Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP) took Licensing Expo by storm, announcing merch and partnerships for a bunch of its properties, including Ghostbusters, Men in Black, Jumanji, Outlander, Cobra Kai, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and more.
“Sony Pictures Consumer Products has established itself as a true innovator in the licensing and merchandising space by leaning in and listening to fans, developing content across the studio’s dynamic film and television franchises, and identifying new ways for consumers to purchase products,” says Jamie Stevens, EVP of Sony Pictures Consumer Products.
We’ve broken the news down by property so you can get to your favorite fandom in a jiffy. Check it out below.
Ghostbusters
To mark the original film’s 35th anniversary and usher in the new Ghostbuster’s film (July 2020), a year-long celebration is planned with fan events, activations, and new products. Fans can look forward to Ultimate Fan Experience, which will take place at the Sony Pictures Studios lot on June 8 and allow fans to experience multiple Ghostbusters activations, see exclusive content, meet members of the original cast, and more.
An IDW Publishing collaboration will bring together the Ghostbusters and Transformers franchises for a comic book miniseries debuting in June. Written and illustrated by the longtime fan-favorite Ghostbusters creative team of Erik Burnham, Dan Schoening, and Luis Antonio Delgado, the Transformers/Ghostbusters miniseries will span five issues, with the first issue’s variant covers featuring art from Schoening, Paulina Ganucheau, Nick Roche, and Alex Milne.
Saber Interactive will be releasing an HD remaster of Ghostbusters: The Video Game, the acclaimed action-adventure game that allows fans to team up with their favorite characters, voiced by the original cast. The game is expected to launch later this year on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Designers will create retro fashions inspired by Ghostbusters while unique, classic licensed products from top-tier partners will appeal to both new fans and collectors. Additional partnerships will bring fans top-quality products, such as hand-crafted fine jewelry from Bixler’s; apparel, accessories, home, and travel products from Cotton On; men’s footwear from K-Swiss; and plus-sized apparel from Cakeworthy; among others.
Men in Black
The release of Men in Black: International on June 14 will expand the existing $1.6 billion global film franchise, and MIB fans can expect new releases in toys and collectibles, video games, apparel, action figures, and more.
Product partnerships with Funko, WETA, Ludare, Paul Smith, Lootcrate, Titan Publishing, and others will release a slew of new branded merch stateside, while partnerships with Blitzway, creator of specialized action figures and statues; Alibaba, the multi-national retailer; footwear and accessories company Fashion UK; and skate and streetwear brand Joyrich will make international fans happy.
Jumanji
The gang from Sony Pictures’ highest-grossing movie of all time in the U.S. is back with the sequel to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle on Dec. 13.
In the true spirit of Jumanji gameplay, new products this year include the revamped Jumanji board game from Cardinal Games; apparel partnerships with Bioworld and Amazon; kids footwear from Shoe Palace; home decor, including bath accessories, sleeping bags, and more, from Franco Manufacturing; Pop! vinyl figures from Funko; holiday ornaments and other novelty items from Surreal Entertainment; an escape room from 60out; and various other mobile and interactive gaming products.
Man, it’s not a bad time to be a Jumanji fan, amirite?!
Outlander
With season five of Outlander forthcoming on Starz, viewers can add to their collection of fan-based products with calendars, posters, collectibles, drinkware, trading cards, and prop and costume replicas, in addition to lifestyle products, such as shawls, tams, fashion accessories, and jewelry.
New merch will include jewelry from Bixler’s; Scottish Highland wear from the Celtic Croft; books from Random House Publishing; Outlander-inspired collections from Hot Topic and Torrid; and bourbon, whiskey, and liqueur from Silver Screen Bottling Company. Fans can find the new products at grocery, mass specialty, and high-end fashion retailers.
SPCP also partnered with the Araca Group to expand the official Outlander store, an online destination that offers viewers direct access to show merchandise.
Cobra Kai
As the arch-rivals from the legendary Karate Kid films reunite in season two of the YouTube Premium series Cobra Kai, viewers can fully submerge themselves in the property with new apparel, accessories, collectibles, interactive products, publishing, and costumes from partners including Funko, NECA, Bioworld, Active Brand Commerce, Fifth Sun, Silver Screen Bottling Company, Spirit Halloween, Surreal Entertainment, Party City, IDW Publishing, and more.
Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul
The show may technically be off the air, but the franchise is far from over. An all-new Breaking Bad mobile game from FTX Games will launch later this year, allowing players to interact with their favorite characters and take part in the Empire Business. Rust Belt Brewing will also be releasing a new Breaking Bad beer.
Meanwhile, the Emmy-nominated spin-off prequel Better Call Saul will return for season five and bring a new collection of products — such as cufflinks, backpacks, eyewear, belts, and collectibles from Kick Off Games and Bobbleheads; mobile applications from Bare Tree Media; and trade books from St. Martin’s Press — with it.
And then there was… the rest
Following Peter Rabbit’s worldwide smash success last year, director Will Gluck returns with Peter Rabbit 2 next February, written by Patrick Burleigh & Will Gluck, starring James Corden, Rose Byrne, and Domhnall Gleeson. As the mischievous rabbit returns for a new adventure, SPCP seeks licensing partners for the comedic, family film. Merch on display at Licensing Expo included branded Wellies (top of post) and sneakers.
Next year, Bloodshot — based on the best-selling comic book series from Valiant Comics — will introduce a new breed of hero: an unstoppable assassin driven by nanotechnology. The film is directed by Dave Wilson and written by Jeff Wadlow and Eric Heisserer. Vin Diesel will bring the iconic character to life on screen, while off the screen fans can delve deeper into the Bloodshot story with video games, collectibles, action figures, apparel, electronics, games, books, and more.
Vivo, the first-ever musical from Sony Pictures Animation, is an epic adventure featuring all-new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton). Releasing next holiday season, Vivo will bring audiences to gorgeous and vibrant destinations and be accompanied by a multi-category licensing program that will bring musical instruments, toys, apparel, home goods, publishing, and interactive gaming to fans.
Photos: The Pop Insider
