Hasbro Extends Long-Running Strategic Relationship with Disney Consumer Products for Premier Star Wars and Marvel Franchises

I'd be done with Legends if Hasbro quit them aa well..

I too, have been there since Series 1 of Cap, Iron Man, Hulk and Toad. In that time, I've been Avengers only, a completist (briefly), comc Avengers and MCU completist, a grab what I think is cool guy, all in, half out, tried to follow their scale from 6' to 4", gave up other action figure lines to support THIS hobby, bought multiples to keep one in package, dabbled in customizing and a specific character completist.

These days, I've reigned it back to just Avengers amd MCU again. No longer buy multiples nor do I stray from my main two areas, though I AM completing teams I had started that Hasbro finally looks to be making an effort to finish.

Buti just don't have the energy to start over. Marvel Legends has been a part of my wife for a very long time. I've literally had kids grow to adulthood when I've been collecting .

If Hasbro is out, this would be a natural ending for my collection

On 4/24/2025 at 10:16 AM, jscottt991 said:

Did the Rise of Skywalker figures sell that well? They didn't make very many of them.

I think people overdo the "Star Wars is dead" narrative, but the sequel trilogy didn't seem to do that well with toy collectors. That said, I don't know who is buying all this Disney+ stuff either (bring on two more Krennics!) so I probably don't have a great grasp of what Hasbro is doing and why.

I am very glad the license is remaining with Hasbro. The Legends line is fine and I don't want to reboot my small collection and I'm down to like three Star Wars figures that I want (Black Series Death Star gunners, Tactical Droids, and Governor Pryce).

I think there are a lot of reasons the Sequel Trilogy didn't do that well with collectors. Setting aside opinions about the movies themselves, the designs simply weren't that interesting, up to and including the costume variations on the main characters. All three of the heroic leads get outfits that seem to just be variations of the same single outfit. Kylo's outfit barely changes (though that's less of a criticism, as Vader's changed even less between films in the OT). Everything either looks like slight, uninspired tweaks on the OT (with a couple exceptions where those tweaks work out well), or so bland as to be completely unmemorable.

I fully admit I'm heavily biased by my own opinions here but basically the sequel trilogy designs were boring, and Hasbro/Lucasfilm didn't do the toys any favors by seeming to focus on less interesting designs. Yeah, the movie didn't do great, but I'd still buy all the Knights of Ren...if they were available (just as an example). It felt very same-old same-old and it's particularly damning to me that the offshoot movies that took place during/near the original trilogy era (Rogue One and Solo) introduced more that felt new and interesting than the entire sequel trilogy. Same with the Mandalorian.

Anyway, Star Wars rant over. I'm glad Hasbro's holding onto the license, even though I suspect economic reality is going to force my collecting habit to diminish/get a whole lot more selective over the next few years.

On 4/24/2025 at 12:21 PM, Psychosomatic said:

I have said this many times before, collectors form their opinions of what they think sells based on their (usually) small sample size (where they live). I travel with work and family and I have learned that it is different everywhere. I found figures on discount in Wales that were absolutely impossible to find in Washington. I have found multiples of impossible to find figures in the most unexpected places too. Without seeing the sales reports it is impossible to confidently say what is selling. Add to that the fact that most collectors believe their opinions and interests are the most popular, so they think if they wouldn't buy it or they don't like it then that must be the popular take.

Yes were all guilty of this to some degree, but its always worth pointing out just because something doesnt appeal to you personally doesnt mean nobody is interested.

On 4/24/2025 at 12:21 PM, Psychosomatic said:

I have said this many times before, collectors form their opinions of what they think sells based on their (usually) small sample size (where they live). I travel with work and family and I have learned that it is different everywhere. I found figures on discount in Wales that were absolutely impossible to find in Washington. I have found multiples of impossible to find figures in the most unexpected places too. Without seeing the sales reports it is impossible to confidently say what is selling. Add to that the fact that most collectors believe their opinions and interests are the most popular, so they think if they wouldn't buy it or they don't like it then that must be the popular take.

As I said though I do pay attention to what many people are saying on social media. I do travel quite extensively and I do see certain products sell differently in different regions. That is certain. I'm not afraid by any means to let my opinion be known but if you ever see any of my posts I literally preface everything I say with IMO. I don't like to reside in my own little echo chamber where everyone is all parroting the same thing. I've never been one to let anyone sway my thinking. Example, I really don't care what people are saying about a movie. I will always go see it if it appeals to me. Then I will form my own opinion. But in the end my opinion often aligns with the general fandom. This is just the case with Star Wars. No not everyone believe SW is dead. And yes saying that outright is a bit hyperbolic but for the general part I would say the majority of the fandom thinks Disney has ruined the franchise. Also IMO I think it has the ability to make a major comeback under the right direction. Now I've never been to Wales but I do find in my travels around the country that most of the time it's all the same product on the shelves. I make it a point to go to every Ollies I can find in a particular area. Also Ross and TJ Maxx and similar stores. Sure there's the occasional diamond in the rough and sometimes there's a goldmine too but I'd say at least 80 percent of the time it's all pretty consistent. I make it a point to not just sit in my own little soup of my personal opinion but thanks to modern technology and social media it's a lot easier to get a worldwide pulse without having to leave the comfort of your own home or office. It's really not that hard. The same thing you see lingering on a store shelf you can easily get online to places like BBTS, EE, Gamestop and other and see it's often the same thing.

On 4/24/2025 at 7:54 AM, AndyL said:

And the three sequels before them were all lauded as blockbusters as well. And we all know how those turned out. I'm a fan. And I am a part of many fan groups all over social media. No they are not official statistics and such but as a fan I tend to flock to where real fans are. Otherwise I'd literally just listen to critics and "pros" and just see and buy anything they say. Of course most movies I will see and judge on my own but when I hear the real fans' opinions on toys and product and I can go to Ollies and Ross and TJ Maxx and see all the leftover product on the shelves I get a pretty good idea of what fans think of the product. I understand the strength of the property lies in the strength the franchise built many years ago. But just because a property has a strong history does not exactly mean the future product they produce will be good. It literally means exactly what has happened. They've made some good stuff that most fans including me will see based on the strength of the history and lore but most of what they put out is subpar to the tradition of the product. And as a whole the product suffers the consequence accordingly. Okay just tell me I don't know what the heck I'm talking about. It's not the first time and it definitely won't be the last. That's cool. I am no professional. I'm only the person they're supposed to be convincing to see their productions and buy their products. But don't tell me not to believe my own lying eyes.

I have said this many times before, collectors form their opinions of what they think sells based on their (usually) small sample size (where they live). I travel with work and family and I have learned that it is different everywhere. I found figures on discount in Wales that were absolutely impossible to find in Washington. I have found multiples of impossible to find figures in the most unexpected places too. Without seeing the sales reports it is impossible to confidently say what is selling. Add to that the fact that most collectors believe their opinions and interests are the most popular, so they think if they wouldn't buy it or they don't like it then that must be the popular take.

On 4/24/2025 at 5:00 AM, tarot said:

Oh thank God. I couldn't imagine start over again with another company.

Can you imagine if we did? That would be awful. Would be even worse for those who collect both Marvel and DC.

On 4/24/2025 at 7:56 AM, frozentenderloin said:

Maybe I am weird for thinking this, but a part of me is kind of interested in knowing what a different company would do with the Marvel Legends line. Weve obviously seen both ToyBiz and Hasbro take a swing at it, so I am just curious what the line would be like if another company was to produce them. Hasbro built on the foundation that ToyBiz laid, and even improved some elements (I liked the paint on the ToyBiz Legends more, but Hasbros figures are way less clunky looking in regard to articulation). I think it would be interesting to see how a third company might try to improve the toyline. Not that I necessarily want it to happen, but its interesting to ponder.

Don't think you're weird here....I've said this before, I think there are a number of companies that could've taken the Legends line and done as good, if not better job with it (now "as good" is really a bit of a low bar here, admittedly). I certainly didn't want mcfallen, due to most of his products we have already seen. My issue with this news is that hasbo may see it as no incentive to improve. They've got a great product and they've got the talent. They just need to focus on quality and accuracy.

Maybe I am weird for thinking this, but a part of me is kind of interested in knowing what a different company would do with the Marvel Legends line. Weve obviously seen both ToyBiz and Hasbro take a swing at it, so I am just curious what the line would be like if another company was to produce them. Hasbro built on the foundation that ToyBiz laid, and even improved some elements (I liked the paint on the ToyBiz Legends more, but Hasbros figures are way less clunky looking in regard to articulation). I think it would be interesting to see how a third company might try to improve the toyline. Not that I necessarily want it to happen, but its interesting to ponder.

On 4/24/2025 at 10:16 AM, Reno said:

This is a huge sigh of relief from me. I'm very happy with Hasbro in general, other than overpricing and oversaturation of the same A-list characters over and over and over.

Dido! Totally agree, this just made my day...or more like my year. No more nightmares of uncle Todd getting the legends license. I'm happy!!!

This is a huge sigh of relief from me. I'm very happy with Hasbro in general, other than overpricing and oversaturation of the same A-list characters over and over and over.