I'm told the backstory behind these forthcoming Alien action figures is legitimate. Apparently, the folks at Super7 have this to say:

In 1979, prototypes for 3 3/4" action figures for the ALIEN film were developed but never manufactured. Through our network of industry and collector contacts, Super7 has unearthed reference material and original 34-year-old prototypes and will now make these "lost toys" a reality.

I'm not even a huge collector of these sorts of things but I find the backstory fascinating and, truth be told, a serious nostalgic feeling when looking at the designs of the characters. If they aren't actually straight out of the Kenner archives they are impeccable tributes. The "Big Chap" alien creature has this insane feeling of both being sinister and kind of goofy - just like all those characters from my youth. I can't properly describe it but I love it. Preorders start in late August.