Toy Fair 2010 Sneak Peak
Date: February 09, 2010 at 04:41 PM ET
Topic: Convention News


Want a sneak peak at what to expect from Toy Fair this week? Lucasfilm sends along their official press release, with some teases attached...



STAR WARS™ Maintains Top Spot as the #1 Licensed Toy and #1 Boys Toy Property in the U.S. for Annual 2009

Driven by the Continued Success of Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Power of the Force Continues To Dominate

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (February 3, 2010) It was a competitive year for boys properties, but Star Wars once again grabbed the top slot, demonstrating its enormous staying power even after 33 years. With 2009 year-end figures placing Star Wars 40% ahead of any other toy license, the Power of the Force continues to thrive, according to industry research company The NPD Group. U.S. retail toy sales for the license in 2009 exceeded $480M, supported by all-new episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and a robust collector market engaged in the live-action Saga. Success in the toy arena continues to translate to many other licensed product categories, including publishing, apparel, consumer electronics and housewares.

Still an animation powerhouse in its second season on Cartoon Network, Star Wars: The Clone Wars continues to attract new fans in the key demographic of boys 6-11. Bringing an all-new Star Wars adventure to TV each week, the cutting-edge computer-animated series has kept the brand squarely in the public eye and has introduced an ever-expanding array of new characters, creatures and vehicles into the inter-galactic lexicon. The success of The Clone Wars has helped to keep Star Wars relevant for a new generation of boys, and the licensing success is now rivaling the heights experienced during the blockbuster live-action films.

In addition, 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. Celebrating the fan-favorite installment of the live-action Saga, the milestone will be commemorated with a year’s worth of intergalactic activities – including massive fan events, charity screenings, exclusive product promotions and much, much more.

“After more than three decades, Star Wars continues to resonate with audiences and consumers, both in the boys demographic and with fans who’ve grown up with the franchise,” said Howard Roffman, President of Lucas Licensing. “The continued success of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is an indication that once again a whole new generation of young fans have  been engaged by the Saga, and we are still able to connect with fans of the original movies with activities such as those surrounding the anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back.”

Lucasfilm, Star Wars, Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and related character names, vehicle names and properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd.  All rights reserved.  All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners

Hasbro
The Force remains strong at Hasbro, Inc. which continues to bring all the action, battles and fantasy of STAR WARS to life with a full array of toys and games.  In 2010, STAR WARS fans celebrate the launch of the third season of the highly-rated STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS animated series with toys that replicate the battles between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems.  This year, Hasbro also commemorates the 30th anniversary of fan-favorite Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back with toys, special packaging and promotions that recreate the excitement fans experienced when the film stormed into theaters “a long time ago.”

BOBA FETT HELMET
Boba Fett Helmet

Show off your bounty hunting skills like Boba Fett, the greatest bounty hunter in the galaxy, with the STAR WARS BOBA FETT HELMET.  Impressively designed and styled, the STAR WARS BOBA FETT HELMET allows children to pretend to be their favorite bounty hunter. (Approximate Retail Price: $34.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: August 1, 2010)

GENERAL GRIEVOUS LIGHTSABER
General Grievous Lightsaber

JEDI warriors have long recognized the prowess of GENERAL GRIEVOUS as a highly skilled, elusive and often multiple-LIGHTSABER-wielding adversary. Now, kids can engage in LIGHTSABER battles just like this powerful cyborg with the new STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS GENERAL GRIEVOUS LIGHTSABER.  Battle with the power of GENERAL GRIEVOUS by spinning the two LIGHTSABERS simultaneously in one hand, take out the spinner and connect the two LIGHTSABERS for double-bladed LIGHTSABER action, or use the two separately to ward off an opponent.  (Approximate Retail Price: $34.99; Ages: 6 & up; Available: August 1, 2010)

LEGO
The first licensed property for the LEGO Group in 1999, LEGO Star Wars continues to be one of the company’s best-selling lines, appealing to both children new to the story and to adult collectors who have followed Star Wars for years. January kicks off with a mix of modern classics and new Clone Wars sets.  Included in the assortment are: Rebel Trooper and Snow Trooper Army Packs, Freeco Speeder™, Trifighter Droid™, Tie Defender™, and the ARC-170 Starfighter™. August proves to be even bigger with six new sets: Plo Koon’s Starfighter, Hoth Wampa Set, General Grievous Starfighter, Palpatine’s Shuttle, Slave I and Clone Turbo Tank.

Hoth Wampa Set   Clone Turbo Tank
Clone Turbo Tank Mini Figures Clone Turbo Tank Mini Figures

The next chapter in the award-winning LEGO® Star Wars videogame franchise, LEGO® Star Wars III: The Clone Wars will combine the best elements of all previous LEGO® games while adding brand new gameplay to make it the most action-packed LEGO® videogame to date.  The game will feature characters from both seasons of the hugely popular animated television series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as well as some fan-favorite characters from the beloved theatrical Star Wars Saga.  The game will ship on the Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and Xbox 360®videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows in the Fall of 2010. 







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