This is something I never understood. Why did they just make those crappy little non-poseable trinkets when they could have made a whole line of action figures for the movie when it came out? I would've killed for General Kael and Madmartigan action figures. Considering Lucas produced it, you would think he of all people would know the demand there would be. And as far as I know, 24 years later, they STILL haven't made any! Considering nostalgia, I'm sure someone could at least produce a collector's line of Willow toys. Who understands what happened with Willow toys?
I loved those figures as a kid. I think they worked well considering the amount of different characters they made. I don't have a good reason why they didn't make action figures, but I'm glad we got a diverse cast of metal figures rather than a toyline of 3-5 characters.
I have General Kael, got it recently too. Had no idea what it was till a friend said it's a Willow toy. I'm surprised the franchise was never revisited and figures made at that time, during the great action figure boom of the early 2000's when any and every movie and TV series was getting a figure.
I'm thinking either the Robin Hood line was already in the works or Kenner/ Mattel couldn't get a decent deal on the property. Or there was still memories of the downfall of the MOTU line as well as the fact that there where other Swords and Sorcery lines (D & D being the most well know)
I have to disagree about that. Willow was always a favourite for me. Still - I don't think the toys would have sold well. Most of the characters are just people in costumes. The exception I think should have been done is the two headed dragon.
They did make an Eborsisk for the small metal figures line. The name of that two headed dragon is the combination of Siskel and Ebert. Kind of weird.
This "shitty" movie does. So say I! Hm, Robin Hood was still 3 years away so I don't think that was it. However there may be truth in thinking that sword and sorcery toylines may have not flourished at the time. I personally think they would have sold well--I remember me and all my friends were psyched to get 3 3/4" action figures, only to be disappointed by the little non-poseable statues. We were pretty bummed!! And strangely, General Kael seems to have been named after legendary film critic Pauline Kael. Not sure why. Anyway, perhaps with the 25th anniversary of Willow we'll see some commemorative figures!! Would you buy any?
