Big Chief Goes Under

By MI6 Staff

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British company Big Chief Studios, who were behind several James Bond 1:6th scale character models, has gone into liquidation. As well as 007, the company had the rights to other popular franchises such as Doctor Who, Star Wars, Thunderbirds, Batman, The Avengers, Suicide Squad, and various Marvel properties.

Since first announcing the James Bond line in 2016, Big Chief Studios produced: James Bond, Goldfinger, and Oddjob from 'Goldfinger'; James Bond and Dr. No from 'Dr. No'; James Bond, Solitaire, and Baron Samedi from 'Live And Let Die'. You can learn more about the company's licencing deal and how they produced the Bond figures in this 2017 interview with MI6.

These were for the serious collector with individual figures retailing for at least £200 each.

A statement on the company website explained: "It is with a heavy heart that I must inform our customers that despite our best efforts Big Chief Studios, the Company, has been forced to cease trading. Having gotten through the global pandemic, the subsequent numerous knock-on effects have combined, creating a perfect storm that has extended delays to both the manufacture and release of our products. The current cost of living crisis and economic downturn have resulted in plummeting sales, which has seriously impacted our ability to continue and for us to be able to negotiate the renewal of our key licenses with any certainty. I have carefully considered the financial position of the Company and following receipt of specialist advice from Begbies Traynor, I have concluded that the Company is unable to pay its debts and can no longer continue to trade. The necessary steps need be taken to place the Company into creditors’ voluntary liquidation. You will shortly be receiving a formal notification from them detailing the liquidation process and steps that you may be able to take to secure a refund of any deposits you may have paid. Having worked tirelessly for over a decade to deliver high-end collectables, it is deeply wounding for myself and the team. I am sincerely sorry to all our loyal customers and apologise wholeheartedly for the situation."