Licensing and Entertainment 

 

BBC Studios and The Walt Disney Company have announced the first-ever animated feature film for Bluey, the beloved Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning animated series that is 2024’s No. 1 series on streaming. The new deal sees Disney acquiring the global theatrical rights for the film, which will land in cinemas in 2027 under the Disney banner. Following the global theatrical release, it will stream on Disney+.

 

Sam Richardson, the Emmy-winning comedian known for his work on Veep and Ted Lasso, is joining John Cena in Matchbox, Apple Original Films' live-action take on the classic Mattel car toy line. Sam Hargrave, the helmer behind the Extraction action movies, is directing the feature that also has Jessica Biel on the call sheet. Matchbox is the toy brand first created in 1953 and acquired by Mattel in 1997. 

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One of Hollywood’s most long-standing cat-and-mouse games is getting ready to kick into high gear again, as Warner Bros Pictures Animation puts a new Tom and Jerry movie into development. There’s no word yet on title, plot or even animation style, but the studio has tapped three multi-hyphenates to write the film’s script—actors Rashida Jones (Inside Out) and Will McCormack (A Wrinkle in Time), and filmmaker...

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang might be taking to the skies on the big screen once again in a new feature film in the works at Amazon MGM Studios and London-based Eon Productions. It’s been 60 years since the world was first introduced to the flying “four-fendered friend” at the heart of British author Ian Fleming’s 1964 children’s book Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang: The Magical Car. It revolves around an oddball inventor...

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*** The above posted after tBR circulated on December 13th ***

 

Mattel and Kluge launch Synth Riders Experience – Barbie Dance 'n Dream. Mattel in collaboration with Kluge Interactive, released Synth Riders Experience - Barbie Dance 'n Dream, a Barbie-themed dance experience for the virtual reality rhythm game Synth Riders. The game immerses players in the world of Barbie. 

 

Hasbro announces new toys, MixMashers, with licensed lines. Hasbro has launched a new collectible mix and mash action figure line: MixMashers. Collect, mix, and mash accessories and power-up parts to customize figures. MixMashers figures feature parts and pieces that pull apart and mash together to create unique figures, with universal connectors for compatibility and durability across the entire line.

 

‘SpongeBob’ board game launched in Ukraine by Rozm. A board game based on the universe of “SpongeBob SquarePants” has been revealed by Ukrainian board game publisher Rozum, made under the official license of Paramount and brokered by Mood Space. This game allows players to cook burgers and compete for the title of the best employee of the month.

 

PLAY-DOH, 'Star Wars' announce collaboration with launch of playsets. PLAY-DOH has unveiled two new playsets featuring characters from the Star Wars franchise, including the Mandalorian, Grogu, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. The new collaboration features The Mandalorian Launching Speeder Playset, which includes The Mandalorian and Grogu figures, tools to create gear and ammo, and a launchable speeder. 

 

POP MART ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ uniform series figures revealed. POP MART has recently launched the “Jujutsu Kaisen” Uniform Series Figures, a blind box collection made up of 12 different characters from the series in their school uniforms. POP MART is a designer toy brand known for its blind box movement, with a variety of original and licensed IPs spanning anime, video games, TV and pop culture. 

 

Grinch strikes global Holiday frenzy with WildBrain licensing expansion. Despite the green character’s initial hate for the holiday, the Grinch always finds a way to make his presence known during the season. This time, he is heading to the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. WildBrain CPLG is expanding its deal with Dr. Suess Enterprises to represent brands in APAC, including How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, The Cat in the Hat...

 

'Mandalorian Adventures' explores Season 2 from Unexpected Games. Unexpected Games will release a new expansion for its Mandalorian Adventures game exploring Season 2 of the Disney+ series: Mandalorian Adventures: Clan of Two. The expansion, designed by veteran Star Wars game designer Corey Konieczka game, tells the story of Din Djarin’s efforts to reunite Grogu with the Jedi. 

 

Swiggy Instamart adds more toys and merchandise with Hello Kitty products. Swiggy Instamart, India’s quick commerce delivery platform, now has Hello Kitty and Friends merchandise available for delivery to homes across the country. This marks Hello Kitty's debut in the quick commerce space, joining Hamleys, which was introduced on the platform earlier this year. 

 

Box Office Report; 'Invincible' S3 trailer, date; Alan Moore endorses Adaptation deal; 'Nyaight of the Living Cat' trailer; 'Infinity' studio acquired; TV rights for Masked Republic, Massive Comic. Showbiz Round-up. While all the attention was focused on the massive box office hits Moana 2, which hit $600 million in its second weekend, and Wicked, which had taken in over $400 million after its third...

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Blokees previews Sesame Street collection in Singapore. Big Bird, Abby, Elmo, and more were a big hit at Comic Con. Blokees revealed its Sesame Street collection at Singapore Comic Con (SGCC). Having previously unveiled various licensed products earlier this year at The China Toy Expo, this latest collection — shown domestically at the LA Fall Toy Previews in September — is part of the brand’s global strategy...

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Evil Genius adds 'Return of the Living Dead' to licensed games roster. Evil Genius Games, which publishes RPGs under its Everyday Heroes system, has licensed Return of the Living Dead for its next Cinematic Adventure, the companies announced.  The new volume, spearheaded by game designer Nick Lowe, will feature new rules and mechanics tailored to the property and four short adventures in the movie universe.

 

Warner Bros. reaches new deal with Comcast for TV channels. Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. reached an early renewal of an agreement to provide networks such as TNT and CNN to Comcast Corp.’s roughly 12.8 million cable-TV customers. The deal avoids the channel blackouts that can sometimes come with fee negotiations and includes continued carriage of all of the Warner Bros. networks.

 

Growing with Purpose: John Deere’s licensing programs aim to expand reach and instill positive values worldwide. John Deere, a rich heritage brand, is widely known for its diverse licensing portfolio. And in 2025, the company is looking to enhance and broaden its licensing programs even further to amplify its core message — to show appreciation for the people who work tirelessly to support us...

 

Disney’s Tangled to get a live-action makeover. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider are about to leave their animated tower and step out into the real world, as a live-action remake of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Tangled gains momentum. Disney is in negotiations with Aussie filmmaker Michael Gracey to helm this project, which is the studio’s latest attempt to reimagine one of its animated princesses in a new format. 

 

Warner Bros. Discovery to restructure its business. Warner Bros. Discovery announced this morning that it’s embarking on a corporate restructure that will result in two divisions—one focused on streaming and content, and the other on its cable TV business—that should be fully operational by mid-2025.

 

Star Wars Gift the Galaxy campaign welcomes Luke, Leia, Thrawn, and more in Week 5. Disney’s Star Wars has been going strong with its Gift the Galaxy Campaign, and this week’s reveals draw from a rich history of Star Wars publishing, including Heir to the Empire and Shadows of the Empire. 

 

Tech meets adventure in Toikido’s Tokyo-set ‘Beep Boop’. The company says this new series has “merchandisable charm,” so look for toys down the line. A lively Tokyo, quirky robots, and endless adventure — a new animated show for kids is in the works. Toikido, the UK-based toy-driven gaming studio, will co-produce Beep Boop with animation studio Custom Nuts and production label Lazy Sunday.

 

Free League plans new volumes for its Lord of the Rings games. Free League Publishing will release a pair of new supplements for its Lord of the Rings RPGs, The One Ring and The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying (5E), in April.  They are set in the twilight of the Third Age, when three realms of the West-elves remain in Middle-earth as Sauron gathers strength to bring war to Middle-earth once again. 

 

Secret Level creator fears fans, not critics. You can't please all of the people all of the time, and that's especially true of gamers. It's something Tim Miller, the producer of Amazon's new series Secret Level, knows all too well.The animated anthology show is made up of 15 episodes, with each directly inspired by a different video game franchise - from retro classics such as Pac Man to modern multiplayer title Honor of Kings.

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The Witcher’s Gwent is coming to physical tabletops. Gwent, the card game from The Witcher world, is coming to UK tabletops in Q3 2025 after 10 years of demand. It forms part of a new partnership between Hachette Boardgames UK and a brand new publisher, No Loading Games, whose focus is on bringing the biggest entertainment brands to tabletops.

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After appearing in Deadpool & Wolverine, Chris Evans is dipping back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe once again for Avengers: Doomsday. Evans’ longtime collaborators the Russo brothers — who directed Evans in four films — are directing, with Robert Downey Jr. playing Doctor Doom. The film has a release date of May 1, 2026.

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Angel Studios to adapt Fablehaven books. With 3.5 million copies sold to date and a sequel series expanding the canon, this kidlit franchise should do well on the big screen in 2026. In pre-production now and on track to start filming at the end of next summer, this live-action pic will adapt the first of five Fablehaven books—and the goal is to eventually do them all. 

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Sounds like Mike Flanagan really is writing that Clayface movie for DC. More than a year after writing off rumors he was writing a film about Batman villain Clayface, Mike Flanagan has apparently signed on. Fully 21 months ago, we noted rumors that Mike Flanagan—prolific horror guy, comic book fan, and general genre expert—had been pitching James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios on a movie based...

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Japan’s Nippon Animation is co-producing a new spinoff in its vintage Raccoon Rascal anime franchise with Yomiuri TV (YTV). Henry Hirakawa is directing Raccoon Calcal Force, which will premiere next year on Nippon TV’s linear channel. YTV’s Kozo Misawa (My Hero Academia, Blue Miburo) and Nippon’s Hitomi Hiratsuka will serve as chief producers on the project. 

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Rubies, the renowned global costume manufacturer, has announced a new licensing agreement with BBC Studios to produce and distribute costumes and accessories from Bluey in the UK. This deal marks a significant expansion of Rubies existing licensing for Bluey products in Australia, underscoring the company’s commitment to creating high-quality, authentic costumes that capture the spirit of...

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CFR Management Services has launched its first-ever licensed range for Quick Milk with The Elf on the Shelf from The Lumistella Company, home to The Elf on the Shelf Santaverse and some of the world’s biggest Christmas brands. The company is known for the distribution of Quick Milk in the UK. Quick Milk has all-natural flavours and innovative designs. CFR Management Services launched the products...

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LA-based publisher Stranger Comics is producing an animated film adaptation of a fantasy book in its catalogue called Brown Sugar Fairies: Saroja’s Quest, and Rob Edwards has been brought in to write, produce and direct it. Edwards wrote the scripts for animated Disney feature films Treasure Planet (2002) and The Princess and the Frog (2009), both of which were nominated for Best Animated Feature Oscars. 

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Toikido is teaming up with fledgling Irish prodco Lazy Sunday and Tokyo-based animation studio Custom Nuts to co-produce a new CG-animated series called Beep Boop. Targeted at kids ages six to nine, the series revolves around four rogue vending machine robots—Sprinkle, Miao-Miao, Tochi and Kirin—who live in Tokyo’s iconic electronic quarter, Akihabara. 

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WildBrain has partnered with music group The Philly Specials—featuring Philadelphia Eagles NFLers Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata and Jason Kelce (retired)—to produce seven animated videos inspired by the group. WildBrain launched the first of these videos—an animated music video of the group’s original song “It’s Christmas Time (In Cleveland Heights)”—on its YouTube channel last week. 

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Rebel Girls Sport, a newly launched vertical of the Rebel Girls book publisher and merchandising brand known for promoting female-empowerment, has a range of content, league partnerships and publishing plans on the horizon for the upcoming year. As part of this launch, the San Francisco-based company has partnered with League One Volleyball, a new women’s professional volleyball league in the US.

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Dr. Seuss Enterprises, in collaboration with WildBrain CPLG, ihas announced new multi-territory deals for Dr. Seuss’s iconic property, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Dr. Seuss Enterprises is also expanding its partnership with WildBrain CPLG to represent its brands in Asia-Pacific (APAC), including How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, The Cat in the Hat and Oh, The Places You’ll Go!...

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