‘Django Unchained’ slave toys pulled after complaints
NECA stopped making its “Django Unchained” action figures after complaints from consumers and civil-rights groups labelled them offensive and discriminatory.
Filed under “D” for “duh” comes word that toy maker NECA has halted production of “Django Unchained” action figures after consumers and civil-rights activists called them discriminatory and exploitive.
The eight-inch figurines in question depict slave characters Django, Broomhilda and Stephen from the Quentin Tarantino revenge flick set in the Deep South during the 1800s.
As producers of the film, The Weinstein Company asked NECA to discontinue the line when groups like Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, the NAACP and Project Islamic Hope launched complaints.
TMZ reported that NECA had produced only about 1,000 toys before they were discontinued.
“We feel that it trivializes the horrors of slavery and what African Americans experienced,” PIH director Najee Ali told the Daily Mail.
“Tarantino and Weinstein didn’t have action figures for their movie ‘Inglorious Basterds’ because they know the Jewish community would never allow it, and the African-American community shouldn’t allow anyone to disrespect our ancestors.”
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The Weinstein Company issued a statement today saying all Tarantino films have related action figures, including the Second World War feature “Inglorious Basterds.”
“We have tremendous respect for the audience and it was never our intent to offend anyone,” the statement said, according to The Associated Press.
When it announced the partnership, NECA said “this collection will include poseable 8-inch action figures with tailored western clothing, authentic weapons and accessories, as well as a full apparel and accessories line.”
Tarantino’s ultra-violent movie is about Django – played by Jamie Foxx – doing all he can to free his wife from an evil slave owner.
The line also included figures for white characters Candie, Schultz and Butch.
NECA recommended the figures for adults, and not children.
This isn’t the first brush with controversy for the film. Its debut was pushed back because it came soon after the Sandy Hook shooting.
Others recoil because it used the “N-word” 110 times; however, it has become Tarantino’s highest-grossing domestic release earning more than $129 million heading into the weekend.
More from GlobalPost: ‘Django Unchained’ debut canceled after Newtown
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