Mattel and MGM partner to develop live action Polly Pocket movie

Mattel has unveiled plans to develop its popular micro doll brand, Polly Pocket into a live-action motion picture, partnering with Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) on the family comedy. The pair has brought Lena Dunham’s production company Good Thing Going in on the project.

Lily Collins (Emily in Paris) will take the lead role of Polly as the film follows the story of a young girl and a pocket-sized woman who form a friendship.

“Polly Pocket was responsible for countless hours of childhood escapism for me – Polly gave me a tiny world of magic and autonomy to narrate, so it’s pretty poetic to be tackling these same ideas now as a director collaborating with the brilliant Lily Collins, Robbie Brenner, Mattel and MGM,” said Dunham.

“I’m so thrilled to bring to bear both my love of this historic property and also my deep-seated belief that young women need smart playful films that speak to them without condescension.”

Collins said: “I’m so excited to partner with this inspiring powerhouse of a team. Developing this project with Robbie, Lena, Mattel and MGM to reintroduce Polly in a fun, modern way has been such a treat. As a child who was obsessed with Polly Pocket, this is a real dream come true and I can’t wait to bring these tiny toys to the big screen.”

Robbie Brenner and Kevin McKeon will lead the project for Mattel Films. Sandino Moya-Smith and Winnie Carrillo will lead for MGM. Good Thing Going’s Liz Watson and Michael P. Cohen will serve as executive producers.

“Polly Pocket is an iconic franchise that has resonated with children for more than three decades,” said Brenner, executive producer of Mattel Films. “The incredible nostalgia that Polly evokes, coupled with Lena’s fresh approach and Lily’s take on the character, will introduce an entirely new interpretation of this classic brand to audiences. We look forward to working with MGM to produce a feature film that will appeal to the whole family.”

Polly Pocket, which was first introduced more than 30 years ago, is the original micro-scale doll and accessories line of toys and, today, is the number one global play-set dolls growth property. In 2018, Mattel reintroduced the popular ’90s sensation with a product line that pays homage to the brand’s origins, with updates to the tiny and mighty doll for a new generation, adding features such as hidden worlds and fun surprise formats.

Children today can also experience Polly Pocket and her world through an animated television series, as well as content on YouTube, that inspires kids to be adventurous, bold and to never let being little get in their way.

Polly Pocket joins other Mattel Films projects in development including movies based on American Girl, Barbie, Barney, Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Masters of the Universe, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO, View Master, and Wishbone.

Amazon reaches agreement to acquire MGM Studios in $8.45bn deal

Amazon has reached a deal to acquire MGM Studios for $8.45 billion, the second largest acquisition ever for the online goliath and one that sees Amazon take up MGM’s vast catalogue of some 4,000 films and blockbuster franchises, including James Bond.

The deal represents a major milestone in the tech giant’s push into the entertainment space, significantly strengthening the company’s portfolio of films and content, adding to the library that Amazon has already built through its own movie studio.

It is the latest acquisition to take place amid the ongoing battle for eyeballs among streaming giants like Netflix,  Disney, and the resultant streaming platform to launch following WarnerMedia’s acquisition of Discovery’s earlier this month. Other tech giants such as Apple and Netflix had reportedly eyes an MGM takeover, but passed on the chance.

The $8.45 billion deal marks the second largest acquisition made by Amazon to date, behind its $13.7 billion Whole Foods deal. It now gives Amazon access to MGM’s vast catalog of classic Hollywood films like Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Singin’ in the Rain, Rocky, Silence of the Lambs, and Pink Panther.

MGM also shares the film rights of the James Bond franchise with Eon Productions – a holding company owned by the Wilson/Broccoli family – which will retain creative control over the spy film series.

The announcement notes that the deal will be completed after “regulatory approvals.”

“MGM has a vast catalog with more than 4,000 films. . . that have collectively won more than 180 Academy Awards and 100 Emmys,” said Mike Hopkins, Amazon’s senior vice president of Prime Video and Amazon Studios. “The real financial value behind this deal is the treasure trove of IP in the deep catalog that we plan to reimagine and develop together with MGM’s talented team. It’s very exciting and provides so many opportunities for high-quality storytelling.”

“It has been an honor to have been a part of the incredible transformation of Metro Goldwyn Mayer. To get here took immensely talented people with a true belief in one vision. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank the MGM team who have helped us arrive at this historic day,” said Kevin Ulrich, chairman of the board of directors of MGM.

“I am very proud that MGM’s Lion, which has long evoked the Golden Age of Hollywood, will continue its storied history, and the idea born from the creation of United Artists lives on in a way the founders originally intended, driven by the talent and their vision. The opportunity to align MGM’s storied history with Amazon is an inspiring combination.”

Amazon’s decision to acquire MGM comes hot on the heels of another major Hollywood tie-up in which AT&T agreed to spin off its media division WarnerMedia and merge it with Discovery in a $43 billion deal. That deal aims to create a global streaming giant to rival the likes of Amazon, Disney and Netflix.

IMG named global licensing representative for all animated releases from Skydance Animation

IMG has been named the global licensing representative for all animated releases from Skydance Animation, including its first two features, Luck directed by Peggy Holmes, and Spellbound directed by Vicky Jenson.

The new multi-year deal will see the licensing agency develop extensive product licensing portfolios for Skydance Animation’s animated films and first theatrical-quality animated TV series.

“As we prepare for the debut of our first animation projects in the coming year, we are thrilled to be partnering with the world’s premier licensing agency to develop consumer products franchises that extend our stories and characters across retail platforms,” said Luis Fernández, head of consumer products, Skydance.

“Skydance Animation has assembled a team of legendary talent that is reimagining animation with some of the most exciting new feature-length film and series animation anywhere today,” added Bruno Maglione, president of licensing at IMG. “We’re proud to be on the ground floor of what promises to be an incredible journey of bold new stories, worlds and characters, and we look forward to building out engaging licensed product programs and experiences that bring them to life beyond the viewing experience.”

Academy Award-winner Jane Fonda will voice a lead role in Luck, written by Keil Murray, which centers around the unluckiest girl in the world, who after stumbling upon the never-before-seen world of good and bad luck, must join together with magical creatures to uncover a force more powerful than even luck itself.

Spellbound, is set in a world of magic where a young girl must break the spell that has split her kingdom in two. Written by Lauren Hynek, Elizabeth Martin and Linda Woolverton, the original score for the film hails from Academy Award-winner Alan Menken, with lyrics by Glenn Slater. Chris Montan serves as executive music producer.

Launched in 2017, Skydance Animation is using the power of animation to create original stories for global audiences of all ages, set in fantastic new worlds with unforgettable characters.

Radar Licensing named global agent for Nic Cage horror film Willy’s Wonderland

Radar Licensing has been appointed the global licensing agent for the 2021 horror film Willy’s Wonderland, a role in which it will spearhead a worldwide consumer products retail programme spanning apparel, accessories, publishing, electronics, toys, and costumes.

Starring Nicolas Cage alongside Emily Tosta, Ric Reitz, and Chris Warner, Willy’s Wonderland enjoyed a successful PVOD premiere this February. Since then, the t-shirt worn in Willy’s Wonderland by Cage has been consistently selling out of stock.

Radar Licensing has now appointed its first licensee, Changes, as apparel partner to replicate the t-shirt for availability this spring. Radar, in partnership with Landmark Studio Group, anticipate additional products for Willy’s Wonderland to begin hitting retail in Q3 this year.

“We are thrilled with the fan and critic reception of Willy’s Wonderland, which has received great reviews and millions of impressions to date across YouTube and social media platforms,” said David Ozer, CEO, Landmark. “Fans want more engagement with the film, and this is the opportune time to partner with a seasoned licensing agent like Radar to create a line of products that reflect the quirky, fun, and adventurous vibe of the film delivered by the talents of Nic Cage to the marketplace.”

David Imhoff, president, Radar Licensing, added: “With its multi-genre appeal, Willy’s Wonderland has so many fantastical elements from which we can develop a merch program. We look forward to working with Landmark to develop and bring these products to retail.”

Directed by Kevin Lewis from a screenplay written by G.O. Parsons, in Willy’s Wonderland a quiet loner (Cage) finds himself stranded in a remote town when his car breaks down. Unable to pay for the repairs he needs, he agrees to spend the night cleaning Willy’s Wonderland, an abandoned family fun center. But this wonderland has a dark secret that the “Janitor” is about to discover. He soon finds himself trapped inside Willy’s and locked in an epic battle with the possessed animatronic mascots that roam the halls. To survive, he must fight his way through each of them.

View the official trailer below:

MGM Studios partners with PlaySide Studios to launch first Legally Blonde mobile game

MGM Studios has partnered with PlaySide Studios to develop and publish its first Legally Blonde themed mobile game based on the studio’s feature films Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde.

The new game will be free to play on iOS and Android mobile devices as it rolls out to global audiences this year.

The game will combine puzzle and choice-based narrative mechanics with themes of empowerment and positivity as protrayed in the Legally Blonde film franchise. The result, says MGM, will be an immersive mobile game experience that allows players to tell their own Legally Blonde story.

Legally Blonde continues to resonate with new generations of audiences today as the film turns 20 this year. MGM is building out a licensing line around the movie’s key tenets – empowerment, education, humor and of course, fashion. Additionally, Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor have signed on to co-write the script for Legally Blonde 3which will see Reese Witherspoon reprise her role as the beloved Elle Woods in 2022.

Collaborating with MGM to publish the Legally Blonde game marks a significant moment in PlaySide’s company history as it represents its first movie-based brand licensing agreement for a mobile title developed internally.

PlaySide’s CEO, Gerry Sakkas, said: “This is a historic occasion for PlaySide. Since the Company was founded, I have always wanted to bring a major Hollywood brand to the mobile space. I couldn’t think of a better partner in MGM, an iconic Hollywood studio with a rich 90-year history of premier movie titles, it’s truly an exhilarating time for PlaySide.”

Robert Marick, executive vice president, MGM Global Consumer Products & Experiences, said: “Legally Blonde is one of those iconic and inspirational brands that continues to appeal to new generations of fans around the world.

“We are thrilled to partner with PlaySide Studios to bring these trailblazing films to mobile devices, and offer consumers a new way to interact with one of our most cherished characters, Elle Woods.”

Japan’s biggest anime feature movie Demon Slayer has its sights on US licensing with Lucky Helmet

The Japanese animated feature film, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train is set to expand its licensing and merchandising presence across the US through the efforts of the IP development business, Lucky Helmet.

It will mark the first in a sweep of new IP to be brought to the region’s licensing sector thanks to the firm’s appointment by Aniplex of America Inc to represent selected titles released in North America.

Lucky Helmet is a newly launched agency focused on assisting creators, producers, and other IP owners with commercialisation strategies on existing brands, as well as with the development of new content-based franchises.

The partnership will be led by Demon Slayer, a highly anticipated film based on one of the best-selling manga series. According to the film’s official Twitter account, the film had grossed ¥28.8 billion ($277.5 million) as of December 7, overtaking the American film, Titanic. It is now the second highest-grossing film in Japan, ever, behind only Studio Ghibli’s 2002 release, Spirited Away.

The Demon Slayer film is breaking records in other Asia territories as well. In China, the movie surpassed China’s Jiang Ziya to become the highest-grossing animated feature of 2020; and in Taiwan, the film quickly earned over $15 million, making it the biggest release of the year, and the highest-grossing animation release of all-time in the territory.

The movie centers on the hero Tanjiro Kamado’s efforts to save the lives of passengers aboard the Mugen Train, named after the Japanese word for infinity, on which countless people have gone missing.

The film is currently being adapted for American audiences, and is expected to release in the US in 2021 by the Sony-owned division Aniplex of America in association with Funimation.

Demon Slayer’s box-office success overseas, in the middle of a pandemic, is nothing less than extraordinary,” commented Marc Harrington, founder of Lucky Helmet.

We are incredibly excited to have the opportunity to support Aniplex on its licensing and merchandising efforts in North America, and we are confident that the film will further excite fans, and that there will be great potential for new licensing partners across many categories.”

Lucky Helmet previously announced that it had signed four-time Academy Award-nominated animation studio, Cartoon Saloon, to consult on licensing and merchandising opportunities based on its original IP, including the animated feature film, Wolfwalkers; the International Emmy Award-nominated series, Puffin Rock, and its upcoming film, Puffin Rock-The Movie.

Japan’s biggest anime feature movie Demon Slayer has its sights on US licensing with Lucky Helmet

The Japanese animated feature film, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train is set to expand its licensing and merchandising presence across the US through the efforts of the IP development business, Lucky Helmet.

It will mark the first in a sweep of new IP to be brought to the region’s licensing sector thanks to the firm’s appointment by Aniplex of America Inc to represent selected titles released in North America.

Lucky Helmet is a newly launched agency focused on assisting creators, producers, and other IP owners with commercialisation strategies on existing brands, as well as with the development of new content-based franchises.

The partnership will be led by Demon Slayer, a highly anticipated film based on one of the best-selling manga series. According to the film’s official Twitter account, the film had grossed ¥28.8 billion ($277.5 million) as of December 7, overtaking the American film, Titanic. It is now the second highest-grossing film in Japan, ever, behind only Studio Ghibli’s 2002 release, Spirited Away.

The Demon Slayer film is breaking records in other Asia territories as well. In China, the movie surpassed China’s Jiang Ziya to become the highest-grossing animated feature of 2020; and in Taiwan, the film quickly earned over $15 million, making it the biggest release of the year, and the highest-grossing animation release of all-time in the territory.

The movie centers on the hero Tanjiro Kamado’s efforts to save the lives of passengers aboard the Mugen Train, named after the Japanese word for infinity, on which countless people have gone missing.

The film is currently being adapted for American audiences, and is expected to release in the US in 2021 by the Sony-owned division Aniplex of America in association with Funimation.

Demon Slayer’s box-office success overseas, in the middle of a pandemic, is nothing less than extraordinary,” commented Marc Harrington, founder of Lucky Helmet.

We are incredibly excited to have the opportunity to support Aniplex on its licensing and merchandising efforts in North America, and we are confident that the film will further excite fans, and that there will be great potential for new licensing partners across many categories.”

Lucky Helmet previously announced that it had signed four-time Academy Award-nominated animation studio, Cartoon Saloon, to consult on licensing and merchandising opportunities based on its original IP, including the animated feature film, Wolfwalkers; the International Emmy Award-nominated series, Puffin Rock, and its upcoming film, Puffin Rock-The Movie.

WildBrain partners with Samsung to launch new kids’ and teen channels featuring its hit series

WildBrain has forged a partnership with Samsung to launch multiple new kids’ and teen channels featuring a range of series from its content library on Samsung TV Plus, a free ad-supported video service distributed exclusively on Samsung smart TVs.

The first new linear channels have now launched to millions of Samsung users, with “Caillou and Friends” in Spain and France and “Teletubbies and Friends” in Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

This initial launch will be followed in spring and summer 2021 by Degrassi channels for teens in the US and Canada, plus additional kids’ channels across European territories featuring Strawberry Shortcake, Bob the Builder and other favourite series from WildBrain’s library.

The partnership with Samsung represents the first time WildBrain has launched ad-supported linear channels on a connected-TV service in Europe and comes as new research shows smart TVs and ad-supported video streaming have become favourite viewing options in both US and European homes.

The recent nScreenMedia report “Making Screen Time Family Time”, which wasponsored by WildBrain Spark, found that 62 per cent of 3,000 US parents surveyed choose smart TVs as the most popular devices for co-viewing with children in the home.

75 per cent watch content with their children several times a week or more, and 90 per cent said ad-supported video is an important entertainment source for their children.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s “Behind the Screens” report on accelerating viewership trends found that ad-supported video-on-demand consumption grew by 29 per cent since January 2020 across over 30 million Samsung smart TVs in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Samsung is the clear leader in global smart TV sales, with over 14 million units sold in Q3 2020, almost double their nearest competitor, according to market research firm Trendforce.

“All indicators show that connected TVs are the new choice for home viewing and that families are increasingly turning to ad-supported video services on this platform as a source of quality entertainment,” said Deirdre Brennan, EVP, content partnerships at WildBrain.

“Through this exciting partnership with Samsung TV Plus we will offer distinct channels that draw on WildBrain’s deep content library, allowing us to share iconic shows like Teletubbies, Caillou, Strawberry Shortcake and Degrassi with millions of families across North America and Europe.”

Disney invests heavily into streaming as it details new Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar content slate

UK Disney fans could be forgiven for thinking it was Christmas morning as they woke up to the news that the entertainment studio had detailed a raft of some 35 new television series, including ten from Marvel, ten based in the Star Wars universe, new Pixar animations, as well as 15 new movies to be released on Disney Plus in the next few years.

It was possibly the spoonful of sugar needed to help the digestion of the concurrent update that over in the US, the Disney streaming service was to up its prices, while forecasting that the platform will attract between 230m and 260m subscribers by 2024. The surge will, no doubt, be fuelled by the latest scheduling of releases.

Amid the announcement, Lucasfilm confirmed that multiple new Star Wars shows are coming to Disney Plus, including two spin-offs of its The Mandalorian series with Star Wars: Rangers of the New Republic and Star Wars: Ahsoka, with Rosario Dawson – who having just appeared in The Mandalorian in the role of Ahsoka Tano – taking on the lead role.

The biggest news to emerge from the Star Wars universe, however, is that Darth Vader is returning. Hayden Christensen will be reprising his role, alongside Ewan McGregor for the long-awaited Obi-Wan Kenobi standalone series. Production on the series is set to start in March 2021, and will be set after the events of Revenge of The Sith, meaning that Christensen will be playing the role of Darth Vader, rather than that of Anakin Skywalker.

Disney also confirmed a standalone show based on Lando Calrissian, as well as Star wars Visions, a series of short films from Japanese anime creators. Meanwhile, The Acolyte will be a ‘mystery-thriller that will take viewers into a galaxy of shadowy secrets and emerging dark-side powers in the final days of the High Republic era’, while A Droid Story ‘will introduce us to a new hero guided by R2D2 and C3PO’

On top of that, two new Star Wars films will be on the way, with Taika Waititi and Patti Jenkins attached to each.

Yet, despite the barrage of announcements to come from the studio, not forgetting the further 10 series from the Marvel franchise, the slate of Pixar films, and 15 movies to be released on Disney Plus, the firm still warns that the unit would lose money until 2024, underscoring, some have commented on the punishing economics of online entertainment.

The Financial Times reports that Disney plans to double its annual content investment to about $15bn by 2024, at which point its streaming business will turn a profit, the company predicted.

ZAG names former MGA director Sarah Boyer is new VP or retail for North America

The award-winning global independent animation studio ZAG has named the former MGA Entertainment director, Sarah Boyer, its new vice president, retail, North America. The announcement was made today by Julian Zag, executive vice president, global operations.

“We are entering the next phase of tremendous growth for ZAG and especially our flagship global brand phenom, Miraculous! Given the roster of new licensees coming on board, it is the ideal time to welcome an executive of Sarah’s caliber in the retail space to our robust consumer products’ team,” commented Zag.

“We have a wide range of new products slated to hit retail shelves in 2021 and 2022, culminating with the $100M theatrical release of Miraculous Ladybug And Cat Noir The Awakening and the launch of seasons four and five of the series. Miraculous continues to build across all touch points – television, retail, digital, theatrical – and we couldn’t be more thrilled with how our brand continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.”

Reporting directly to Kirk Bloomgarden, the ZAG’s SVP, global licensing, Boyer will manage strategic relationships across all tiers of retail for all of the properties under the ZAG Heroez label – an umbrella brand franchise that brings together the superheroes from ZAG’s animated properties.

She will continue our work in building best-in-class licensed programs, supporting licensees with product placement and promotion, working alongside our growing team of recent appointments, including Rebekah Belzer, VP, new business and retail development, Lisa Foster, VP, licensing, North America, and Elinor Schops, VP of games and interactive experiences.

“It is such an exciting time at ZAG with the global growth of the Miraculous brand, in particular, and I am excited to work with Julian, Kirk and the ZAG team to develop even stronger retail relationships to bring a wide range of products across all of the  ZAG Heroez™ brands to market in the coming years,” said Boyer.

Boyer’s immediate remit is to work with retailers for ZAG’s Miraculous™: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noirfor which over 150M products have been sold during the past three years.

The new toyline from ZAG Labs and Playmates will debut in 2021 in North America.  Additional new products to rollout include books from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR), a division of the Hachette Book Group; costumes and accessories for wholesale retailers from InSpirit Designs,a division of lifestyle retailer Spencer Spirit Holdings that owns and operates Spencer’s and Spirit Halloween.

Other new products soon to be available include bedding and home décor from Jay Franco, Bentex and Bioworld for apparel, Komar Brands for sleepwear, underwear from Handcraft Manufacturing, Hot Topic for DTR apparel program, PPE Foundation for face masks, Peachtree Playthings for craft and activity, Inkology for stationery, AXNY for smart watches, and Taste Beauty for beauty products.

Boyer will also work with ZAG Lab and Playmates across its portfolio of brands, including Power Players and Ghostforce, the company’s newest property, currently in production for Disney Channel EMEA, TF1, and Discovery Kids Latin America.