At the San Diego Comic Con International, NECA announced that it has acquired the license to produce action figures and collectibles based on the movie version of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.  The film is currently shooting in England and will be released in the spring of 2005 (see 'Malkovich in Hitchhiker's Film'). 

The long-awaited live action version of what is perhaps the funniest science fiction novel ever should have a strong appeal to the large cult audience built up by the Guide and its sequels, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe and So Long and Thanks for all the Fish.

A NECA spokesman told ICv2 that the company was producing action figures and vehicles along with a range of other collectibles, which could include statues and props, though the complete program has not yet been finalized.  Stay tuned for further announcements as well as photos of the NECA figures (as soon as they are released).