Mini Epics

The concept for Mini Epics originated in a sketchbook in a coffee shop, where the team were brainstorming ideas for a new product line. Tasked with creating a unique range of collectible figures, our artists let the imagination run wild. While initial attempts yielded unique designs, they lacked cohesion for a larger collection. Yet one artist persisted, Mauro Santini, sketching and refining until he finally shared his work with the wider team. What emerged was a unique style that could represent a variety of characters while preserving their distinctive traits — a foundation that would become the versatile world of Mini Epics. 

Designing Mini Epics wasn’t simply about creating visually appealing figures; it was about finding a style that would work across an array of intellectual properties (IPs) while still maintaining character integrity. As Mauro explained, “We create rules, but they are elastic rules.” By establishing a flexible design language, the team could honour each character’s “real niche nature,” keeping fundamental aspects of their identity intact while adapting them to the new, playful aesthetic. 

The Mini Epics line also had a larger vision: these figures were never meant to be standalone items. Collectors at heart, the Wētā Workshop team designed each character with a larger narrative in mind. Each Mini Epic figure is part of a broader collection that, when displayed together, paints a richer picture of the stories they represent. 

As artists, the Wētā Workshop team is committed to staying true to the characters they represent. They immerse themselves in the worlds of the IPs, often playing the corresponding films or shows in the background as they sculpt. According to one artist, this helps bring out “feelings you hadn’t discovered before” and keeps the energy of the character alive throughout the process. 

The research that goes into each figure is extensive, approaching the same level of detail as with larger, premium collectibles. As one artist put it, “To simplify something, you need to understand it.” This depth of understanding is what makes a Mini Epic more than just a small figure — it’s a concentrated embodiment of a character, full of intricate details and nuanced touches that make it uniquely Wētā Workshop. 

Among the Mini Epics, several figures have become personal favourites for the team. Characters like Ripley from Alien stand out for their deeper symbolic meanings, while others, like Slimer from Ghostbusters, are admired for the technical challenges they presented. The team also takes pride in bringing the emotional resonance of certain characters to life. Ripley’s figure, for example, captures her courage and determination while also highlighting her role as a protector, shown through her bond with her cat, Jonesy. 

The journey of each Mini Epic figure reflects Wētā Workshop’s dedication to storytelling. With decades of film experience, the team brings cinematic craftsmanship to each piece, pouring intricate details and personality into every inch of vinyl. These figures are carefully crafted to offer the same storytelling quality found in larger collectibles, distilled into a compact, collectible format. As Mauro describes it, “A Mini Epic is like a tomato paste — tiny but full of flavour.” 

The result? A range of uniquely stylized figures that retain the heart and soul of the characters they represent.