Hasbro 2016 2nd Quarter Financial Conference Call was concluded few moments ago and there were several interesting management remarks relating to Transformers. During the Q&A Session, a journalist raised a question regarding the future of the newly acquired Boulder Media Animation Studio.
Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner told the press which included us that Hasbro will be developing future animated series based on already established Hasbro Franchise Brands and future brands.
“We see an opportunity as we develop new brands and new stories within our franchise brands. It’s an opportunity to expand Boulder [Media Studio]’s capabilities and to continue our content capabilities as a company.”
At the moment, Hasbro will continue working with Animation Studios who are already partnered with the company which includes Polygon Pictures working on Transformers: Robots In Disguise and DHX Media working on Transformers: Rescue Bots.
Hasbro’s franchise brands are named as Transformers, My Little Pony, Littlest Pet Shop, Monopoly, Magic: The Gathering, Nerf and Play-Doh.
Check out what else Hasbro said, after the jump.
“Transformers is also driving a significant business supported by both television animation and theatrical films. The second season of Transformers: Robots In Disguise is airing on Cartoon Network in the U.S. and on networks around the world. Transformers story is being further developed by an all-new digital streaming series in partnership with Machinima kicking off in August and aligned to when our toys and consumer products become available.
Transformers [toy] revenue is down versus last year, but we have a rich content and product line for the year and clearly a strong entertainment calendar and immersive stories and characters moving forward. Transformers: The Last Knight is slated for release by Paramount on June 23, 2017, with two additional Transformers films planned for 2018 and 2019.
In addition, Transformers Earth Wars, the first major Hasbro branded game from Backflip Studios, was released on June 2. With over 3 million downloads in the first month, it quickly rose into the top 100 grossing games in the U.S.”
On a sad note, Hasbro will no longer be making toys for the Jurassic Park Franchise:
“In a movie year Jurassic [Park franchise toys] does about a $100 million. We have half that to do when compared to 2015. We’ve made a decision that at the end of 2017 we will no longer handle Jurassic Park [franchise].We had a great relationship with Universal. But we will no longer handle Jurassic Park [franchise] because we cannot hold a mutually beneficial financial arrangement on that brand.”
RKillian
Sleeping was more lively and entertaining than Prime.
Jus09
Sounds great. These are the guys who made Fosters Home For Imaginary Friends and Wander Over Yonder. We're in good hands here, folks.
Aernaroth
It could be a big deal for Hasbro to have its own media development arm, rather than having to rely on others. This could be a gamechanger that also allows Hasbro to move a lot more of their media into the online realm, rather than on television and theaters.
Here's an account of the story I heard on Marketplace this morning that had some interesting details in it.
Hasbro deal enhances its animation potential
Feralstorm
Considering "Gumball" contains damn near every animation style under the sun, I imagine a Transformers show from Boulder Media could probably look any way Hasbro wants.
Following precedent, I imagine a "GO!" version of Transformers Animated would be sufficiently scary, yet intriguing.
WishfulThinking
Ugh. Not looking forward to "Amazing World of Gumbots".
Although I could get behind the idea of a "Teen Titans Go!" version of "Challenge of the Gobots". I really can't say why…but I could.
SilverOptimus
No.
Hasbro specifically stated that they will not prohibit Boulder from catering to other companies.
Hasbro also sated that their partnership with the current Animation Studios will continue. But did not specify until when. I'm guessing it'll go on for another 2 year maximum.
Think of this as what happened with Backflip Studios. Hasbro didn't impose rules on Backflip. They can still produce other games. Also, it took a while for their first Hasbro game to come out. Hasbro continued their partnership with Rovio but gave Backflip the licence from DeNA.
Megastar
I'm hoping for a Transformers/G.I. Joe cartoon out of this.
jackgaughan
I'm interested in what they'll do but, Hasbro having an in-house animation studio might mean that…
eagc7
I wonder what company will make toys for Jurassic Park 5
soundwaverulls
Looking at some clips on YouTube, the animation looks fine for those shows, but I'm concerned about how a sustained Cybertronian on Cybertronian fight scene would look, if animated by them. IDK, maybe Hasbro will give them a bigger budget, maybe they'll surprise me, but I'm remaining pessimistic.
ZombehDino
I'm optimistic about this. Boulder has done some great animation work, and there's no doubt in my mind that they would make a show far more lively and entertaining than Prime or RiD15.
Autovolt 127
I hope this new series is good.
also it seems that Hasbro will lose the Jurassic Park license at the end of next year.
Rewind
Boulder did Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends so that's about all I need to know to get excited.
kaijuguy19
If you've seen some of their shows like Wonder over Yonder and Gumball they've shown to be pretty creative on how they do animation so we could be seeing the same here. Trust me it's not like they hired the people behind Breadwinners.
soundwaverulls
That's fairly concerning. Looking up what they've done in the past, they make incredibly simple animation. Unless they're only making the successor to Rescue Bots, Hasbro had better force them to up their game.
kaijuguy19
Going to be interesting on what type of TF show we'll be seeing from Boulder Media.
Novaburnhilde
Interesting.
Looking forward to seeing what comes of this.
SilverOptimus
News Post: Hasbro To Develop Future Animated Series With Boulder Media Studio