MALIBU, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK), announced today it has signed an agreement with Lucasfilm to manufacture, distribute and market a 31” Darth Vader figure inspired by the iconic character from the Star Wars universe. The agreement also includes rights for additional product categories including flashlights, play tents, arcade games and more, to introduce a whole new generation of fans to Star Wars.
“We are excited to build on our existing relationship with Lucasfilm and produce new products based on one of the most iconic libraries of characters that generations of fans love,” said John Blaney, Executive Vice President, Marketing, JAKKS Pacific, Inc. “We will apply our extensive expertise in the development and marketing of large scale and collectible figures based on blockbuster action entertainment to create these larger than life figures that Star Wars fans of all ages will be excited about.”
“With a successful track record of bringing popular entertainment properties to life and with a strong passion for the franchise, JAKKS was the perfect licensing partner to enlist as we continue to build our consumer products portfolio for Star Wars,” said Anita Castellar, Global Licensing Manager, Lucasfilm. “With strong retailer relationships and global distribution, we are confident that together we will be able to deliver the experiences that our fans have come to expect from us.”
JAKKS will debut its 31” Darth Vader Figure at the International Toy Fair in New York City. The 31” Darth Vader Figure has seven points of articulation, highly detailed features and Darth Vader’s signature Lightsaber. The 31” Figure will be the largest articulated figure of the iconic villain and is expected to be available at major retailers nationwide in Fall 2013.
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®, Creative Designs International™, 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.®, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Hello Kitty®, Graco® and Cabbage Patch Kids®. www.jakks.com
About Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company's activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.
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.
Lucasfilm, STAR WARS™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.