Mondo's 'Jaws' Collectibles: More Than Just a Bigger Boat, Mate!
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Mondo's celebrating *Jaws*'s 50th anniversary with a killer collection, including a seriously cool vinyl Bruce figure and a fresh poster that doesn't suck – a rare feat, I reckon, considering the original's iconic status.
Right, so everyone knows *Jaws* invented the summer blockbuster, but did you know it kinda whiffed on the whole toy craze? Turns out, Bruce the shark didn't exactly have a McFarlane Toys figure back in '75. Fifty years on, Mondo's decided to fix that with their *Jaws* Capsule Collection – and fair dinkum, it's something special.
Think vinyl records of that iconic John Williams score (da-DUM, da-DUM…), a fresh poster, and a ridiculously cool vinyl figure of Bruce himself. You can see the whole shebang on Mondo's website, but heads up: some bits are limited-time only, disappearing faster than a swimmer in Amity. According to IGN, who went behind the scenes, the brains behind the operation are Mondo's Hector Arce, Peter Santa-Maria, James Groman, and Brandon Gnash.
So, what makes this Bruce figure different? Arce reckons they wanted something that screamed *Jaws* but still had that vinyl toy charm. "It had to have tons of easter eggs, capturing big moments in the film like when the shark busts through the cage, the barrels, and even found a way to represent most of his victims!" he told IGN. Sounds a bit gruesome, yeah? But apparently, the stylization makes it more whimsical. Imagine Bruce, but with a cheeky grin and detachable victim bits. A customizable shark of terror – brilliant, I say!
Apparently, getting the details right was crucial. Even though it's stylized, they consulted the original model to make sure it felt like *the* Bruce, not just any old great white. Groman, the concept artist, called the project a "major milestone" in his career, admitting he "threw himself into it hook, line and sinker". Gnash, the sculptor, added that it's an honour to sculpt from Groman's designs, but also a challenge to pay tribute to the property. A proper love letter to a cinematic icon, then.
And what about that new poster? You know, trying to outdo Roger Kastel’s original is like trying to beat Gandalf in a wizard duel – good luck, mate. But Danny Haas seems to have pulled it off, showing Bruce about to munch the Orca. Santa-Maria wanted something both classic and contemporary, acknowledging the giants whose shoulders they stand on. The result? A poster that's both a nod to the past and a fresh take on a timeless image.
In other *Jaws* news, the film's just been re-released as a 50th-anniversary 4K steelbook. So, plenty of reasons to revisit Amity Island this summer. Just maybe avoid swimming for a bit, eh?
Tags: Jaws, Mondo, Collectibles, Vinyl Figures, Movie Posters
Original article: IGN South Africa