Mattel acquires TMNT Global Licensing 2027

[jestergoblin]

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paramount-and-mattel-announce-multi-year-global-licensing-partnership-for-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-302684280.html

“ Beginning in 2027, action figures, playsets and accessories, vehicles, games, collectibles, role play and more are set to roll out across retailers. Through the agreement, Mattel will also produce new product lines for the animated movie sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 for 2027, and a new untitled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action/CG animation hybrid in 2028.”

[ToTheNines]

Damn. I wish Hasbro got it.

[Andrew NDB]

https://media.tenor.com/_BiwWBWhYucAAAAM/what-huh.gif

[Autbot_Benz]

What does that mean for NECA?

[neatoman]

April and Karai Barbies when?

[Andrew NDB]

What does that mean for NECA?

Presumably the same exact thing Playmates meant for NECA.

[ToTheNines]

https://s.faketrumptweet.com/mlh4x870_13hmlqz_ttlf9c.png

[Chaotix12345]

Never thought I'd see the day that TMNT and Street Sharks were under the same roof, at least toy-wise.

[teemu]

Never thought I'd see the day that TMNT and Street Sharks were under the same roof, at least toy-wise.

Street Sharks seems to be DEAD...no wave 3 or 4

[Andrew NDB]

https://s.faketrumptweet.com/mlh7c0b6_jt9ppu_144827.png

[Wes]

I'm optimistic -- the MOTU/TMNT crossover figs are some of my favorite Turtles figures ever released, so I'm sure Mattel can do the Turtles justice. The new kiddie line He-Man movie figures also have me pretty confident that Mattel will do some great TMNT playline stuff; they're talking $9.99 MSRP on figures with articulation that includes vertical wrist hinges.

I will always love Playmates, though, and I remain somewhat sad about the license loss. :tcry:

[ToTheNines]

Never thought I'd see the day that TMNT and Street Sharks were under the same roof, at least toy-wise.

Also under IDW for comics. That crossover is 1,000 percent happening now.

[CyberCubed]

TMNT is owned by Barbie now. I guess Barbie April will be coming. Hopefully white Barbie April and not the hideous fat black one from Mutant Mayhem.

[Dask]

The Motu X TMNT cross over looks good as far as Origins style figures but as is the case with Origins style figures the ratios are disproportionate (longer legs relative to torsos)

I hope if they create a main TMNT line (beyond Mutant Mayhem), the aesthetic of the source material, whether it be the shows or the vintage toys, be maintained.

I don't feel that this move was unanticipated. Mattel, Hasbro and Mcfarlane are the only major players that can aquire the license wholesale.

I do hope this license does not become dormant like what Mattel did with Dino Riders (they do have all the assets its just a matter of 'harnessing' them, pun intended).

[Wildcat]

I’m surprised to find out this early. Don’t really know else to say. Mattel is perfectly fine. They already do TMNT Hot Wheels. I’m curious if they’ll do their own FW cartoon toys. I assume they are as a legacy or collector set.

Edit: I mean I hope they’re different enough from Playmates. More cartoon accurate and such.

[teemu]

https://s.faketrumptweet.com/mlh7c0b6_jt9ppu_144827.png

Har Har...where is Wave 3 street sharks?

[sdp]

My only hope is that they have an original Mattel TMNT line not based on anything.

so looks like Playmates has until spring 2027 to make some cool turtle stuff before they lose it.


I do hope this license does not become dormant like what Mattel did with Dino Riders (they do have all the assets its just a matter of 'harnessing' them, pun intended).
I mean They own Dino riders but for TMNT they have to pay for temporary use and contract likely has stipulations on a minimum usage /

[BlueKatana]

If it had to leave Playmates, I am glad Mattel got it.

[DonnieLaForge]

If Mutant Mayhem 2 figures fit in OK with the Playmates, I'll consider picking up the new characters, whom I assume will be some heavy hitters.

On the whole though, I'm viewing this transition as a good time to off-ramp my TMNT collection habit.

It will be fun to watch the wild speculation and then see what they actually do, though.

[IMJ]

If it had to leave Playmates, I am glad Mattel got it.

Agreed! The thing is that Mattel still makes "toys" - most recently evidenced by what they are doing with the new Batmobile from their upcoming DC releases.

More toy companies need to go back to making "toys".

[mikey0]

I want to see Origins, LJN WWE Superstars, and Masterverse type toylines for the lean green fighting machines!

[jestergoblin]

Uhhh in the most recent Robo Don’t Know episode, Brian Flynn dropped that EVERYONE’S TMNT license is up for renewal at the end of this year and no one knows what is going to happen (this was recorded before the Mattel announcement).

[The-Shredder]

https://i.imgur.com/PlreM2d.gif

https://i.imgur.com/dAFQb79.gif

[ToTheNines]

https://i.imgur.com/ThKZ8ZM.jpeg

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/reeves-and-weiss-llp_litigation-businesslitigation-reevesandweiss-activity-7458564329689239552-RrQk?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAD7AVEQBbJIiF_euDpra__NyiKgfHSqNwvE

It ain’t over until the fat lady sings!

[Andrew NDB]

What the sh**? They're going to try and sue Paramount to let them keep making toys?! Like, on what grounds?

Playmates isprobably just hoping to become just enough of an annoyance to the very, VERY busy Paramount going into the WB acquisition that they'll get a "F**k off Payment" from Paramount's legal team to just go away. Which would soften the blow of losing the TMNT contract.

[Wildcat]

I was just thinking TMNT toys might in production already at Mattel. I'm assuming they want to do some kinda of introduction line besides MM2.

I mean regardless of this...I don't know if they can legally start yet as long as they don't reveal them. I was looking forward to see what they do though.

[Roseangelo]

I am going to guess that they are going to fight for IP ownership of all the designs and characters that came out of the toy line over the years. So, ongoing royalty rights.

Losing the license was strictly financial, from what I know.

[Zachatello00]

So, would that mean that Mattel couldn't use characters like Bebop and Rocksteady? Or more specific characters like TD Tossin' Leo or Slam Dunkin' Don?

[Roseangelo]

So, would that mean that Mattel couldn't use characters like Bebop and Rocksteady? Or more specific characters like TD Tossin' Leo or Slam Dunkin' Don?

They probably have no on-going rights to those characters right now, so no one is prevented from using them. Based on the wording from the law office, they are going after money for their 40 years of contributions to the franchise as a whole.

It's a little ironic, since a lot of what they produced was on the shoulders of for-hire work that never benefitted from sales-based paychecks, and still wouldn't benefit from any settlement that comes from this.

This money is for the 5 guys who have been regurgitating the same product again and again and again for 40 years and will never be hired by another company in their working lives.

[IMJ]

I have to say that Mattel's "Core Line" Masters of the Universe movie figures are an absolute "10" at the price point. True innovation from an economies-of-scale producer.

Hasbro has been using High-School-style product-line orientation while extracting more money from the same addicts. But Mattel went full MBA with their movie MOTU Stuff - especially that core line.

Honestly, I'd rather buy the Core line figures at that price point and for what they are than bother with the stuff for the (HUGE TREMENDOUS EYEROLL) "Serious Collectors".

TMNT might not be in bad hands here.

[sdp]

I'm guessing they just want money, perhaps they can settle out of court and who knows maybe sell the classic sculpts to Mattel? It'd be great not to lose those classic sculpts. This is more of a wish than something I can see happening.

I will always love playmates be use of how crazy their 90s toylines were. Even in the 2000s they made some good figures from time to time.

[Jester]

I wonder if it'd be easier (and cheaper) for Mattel to just purchase Playmates outright. I mean, what all do they even do anymore outside of their TMNT master license?

[oldmanwinters]

I wonder if it'd be easier (and cheaper) for Mattel to just purchase Playmates outright. I mean, what all do they even do anymore outside of their TMNT master license?

I expect the buyout would become more feasible once they lose out on the TMNT revenue stream too.

[sdp]

The possibility that the judge is some boomer who grew up with the original Playmates toyline is surprisingly high. It does not look good at all for Paramount.
https://64.media.tumblr.com/d3efceda650d5738bf933e4744aa75f6/tumblr_nb1inv0RzW1ro8ysbo1_500.gif

[neatoman]

So, would that mean that Mattel couldn't use characters like Bebop and Rocksteady? Or more specific characters like TD Tossin' Leo or Slam Dunkin' Don?

You know... You are making me way too hopeful for a After the Bomb scenario here.

Imagine, if Bebop, Rocksteady, Dirtbag, Groundchuck, Mondo Gecko and all those awful characters Paramount won't stop pretending are the main supporting cast/villains of TMNT all turn out to be the property of Playmates. Then Paramount would be forced to look elsewhere for better characters and/or make up new ones.

Wouldn't that be a dream come true?

Edit: That LinkedIn link doesn't work, does it say more than the image does?

[frank_one]

Imagine, if Bebop, Rocksteady, Dirtbag, Groundchuck, Mondo Gecko and all those awful characters Paramount won't stop pretending are the main supporting cast/villains of TMNT all turn out to be the property of Playmates.Mirage owned all those characters.

[neatoman]

Mirage owned all those characters.

Yeah, that's what I actually assume.

[jestergoblin]

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/reeves-and-weiss-llp_litigation-businesslitigation-reevesandweiss-activity-7458564329689239552-RrQk?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAD7AVEQBbJIiF_euDpra__NyiKgfHSqNwvE

It ain’t over until the fat lady sings!

Aaaaaaand this post got deleted on LinkedIn.

[oldmanwinters]

Aaaaaaand this post got deleted on LinkedIn.

Did I miss the free concert or was it VIP invitation only?

[Roseangelo]

Aaaaaaand this post got deleted on LinkedIn.

LOL. Glad I saved the receipts.

[sdp]

Anyone else think we'll enter a new dark age of TMNT figures with Mattel?
Mattel won't play nice with other companies wanting to make toys so we'll only get their output. Mattel can do a good job but it can also do a terrible job, and after years of having so many choices, no matter what version of the turtles you liked surely you found a figure line you liked. No more choices ahead.

[frank_one]

Thank god we are men now and we don't need toys anymore.

[Wildcat]

Not sure why people are thinking Mattel won’t allow other toylines.

Has that actually been something they do or is this just speculation?

Wouldn’t who gets the license be up to Nick anyway?

[IMJ]

Not sure why people are thinking Mattel won’t allow other toylines.

Has that actually been something they do or is this just speculation?

Wouldn’t who gets the license be up to Nick anyway?

I'm not digging in on it too deeply that they wouldn't allow it, but honestly? The Multi-verse concept is everywhere now and so it makes sense that Mattel would want the ability to make every iteration of TMNT in one line and not want to let that branch out.

[jestergoblin]

Not sure why people are thinking Mattel won’t allow other toylines.

Has that actually been something they do or is this just speculation?

Wouldn’t who gets the license be up to Nick anyway?

Super7 said their license is up for renewal in December and they didn’t know what the outcome will be until Mattel/Paramount decide.

[Wildcat]

I know Super7 is waiting to find but even if Playmates kept TMNT Super7’s contract would still be up for renewal. I’m just wondering what makes people think Mattel won’t allow it.

[Dask]

I know Super7 is waiting to find but even if Playmates kept TMNT Super7’s contract would still be up for renewal. I’m just wondering what makes people think Mattel won’t allow it.

There is a historical precedent for this. Mattel took back the MOTU license from Super7 and that effectively ended their filmation figures.

But then again, Mattel and Super7 have been ping-ponging Thundercats back and forth.

[sdp]

Looks like i was right, everyone is losing their license, only Mattel will produce figures, I'm sure some will be fine but the lack of diversity and options will be felt. People will be begging to return to the Playmates era since they eventually played nice with others.

[IMJ]

Thank god we are men now and we don't need toys anymore.

I just saw this :lol::lol:

Looks like i was right, everyone is losing their license, only Mattel will produce figures, I'm sure some will be fine but the lack of diversity and options will be felt. People will be begging to return to the Playmates era since they eventually played nice with others.

The mass licensing of a single I.P. is, in the scheme of things a pretty recent trend.
I imagine the pendulum will swing back as manufacturers write contracts that given them exclusivity for a while.

And besides, let's face it - the competition in these mass-license instances did increase quality but actually created a game of "increased consumer costs" rather than the options producing better value.

[teemu]

Looks like i was right, everyone is losing their license, only Mattel will produce figures, I'm sure some will be fine but the lack of diversity and options will be felt. People will be begging to return to the Playmates era since they eventually played nice with others.

Mondo will still be doing their 1/6 turtles. Not everyone

[mikey0]

New ToyFarce on the subject: https://www.facebook.com/Toyfarce/photos/dont-cry-because-its-over-smile-because-it-happened-found-on-facebook-source-nee/1921895392073256/?http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc4NTI4MDM2NjAwMCwiciI6Imh0dHBz OlwvXC93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tXC9Ub3lmYXJjZVwvIn0%3D

[sdp]

Mondo will still be doing their 1/6 turtles. Not everyone

Mattel doesn't really do 1/6, it's a different market. I'm sure they'd let super7 and others do 1/6.

[teemu]

Mattel doesn't really do 1/6, it's a different market. I'm sure they'd let super7 and others do 1/6.

Mondo is already doing it and has said they will continue. SUPER7 loses the license, just like NECA does