DC Comics have announced two new animated movies and shorts based on toy lines.
First up, Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts will debut on May 12th, as a direct-to-home video animated movie featuring Batman, the Flash, Red Robin, Nightwing and Green Arrow as they fight the Penguin, while introducing cyber animals as new foes. A sequel will be released in the second half of 2015.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release the Batman Unlimited films on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD. In addition, WB will also produce 22 two-minute shorts around the Batman Unlimited toys, making them available for free on a variety of digital platforms, while a companion app also will provide young fans with access to content.
Mattel’s Batman Unlimited toys are due in stores any day now….
Next up is DC Super Friends. Inspired by the Fisher-Price Imaginext toys, it will become a series of 15 three-minute animated shorts, also launching in the spring that will be accompanied by an app to further connect audiences to the toys and characters.
Both projects are being overseen by Warner Bros. Consumer Products, which is working closely with DC Entertainment and toymakers Mattel and Fisher-Price.
Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products said: “We are excited to continue to forge new ground with our long-time partners Mattel and Fisher-Price to build on the success of these popular toy lines by bringing the play pattern to life through this original content that we will be able to offer across multiple content platforms.”
DC Entertainment president Diane Nelson said: “We are thrilled to be working with our Warner Bros., Mattel and Fisher-Price colleagues to create new Batman and DC Super Friends kids’ content.
“These new animated projects will offer all new Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman adventures that seamlessly jump from toybox to screen.”
Rubie’s Costumes will also produce accessories and costumes. Thinkway has new role-playing accessories in the works to, with other licensed apparel and products planned to launch later this year.
DC Super Friends content will also receive new toys based on its animated fare, including a Joker Laff Factory, new Batcave, and books.
Doug Wadleigh, senior VP and general manager, Mattel Toy Box said: “Our longstanding collaboration with WBCP has given Mattel the opportunity to engage fans of all ages with the very best in DC Comics Super Hero play.
“It is a true compliment that our evergreen DC Comics toy lines have inspired a whole new universe of storytelling that will dramatically expand kids’ imaginative play with their favorite super heroes.”
It looks like DC is really ramping up their campaign for TV, movie and toys. And the targeting of kids is a clever thing, but hardly new. That said, the adults might just like the toys and shows too… and that’s what matters.
Source: Variety
Marc
Marc is a self-confessed nerd. Ever since seeing Star Wars for the first time around 1979 he’s been an unapologetic fan of the Wars and still believes, with Clone Wars and now Underworld, we are yet to see the best Star Wars. He’s a dad of two who now doesn’t have the time (or money) to collect the amount of toys, comics, movies and books he once did, much to the relief of his long-suffering wife. In the real world he’s a graphic designer. He started Following the Nerd because he was tired of searching a million sites every day for all the best news that he loves and decided to create one place where you can go to get the whole lot. Secretly he longs to be sitting in the cockpit of his YT-1300 Corellian Transport ship with his co-pilot Chewie, roaming the universe, waiting for his next big adventure, but feels just at home watching cartoons with his kids….
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