Sideshow Announces 'John Wayne' License

Sideshow Collectibles Announces Exclusive John Wayne License.

Toy Fair 2005 - The most prolific leading man in the history of motion pictures is also regarded as an icon of American values. Because John Wayne's legacy is inextricably tied to patriotism, individualism, and integrity, the estate of the late actor has been extremely selective in awarding licenses for his name and likeness. Sideshow Collectibles, the world's premiere manufacturer of licensed and proprietary collectible products, has been awarded the rare license for a series of limited edition 12-inch figures of John Wayne.

Wayne, whose protean career spanned six decades and featured 142 leading roles - a motion picture record - carved out an incredible niche in American pop culture. One measure of Wayne's enduring popularity, the Harris Interactive Poll of All-Time Favorite Movie Stars, has ranked the roughed star in the Top Ten each year since his death in 1979. No other star has enjoyed that kind of posthumous acknowledgement. John Wayne's appeal was uniquely American; rooted in his rasping growl of a voice, and bolstered by choices of roles - western lawmen, Cavalry officers, and soldiers from different eras, different milieus, but all reflecting an iconic code of ethics.

Eulogizing Wayne in 1979, President Jimmy Carter said: "Tough independence, the sense of personal conviction and courage...that reflected the best of our national character."

Sideshow's John Wayne figure is 1/6 scale (approx. 12 inches), and features 36 points of articulation. Mat Falls, chief sculptor on the project, and Design Department Manager Heath Hammond have styled Sideshow collectibles initial Wayne 12" figure as a Marine fighting in the Pacific Theater of World War II.

Sideshow Collectibles will begin taking pre-orders for the John Wayne as a WWII US Marine starting February 19th 2005. An exclusive version of this figure will be offered.