NECA Announces Aliens Toys For Vasquez & Newt!

AND a Kenner-inspired Ellen Ripley figure!

You guys.

Earlier today, Fox made the announcement that they’re celebrating the Aliens franchise with a special ALIEN DAY on April 26th (that’s 4/26, a riff on LV-426), and the press release was filled with just SO MUCH awesome information, my head is basically spinning.

Not only will the amazing Alamo Drafthouse be screening a special double feature of Ridley Scott’s Alien and James Cameron’s Aliens (complete with an exclusive Mondo t-shirt for attendees), but Reebok will launch the preorder for their Alien Stomper sneakers, as seen on the feet of Ripley and Bishop in Aliens.

But there was one announcement that made me even more stoked:

NECA announces the first ever Lieutenant Vasquez (Jenette Goldstein) and Newt (Carrie Henn) figure; as well as the release of a Kenner toy-Inspired Ellen Ripley figure

Holy. Shit.

Vasquez has been at the top of everyone’s Aliens toy wishlist since NECA released Ripley, and now we’re getting the Colonial Marine smart gunner in the 7″ toy line!  But the even bigger surprise is Newt, that little waif that our Ripley action figures can soon serve as a surrogate mother to.

The third announcement from NECA is a Kenner style Ripley figure, who will no doubt sport her red shirt and smart kerchief, we can only assume.  Will Ripley be the first release in NECA’s Kenner Aliens series?  We’ll probably know on or before ALIEN DAY, I’m guessing.

The first two Alien movies are, no joke, probably my favorite film series of all time, and it’s cool in such a surreal way to see it getting such a mainstream pop culture celebration.  All of the sudden, April 26th is promising to be one of the best (and most expensive) days of the year.  I love it.

Here’s the full press release, which is loaded with even more awesome news, including the reveal that Loot Crate will offer a limited edition Aliens crate, which goes up for sale on (you guessed it) 4/26.

Dark Horse Comics, Funko, NECA, Sideshow Collectibles, Audible, Titan Books, Zen Studios and more than a Dozen other Partners Join Forces to Mark ALIEN DAY on Planet Earth

Reebok to Release Exact Replica of the ALIEN Stompers worn by Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley

Nationwide Screening Returns One of the Most Iconic Film Franchises to Theaters Across the Country

Los Angeles, CA (March 29, 2016) – Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products announced today an out-of-this-world global celebration of the ALIEN franchise culminating with a special 24 hour, fan-focused social media event on April 26^th – a nod to LV-426, the planet from the iconic ALIEN films. ALIEN DAY (#AlienDay426) to encompass a wide range of executions including nationwide screenings, never-before-seen consumer product activations and the kickoff of the ALIEN: Ultimate Trivia Challenge, allowing fans to test their ALIEN knowledge – with the chance to win memorable prizes every 42.6 minutes on Twitter.

Fox Consumer Products has teamed with an impressive portfolio of licensing partners; showcasing everything from unique apparel to exclusive comic books to high-end collectables. One of the most-requested licensed products, the Reebok Alien Stomper worn by Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, as well as the mid tops worn by Lance Henrikson as the Android Bishop, are being released by Reebok in limited edition to mark ALIEN DAY. The iconic movie sneakers will be available beginning April 26^th at Reebok.com and select Reebok stores worldwide.

Other ALIEN products include the following:

• NECA announces the first ever Lieutenant Vasquez (Jenette Goldstein) and Newt (Carrie Henn) figure; as well as the release of a Kenner toy-Inspired Ellen Ripley figure
• An ALIENS Queen & Power Loader and Ripley figure set in the tradition of their wildly popular ReAction retro action figure series from Funko LLC
• Dark Horse Comics expounds upon Brian Wood and Tristan Jones’ ongoing ALIENS comic book series with exclusive covers for participating retailers and a deluxe 30^th anniversary hardcover version of the original ALIENS series from 1986
• Titan Books launches the brand-new novel Alien: Invasion (The Rage War book 2) by Tim Lebbon
• Available on Audible; a brand new audio drama, Alien: Out of the Shadows – starring Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner and Batman Begins) in his first audio role, Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter film series) and Corey Johnson (The Bourne Ultimatum) is a terrifying fight for survival and an intense struggle between human and artificial intelligence.
• Additional licensed partners are found below

In addition, the Alamo Drafthouse is producing a nationwide screening program on April 26^th returning the ALIEN franchise to theaters across the country. In over 20 cities, including Austin, New York, Los Angeles and Dallas, participating Alamo locations as well as partner venues will showcase a double-feature presentation of ALIEN and ALIENS. In Alamo locations, each pre-ordered ticket includes a Mondo-designed ALIEN T-shirt, released exclusively for the event screenings. Additionally, the screenings will be accompanied by exclusive ALIEN merchandise—including apparel, accessories, posters and records—from pop-culture company Mondo. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, to find a full list of participating theaters, visit http://AlamoAliens.com.

ALIEN: Ultimate Trivia Challenge

The hallmark of ALIEN DAY will be a 24-hour Twitter contest. Every 42.6 minutes a new ALIEN trivia question will be presented via the official Alien Anthology twitter account, @AlienAnthology. In advance of the contest kickoff, beginning at 12 AM ET on April 26^th, fans will need to pre-register their Twitter handle at ALIEN Anthology (http://AlienAnthology.com).

Each trivia question (35 in a 24-hour cycle) will have various prize packages from 20^th Century Fox’s ALIEN franchise licensing partners. To qualify to win the corresponding prize, participants must “Reply” to the initial “question tweet,” correctly answer the question, and use the #AlienDay426 and #Contest hashtags. A winner (or “winners” when multiple prizes are offered) will be selected for each of the questions. Please refer to “Official Rules” for additional detail.

In regards to the announcement, Jeffrey Godsick, President of Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products stated: “The ALIEN franchise holds a special place not only within the universe of Fox but with movie enthusiasts across the galaxy.” Godsick added, “We noticed that fans of the ALIEN films were starting to rally around the calendar date of April 26^th — given the connection to the planet LV-426. Quite simply, it gave us the idea to do something special on this day; to officially mark the occasion alongside fans and to build excitement online, in stores and once again, in theaters.”

The ALIEN film series starring Sigourney Weaver (Ellen Ripley) and directed by legendary auteurs Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher and Jean-Pierre Jeunet, is one of the most enduring horror sci-fi action franchises of all time.  Winning multiple Academy Awards®, these incredible films have spawned countless consumer product lines and launches — from apparel to video games to comic books and more.

The highly-anticipated ALIEN: COVENANT, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Michael Fassbender, will be released in August 2017 by Twentieth Century Fox.

Additional global ALIEN DAY partners include:

• ALIEN DIGITAL PINBALL– Fox Digital Entertainment, in partnership with Zen Studios, will launch three digital pinball tables via iTunes, Google Play, PlayStation Network, XBOX Live and Steam.

• DC ENTERTAINMENT – Together with Dark Horse Comics, DC Entertainment will re-release the fan-favorite Batman VS ALIEN comics for the first time in over a decade
• FRIGHT RAGS – Horror apparel retailer Fright Rags will release limited edition ALIEN-themed apparel
• THE UPPER DECK COMPANY – The leading trading card company will launch ALIENS Anthology Collector Trading Card and the ALIENS “Vs” Trading Card Game system
• HOT TOYS – The Hong Kong-based collectible manufacturer is announcing an all-new ALIEN Ripley 1/6^th figure
• KOTOBUKIYA– The Japanese manufacturer unleashes an assortment of highly detailed collectables this spring including a 1:10 scale Warrior Drone ARTFX+ statue from ALIENS and mini “Big Chap” figurines posed to strike up conversation around your home or office!
• INSIGHT EDITIONS – The illustrated pop culture book publisher will release the trade edition of the Weyland-Yutani Report
• An all-new ALIEN Internecivus Raptus Statue from Sideshow Collectibles
• SUPER 7 – The San Francisco based designer toy and apparel company has developed several toys in honor of the ALIEN DAY: ALIEN Muscle figures on card; ALIEN ReAction carrying case with exclusive ALIEN figure; Nostromo playset Kit Bash kit; Japanese vinyl Queen and ALIENS Glassware
• LOOT CRATE – The monthly mystery subscription box for pop culture fans will launch a limited-edition ALIENS 30th Anniversary crate on 4/26 filled with exclusive merchandise, collectibles and more from all core licensee partners.
• MEDICOM TOY – Japan-based toy company MEDICOM TOY will release VCD (vinyl super deformed) ALIEN figure and retro style ALIEN figure via Diamond Comics
• USAopoly – Launches a pair of classic board games with a thrilling twist: YAHTZEE® ALIEN VS PREDATOR™ and CLUE®: ALIEN VS PREDATOR™
• HOLLYWOOD COLLECTIBLES to release a large-scale model of the Derelict from Alien, molded from an original model that H.R. Giger created for an exhibition in Las Vegas

Join the #AlienDay426 conversation on Twitter and Instagram @AlienAnthology and on Facebook at http://facebook.com/alienanthology

Full contest rules and details can be found on the ALIEN Anthology website: http://AlienAnthology.com