Skydance Animation announced a multi-year agreement with leading global children’s entertainment company Spin Master, to become the studio’s master toy licensee. The first feature property included under the pact is Apple Original Film Spellbound, directed by Vicky Jenson, which will debut globally on Apple TV+. Spin Master will bring characters from the show to life with products including fashion dolls, mini-dolls and vehicles. The agreement also gives Spin Master the rights to develop toy lines for other upcoming Skydance animated features.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with a company like Spin Master that is as committed to quality and attention to detail as we are,” said Skydance head of consumer products Luis Fernández. “As we ramp up production on our slate of animated features, we could not imagine a better partner to bring our visually stunning and epic animated worlds to life.”
“Spin Master strives to work with the best partners on long term-licenses and we are honored to align with Skydance, to infuse our marquee innovation on the fantastical worlds and enchanting characters they create,” said Spin Master president of toys and chief commercial officer Chris Beardall. “We know that children around the world are going to fall in love with the magic of Spellbound and we can’t wait to deliver that magic to the playroom through an innovative and imaginative toy line.”
Spellbound is a new animated musical that follows a young girl who sets out to break the spell that has divided her kingdom in two. It is written by Lauren Hynek, Elizabeth Martin and Linda Woolverton, with original score from Academy Award-winner Alan Menken, and lyrics by Glenn Slater. Chris Montan serves as executive music producer.
Launched in 2017, Skydance Animation is using the power of animation to create original stories for global audiences of all ages, set in fantastic new worlds with unforgettable characters. The studio’s inaugural Apple Original short film, Blush, had its world premiere as part of the Tribeca Festival’s animated shorts program and is now streaming globally on Apple TV+. Later this year, Skydance Animation and Apple Original Films will also premiere their first animated feature, Luck, debuting on Apple TV+ on 5 August 2022.