Warner Bros. Consumer Products Unleashes the Green Lantern at Toy Fair

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Press Release from Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Burbank, Calif., January 25, 2011– Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) is teaming up with a leading group of global licensees at Toy Fair in support of the Summer 2011 blockbuster film, “Green Lantern,” highlighted by DC Entertainment’s master licensee, Mattel.  The June 17, 2011 release of “Green Lantern,” from Warner Bros. Pictures, marks the live-action theatrical debut for the legendary comic super hero, and licensees worldwide are gearing up to help fans fight evil’s might.

“Green Lantern is among the greatest super hero characters in popular culture, and we are proud to unveil a merchandise program befitting this Summer’s highly anticipated film as well as the perennial comic book franchise,” said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President of Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products.  “Led by an incredible toy line from Mattel, fans of all ages around the world will be able to capture the excitement of Green Lantern.”

Along with the release of the “Green Lantern” film, global licensee Mattel will debut an out-of-this-world toy line, including the Green Lantern Ring Blast™ Jet Figure & Vehicle, the Green Lantern Battle Shifters™ Figures, and the Green Lantern Movie Masters® Figures, as well as engaging role-play items including the Green Lantern Colossal Cannon™ Blaster.  A rich and comprehensive line of products based on the film for both kids and adult fans alike, Mattel’s multi-category toy line includes Basic and Deluxe Action Figures, Figure/Vehicles and Role Play, along with Playsets, Games, Puzzles and Vehicles.  Additionally, each Basic Action Figure comes complete with a Green Lantern ring in order for kids to feel as if they, too, have been “chosen” to be a Green Lantern.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of this property and to deliver a toy line that authentically brings the characters to life,” said Doug Wadleigh, Senior Vice President Global Entertainment and New Franchise Development, Mattel. “Our designers have worked closely with WBCP to translate the movie into an innovative multi-category product line that gives kids of all ages the ability to play within the Green Lantern universe and to be their new favorite hero.”

Additional key licensees include Rubies, with a line of Green Lantern costumes and costume accessories; the Noble Collection, offering high-end ring and lantern prop replicas; and NECA, with a Green Lantern Projection Ring and other accessories.  Licensees also supporting Green Lantern include: Pressman Toys, Hewlett-Packard, Funko, Horizon Group USA, Hy-Ko Products, Kidz Toyz, LPG International, Mezco Toyz, SRM Entertainment, Toy Factory, Trend Setters Ltd, Formation Marketing Canada Ltd. and University Games.

About “Green Lantern”

In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries.  Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps.  A brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers.  But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan.

Hal is a gifted and cocky test pilot, but the Green Lanterns have little respect for humans, who have never harnessed the infinite powers of the ring before.  But Hal is clearly the missing piece to the puzzle, and along with his determination and willpower, he has one thing no member of the Corps has ever had: humanity.  With the encouragement of fellow pilot and childhood sweetheart Carol Ferris, if Hal can quickly master his new powers and find the courage to overcome his fears, he may prove to be not only the key to defeating Parallax…he will become the greatest Green Lantern of all.

“Green Lantern” stars Ryan Reynolds in the title role, under the direction of Martin Campbell.  “Green Lantern” also stars Blake Lively as the spirited Carol Ferris, a test pilot and the heir apparent to her father’s aviation company; Peter Sarsgaard as scientist Dr. Hector Hammond; Mark Strong as Sinestro, Jordan’s powerful mentor in the Green Lantern Corps; Jay O. Sanders as Carl Ferris, Carol’s aircraft designer dad; Temuera Morrison as Abin Sur, Jordan’s alien predecessor; Taika Waititi as flight navigator Tom Kalmaku, Hal’s good friend and confidante; Jon Tenney as Martin Jordan, Hal’s idolized father; Academy Award® nominee Angela Bassett (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”) as enigmatic government scientist Amanda Waller; and Academy Award® winner Tim Robbins (“Mystic River”) as Hector’s influential father, Senator Robert Hammond.  Campbell directs “Green Lantern” from a screenplay by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg, story by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim, based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics.  The film is produced by Donald De Line and Greg Berlanti, with Herbert W. Gains and Andrew Haas serving as executive producers.

The film is scheduled for release in 3D and 2D on June 17, 2011.  “Green Lantern” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.     

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 DC Entertainment

DC Entertainment, home to such iconic DC Comics properties as Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, MAD Magazine, and Fables, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and Time Warner.  DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its superheroic characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive games.  Publishing over 1,000 comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Comics is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. 

About Mattel

Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT [1] - News [2]) (www.mattel.com [3]) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica® and Tyco® R/C, as well as Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2011, Mattel was named as one of FORTUNE Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" for the fourth year in a row. Mattel also is ranked among Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s "100 Best Corporate Citizens" and the "World's Most Ethical Companies." With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs approximately 27,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are "Creating the Future of Play."