Question re: fans' requests for Tonnika Sisters figures - doesn't Lucasfilm own these rights?

This has never made sense to me. I know that Star Wars collectors have been clamoring for a Tonnika sisters two-pack for years. In several places online I've read that part/all of the problem these figures haven't been made is that the actresses who played the Tonnika Sisters refused to give the go-ahead for figures of themselves, for whatever reason (they weren't getting enough money, etc.).

However, doesn't Lucasfilm own the rights to the likeness of these characters? Even though they acted in SW:ANH, I was under the impression that, since they were playing characters in a Lucasfilm production, Lucasfilm could decide whether or not they were to be made as figures; I didn't think the actors playing in the films had a say - if so, this would mean that whenever Hasbro wanted to make a figure of even the most obscure character (like the Rancor Keeper, for example), they would have to track down the person who played that character and ask them if it was alright - somehow, I can't see that happening.

In a related question, do the actors that played Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher get residuals whenever Hasbro sells an action figure of them? I didn't think so - I thought only Lucasfilm got any money for this, since they own the characters.

 

Am I the only collector who could really care less whether or not I had the Tonnika Sisters in my collection?

As for the rest of your questions, I have no idea...would be interesting to find out though.

 

nope darc, im with ya there.. i guess some people care more for scantily clad female figures than anything though.

 

who are the Tonnika sisters?

 

I for one would love to have the Tonnika Sisters. They played a cool role in the E.U. (which most of you seem to loathe) and unlike most other EU figures, they were actually SEEN in the films. Dash rendar? Nowhere to be seen. Tonnika sisters: Tatooine. Thats my take on it.

Jace

 

im all for EU figs, i even consider ephant mon to be an EU fig (prelude to rebellion ) but i just dont want the tonnika sisters. however, i wouldnt protest their release, id be happy to quit hearing about how they need to be, but if/when they do get made, people are gonna squall about how they could be better or naked.

 

From Rebelscum Q&A #144:

Q: The Tonnika Sisters: Okay, I know this subject has been talked about before, but I thought we (the fans/collectors) could actually do something about it this time once and for all. I understand that there is a whole licensing thing going on with these characters being made into figures, but what if we contacted the actresses and made an impassioned plea to them on behalf of all the fan boys (and girls) /collectors out there wanting to finally finish their cantina diorama? Other than that I am willing to open up a forum to figure out how to get the Tonnika sisters finally molded in plastic. -TJ Carrieri

A: I don?t know, but something tells me if an impassioned plea was all the situation required, that this whole thing would have been handled long ago. To be honest, I don?t really know for sure if it?s a case of the actresses wanting too much, or of Hasbro/Lucasfilm not wanting to invest the time in running this down. I suppose the best scenario would be to get all three parties together in one place and see if the fans can?t nudge the process along. Yeah, maybe getting them together at something like Celebration III would work? If the fan?s showed a desire to have the actresses at CIII maybe it would help get the wheels greased. Lucasfilm has recently expressed an interest in knowing what the fans truly want, an out pouring of support for a Tonnika Sisters action figure set might send a clear message.

 

I would so love to have the Tonnika Sisters. They would be a great assest to my Cantina diorama.

I agree, Blur... it seems logical that only Lucasfilm would own the rights to those characters, and that they should be the ones to give a go ahead on making them into figures.

 

From what I understand. When Star Wars came out in the first place, movie merchandising, especially things like action figures was basically in its infancy. There weren't "waivers" in the contracts for allowing the filmmaker to "license" the actor's/actress' image without a consent from them. When Kenner/LucasFilm decided to try to attempt to make some Tonnika Sister action figures, the actresses had seen how big Star Wars figures were and "got greedy" when approached about using their likenesses. No contract was signed, so no figures representing those actresses were made.

On a side note, a few collectors have wondered if Hasbro could make a couple of figures representing the Tonnika Sisters with the heads looking only vaguely like the characters. The thought being that the those AF's weren't really those actresses. Then again, that would lead to people saying they weren't good enough because they didn't look like them. (if this idea would even be a loophole in the whole likeness issue anyway)

 

[i"There weren't "waivers" in the contracts for allowing the filmmaker to "license" the actor's/actress' image without a consent from them."[/i]

I understand your point perfectly, SteelLepp. However, that was then, this is now. Times have changed along with procedures, and we are at a point where Lucasfilm should be able to do what they wish with their copyrighted characters. I don't know that the system works that easily, but it is sensible.

 

However, that was then, this is now.

Precisely the point..."then" they didn't include in the contracts that LFL had the right to license the actor's image for toys.

As opposed to "now" when included in all of the PT actors'(and likely the OT sequels) contracts is the option for LFL to license the actor's image for toys or whatever other merchandise they might want to produce.

The difference would be that for those who signed contracts "then" you would have to go back and get the okay to make a toy...whereas "now" you already have rights to do whatever you want.

 

Quote:

"From what I understand. When Star Wars came out in the first place, movie merchandising, especially things like action figures was basically in its infancy. There weren't "waivers" in the contracts for allowing the filmmaker to "license" the actor's/actress' image without a consent from them. When Kenner/LucasFilm decided to try to attempt to make some Tonnika Sister action figures, the actresses had seen how big Star Wars figures were and "got greedy" when approached about using their likenesses. No contract was signed, so no figures representing those actresses were made."

I'm guessing that this is only an issue becuase the actresses who played the Tonnika Sisters' faces' were visible in the film.
This probably wouldn't matter if the actor/actress were wearing a mask in the film, like most of the aliens in the cantina. I can't see Lucasfilm/Hasbro having to track down and get consent from all of the people who played aliens in the OT before they made figures of them, especially since they may not know who half of them were, anyway.