Originally published June 2, 2017. Updated September 2026. This page documents a historical figure announcement; it is not a current preorder or availability page.
Original article by Jon Deak.
Molecule8 announced its licensed John Lennon figure in 2017 with K.A. Kim portraits, a proposed stainless-steel internal body and three Imagine-era outfits. Sideshow offered the preorder, but the announcement used prototypes, renderings and costume concepts rather than a finished production sample.
What Molecule8 announced
The original listing described two head sculpts: one neutral and one singing. Classic yellow-tinted glasses were shown with the set. Two portraits gave collectors a choice between a calm museum-style display and a more expressive performance pose, although the preorder material did not clearly establish whether more than one pair of glasses would be included.
Three Imagine-era outfits
Molecule8 said the figure would include three outfits associated with the Imagine era. That was an unusually wardrobe-heavy package for the announced $299 price. Our original report also noted that two looks were represented only by sketches and questioned details on the military-style prototype, including the fabric and button count. Those concerns mattered because tailoring can change substantially between a concept image, a handmade prototype and the final production run.
Accessories and display value
The announced portraits and outfits offered several ways to display Lennon. For a secondhand example, compare the actual contents with the final packing list and inspect the glasses, clothing fasteners and joints.
K.A. Kim’s head sculpts
K.A. Kim’s involvement was the strongest established creative credential in the early announcement. Her portfolio already included recognized sixth scale likeness work, and the Lennon prototypes gave collectors a concrete portrait to judge while other parts of Molecule8’s plans remained less certain. Read our interview with K.A. Kim for more about her sculpting process.
What happened after the 2017 preorder?
A 2020 Sideshow promotion listed the “John Lennon Imagine Sixth Scale Figure by Molecule8.” It confirms a later catalog listing, but does not establish the final body materials or contents of a particular figure.
The company’s later status also belongs in the record. The official UK Companies House page lists Molecule8 Ltd as dissolved on September 3, 2019. Corporate status does not determine the condition or authenticity of an individual figure, but it is relevant when interpreting old company links, warranties and customer-service expectations. See the Molecule8 Ltd registry entry.
Buying a Molecule8 John Lennon figure today
- Ask for current photographs of the exact figure, not only the 2017 prototype images.
- Check the portraits, glasses, clothing, accessories and packaging against the final packing list.
- Inspect the body and joints for looseness, corrosion or damage.
- Check clothing for fading, stains, flaking material, broken fasteners or missing buttons.
- Treat the original $299 preorder price as historical—not as a present-day valuation.
For the company’s own explanation of its plans at the time, read our preserved 2017 interview with Molecule8 founder Vijay Chadha.
