"We are very excited to be associated with Gentle Giant in putting this sales program together," Dark Horse Vice President Product Development David Scroggy stated, "and are confident that they will help us make the release of these highly collectable, top quality limited editions a key component of both Dark Horse's and Lucasfilm's Star Wars collector program."
Gentle Giant has been the industry leader in the cutting edge technology of three-dimensional scanning for many years. The data from this procedure is used by their talented team of sculptors, painters, and technicians to create prototypes, maquettes and other materials that become action figures, statues, consumer products, and the basis for filmed special effects for a variety of toy and consumer products companies and film productions. Now, for the first time, Gentle Giant is producing merchandise under their own name, beginning with a series of fifteen Star Wars mini-busts.
"We are very pleased to be working with Dark Horse," Gentle Giant President Karl Meyer remarked, "because of their integrity and long-standing relationship with and contribution to the Star Wars universe."
"I echo Karl's excitement," Dark Horse President Mike Richardson responded. "Ever since I first toured their impressive facility and saw their skilled staff in action, I knew that our two companies would be a great fit. For us to begin to work together on an important property like Star Wars only adds to the excitement."
The initial offering of four characters, Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Padme Amidala, will be limited editions of only 2,500 numbered pieces each. Release date is slated for June 5, 2002. The second release group, which will go on sale in early August, consists of Jango Fett, Zam Wesell, and Count Dooku.
The creation of these sculptures begins with the scanning process, which involves a session with the actor in question posing as their heads and bodies are scanned by sophisticated equipment that creates three-dimensional data that is a perfect representation. To assure the highest degree of realism, Gentle Giant also scanned the costumes and props for each character. This data is then output into a solid buildup that reflects the precise geometry of their features and physique. At this point traditional sculpting and painting takes place, arriving at a finished piece that is remarkably realistic.
Since 1991, Dark Horse Comics has published officially-licensed original comic books, graphic novels and graphic story albums based in the Star Wars universe. Dark Horse's graphic novel adaptation of Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones is scheduled for release April 24, 2002.
Lucas Licensing Ltd. manages all the domestic and international merchandising activities of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones properties. Star Wars is the most successful film-based merchandising program in history. The Star Wars licensing program is renowned for its attention to product detail and quality in the fields of publishing, toys, games, collectibles, apparel and home furnishings.
Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the most successful independent production companies in the world, having produced five of the top 20 box office hits of all time and won 17 Academy Awards. The company includes all of the George Lucas' feature film and television activities, and houses the business affairs, finance, information technology and services, research library/archives, Internet, Skywalker Ranch operations, marketing, and human resources divisions.