Master Toy Licensee Secured For
Top-Rated Action-Adventure
Series and Upcoming Spin Off "Xena: Warrior Princess"
PR Newswire
20 June 1995
TOY BIZ CAPTURES LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH MCA/UNIVERSAL MERCHANDISING
FOR 'HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS'
"Hercules" Is Given The Green Light To Produce 22 New Episodes
NEW YORK, June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- MCA/Universal Merchandising, Inc.
has finalized negotiations with Toy Biz, Inc. (NYSE: TBZ) as master toy
licensee for the syndicated hit series "Hercules: The Legendary
Journeys." Toy Biz is also acquiring the rights to develop toys based on
the Fall 1995 television spin-off, "Xena: Warrior Princess," and any
derivative motion picture.
"Hercules: The Legendary Journeys", which premiered in January as a
weekly series, has developed into the runaway television hit of the
season. It ranks as the number one syndicated television show among
children 2 to 11 years-old and teens ages 12 to 17. The series recently
rated among the top ten in U.S. syndication.
"We are thrilled that 'Hercules' has become such a hit among children
and teens," said Neil Friedman, president of MCA/Universal
Merchandising, Inc. "The new line of toys will provide fans with the
opportunity to not only relive their favorite episodes, but to create
their own stories each time they play. We are confident that the broad
appeal of this property will fuel the success of the toy line."
Avi Arad, Director of Toy Biz, said, "'Hercules' creates a strong
opportunity in the market for action-adventure heroes, villains and
monsters based on modern reinterpretations of classic mythology, as
opposed to costumed super heroes. In addition, 'Hercules' has strong and
growing international appeal with wide demographics including younger
and older children. It will be a labor of love to create these toys."
The one-hour, action-adventure series stars Kevin Sorbo as Hercules, the
son of a mortal woman, Alcemene and Zeus, King of the Gods. Sorbo's
portrayal of the classic hero who stands alone as a warrior and
protector of mankind continues to captivate audiences across the
country.
Spawned from the success of the highly rated "Hercules" movies, which
aired as part of MCA Television's "Action Pack," the weekly tales of
"Hercules" unfold in a time long before ancient Greece and Rome in a
fantastic, mythical world created through imaginative set design, state-
of-the-art special effects and spectacular New Zealand locations.
As a result of its success, "Hercules" has been given a 22-episode
renewal for the 1995-96 television season and is cleared in 94% of the
country. Executive producers are Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert, known for
their wild and popular, action-adventure films -- "The Evil Dead I &
II", "Darkman", "Hard Target", and "Time Cop".
Toy Biz, Inc. is a toy entertainment company that designs, markets and
distributes boys', girls', infant/pre-school and activity toys based on
popular entertainment properties and consumer brand names. Toy Biz also
designs, markets and distributes its own line of proprietary toys.
MCA/Universal Merchandising, Inc. licenses and markets properties
worldwide on behalf of Universal Pictures, Universal Television, MCA
Publishing Rights, as well as third parties. Some of those properties
include "Jurassic Park," "Balto," "Casper," "Dragonheart", "Waterworld,"
"Earth 2," "seaQuest DSV," "Baby Huey," "Hercules: The Legendary
Journeys," "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle & Friends," "The
Adventures of Timmy The Tooth," "The Land Before Time" and "Woody
Woodpecker & Friends."
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