- Year: 1979
- Size: 3.75 inches.
- Product Line: Unproduced by Kenner (General Mills). Later released by FUNKOxSuper7 in 2013.
Much like the Alien prototype figure, Kane in his compression suit was originally intended to be manufactured and sold by Kenner in 1980 with the intention of matching sales of their extant Star Wars toys made in the same scale. Prior sales of Star Wars figures in 1978 was over 40 million units. A marketing faux pas curtailed and terminated the development of the ALIEN items when public expectations of Kenner’s 18 inch ALIEN action figure were met with the realisation that the flagship item of this new and promising product line line was based on an R-rated movie and was deemed inappropriate for children.
More than 30 years after being scrapped, these prototypes were the inspiration for ALIEN figures spearheading the 3.75 inch ReAction range format in 2013, a popular line that continues to enjoy healthy growth to this day. Read more about the The Curious History of ALIEN ReAction Figures. Currently, no less than 6 variants of the ReAction Kane character in his compression suit owe their existence to the items displayed on this page.
Along with the original unproduced 3.75 inch 1979 Kenner wax sculpt of Kane is a clear vac-formed faceplate for his helmet.
Images courtesy of Steve Dwyer.
This is a hand painted hardcopy of the Kane figure.
Images courtesy of Tracey Hamilton.
This photograph slide (Below) is possibly the same figure immediately above and while its exact use is unknown, it was likely to have been used in discussions and meetings regarding the production and planned release of these figures. No release was ever made as the line was canceled before full series production could commence.
Images courtesy of Steve Dwyer
In 1987, Kenner Products was purchased by Tonka and a 2nd attempt was launched to bring the abandoned 3.75 inch action figures to store shelves in the early 1990’s. To this end, fresh hardcopies of the pocket sized ALIEN figures were cast directly from the earlier extant and unproduced vintage figures from 1979. This pre-production concept hardcopy of Kane was cast prior to Kenner deciding against the proposal and adopting a different design philosophy for their 1992 ALIENS range of figures.
Images courtesy of Steve Dwyer
