-“Django Unchained” action figures are drawing criticism for satirizing America’s sensitive slavery era.
An activist, who says he saw and liked the movie argues the plastic action figures are “a slap in the face of our ancestors,” he tells the Associated Press. “We feel that it trivializes the horrors of slavery and what African Americans experienced.”
The plastic action figures, which reportedly are labeled as restricted to ages 17 and higher, like the movie, are made by toy company NECA under license with “Django’s” film distributor the Weinstein Co. “Tarantino has had such figures made for all of his films, including his last, ‘Inglourious Basterds,’” says an Associated Press story. “That film, too, reveled in a revenge fantasy set in history — Nazi Germany.”
The NECA plastic figures are eight inches high and poseable—meaning they are flexible so their stance can change. Six characters from “Django,” which is emerging as an R-rated violent hit at the box office, are made into figures “with tailored western clothing, authentic weapons and accessories, as well as a full apparel and accessories line,” says a NECA press release.
The plastic action figures look like the actors, which apparently blessed the merchandise. When there’s no approval of actors, the clothing is accurate but faces of action figures are different from the actor in the movie.
Update Jan 27: Deadline.com says eBay banned resale of “Django” toys. Weinstein Co. is a feisty independent, which often courts controversy to draw attention to its movies.
Update Jan 18: An Associated Press story reports “Django Unchained” distributor the Weinstein Co. asked that these plastic action figures be discontinued because of protest. If so, we know what that means. The plastic action figures already sold will be very valuable!
Related content:
- Action figures for ‘Django Unchained’ draw protest
- Ebay Bans Controversial ‘Django Unchained’ Dolls As Prices Skyrocket
- NECA And The Weinstein Company Are Pleased To Announce Agreement To Produce “Django Unchained” Consumer Products!
- ‘Django Unchained’ Action Figure Line Discontinued After Civil Rights Groups Uproar
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