Playmates’ new movie-based lines hit shelves

Coinciding with the box-office release of Space Jam and Star Trek: First Contact, Playmates is introducing toys and accessories based on the movies.

Space Jam bounds into theaters November 15, and its line includes assortment packages featuring two figures each-Michael Jordan teams with Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd or Sylvester, Swackhammer with Tweety and Charles Barkley with Wile E. Coyote-priced at US$7.99 to US$9.99. In addition, the Michael Jordan Triple Play action set has Michael Jordan outfitted for his favorite sports: basketball, baseball and golf, priced at US$14.99 to US$16.99. The 14-inch talking Michael Jordan figure, priced at US$24.99 to US$29.99, repeats the superstar’s most memorable lines from the film.

The Star Trek line features the characters, spacecraft and defense weapons from the film, as well as a Starfleet Academy assortment, with crew members from Star Trek: The Next Generation as youthful cadets-including Captain Jean-Luc Picard with hair-in all-new Starfleet training outfits. An in-pack CD-ROM with bios and interactive Starfleet Academy lessons comes with each toy (US$9.99 to US$11.99).

Puffin releases new Muppet book

Jim Henson Productions has joined forces with Puffin Books, a division of Penguin USA, to publish Christmas in Snowy Forest, a new Muppet ‘lift-the-flap’ book. The interactive design invites young children to help Kermit the Frog’s nephew Robin find his way to a Christmas celebration at Bear’s house. Written by Alison Inches with illustrations by Richard Brown, the book will sell for US$5.99.

Wallace and Gromit have a grand day in Germany

German ProSieben Media has acquired the license for BBC’s three Wallace and Gromit films: A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave. In a related deal, the Munich-based broadcaster and entertainment group gets home video rights in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for A Close Shave. Merchandising deals for key rings, T-shirts and boxer shorts are already in place.

The ProSieben agreement is one of a number of new program licensing deals between BBC Worldwide Television and German broadcasters, worth over £1.2 million (US$1.9 million) in total.