Skydance Animation names Spin Master as its master toy licensee

Skydance Animation has announced a multi-year agreement with Spin Master, under which the global children’s entertainment company will become the studio’s master toy licensee.

The first feature property included under the agreement is Apple Original Film Spellbound, directed by Vicky Jenson, which will debut globally on Apple TV+. Spin Master will bring characters from the show to life with products including fashion dolls, mini-dolls and vehicles. The agreement also gives Spin Master the rights to develop toy lines for other upcoming Skydance animated features.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with a company like Spin Master that is as committed to quality and attention to detail as we are,” says Luis Fernández, Head of Consumer Products, Skydance. “As we ramp up production on our slate of animated features, we could not imagine a better partner to bring our visually stunning and epic animated worlds to life.”

“Spin Master strives to work with the best partners on long term-licenses and we are honoured to align with Skydance, to infuse our marquee innovation on the fantastical worlds and enchanting characters they create,” adds Chris Beardall, Spin Master’s President of Toys and Chief Commercial Officer. “We know that children around the world are going to fall in love with the magic of Spellbound and we can’t wait to deliver that magic to the playroom through an innovative and imaginative toy line.”

Spellbound is a new animated musical that follows a young girl who sets out to break the spell that has divided her kingdom in two. It is written by Lauren Hynek, Elizabeth Martin and Linda Woolverton and features an original score by Academy Award-winner Alan Menken, and lyrics by Glenn Slater. Chris Montan serves as executive music producer.

Launched in 2017, Skydance Animation aims to use the power of animation to create original stories for global audiences of all ages, set in fantastic new worlds with unforgettable characters. The studio’s inaugural Apple Original short film, Blush, had its world premiere as part of the Tribeca Festival’s animated shorts programme and is now streaming globally on Apple TV+.

Later this year, Skydance Animation and Apple Original Films will also premiere their first animated feature, Luck, debuting on Apple TV+ on August 5, 2022.

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.