Moore Action Collectibles announced that it has acquired a license from Twentieth Century Fox licensing to create a line of X-Files action figures.  MAC has created a number of successful lines of action figures including recent series of figures based on the Futurama and Buffy The Vampire SlayerTV series.

 

Like Futurama (Matt Groening) and Buffy (Joss Whedon), the X-Files (Chris Carter) is another fan-favorite series with a strong 'auteur'/writer/producer in charge.  But the X-Files is no spring chicken, having been on the air for some eight seasons already.  Original series star David Duchovny has only been in a few episodes this year, but the X-Files has continued to thrive as part of Fox's strong Sunday night lineup.  A decision on whether or not the show will return next fall (don't bet against it) should be announced sometime late this week.  Even if Chris Carter does decide to pack it in, the X-Files will remain in syndication in most top markets for a long time.

 

While McFarlane Toys did produce action figures for the X-Files Movie, and Dark Horse did several X-Files statues, the Moore figures will be the first action figures based directly on the TV series.  MAC should be able appeal to hardcore collectors by tying the figures in directly to classic episodes.  Dealers can expect 'collector-oriented' figures from Moore with higher than normal price points (the MAC Buffy and Futurama figures retail around $12.99).  But don't expect any X-Files action figures for this holiday season.  Signing the license this late doesn't give Moore time to get the figures produced and into stores in time for this year's holidays.