SDCC 2019 Transformers

The Ghostbusters are coming home to Hasbro.

From 1986-1991, Kenner (acquired by Hasbro in the ’90s) produced and marketed The Real Ghostbusters toy line. Many of those same designers still work at Hasbro, and just in time for #GB20, the company has been named master toy licensee for the entire Ghostbusters franchise.

Sony Pictures Consumer Products and the Rhode-island based toymaker inked a new deal under which the company will produce new toys and collectibles inspired by the franchise, which first launched with the debut of the original Ghostbusters film in 1984. The new offerings will debut in time for the release of the next Ghosbusters film, which is currently in production in Canada under the direction of filmmaker Jason Reitman — son of original Ghostbusters helmer Ivan Reitman.

Ghostbusters

Earlier this year, Hasbro and Sony debuted the Transformers Generations Collaborative: Ghostbusters Mash-Up Ecto-1 Ectotron (check out the review in the Pop Insider’s sister publication the Toy Insider). During Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC), the second Transformers x Ghostbusters mashup arrived in the form of the Ecto-35 — based on the classic G1 Optimus Prime. It’s all tied together with a Transformers/Ghostbusters crossover comic from IDW Publishing, launched in celebration of the brands’ dual 35th-anniversary celebrations this year.

Photos: Hasbro | Sony Pictures

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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