A radio-controlled 16-inch Superman, made by Mattel Inc., is just one of the items being released in connection with the coming summer movies. Obviously, this one is being marketed in connection with Warner Bros.' "Superman Returns," slated for release June 30.
Brandon Routh plays Superman "Superman Returns." The merchandising executives behind "Superman" are aiming to attract both children and adults. Its toys and children's apparel targets 5- to 11-year-olds, but the studio is also looking to woo adults and teens with fashion apparel like $85 rhinestone-encrusted tank tops and $300 cashmere sweaters with the "S" logo.
Here are David Bailie, Mackenzie Crook, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley in a scene from "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," to be released July 7. That movie is among the summer films that have released the most merchandise.
For "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," set for July 7 release, Disney is targeting the 6- to 9-year-old group, focusing on toys that encourage children to act out the drama in the movie. Here's a toy figure based on a character from the Walt Disney film.
Disney's merchandising team is also reaching out to older customers with apparel and accessories that feature trendy graphics, capitalizing on the skull as an emerging fashion icon. A "Talking Skull Room Alarm" is part of a line of merchandise from the Walt Disney film.
This scene shows the Bayou in Walt Disney Pictures' "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." From Zizzle LLC, the main toy supplier for the movie, there are mill wheel sets with collapsing ladders and pistol and belt sets with blast sound effects.
Disney-Pixar's "Cars" was released on June 9. And when a movie features such a cute leading character, merchandise follows. This Fast Talkin' McQueen vehicle, named after the main character, does 15 tricks. It's priced at $34.99.
In "Cars," Doc Hudson, left, is voiced by racing maven Paul Newman. His character is shown here with Lightning McQueen. Eva Steortz, vice president of toys and film marketing for Disney's consumer products division, says Disney embraced a broad merchandising strategy with "Cars" and is expected to attract a core audience ages 2 to 6. The company signed up 350 suppliers to produce the products.
"Cars" director John Lasseter, left, joins actor Paul Newman at a special screening of the film to benefit Newman's charity, the Association of Hole In The Wall Camps, June 1, 2006 in New York. Lasseter is holding a small model of the car "Doc Hudson," for which Newman provides the voice.
In a scene from "Cars," Mater the tow truck (voiced by Larry The Cable Guy) hangs out with Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson). In addition to model cars, the movie is generating things like racing tracksets ($24.99) and racing car beds. There's also a $159.99 TV-DVD combo shaped like a car, from Disney's electronics division.
In this undated photo released by Sony Pictures, Audrey Tautou and Tom Hanks are shown in a scene from "The Da Vinci Code," released May 19. Merchandise connected to "The DaVinci Code," based on Dan Brown's best-selling novel, includes games and apparel, though most of it is coming from all the book spin-offs, including religious and art books.
"The Da Vinci Code" board game is an example of the merchandise available in association with the movie starring Tom Hanks.
Garrison Keillor, Meryl Streep and Lindsay Lohan are seen here in a scene from "A Prairie Home Companion," and all three are featured on the movie soundtrach. You also can order Dusty and Lefty T-shirts, in honor of the singing cowboys played by Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly. Also available is the screenplay, written by Keillor, and a T-shirt with the words: "Radio like you've never seen it before."