We have managed to obtain a special image… This is possibly the first ever Terminator figure prototype to feature the likeness of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
While getting information on the figure has been difficult; the life of this particular figure began as great marketing on a The Terminator VHS re-release by production company Hemdale.
On digging back through our Terminator material, one image held the answer… that this is a T2 figure- after all this battle damage (knee chest) was not seen on The Terminator in the first movie…
The sculpt and paint job is way ahead of its time and kinda makes the T2 line of figures by Kenner look like little kids toys… who wouldn’t want to own this figure? It definitely looks like a 90s equivalent to a MCFarlane and NECA figure. While the writing on this promo image is hard to read in such low resolution, we managed to make out ‘Actual size: 12″ height’ and ‘highly detailed toy’ (if you have amazing T-20/20 vision and can read more put it in the comments below).
This figure was 12 inches tall and towers over the VHS of The Terminator, we also see pose the figure was made to have, now that’s a techno punch! It did have points of articulation.
Hemdale did a fantastic job with this T1/T2 combo release and represented both properties and products perfectly for the target audience that loved the dark underground ultraviolence of the cult horror/sci-fi almost grindhouse; The Terminator!
Even though both movies would have different studios, we presume that this is a case of a mutual licensing promotion between Hemdale and Carolco that would entice sales of the original movie on a new VHS release. It would be a reason to buy the first movie again to get a free toy or as a first time viewer would ensure your interest in the sequel which again will be released again this year in 3D a mighty 25 years after the 1991 release. Damn this figure is already 25 years old? Affirmative.
Did you buy this figure? Did you paint your own blood onto the damaged knee and chest? Remember the original gunshot noises on the original VHS release of The Terminator? Damn… those were the days. #WhatTheFuckHappened ?
Check out this commemorative ‘The Terminator’ medal dedicated to the late John Daly (Hemdale- Executive Producer – The Terminator) by clicking here