A new Xenomorph action figure recreates the original Alien design with a clear head and body. Xenomorph is the term used for the creatures in the Alien franchise, which were based on designs by artist H.R. Giger. The creatures were first introduced in Ridley Scott’s 1979 film, Alien, which follows the crew of a merchant vessel that accidentally allows one of them onboard. The Xenomorph goes on a killing spree, taking out the crew one at a time before facing off with the last survivor, Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley.
Giger’s original design is very similar to what was created for the film, although it initially consisted of a more translucent look. A concept suit of the translucent design was made for the film, but Scott opted to go for a more opaque version after repeated attempts to make a functioning clear version failed. However, a latex translucent version was eventually made and fitted to the 6’10” actor Bolaji Badejo, who portrayed the Xenomorph in the film. The clear version was abandoned due to how much it tore, opting for the black version that has become the visual standard for the creature across all its appearances.
Now, Mezco Toyz is creating a scale figure based on Giger’s original translucent design, which will recreate his concept in action figure form. The One:12 Collective Alien “Concept Edition” will be a limited edition from Mezco, never to be produced again. The figure will consist of the signature “semiopaque, milky look” along with “a hinged jaw with interchangeable inner mouths, as well as an interchangeable chest plate pierced by the ASSO-400 Harpoon Grappling Gun, as seen in the final scene of the movie.” In addition, the figure will come with six interchangeable hands, a chestburster, two facehuggers, three interchangeable inner mouths, and two ovomorph eggs. Take a look at some images below:
The last time the Xenomorph was seen on the big screen was for Ridley Scott’s prequel film, Alien: Covenant in 2017. Since then, the film universe for the Xenomorph has stalled, as the Alien franchise has had a number of stops and starts. However, the creature is preparing to make its return soon in a new Alien TV series that’s coming to FX, expected sometime in 2023. The new series is created and written by Noah Hawley (Fargo) and will take place within the Alien cinematic universe. The show is supposedly set on Earth as well, where the creature has only appeared once, in 2007’s Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem.
Early concepts for classic creatures are always interesting, as they often take on many different forms prior to becoming the finalized version. As the Xenomorph was based on paintings by Giger, it had a much stronger reference point that ultimately maintained the overall look and feel of the creature when fully realized in Alien, but it’s not always that way. The first designs for the creature in 1987’s Predator were vastly different than the final version, beginning as an insect-like monster before becoming more humanoid in appearance. However, there is a market of interest for conceptual creatures and exploring them in action-figure form is a unique way to offer a glimpse of such things to collectors and fans.
Source: Mezco
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