‘Transformers One’ Will “Sell A Lot Of Toys,” Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks Says, But Company’s Film And TV Pullback Via Sale Of EOne Helps Drive Solid Q2 Results
deadline.comDespite toymaker Hasbro‘s recent shift away from film and TV production, CEO Chris Cocks touted the upcoming release of Transformers One during the company’s second-quarter earnings call Thursday.
After a lull following last year’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, retail sales tied to the franchise are expected to rise in the weeks leading up to the new installment’s September 20 release by Paramount.
Transformers One, an animated origin story, generated positive buzz after premiering as a work-in-progress at the Annency animation fest in June. “Every indication we have from early screenings and tracking is that that movie is going to be a real fan favorite, with some nice legs in families,” Cocks said. “We think it will sell a lot of toys, as Transformers movies tend to have done.” Despite the hype around Transformers One, this is a new corporate era for Hasbro.
The company signaled as much by selling eOne to Lionsgate last year for $375 million, saying it would limit its investments in film and TV production and instead focus on gaming and consumer products, some with Hollywood ties.
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