How do you save a franchise that never really took off? Combine it with another, bigger one from (technically) the same universe, of course! While Michael Bay has, uh, transformed Transformers into a billion-dollar industry with his live-action movies, G.I. Joe hasn’t exactly done as well. Apparently, there was talk at one point of joining the two franchises together in what would have been a beautiful, violent mess.
The comic world has been abuzz with new trailers for Spider-Man Homecoming and Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, both of which arrived at a time when we needed a little bit of delightful superhero humor. Following those reveals, Hasbro has been on a bit of an announcement tear itself, showing off new toys tied to the upcoming Marvel movies. We've actually seen a few of these latest Guardians of the Galaxy toys throughout the year, but the line-up for the first GotG, Vol. 2 wave is now officially locked in with a solid mix.
It didn't take long today during the Star Wars Celebration Europe Rogue One panel for Felicity Jones to get a chance to see her very first action figure. While many of us in the collecting world had assumed the protagonist of this winter's first Star Wars film to take place away from the Skywalkers, Hasbro had never confirmed it for certain. It is official now however, and Jyn Erso will join the ranks of the Star Wars Black series when the next wave launches this fall.
There's no exact release date for the upcoming wave, which also includes Leia Organa (A New Hope), Sabine Wren and unmasked Kylo Ren (and more), but if last year's Force Friday event in September is any kind of indicator, better mark you calendars for that first Friday now. What's more, Jyn joining this wave makes it the most female-centric Black Series wave since the line launched. There has never been a wave with three female figures in it before, let alone two, so this fall is going to be home to all kinds of firsts.
This fall, you'll be able to wake up with One Direction and jam out to them all day long. Licensing.biz reports that the British boy band will be launching a line of headphones, earbuds, speakers, microphones, walkie-talkies, alarm clocks, boom boxes and karaoke machines.