Mattel is ready to take its licensing to infinity and beyond. In addition to a global agreement for the upcoming Disney/Pixar feature film Lightyear, the toyco has also announced a multi-year extension of its global master toy licensing agreement with WWE.
Premiering next summer, Lightyear (pictured) is the origin story of Toy Story‘s beloved hero Buzz Lightyear. The action-adventure pic is directed by Angus MacLane (Finding Dory) and features the voice of Chris Evans as its titular astronaut toy.
Mattel is developing a consumer products range inspired by the movie that will include action figures, playsets, roleplay, vehicles, games, plush and preschool toys when it hits shelves globally in June 2022.
The Lightyear partnership builds on existing deals between Disney and Mattel. The toyco has held the license for Cars since 2006, and it took on Toy Story a few years later. Then in 2019, the companies expanded their agreement to include other Pixar brands such as Onward, Coco and Finding Nemo.
At one point, Mattel and Disney enjoyed an exclusive partnership, though this came to a close in 2000 when Disney ended the contract in favor of signing separate multi-year agreements with Mattel and its competitor Hasbro. In 2016, the relationship was further complicated when Disney awarded Hasbro the licenses for Frozen and Disney Princess—representing an estimated US$500 million in annual business.
In other Mattel news, the toyco has extended its partnership with WWE to include exclusive rights for action figures, action figure accessories and toy title belts. The companies first partnered in 2010 to launch a range of action figures, and they have since broadened their agreement to encompass a girls line featuring fashion dolls and roleplay items. WWE and Mattel have also partnered on consumer products programs inspired by Ghostbusters and Masters of the Universe.