{"id":10757,"date":"2025-02-27T12:31:40","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/?p=10757"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:31:40","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:31:40","slug":"mattel-reclaims-dc-action-figure-rights-set-to-relaunch-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/mattel-reclaims-dc-action-figure-rights-set-to-relaunch-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Mattel Reclaims DC Action Figure Rights, Set to Relaunch in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10758\" src=\"http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/assets\/479px-Mattel_logo.svg_.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"479\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/assets\/479px-Mattel_logo.svg_.png 479w, http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/assets\/479px-Mattel_logo.svg_-300x300.png 300w, http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/assets\/479px-Mattel_logo.svg_-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 479px) 100vw, 479px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Mattel is making a major comeback in the world of superhero collectibles, reclaiming the rights to produce action figures and toys based on DC characters such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and more. This highly anticipated deal will go into effect in the second half of 2026, marking Mattel\u2019s return to one of the most lucrative superhero toy markets in the world.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>After losing the global licensing rights to DC-related action figures six years ago to competitors Spin Master and McFarlane Toys, Mattel was only able to produce DC-themed toys aimed at girls and preschoolers. Now, the toy giant has struck a multiyear licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, allowing them to develop and market a full range of DC collectibles, including:<\/p>\n<p>\u2714 Action figures<\/p>\n<p>\u2714 Playsets<\/p>\n<p>\u2714 Accessories<\/p>\n<p>\u2714 Role-play products<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a huge deal. You\u2019re dealing with some of the greatest superheroes and some of the best action figure potential in the industry, and we\u2019re incredibly excited by that,\u201d said PJ Lewis, Mattel\u2019s Senior VP and Global Head of Action Figures and Fisher-Price Entertainment.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>While financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, the agreement solidifies Mattel\u2019s ability to create toys and collectibles spanning the entire DC universe, including fan-favorite villains The Joker and Harley Quinn.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The global toy market has seen a rise in adult collectors, making licensed action figures and collectibles more valuable than ever. In 2024, Mattel reported $5.4 billion in net sales, a 1% decline from the previous year, but net income jumped to $542 million\u2014more than double the $214 million reported in 2023. Mattel\u2019s stock price has also surged over 9% in the past year, signaling strong investor confidence.<\/p>\n<p>Nick Karamanos, Mattel\u2019s SVP of Entertainment Partnerships, emphasized the significance of this agreement:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis renewed partnership will reflect our shared passion for engaging and inspiring fans and collectors of all ages.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Mattel is also competing against Hasbro, which currently produces Marvel superhero action figures. The return of Mattel\u2019s DC lineup could ignite a toy industry showdown, pitting DC vs. Marvel in both retail and collector markets.<\/p>\n<p>This DC-Mattel partnership comes at a perfect time, as DC Studios is actively expanding its cinematic universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran. Upcoming DCU films\u2014such as Superman (2025), Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2026), Clayface, and The Batman Part II (2027)\u2014are expected to boost toy sales by driving demand for new superhero figures and playsets.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Robert Oberschelp, Head of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, highlighted the competitive nature of the licensing battle:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The DC brand is one of our crown jewels. What Mattel really brought was a very clear understanding of our brand, and their global reach was an important factor.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Mattel has a longstanding relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery, having produced toys for major franchises such as:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Harry Potter<\/li>\n<li><\/li>\n<li>Friends<\/li>\n<li><\/li>\n<li>Seinfeld<\/li>\n<li><\/li>\n<li>Ted Lasso<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The company is no stranger to reclaiming major licenses. In 2022, Mattel successfully won back the rights to Disney Princess and Frozen toys from Hasbro, further strengthening its foothold in the toy industry.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>With this new multiyear licensing deal, Mattel is set to redefine the DC toy market starting in late 2026. As superhero content continues to dominate film, TV, and digital media, Mattel\u2019s new DC action figures and collectibles could become some of the most sought-after merchandise among fans and collectors alike.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Stay tuned for more updates as Mattel gears up to bring DC\u2019s most iconic heroes and villains back to store shelves! \ud83d\ude80<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Mattel is making a major comeback in the world of superhero collectibles, reclaiming the rights to produce action figures and toys based on DC characters such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and more. This highly &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/mattel-reclaims-dc-action-figure-rights-set-to-relaunch-in-2026\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[197],"tags":[409,1092,857,1091],"class_list":["post-10757","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-action-figures","tag-action-figures","tag-licensing","tag-mattel","tag-toys"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10757","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10757"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10757\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thegreenlanterncorps.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}