Tag Archives: transformers

LEGO and Hasbro unite for first time for Transformers collab

Posted on by

The LEGO Group and Hasbro have united for the first time to bring the iconic Transformers Autobot, Optimus Prime, to life in LEGO form – complete with alt mode.

The new LEGO Transformers Optimus Prime set is a tribute to the heroic Autobot leader with over 1,500 detailed LEGO pieces. Once assembled, the figure features 19 points of articulation that allow fans to convert from robot to truck alt mode and back again. This is one of the first times a LEGO set has been able to convert between two models, without the need to rebuild.

The new LEGO set will transport fans back to 1984 to when Transformers first exploded into popular culture with the original toy line and animated TV series. Modeled after the G1 Optimus Prime character, the new LEGO set includes remarkable attention to detail and features such as the ion blaster, Energon axe, an Energon Cube and the Autobot Matrix of Leadership which can be stored in the chest chamber.

“It has been an honour and a joy to work together with Hasbro to develop a LEGO version of Optimus Prime,” says Senior Designer at the LEGO Group, Joseph Patrick Kyde. “I am excited to see these two toy companies come together for the first time to celebrate the leader of the Autobots. Optimus Prime has become a pop culture symbol of courage, selflessness, and great leadership as well as an awesome toy that embodies the problem-solving and creativity skills that both companies value so much. It’s been a wonderful and challenging task to bring him to life using LEGO bricks, especially making sure that he can shift modes without disassembly and stay true to his signature look and style.”

Casey Collins, Head of Licensed Consumer Products and Business Development at Hasbro, adds: “We’re excited to bring two of the world’s greatest play and entertainment companies together to celebrate this larger-than-life, iconic character – Optimus Prime. We know fans everywhere will be thrilled by this collaboration as it enables fans and families of all ages to create memories as they work together to build the LEGO Transformers Optimus Prime.”

Once complete building this 1,508-piece model, fans can admire their build with pride by adding the display plaque to pay tribute to the iconic Transformers character.

The LEGO Transformers Optimus Prime set will be available globally from LEGO.com/optimus and in LEGO stores from June 1 priced at £149.99 / 169,99 USD/EUR.

Wizards of the Coast and consumer products drive ‘excellent Q2’ for Hasbro as sales surge 54 per cent

Posted on by

Hasbro has seen record releases across its Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming segment, as well as increased sales within its consumer products division fuel the global entertainment through a stellar second quarter this year.

Sales have surged by 54 per cent on Q2 2020, and nine per cent pro forma 2019 to hit $1.32 billion throughout what Hasbro boss, Brian Goldner has billed as ‘an excellent quarter’ for the toy firm. Its consumer products segment saw revenues increase 33 per cent.

Meanwhile, Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming sement more than doubled, fuelled by ‘record releases’ in Q2 in Magic: The Gathering Strixhaven and the second installment of its Magic: The Gathering Modern Horizons narrative, Modern Horizons 2.

Chairman and chief executive officer, Goldner, said: “Hasbro delivered an excellent second quarter, with revenues up 54 per cent versus the second quarter of last year, and nine per cent versus pro forma second quarter 2019.

“Wizards continued to generate outstanding results behind a compelling analog and digital release schedule for Magic: The Gathering. Consumer products revenue increased as demand remains robust for Hasbro toys and games and entertainment revenue grew as we are producing entertainment with strong deliveries.”

The CEO praised the Hasbro team and its high level of performance as it ‘tracks to its target of double digit revenue growth for the full year.’

The quarter’s strong results have been reflected in each Brand Portfolio category under the Hasbro business, with gains witnessed across Magic: The Gathering, NERF, Transformers, Play-Doh, Baby Alive, and My Little Pony. Partner brands revenue increased behind growth in Hasbro products for the Marvel portfolio, Lucasfilm’s Star Wars and The Mandalorian, Disney Princess and Beyblade.

Meanwhile, Hasbro Gaming saw revenue increase on 2020 and 2019, led by Dungeons & Dragons and Duel Masters, as well as a the launch of Foosketball.

In the consumer products segment, revenue and operating profit grew in Hasbro Franchise Brands NERF, Transformers, and Play-Doh, as well as products for Marvel and Star Wars. Point of sale for toys increased, but was off-set by a decline in games point of sale compared to the sector’s strong performance on Q2 2020.

Elsewhere, and it was in the Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming segment in which records were set. Wizards had two record releases in Q2 in Magic: The Gathering Strixhaven and Modern Horizons 2.

Deborah Thomas, Hasbro’s chief financial officer, said: “Strength across Hasbro’s brands and business backed by strong execution from the entire team drove superb results for our second quarter.

“As we invest to unlock value from our brands across the blueprint, we are on track to reach our objectives for the year while expanding the reach of our business, reducing debt, and paying our dividend. The discipline in our business is evident from the $1.2 billion in cash we had on hand at quarter end, reporting the lowest days sales outstanding in our recent history, and repaying $250 million in debt.”

Hasbro and Universal launch Transformers x Jurassic Park mash-up… proving that life does find a way

Posted on by

Even if you could never have imagined it, life… (you’ve guessed it), finds a way. Hasbro has finally partnered up with Universal Brand Development and Amblin Entertainment to create the DNA mash-up we’ve all been waiting for; bringing Jurassic Park and the Transformers franchise together for the first time.

Under the new partnership, the iconic T.Rex and Ford Explorer from the blockbuster 1993 Jurassic Park have been transformed into… well, Transformers. And the names of these beautiful creations? Tyrannocon Rex and Autobot JP93, of course.

The new Transformers x Jurassic Park figure and vehicle pack celebrates the 1993 movie that set the course for Universal’s Jurassic franchise almost 30 years ago. Both the Tyrannocon Rex and the Autobot JP93 feature a combined 260 unique details inspired by moments from the Jurassic Park film.

The Tyrannocon Rex figure converts into T.Rex mode in 27 steps and features detailed molded dinosaur texture. The figure features a new head mold and stands at seven inches.

Meanwhile, fans can enjoy a heavy dose of nostalgia through one of the film’s iconic vehicles, as the Autobot JP93 converts into the licensed Ford Explorer mode in 18 steps. The figure stands at 5.5 inches and comes with a blaster accessory that can attach to the figure in both modes.

Dr. Alan Grant and the Game Warden inspired both the JP93 hat in bot mode and the JP93 blaster accessory.

Both figures are contained within packaging inspired by the unforgettable moment in the original film in whihc the T.Rex escapes her enclosure and crushes the Ford Explorer. The packaging also includes a cardboard backdrop illustration of the T. Rex’s cage, allowing fans to recreate the scene.

A press release from Hasbro read: “Transformers robots have always been… More than Meets the Eye, but now, through the Transformers Collaborative, fans can experience these larger-than-life characters as they team up, mash up, and meet up with other characters, teams and people who share this same special quality. It is a world of constant change where things are not what they seem.”

The Tyrannocaon Rex figure and Autobot JP93 vehicle pack are available to pre-order for $104.99 (around £75) on Amazon.

A second release of the figure and vehicle pack will be available starting December 1 this year via Hasbro’s fan-facing platform, Hasbro Pulse as well as select retailers worldwide.

Pokémon GO creators partner with Hasbro and TOMY to launch Transformers AR game

Posted on by

Niantic, the team behind the wildly popular AR game Pokémon GO, has teamed up with Hasbro and TOMY to develop a new augmented reality title based on the Transformers franchise.

Titled ‘Transformers: Heavy Metal’, the new game will see players battle with characters from the Transformers series in real world settings using the game’s AR features. Development on the title is being led by the Seattle-based studio Very Very Spaceship, using Niantic’s Lightship platform.

Transformers: Heavy Metal is scheduled to be released worldwide later this year.

“Transformers is the perfect franchise for AR. Battling and interacting with giant robots in the real world is an amazing experience,” said John Hanke, CEO of Niantic. “We want to live up to the high expectations of Transformers fans around the world and bring them a game unlike anything they’ve played before.”

In a statement issued on the Niantic website this week, executive producer, Phil Hong said: “In thinking about franchises that would be incredible to bring to life in AR, Transformers was a no-brainer.

“This will be a Transformers game unlike any other, an AR game where you’ll get to team up with the likes of Bumblebee and the Autobots in the real world, powered by the Niantic Lightship platform.

“We’ve been working super hard on this with Seattle-based Very Very Spaceship as the development studio. We’ll enter soft launch in select countries soon, and global launch is planned for later this year.”

Hasbro teams with Robosen to launch world’s most advanced Transformers robot

Posted on by

Hasbro has partnered with one of the leading companies in the field of robotics to launch the world’s most advanced and programmable robots to the market through the Transformers franchise.

Its partnership with Robosen Robotics has witnessed the creation of Transformers Optimus Prime Auto-Converting Programmable Advanced Robot – a collector’s edition that carries not only a $699 price tag, but the ability to convert from a vehicle to a robot, a walking function, and a race setting when in vehicle mode.

And that’s not all for this robot 11 years in the making. This is the first consumer robot that features comprehensive code development, and robot control by either voice or via mobile app.

‘Now together with Hasbro, Robosen will be able to provide an unparalleled interactive experience for the millions of fans of the Transformers franchise, with new products and collectibles being announced in the months to come,’ read a statement issued when the robotic was announced via Hasbro’s consumer facing platform, Hasbro Pulse.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Hasbro and look forward to ushering in a new standard of robotics with the most advanced Transformers robots for consumers ever created,” said Sean Tang, director of Robosen USA.

“The team is working hard to deliver an amazing user experience for fans of this esteemed franchise and produce Transformers that will be a premium addition to their collection with its superior functionality.”

Casey Collins, general manager and SVP, global consumer products, Hasbro, added: “We are equally excited about this collaboration. In our continued persistence to elevate branded play, Robosen’s advanced innovation within robotics, will allow our fans to bring their favorite Transformers characters to life in a way never achieved before within collectibles.”

Robosen Robotics’ cutting-edge technology in artificial joint driving algorithms and digital electric drive technology were on full display at last year’s CES when they debuted the T9, an advanced programmable robot that was an attendee favorite with numerous video posts on social media, as well as garnering top press placements in major worldwide news outlets.

All of the products and collectibles will be meticulously designed and crafted with state-of-the-art, high-grade metal alloy parts, combining a classic industrial design with the most cutting-edge robotic technology, while providing an ultimate entertaining experience filled with programming, and pure fun.

New My Little Pony, Transformers, and Magic: The Gathering content among Hasbro’s mass roll-out announcements

Posted on by

It was a flurry of major new announcements across each of its sectors that Hasbro issued throughout its first all virtual investor event this week, including new film and TV content for its biggest franchises including My Little Pony, Transformers, and Magic: The Gathering.

In an address opened by Hasbro’s chairman and CEO, Brian Goldner, the entertainment powerhouse kicked off proceedings by detailing new financial reporting segments: Consumer Products, Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming, and Entertainment.

“We have simplified our structure to maximise our growth and provide a clearer view to the drivers of Hasbro revenues, profit, margin, and cash generation,” said Goldner during the event.

“Our expectation is that we return to growth in revenues, earnings, and EBITDA in 2021. This includes revenue growth in all three segments to potentially achieve double-digit revenue growth across Hasbro for the year.”

The Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming segment will include all revenue associated with the Wizards of the Coast tabletop and digital games, including Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, as well as licensed Hasbro digital gaming across the portfolio.

Entertainment spans all revenue associated with Hasbro and eOne entertainment across Family Brands, TV and Film, and music.

The announcement came with an extensive roll-out of new announcements across each of the segments, that included the detailing of new animated and live-action TV and film releases across some of Hasbro’s most iconic entertainment franchises, including My Little Pony, Transformers, Peppa Pig, Magic: The Gathering, and Dungeons and Dragons.

Consumer Products

Hasbro was quick to project a growth of the consumer products revenue above the industry growth rate, fuelled by an increase in its ecommerce business which it expects to make up for 50 per cent of all consumer products business by 2025.

In its direct to consumer channels, Hasbro is to launch Hasbro Pulse to the UK, with additional markets to follow, while it has also detailed a partnership with Amazon on its PlaySkool brand with a new focus on learning and sustainability for pre-school audiences.

The firm is extending its partnership with Epic Games to continue a licensed roster of products for its Nerf and Games Fotnite collaborations, while expanding the IP into action figures and role play this year and beyond.

Hasbro also detailed three new Monopoly launches in Monopoly Builder, Monopoly Crooked Cash, and the community-based Monopoly campaign launching on March 19.

The company is also eyeing new innovation in the gaming space, aligning itself with voice technology to integrate Alexa into its gaming offering with The Wanted Bounty Hunters board game, a titles that gives players an in-game connection to Alexa and the cinematic world of The Mandalorian.

The toy maker will also be supporting its robust theatrical and streaming calendar of content this year with ranges spanning GI Joe, Ghostbusters, Marvel, Star Wars, and Disney Princess new releases.

Completing the bill, and in partnership with Merlin Entertainment, Hasbro will be welcoming the opening of the first Peppa Pig theme park in LEGOLAND Florida next year.

Wizards of the Coast

A segment now spanning its hobby and digital gaming audiences, Wizards of the Coast is, according to the firm, ‘approximately halfway to achieving its target of doubling revenue from 2018 to 2023.’

2020 Wizards of the Coast revenue was $816 million, with Magic: The Gathering revenue up 23 per cent and Dungeons and Dragons revenue up 33 per cent for the year.

Alongside new digital game launches for both Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, the unit has detailed new crossover products within the collectables and social play space with partners Warhammer 40,000 by Games Workshop, and Middle Earth Enterprises, to include characters from The Lord of the Rings universe.

Entertainment

Finally, within its Entertainment segment, Hasbro currently has more than 200 projects underway across TV and film.

Franchise plans include those with Transformers which has a panned feature film for 2022, a new animated feature film in developments, a third instalment of Transformers: War for Cybertron on Netflix, a new 20-episdoe animated comedy series on Netflix called Transformers: BotBots, and a new original animated Transformer series with Nickelodeon.

Meanwhile, Magic: The Gathering currently has a feature film in development at Fox, as well as a premium animated series in production with Netflix, while Dungeons and Dragons has partnered with Paramount Pictures for its own feature film, and a number of television projects are in the works.

With My Little Pony, a CGI film will debut on Netflix this year, alongside a new computer animated series.

New Peppa Pig content will continue to roll out through to 2023 as well as PJ Masks.

Zavvi teams with DUST! to launch ultra-exclusive pop culture puzzles range

Posted on by

The UK online retailer Zavvi has partnered with DUST! to launch a new limited-edition range of fully-licensed movie themed jigsaw puzzles, bringing the artwork of some of cinema’s best-loved cult classics to the jigsaw space.

The partnership witnesses the launch of 12 limited edition 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles, each featuring images and movie posters from a selection of popular film franchises, including Jaws, Back to the Future, Transformers, and Jurassic Park.

The limited edition puzzles are all 50cm by 70cm with only 1000 of each design in production worldwide, making the range ultra-exclusive. Each puzzle retails at £14.99.

The range is available to pre-order via Zavvi now. The retailer has urged fans to place their orders quickly before the limited product roll-out sells out.

Other designs in the collection include the 1982 sci-fi classic The Thing, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic Comic Book design, a Back to the Future DeLorean Schematic, and a Twister Impossible puzzle, featuring the design of the classic party game of the same name.

Hasbro, Netflix and Rooster Teeth drop first trailer for Transformers: War of Cybertron Trilogy

Posted on by

Netflix, Hasbro, and Rooster Tooth have formed a tri-force of entertainment powerhouses for the release of Chapter One of the hotly anticipated Transformers: War of Cybertron Trilogy.

The new series will premiere on Netflix later this year as it raises the stakes in the Autobot and Decepticon war. Chapter One will launch with six new 22-minute episodes, complete with a new animation look and style.

Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy: Siege begins in the final hours of the civil war between the Autobots and the Decepticons that has torn apart their home planet of Cybertron. Optimus Prime and Megatron both want to save their world and unify their people, but on their own terms.

Rooster Teeth is producing the original series for Netflix, and Polygon Pictures is serving as the animation studio. Transformers veteran F.J. DeSanto is serving as show runner on the series with several contributing writers, including George Krstic, Gavin Hignight, and Brandon Easton.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Rooster Teeth, Netflix and Hasbro to bring this fan-oriented more than meets the eye story to life,” said Shuzo John Shiota, Polygon Pictures Inc. president and CEO.

“The Transformers universe has so many rich characters and engaging stories. Getting the opportunity to be part of the team bringing the robots in disguise to life in this new trilogy is unbelievable.”

Netflix, Hasbro, and Rooster Teeth, have today released the first teaser trailer for Chapter One.

“The Transformers brand is a global phenomenon with toys, consumer products, films, television shows, and literature, resonating with millions of passionate fans around the world,” said Tom Warner, senior vice president for the Transformers franchise for Hasbro.

“This brand new Netflix series will add to the incredible slate of Transformers offerings with a truly unique story that will delight both existing fans and those being introduced to the wonder of robots in disguise.”

The series voice talent cast includes Jake Foushee as Optimus Prime, Jason Marnocha as Megatron, and Joe Zieja as Bumblebee, alongside an extensive cast of further characters, deepening the Transformers lore.

“Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy marks the inaugural production for our Rooster Teeth Studios division and we’re proud to be partnering with and entrusted by Hasbro and Netflix,” said Matt Hullum, Rooster Teeth co-founder and chief content officer.

“As fans of these characters, it’s been a joy bringing our storytelling and animation expertise to this project. This teaser trailer is just a taste of what’s to come in this series, and we can’t wait to see what the fans think, especially our Rooster Teeth community.”

More details regarding Chapter Two, Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy” Earthrise and Chapter Three will drop in the coming months.

Entertainment One is ‘figuring out what Hasbro brands to bring to the screen’

Posted on by

Entertainment One is in the process of ‘figuring out which of Hasbro’s brands to bring to life,’ the company has stated following the toymaker’s $3.8bn acquisition of the content producer-distributor at the end of last year.

Speaking at UK Screenings this month, Pancho Mansfield, eOne’s president of global scripted programming, said that Hasbro has a ‘treasure chest’ of IP that the company is looking closely at as it works out what out of the firm’s some 1,500 brands will translate well to screen.

The obvious choices have already been highlighted, with the likes of Dungeons & Dragons, GI Joe, Power Rangers, Action Man, Furby, and Transformers among them.

“We’re just wrapping our arms around it and we’re excited to begin,” Mansfield told Deadline. “We’re going to continue doing what we’re doing and we have this great treasure chest of IP and worlds to bring to life.”

Much of the noise around Hasbro’s acquisition has – until now – been focused on eOne’s slate of pre-school properties such as Peppa Pig and PJ Masks, giving Hasbro a firmer foothold in the competitive yet highly lucrative pre-school content sector.

For a number of weeks, questions have been left hanging over what this meant for the future of eOne’s scripted drama output.

Noel Hedges, executive VP of acquisitions for eOne has now gone some way to alleviate those fears. He told Variety: “Drama is a huge part of eOne’s business and Hasbro bought the business not to shrink it, but expand it.

“If anything, eOne is now supported by a very complementary business. We will support Hasbro’s in-house IP and now find ways of bringing that to screen internally. Hasbro wants eOne to thrive, and from a distribution point of view, they want us to be the portal through which we can take that content to the world.

“Even if it’s a kids’ brand, it could be integrated into a cross-generational family offering. Hasbro is a family business but there is a lot there that isn’t just in the kids’ space.