The major studios have increasingly opted to create video games tied to their movies via in-house divisions in recent years. A “Los Angeles Times” article says Universal Pictures is backpedaling, after some poor results. “Based on the 2008 movie of the same name starring Angelina Jolie, the video game [‘Wanted: Weapons of Fate’] sold only 100,000 units in the U.S. in its … [Read more...] about Uni Backpedals From Video Games
merchandise
‘Avatar’ Toys Tout Augmented Reality
Mattel is trying to put some special sauce on its toy line licensed from upcoming theatrical “Avatar” by touting there’s online content unique to each toy. A press release from the toy company calls the special content “augmented reality technology.” Says a Mattel press release: “Each action figure, vehicle and creature in the product line will come with a 3-D web tag, … [Read more...] about ‘Avatar’ Toys Tout Augmented Reality
Par Bags 3-pix Burger King Tie-in
Paramount Pictures inked a three-picture promotion deal with Burger King, which will give marketing ooompf to “Star Trek” (premiering May 8), “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (June 24) and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra” (Aug. 7). Fast food chains have become more selective about film promotions as, for example, McDonald’s did not renew a 10-year alliance with Disney … [Read more...] about Par Bags 3-pix Burger King Tie-in
Fans Make “Twilight” Merchandise
Movie-themed merchandise for the film adaptation of “Twilight” gets a promotional lift on website CafePress, which offers direct to consumer sales of tee-shirts, buttons, stationary, posters and the like. Customers can select a surprisingly large number of Twilight-themed images that appear on various products, citing 6,000 products. Separately, the soundtrack … [Read more...] about Fans Make “Twilight” Merchandise
007’s ‘Quantum’ Overflows With Commercialization
The next James Bond 007 spy thriller comes packed with merchandise, product placement, marketing promotions and some complaints of overdoing it on the commercialization front. But a reality is that fans of the spy-thriller movies seem to enjoy the product glitz in overdrive. Some pundits in the UK suggest product placement and promotional tie-ins for “Quantum of Solace” are … [Read more...] about 007’s ‘Quantum’ Overflows With Commercialization
‘Sex & City’ Ignites Pop Culture, Promos
The silver-screen version of HBO TV series “Sex and the City” shapes up as a theatrical phenomenon with strong pre-release buzz. The stylish, young-adult contemporary drama has a foundation of an HBO TV series, which is more tame than the theatrical release May 30 domestically from Warner Bros. Pictures. The movie is rated R-restricted. * Luxury brands are a natural fit; … [Read more...] about ‘Sex & City’ Ignites Pop Culture, Promos
Smithsonian Museum Paid by Fox for Movie Role
20th Century Fox reported paid a $550,000 licensing fee to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington for use of its name in “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.” The 2009 family-adventure film, which starts production shortly, already lays claim to a U.S. theatrical release a year from now on May 22, 2009 and its predecessor was a sleeper hit grossing $251 … [Read more...] about Smithsonian Museum Paid by Fox for Movie Role
Flop ‘Racer’ Delivers Dim Glow
“Speed Racer,” the cinema film adaptation of a 1980s TV series, pressed all the correct marketing buttons in preparing for premiere, though it didn’t connect with audiences. The movie that cost $120 million to make premiered May 9 from Warner Bros. Pictures (UPDATE ultimately finished with a disappointing $44 million in boxoffice domestically, falling far short of … [Read more...] about Flop ‘Racer’ Delivers Dim Glow
Original ‘Jurassic’ Spins Off 1,000 Products
When “Jurassic Park” approached theatrical release in June 1993, distributor Universal Pictures set a new high in licensed merchandise, lining up 1,000 different categories of products locked up by 100 companies. Director Steven Spielberg and a then lofty $70 million production with cutting edge special effects let the studio make this proposition: the film would … [Read more...] about Original ‘Jurassic’ Spins Off 1,000 Products
‘Jedi’ Unleashes Merchandise Blitz
In 1983, the eagerly awaited third film of the “Star Wars” cinema saga shapes up as much a potential blockbuster in merchandising and promotional tie-ins as it is expected to be at the box office. Two major packaged goods marketers – Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble – and a fast-food chain – Burger King – plan national promotions tied to the $35 million production of “Star … [Read more...] about ‘Jedi’ Unleashes Merchandise Blitz