Hasbro Planet of the Apes Action Figures
Surprisingly, despite the huge success of the movies and the merchandise, no-one picked up the license to produce more POTA action figures or toys until Hasbro in 1999 when they released a series of figures and dolls based on the original movies.
The first was a series of 3 Collector Edition 12-inch dolls featuring a Gorilla Sergeant, a Gorilla Soldier and Zira.
These figures were generally of a very poor quality and despite the huge success that Mego had had this didn’t catch on and can still be found on eBay for around $20.
However, this didn’t seem to perturb Hasbro who released a Signature Series of figures later in the same year.
These figures, although still of a fairly low quality, were received much more favorably than the earlier dolls and much of this was probably more due to adult collectors and fans than kids buying the up.
The first series consisted of 5 figures with a variant version of the Commander Taylor (dark brown) being available. There were also four 12-inch figures released with this series.
Signature Series 6-inch Figures
• Commander Taylor (Dark Brown)
• Commander Taylor (Light Brown)
• Cornelius
• Dr. Zaius
• Gorilla Sergeant
• Gorilla Soldier
12" Scale
• Commander Taylor
• Cornelius
• Dr. Zaius
• General Ursus
2001 Movie Figures
The second series wasn’t released for almost two years with 7 basic figures and an additional variant Leo Daividson figures. Like the first series there were also two twelve inch figures. Again the figures remain a poor quality and were therefore not as popular as would be expected. In fact, many collectors looked back to the Mego figures as an example of what could be done.
Hasbro also released a second series of figures based on the re-imagined Tim Burton POTA movie and, although these were better made and sculpted, still had little to no articulation and detail, typical of Hasbro at this time, but hopefully the new Stars Wars Black series shows that FINALLY they are learning!
Sources:
Mego Action Figure Toys (Schiffer Book for Collectors) by John Bonavita
Official Price Guide to Action Figures Stuart W Wells III and Jim Man
Toyfare Magazine
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