Legolas
12" Figures
Sam
saruman
legolas
Playsets:
10" Cave Troll diorama playset


Preordering info is available here: www.entertainmentearth.co...ny=TOY+BIZ (http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitlist.asp?theme=Lord+of+the+Rings&company=TOY+BIZ)

so what do you think? Will you buy these (providing they look pretty cool)? Or are you one of those who hates the fact that they are turning the greatest book of all time into a marketing bonanza?
BTW, who the hell is Lurtz?

[Film Hobbit]

Geez, I REALLY hate it when they start putting toys out before the movie is even out... but AUGUST?? that is friggin rediculous.

They should be ashamed. At least wait till November.

[Grand Admiral Reese]

That's pretty early. Somehow I think they'll out do Lucas in the over-saturating the toy market area.

[Melchior IV]

What? No action figure of Muar the Balrog?

Ultimately, the movie's success or failure will be determined by how well the Balrog is played/animated/merchandised. Hopefully, the new movie won't give rise to any stupid "fluffy bedroom slipper" debate, and I hope for an end to the "Balrog Wings" debate based on movie footage.

But if no Muar action figure is produced, the entire idea is stupid. Who wants action figures of the Witch-king, Frodo, Gil-galad (never mind why he's included!), Merry and Pippin, assorted Orcs and Elves, etc.

Muar will probably attract the same kind of fans as Boba Fett. Need I say more?

[Inoldonil]

Yes, quite a bit more I should say. For starters, Muar?

[Leonides]

Have you guys seen the pics they had up over at TORN? The detail is really quite amazing. It was all done under WETA's suprvision, so they're very authentic.

[Inoldonil]

Now wait a minute! Who's Muar the Balrog?! Is that a name from ICE or something?

[X Rogue]

August? Oh, joy. Here we go again. Sigh. I think I might want to buy some of these, but why start so early?

[GlaurungTheGold]

i want a Sauron action figure with detachable ring finger!

[Inoldonil]

*stamps on floor* WHO'S MUAR THE BALROG?!