Warner Bros. Extends D.C. Mattel Deal

Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment have extended the master toy agreement with Mattel for the complete universe of DC Comics characters. 

Mattel now has access to the complete breadth and scope of the DC Comics vault of characters which includes Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Joker, The Flash, Aquaman, Shazam!, Green Arrow and Hawkman.

Mattel is set to develop toy lines for two upcoming Warner Bros. theatrical releases: The Dark Knight Rises, which will hit theaters July 20, and Man of Steel, scheduled for a June 14, 2013, release. Future TV-based collaborations include "Green Lantern: The Animated Series," "Young Justice" and Cartoon Network's multi-platform property "DC Nation," which will debut in 2012.

The extension also includes Mattel’s rights to produce toys based on future DC Comics films and animation projects.

Mattel will continue to use DC Comics characters across its portfolio of core brands including Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Barbie, Mattel Games and Fisher-Price, as well as Imaginext, Shake ‘n Go, GeoTrax, HeroWorld and Little People. In 2012, Mattel will partner with Diamond Comic Distributors to distribute the DC Comics 6" action figure line in Europe.

"We have developed an incredibly successful partnership with Mattel and we are very excited about taking the relationship to new levels," says Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment have an unrivaled slate of content support across all key platforms essential to our global consumer products business which is anchored by our alliance with Mattel.”

"Mattel has been a longtime, valuable partner to the DC Comics creative team,” says Diane Nelson, president, DC Entertainment. “We look forward to working with Mattel and the Warner Bros. Consumer Products team to bring new DC Comics Super Hero toys to life for our fans around the world.”

“We are thrilled to further our long-standing partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and support the extensive DC Comics portfolio’s franchise development,” says Tim Kilpin, executive vice president of Mattel Brands. “The DC Comics characters are rich in story and we look forward to bringing these popular characters to life through innovative product design.”