Toy Firm Finds Treasure In 'Star Wars' Films; Hopes For Same Success In Spinoff 'Rogue One'
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is a big hit in the box office and the franchise is expecting the same turn out for its first spinoff movie "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," which will be released this December.
If "Rogue One" makes it big in the box office, then no one will be happier than toy company Hasbro.
The American multinational toy and board game firm released the annual report of its earnings for 2015 and the latest "Star Wars" movie helped them big time in their sales.
"So what we talked about was that in 2015 Star Wars performed like a movie year, like other movie years, so it was very strong for us," said CEO Brian Goldner in the company's earnings call Monday as reported by Business Insider.
"And we also believed that Star Wars can be equal in 2016 obviously rolling through the Force Awakens home entertainment window and then in to Rogue One. So we believe similar revenues."
He also said that they had the same success in 2005, with credits going to "Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" that was released on the same year.
Goldner said that almost half of their total earnings were from the last quarter, the period when more movies including the "Star Wars" was released.
Critics and fans expect "Rogue One" to get the same reception as "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
This upcoming film, which stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Mads Mikkelsen and Donnie Yen, tells the story of wayward band of Rebel fighters who worked together to carry out a difficult mission after the foundation of the Galactic Empire.
The 2016 film year is looking better for Hasbro and other toy companies since aside from "Star Wars" spinoff "Rogue One" many comic book-based movies will also be released.
Among them are "Deadpool", "Batman v Superman," "Captain America: Civil War," "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2," "X-Men: Apocalypse" and "Suicide Squad."
