TEMPE, AZ and HOLLYWOOD, CA – May 18, 2017 –The Jim Henson Company has partnered with McFarlane Toys, which will harken back to its roots of “Movie Maniacs,” to create figures of classic characters from two of Henson’s most well-known features Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal.
Directed by visionary Jim Henson and executive produced by George Lucas, Labyrinth is a fan favorite and wonder of puppetry. Stuck babysitting her brother, teenager Sarah, resentfully wishes The Goblin King (memorably portrayed by David Bowie) can take him away. When her wish comes true, Sarah must head into the Labyrinth herself to save him. Since its 1986 release, the film has garnered a cult popularity and is still reveled in today’s era as a timeless classic.
Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, The Dark Crystal, directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, brilliantly weaves a timeless myth of good and evil. In another time, The Dark Crystal, a source of balance and truth in the universe, was broken, dividing the world into two factions; the wicked Skeksis and the peaceful Mystics. Now, as the convergence of the three suns approaches, the crystal must be healed, or darkness will reign forever. The Dark Crystal’s fanbase has only risen since the film’s debut and the film has also developed a devoted following across the world.
McFarlane Toys has produced highly detailed figures and construction sets for various entertainment properties and this collaboration with The Jim Henson Company will give fans of these iconic films new and unique action figures that are “true to life” replicas of their on-screen personas.
The upcoming toys will include a 7-inch figure of Labyrinth’s Jareth the Goblin King, and for The Dark Crystal, fans can look forward to figures of Jen and Kira. Each figure will be highly detailed and come fully articulated to recreate iconic movie scenes. These figures will also debut in new window box collector packaging and will come with Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal branded detailed bases.
“The beautifully created figures from the talented team at McFarlane Toys will bring to life these iconic characters and allow our fans to show their passion and enthusiasm for these beloved fantasy productions,” said Nicole Goldman, Executive Vice President, Marketing/PR and Education Initiatives for The Jim Henson Company.
“Jim Henson was one of the most visually creative minds, and these incredible movies are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Todd McFarlane, Owner and CEO of McFarlane Toys. “We pride ourselves on our creativity and attention to detail, and to be able to make figures of these iconic characters is something pretty special.”
McFarlane Toys’ Labyrinth Jareth the Goblin King figure will be available at major retailers this November carrying an MSRP: $19.99. The Dark Crystal Jen and Kira figures are slated to release Spring 2018. For more information about The Jim Henson Company visit www.henson.com. For more information about everything McFarlane Toys, fans are encouraged to check out www.mcfarlane.com as well as the McFarlane social media channels for updates and news.
Grammy-and Emmy-winning producer/director Todd McFarlane, creator of Spawn, is the creative force behind McFarlane Toys, one of America’s top action figure manufacturers. McFarlane Toys has become an industry leader, redefining the standards within the action figure market. For complete information on this pop-culture powerhouse, visit http://www.mcfarlane.com; http://www.facebook.com/mcfarlanetoys; http://www.twitter.com/Todd_McFarlane and http://www.instagram.com/mcfarlane_toys_official.
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 60 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world-famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include Julie’s Greenroom (Netflix), Dot. (Sprout/Hulu), Splash and Bubbles (PBS), Word Party (Netflix), Doozers (Hulu/ Sprout), and the Emmy®-nominated Sid the Science Kid (PBS), Dinosaur Train (PBS), and Pajanimals (Sprout). Television productions include Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller and the sci-fi cult series Farscape. Features include Disney’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, as well as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, MirrorMask, and Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow.
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. The Company is home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of- the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand is currently touring Puppet-Up! – Uncensored, a live puppet improvisational show.
www.henson.com
www.facebook.com/hensoncompany
www.twitter.com/hensoncompany
www.darkcrystal.com
www.facebook.com/darkcrystal
www.twitter.com/darkcrystal
McFarlane Toys
Carmen Q. Bryant
1-602-448-8667
cbryant@mcfarlane.com
The Jim Henson Company
Michelle Orsi/Carol Holdsworth
Three Sixty Marketing + Communications
1-310-418-6430; michelle@360-comm.com
1-805-252-1848; carol@360-comm.com
