For those who have been asking about Photo Real, it is a proprietary technology developed by Hasbro’s Asian Division, for use on their action figures.
Specifically, the technology was developed for use on both the Marvels Legends assortment, as well as the Star Wars Black Series six inch figures.
The first Black Series figure released with this new design was DJ (Canto Bight, no. 57) from The Last Jedi assortment.
The technology has now been expanded to include the Vintage Collection 3.75 action figures as well as the Black Series assortment.
Though the details of the process are corporate secrets, we do know the general processes used. First, a three dimensional head sculpt of the character is created using high resolution images of the actors in costume.
These images are taken from every angle, and often include actual screen still captures as well. Once the blank mold is created, it is then overlaid with multiple images that are layered onto the cast in a program.
These layers take larger segments of the actor’s facial features, and divide them into smaller sections in order to maximize details.
Once the overlay process is complete, it is hand painted. This completed cast is used to print another rubber cast, which is then broken down into sections. These sections are then used to mass produce the head sculpt at a later date.
The final printing process is the primary feature that Hasbro is silent about. For the most part, the figures look realistic, though I have seen several Black Series figures where the eye placement was off.
I will say that the Marvel Legends figures seem to be a better quality than the Black Series figures are. Case in point, look at the image of the Wasp from Ant Man. The head sculpt is identical to the actress, Evangeline Lilly.
The Star Wars figures do not have that same level of detail, and only Hasbro can answer why. The ability is certainly there, but the Marvel figures appear thus far to be the most life like in appearance to the actors they represent.
Before the Photo Real process was developed, the same character scans used by Hasbro were also used by every company creating figures, including Sideshow.
Known for their extreme articulation and lifelikeness, the Sideshow figures command a much higher price point, and the value is apparent right out of the box.
Hasbro’s newest series, HyperReal, is set to debut Quarter three of this year, and will also utilize the Photo Real technology.
I believe that this line will feature far greater detail than the Black Series figures, and this is due in part to the scale.
One sixth scale figures feature more surface area on their head sculpts, allowing for greater detail and lifelike features to be incorporated.
The goal of the Photo Real technology was to take that same level of detail, and scale it down for use on the one twelfth scale figures like the Black Series and Marvel Legends.
Action figures have undergone many changes over the past forty five years, and Star Wars is no exception.
Most of these changes have been for the better, however some have been made strictly to cut cost.
With the role of expanding technology and companies under pressure to save money, ideas like Photo Real will become increasingly vital to the survival of the collector’s market, and toy industry at large.
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