So you wanna know what the future really holds for Hollywood. What films are in the works for 2007 and beyond. But where exactly do you get info like that? “Variety“? “Hollywood Reporter”? Maybe ask Anthony Pellicano to do a little wiretapping for you?
Nah. If you really want to tap into what Tinseltown will be doing for the next two or three years, you shouldn’t bother with reading the trades or even taking advantage of Mr. Pellicano’s special “services.” To be honest, you should probably bypass Burbank entirely and — instead — just head on out to NYC.
“Where in NYC?,” you ask. To the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, to be specific. During the second week of February (To be even more specific). For this is where the hype gets really started early for all of Hollywood’s big releases for 2006, 2007 & 2008. At Toy Fair 2006.
Now I know that it may sound kind of odd to suggest that a trade show would be a really great place to pick up Tinseltown gossip. But — to be honest — Toy Fair isn’t just any trade show. To quote this event’s press release:
“The American International TOY FAIR® is the largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere. More than 1,500 manufacturers, distributors, importers and sales agents from 30 countries showcase their toy and entertainment products (here).”
And given that the Toy Fair’s parent organization (I.E. TIA, the Toy Industry Association, Inc. ) has actually trademarked the phrase “Where play meets profit” in an effort to best find a way to describe what Toy Fair is really about … Well, maybe then you can understand why this event really appeals to Hollywood types. (You know? Those guys who always love to play with their … profits. Anyway … )
Sooo … If you want to know how things are really going with the “Spiderman III” shoot, this is the place you want to be. Strolling the aisle with the reps from Sony Pictures. Who — as they’re trying to get toy buyers & retailers all excited about the new line of products that will tie in directly with this new Sam Raimi film — are dropping little tidbits about the picture. How the shoot is going, etc.
Or if you wanted to learn what the plot for “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” or even “Pirates III” is … You just had to keep a weather eye out for the Disney reps that are strolling about. Or –better yet — you can just check out the toys that have been designed to tie in with these two upcoming Walt Disney Pictures releases.
I’ll be talking more about the “Pirates” tie-in products in an upcoming story here at JHM. But — for now — what I’d like to talk about what Hasbro brought to this year’s Toy Fair. Particularly its Disney-related lines.
You can bet that there was no corporation in the world that was happier than Hasbro when the news finally broke last month about the Disney/Pixar merger. For you see, this Pawtucket, R.I. based toy company has the license for the “Toy Story and Beyond” series …
And — obviously — with the Mouse about to throw all of its marketing might behind Pixar’s entire library of characters … Well, interest in Buzz, Woody and friends is about to go ” … To Infinity and Beyond.”
In an effort to push back the borders of the “Toy Story” universe, expand this product line a bit, Hasbro has now made Buzz Lightyear a member of the “Star Squad.” Which means that everyone’s favorite space ranger will now have a variety of new vehicles. Including a souped-up motor … er … meteorcycle.
Whereas Woody … To make this rather passive cowboy character seem much more appealing to the action-oriented crowd, Hasbro has turned Woody into a firefighter.
That’s an pretty interesting idea, don’t you think?
Anyhow … Look for both of these new “Toy Story” -related lines to turn up at your local retailer sometime later this year.
Mind you, Hasbro isn’t just limiting itself to toy lines that are based on Disney and/or Pixar Animation feature films. This toy company has also gone ape over that hot Jetix series, “Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force Go!”
In the coming year, the Pawtucket-based toy company will be rolling out 10-inch-tall “Power Primates” as well as 5-inch-tall “Monkey Shout” action figures. Which — through their light-up eyes and pre-recorded battle cries — will finally allow the kids at home to recreate the fun of this anime-inspired Toon Disney series.
Speaking of TV series … For the past couple of years, the Walt Disney Company has been trying to come up with a version of Mickey Mouse that actually works in the CG format. There have been some partial successes (I.E. The animation rig that was used in “Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas“)
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… as well as some abysmal failures (See the extremely stylized Mickey that was used in those “Happiest Homecoming” TV ads in order to promote Disneyland’s 50th anniversary).
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But now — with the upcoming debut of the “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” TV series over on Playhouse House — here finally is a CG Mickey that the Walt Disney Company can proud of.
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As is demonstrated by the fact that this new version of Mickey is now one of the very first things you see when you open the Walt Disney World Resort webpage.
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Anyway … That’s a brief (very brief) overview of this year’s American International Toy Fair. Come back tomorrow and I promise to share some additional info about those upcoming “Pirates of the Caribbean” -related toys.
Your thoughts?