MALIBU, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With a nearly 60 year heritage, Godzilla and his trademark ‘roar’ are recognized throughout the world by fans of all ages. Leading U.S. toy and consumer products company JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq:JAKK) announced its partnership, under a licensing agreement, with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to bring this iconic and legendary figure to life with a line of large-scale figures and other toy products inspired by Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ much-anticipated feature film Godzilla, scheduled to premiere on May 16, 2014.
The line of Godzilla products by JAKKS is expected to include an Ultimate Large Scale Godzilla Figure with 12 points of articulation and a length of over 43” – one of the largest toys in Godzilla history. JAKKS Pacific’s licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to manufacture, distribute and market Godzilla toys and products marks a decade long partnership, which also includes recent collaborations for Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ Man of Steel and The Dark Knight Trilogy, properties also brought to life in JAKKS’ Big Figures line.
"This new version of GODZILLA is an epic rebirth of the iconic Toho property that transcends the disaster movie genre. The monster himself is a symbol that has remained an indelible part of pop culture for the last 60 years," stated Emily Castel, Legendary's Chief Marketing Officer. "We can't wait for the fans to get their hands on the line of products that JAKKS and Warner Bros. have created that embody the experience of Godzilla, King of the Monsters."
“We are excited to partner with Warner Bros. Consumer Products once again to bring this world-renowned iconic figure to life in our Big Figures line. We have extensive experience in the creation and marketing of large scale figures based on powerhouse film franchises and we expect this new line of even bigger figures to make a true contribution to the Godzilla legacy,” said Jack McGrath, Chief Operating Officer, JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
“As we gear up for the highly anticipated release of the epic feature Godzilla, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, WBCP is thrilled to partner with JAKKS Pacific on a larger than life figurine that will truly do justice to the ‘King of Monsters,’” said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President, Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.
The Godzilla product line from JAKKS Pacific is expected to be available at major retailers in time for the theatrical release in May 2014.
About Godzilla
Toho Co., Ltd.’s Godzilla franchise contains one of the most widely recognized movie monsters worldwide, including more than 25 films, multiple television programs, video games and book series. Gareth Edwards directs Godzilla from a screenplay by Max Borenstein and Oscar® nominee Frank Darabont (The Green Mile, The Shawshank Redemption), story by David Callaham and Max Borenstein, based on the character “Godzilla” owned and created by TOHO CO., LTD. Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni are producing with Mary Parent and Brian Rogers. Patricia Whitcher and Alex Garcia are serving as executive producers, alongside Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira. Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures present a Legendary Pictures production, a Gareth Edwards film, Godzilla. Slated to open beginning May 16, 2014, the film is expected to be presented in 3D, 2D and IMAX® in select theatres and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, except in Japan, where it will be distributed by Toho Co., Ltd. Legendary Pictures is a division of Legendary Entertainment.
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) is a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products with a wide range of products that feature popular brands and children's toy licenses. JAKKS’ diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, Halloween Costumes, Kids Furniture, Vehicles, Plush, Art Activity Kits, Seasonal Products, Infant/Pre-School, Construction Toys, Ride-On Vehicles, Wagons, Inflatable Environments and Tents, Impulse Toys and Pet Products sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific®, Road Champs®, Funnoodle®, JAKKS Pets™, Plug It In & Play TV Games™, Kids Only!®, Tollytots®, Disguise®, Moose Mountain® and Maui®. JAKKS is also the creator of the underlying Monsuno® property and toy line. JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of several hundred nationally and internationally known trademarks including Nickelodeon®, Warner Bros.®, DC Comics, Saban’s Power Rangers® and Cabbage Patch Kids®. DreamPlay Toys, LLC is a joint venture between JAKKS Pacific, Inc. and NantWorks LLC to develop, market and sell toys and related consumer products incorporating NantWorks’ proprietary iD recognition technology. www.jakks.com
This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
© 2013 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved.
GODZILLA is a trademark of Toho Co., Ltd. The GODZILLA character and design are trademarks of and copyrighted by Toho Co., Ltd. Used with permission. All Rights Reserved. © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
