Phil Roberts 
NECA has obtained the license for Universal’s Monster archive. Frankenstein’s Monster, The Mummy, The Wolfman, and Dracula figures incoming
The Universal Monsters are being unleashed by NECA!
Those naughty little minions working behind the scenes at NECA have done it again. After weeks of teasing us with tantalizing images, the toy giant has officially announced the license for Universal’s iconic Monster archive.
After revealing Frankenstein’s Monster last month, NECA has now confirmed plans for an entire wave devoted to some of Universal’s legendary Monsters. What’s more, they have revealed three more figures which are heading our way in the near future.
NECA’S MONSTER LINE
First up, Boris Karloff’s unmistakable interpretation of Imhotep (The Mummy) will be hitting the shelves. The cursed Egyptian creature will be followed by Lon Chaney Jr’s iconic take on The Wolf Man; before Bela Lugosi’s unrivaled take on Dracula completes the set.
UNIVERSAL MONSTERS ACTION FIGURES COMING IN 2021 FROM NECA!
The new line of detailed figures includes collaborations with some of the world’s most iconic horror actors
HILLSIDE, NJ, April 19, 2021 – U.S.-based National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA) has announced plans for its full line of Universal Monsters action figures. Working closely with Universal Brand Development, LUGOSI LLC, and Chaney Entertainment, the figures will capture the horror world’s most iconic figures in NECA’s long-running Ultimate format.
The first figure (arriving in July) will be Frankenstein’s Monster from Frankenstein (1931), which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. The sculpt captures Boris Karloff’s poignant portrayal of the misunderstood monster in authentic black-and-white. A color version of the figure will follow.
THE WOLF MAN
Subsequent figures set for 2021 will include Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolf Man from The Wolf Man (1941), Boris Karloff as the titular figure in The Mummy (1932), and Bela Lugosi as the legendary Count in Dracula (1931).
“We are proud to be working with NECA to include Bela Lugosi as Dracula as an Ultimate figure,” said Lynne Lugosi Sparks, CEO of LUGOSI LLC. “NECA’s attention to detail is amazing and we are happy to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Bela Lugosi’s iconic screen performance as Dracula with this figure.”
NECA’s Ultimate format is a favorite among collectors for its complete portrayal of a character with a wide array of alternate heads, hands, and accessories so that many iconic moments from the movie can be recreated. The 5th-panel packaging also allows collectors to remove and replace without damaging the packaging.
“As a lifelong fan of Universal Monsters, this is a dream come true,” said Randy Falk, NECA VP & senior director of product development. “I’ve been collecting Universal Monsters toys since I was a kid. This line aims to create something hyper-realistic and ultra-detailed for people like me who grew up watching these amazing movies and have always longed for definitive versions.”
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is wonderful news. Universal Monster fans have been calling for their favorite creatures to be immortalized in figure form for decades. And now, NECA is determined to deliver. Could this lead to more legendary monsters like The Creature From The Black Lagoon or the Invisible Man being produced? Only time will tell.
But there’s a full moon out tonight, and the road to castle Dracula is fraught with hidden dangers. Some come from castle Frankenstein, others from destinations far, far away. Who knows what lurks in the shadows…
Source: NECA
Phil Roberts is the owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. He is a huge fan of Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies.
If he’s not in the cinema he’s probably streaming something equally awesome!
