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News

Brian Mariotti

‘Annabelle’ Haunts Thrilljoy’s Pix! Collectibles Line [Exclusive]
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Bloody Disgusting can reveal that Annabelle from The Conjuring Universe is joining Thrilljoy‘s Pix! line of collectibles.

The vinyl figure is limited to 6,000 pieces, with a one-in-six blood-splattered chase variant clutching a “Miss me?” note.

Standing just under 5″ tall, Annabelle is housed in a window box inside a slip cover with a perforated pull to maintain the mystery.

Founded by former Funko CEO Brian Mariotti, Thrilljoy is dedicated to crafting high-end collectables that resonate with fans. With a commitment to innovation and quality, Thrilljoy aims to redefine the collector’s experience through meticulously designed items, unparalleled packaging, and a vibrant community.

“Horror fans are some of the most loyal, passionate collectors out there, and we love them for it,” Mariotti tells Bloody Disgusting, “We always want to make sure they’re taken care of. The Conjuring Universe is so expansive and beloved, this felt like a natural step for us.
See full article at bloody-disgusting.com
  • 6/3/2025
  • by Alex DiVincenzo
  • bloody-disgusting.com
Thrilljoy Introduces New Pix! and Pixl Collectible Lines With 'Lord of the Rings,' 'Invader Zim,' and More Figures [Exclusive]
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WonderCon is underway right now at the Anaheim Convention Center, and Thrilljoy came prepared with some major announcements. A relative newcomer on the block, known for their high-end pop-culture collectibles, the company is hosting a panel at the event to show off its new and rebranded lines of figures, headlined by the updated vinyl Pix! figures and Pixl mystery boxes. Ahead of the big panel, Collider can exclusively share a selection of new items coming soon from Thrilljoy based on beloved properties like The Lord of the Rings, Invader Zim, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Additionally, they're also debuting new Pix! figures based on the company mascot, Bloo the Yeti, with WonderCon exclusive variants.

The appeal of the Pix! figures comes in part from the boxes. Each collectible is contained in a high-end matte windowed box, complete with a sculpted wax seal to show the rarity and a cover slip...
See full article at Collider.com
  • 3/29/2025
  • by Ryan O'Rourke
  • Collider.com
Thrilljoy Collectibles CEO Reveals Nintendo Aspirations, Confidence In Fan Advisory Board (Nycc)
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Following Thrilljoy's official debut and website launch at New York Comic Con, CEO Brian Mariotti spoke with The Direct about his hopes for the future of the company.

Formerly the CEO of Funko, Mariotti was at Nycc right when Thrilljoy's booth opened its doors, letting in its first few customers. There to greet fans was a giant figure of Bloo, Thrilljoy's mascot, there to greet fans too.

The energy was high, and everyone was excited to be the first to purchase this new line of collectible figures.

Read full article on The Direct.
See full article at The Direct
  • 10/28/2024
  • by Gillian Blum
  • The Direct
Thrilljoy Booth at New York Comic Con – A Must-See Experience for Pop Culture Enthusiasts
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The Thrilljoy booth at this year’s New York Comic Con was a standout, drawing crowds with its energetic atmosphere, vibrant displays, and hands-on experiences. Located in a prime spot near the center of the exhibition hall, the booth was hard to miss, with its striking neon colors, larger-than-life character statues and engaging atmosphere. Nycc was the perfect place to launch the Thrilljoy brand which was created by former Funko CEO Brian Mariotti who partnered with powerhouse industry veterans Eric Peng Cheng, owner of Undefeated and Bait, MD Young, owner of MINDstyle International and Funko’s former SVP of licensing and emerging brands Dolly Ahluwalia.

The booth’s layout was clever, featuring several sections that catered to different types of fans. The atmosphere was lively but organized. Attendees navigated through the space seamlessly, guided by friendly staff who kept things moving despite the heavy foot traffic. Thrilljoy also succeeded in...
See full article at Age of the Nerd
  • 10/23/2024
  • by Kristyn Clarke
  • Age of the Nerd
Meet Bloo, the New Mascot for Thrilljoy Collectibles (Exclusive)
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Thrilljoy collectibles has a new mascot, and it is a lovable blue ball of joy named Bloo.

Former Funko CEO Brian Mariotti had an idea for a line of collectibles that would be perfect for fans. So, he went on to found Thrilljoy, the recently announced line of high-end and artisan collectibles that will be making its debut at New York Comic Con.

In a statement, Thrilljoy founder and CEO Brian Mariotti teased that "Thrilljoy is set to transform the very essence of what it means to be a collector:"

Read full article on The Direct.
See full article at The Direct
  • 10/10/2024
  • by Russ Milheim
  • The Direct
Funko Returns To San Diego Comic Con Bigger And Better Than Ever!
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This year’s Funkoville (Booth #5341) experience is double the 2022 footprint, including Funko Games, Loungefly, Mondo and more.

Leaning into innovation and Funko’s 25th anniversary, the newest addition to Funkoville includes a Blockbuster Rewind video store, allowing fans to jump back to the ’90s and relive the nostalgic experience of visiting their neighborhood store as they browse and purchase the company’s new, innovative collectibles based on iconic films. The throwback experience showcases the first collection of the new VHS-themed collectibles, Rewind.

Fans will be able to journey through the streets of “Funkoville” to discover new interactive experiences, brand storefronts and more in the “funnest city in the USA!” Fan-favorite shops, including a donut shop, bowling alley, Loungefly boutique and Mondo gas station will welcome fans and serve as the go-to destination for new and exclusive pop culture collectibles. Funko will also offer fans the coolest Con exclusives from beloved lines on-site and via Funko.
See full article at Age of the Nerd
  • 7/7/2023
  • by Kristyn Clarke
  • Age of the Nerd
Funko Celebrates 25 Years, Returns to Sdcc With a Blockbuster Rewind Store
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In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Funko will return to San Diego Comic-Con with an expanded "Funkoville" booth.

The company announced its plans for 2023's Sdcc, which will feature a huge neighborhood-like space containing various storefronts, Funkoville staples, and activities for registered attendees. According to Funko CEO Brian Mariotti, Funkoville is meant to be a fully immersive experience that will give attendees a chance to fully embrace modern pop culture in a communal space.

Related: HBO, Universal Reportedly Join Marvel In Sitting Out Sdcc 2023

Close

"For 25 years, Funko has been a fan-first company," said Mariotti in a statement. "This is why San Diego Comic-Con is a pinnacle moment for us every year, as it provides the opportunity to create memorable moments for our fans through larger-than-life activations. With the Funkoville booth being twice as big this year, we look forward to offering an even better way for fans to immerse themselves in their favorite fandoms.
See full article at CBR
  • 7/1/2023
  • by Zachary Cimaglio
  • CBR
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Funko And Blockbuster Announce Rewind! Product Line
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Image courtesy: Funko

Funko, in partnership with iconic home video retailer Blockbuster, has officially announced the launch of their newest innovative product line, Rewind! The first full collection will be available to fans in fall 2023.

Image courtesy: Funko

The retro entertainment product line focuses on delivering nostalgia directly to consumers through collectibles and packaging fashioned around the iconic Blockbuster design. Each newly designed collectible figure comes encased in VHS-type packaging unique to each IP and a membership card designed to mirror Blockbuster’s memorable design.

“With the resurgence of ‘80s and ‘90s trends, Funko is bringing the best pop culture film moments home with Rewind, helping fans connect over shared memories, while simultaneously complementing the product options from our most sought-after product line,” said CEO Brian Mariotti.

Rewind stands as the latest addition to Funko’s extensive range of collectible products, offering fans yet another innovative way to connect with their favorite fandoms.
See full article at Age of the Nerd
  • 6/22/2023
  • by Kristyn Clarke
  • Age of the Nerd
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Funko Expands Build-Your-Own, Personalized Figurines with Pop! Yourself
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For years, Funko has been making vinyl figures of anything and everything in pop culture, from movies and shows with the biggest fandoms to random and forgotten relics. Sports figures have received the Pop! treatment and so have certain filmmakers.

In late 2020, the company launched a small program that allowed its customers to make figures of themselves or loves ones, but only as an in-person experience in its two brick-and-mortar locations — the Funko Headquarters in Everett, Wash., and Funko Hollywood in Los Angeles.

That program proved such a success that the company is taking it to the mass market. Funko is keeping it as an in-store experience but is now expanding it to the online world as well, calling the initiative Pop! Yourself.

The announcement of the Pop! Yourself! line was made Monday during Funko’s licensing expo summit in Las Vegas. The launch is meant to highlight the 25th anniversary of the company,...
See full article at The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
  • 6/12/2023
  • by Borys Kit
  • The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rob Brydon
Funko Releases an Official Statement About the Future of Mondo; Poster Business Continuing
Rob Brydon
Funko is doing a bit of damage control in the wake of last week’s big news about the future of Mondo, which was purchased by the company less than one year ago. Last week it was reported that the Mondo division of Funko was hit with massive layoffs that included the two co-founders of the popular Mondo brand, Rob Jones and Mitch Putnam.

The Wrap reported last week, “They killed the poster division, which is a shock considering that’s how Mondo started, along with a division meant for cutting-edge experiences and products called The Lab, which was run by Mondo co-founder Rob Jones, who was also laid off during the process. Mitch Putnam, another co-founder, also got the axe. As of now, the only two divisions of the company that remain are the toys and records divisions. But insiders tell TheWrap it’s unclear how long those divisions...
See full article at bloody-disgusting.com
  • 3/30/2023
  • by John Squires
  • bloody-disgusting.com
Funko CEO Says Mondo Movie Poster Business Will Continue but Will End ‘Extremely Limited Runs’ That Limit Access ‘Unfairly’
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Brian Mariotti, CEO of Funko, posted a message to fans of Mondo, the high-end collectibles company it acquired last year, after Mondo was hit with layoffs. As part of Funko’s 10% job cuts across the company, Mondo co-founders Mitch Putnam and Rob Jones as well as senior creative director Eric Garza were laid off last week.

In a Twitter post Thursday, Mariotti confirmed that there were layoffs at Mondo but said “the majority of the companywide layoffs weren’t in Mondo.” He also wrote that contrary to early reports last week that Mondo was shutting down the posters division, “the Mondo posters business will continue, period.”

That said, according to Mariotti, “We feel that making extremely limited runs of posters, most of which are 150 pieces or under, limits access to fans unfairly. Many of these posters are bought with the sole purpose of flipping them at a much higher cost...
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 3/30/2023
  • by Todd Spangler
  • Variety Film + TV
Funko Cuts Back Mondo Movie Poster Business, Lays Off Co-Founders and Other Staff
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Funko, less than a year after acquiring high-end collectibles brand Mondo, has wound down Mondo’s current movie-poster business and let go several employees — including Mondo co-founders Mitch Putnam and Rob Jones, Variety has confirmed.

Mondo, based in Austin, Texas, was founded in 2004 and was previously a subsidiary of indie theater chain Alamo Drafthouse before Funko inked a deal to buy it last year for $14 million. Mondo had gained a strong following for its limited-edition screen-printed movie posters. Notable artists who worked with Mondo have included Olly Moss, Shepard Fairey, Ken Taylor and Kevin Tong. Sources said that Mondo’s vinyl records and collectibles businesses are intact.

In addition to Putnam and Jones, Mondo senior creative director Eric Garza also has been laid off. For now, it appears that Mondo’s poster division is defunct; however, a source familiar with the situation said Funko expects Mondo to continue producing posters going forward.
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 3/24/2023
  • by Todd Spangler
  • Variety Film + TV
Funko Guts Mondo: Lays Off Majority of Pop Culture Label’s Staff, Poster Business in Limbo | Exclusive
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You are reading an exclusive WrapPRO article for free. Want to level up your entertainment career? Subscribe to WrapPRO.

Treasure your Mondo posters even more now. They won’t be making any more… at all.

Earlier this week, Funko unceremoniously laid off most of the staff of Mondo, the Austin-based company whose distinctive and idiosyncratic movie posters, collectibles and records were the go-to ephemera for discerning movie-lovers, three individuals with knowledge told TheWrap.

They killed the poster division, which is a shock considering that’s how Mondo started, along with a division meant for cutting-edge experiences and products called The Lab, which was run by Mondo co-founder Rob Jones, who was also laid off during the process. One insider with knowledge suggested that the poster line could continue, but when pressed on whether the company will just be releasing posters already worked on by Jones, Putnam and Mondo creative director...
See full article at The Wrap
  • 3/24/2023
  • by Drew Taylor
  • The Wrap
Funko Reveals Iconic Pops Of Legends Venus Williams & Eazy-e [Exclusive]
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Screen Rant is pleased to announce a new Pops! With Purpose collection from Funko and Color Compton, featuring two iconic figures with strong ties to Los Angeles. Originally founded in 1998, Funko has only grown in reputation over the years, becoming a sought-after source for collectibles pertaining to everything from film and television to video games and real-world figures. Many Funko Pops are true collector's items, with values of over 10,000.

Funko will donate 10 from each purchase of the limited-edition figures in this new collection to Color Compton, an organization dedicated to uplifting students in the Compton community by exposing them to arts and history. Color Compton was founded in 2019 by Abigail Lopez-Byrd, who serves as the group's Executive Director. Lopez-Byrd had this to say about the organization and Funko Pop collaboration:

Our organization seeks to engage students through exposure to arts and history. Creating these learning opportunities is vital to our...
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 1/24/2023
  • by Owen Danoff
  • ScreenRant
How Funko Pop Took Over The World
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Funko Pops have taken over the world relatively quickly with their collectible figurines, and variants are available for every major IP. The company is now doing over a billion a year in sales, but how did it get there? We’ll take a look at how Funko Pop took over the world to get some answers.

How It All Began

Mike Beck founded the company in Snohomish, Wa, in 1998, and it was first known as Wacky Wobblers. Its first product to hit the market was a bobble head figurine of the Bog Boy restaurant mascot. He started the company because he couldn’t find an affordable Big Boy coin bank and decided to build his own.

Beck sold the company to his friend and toy collector, Brian Mariotti, in 2005. He expanded the company with products like Pop! Vinyl figurines in 2011. Since then, the company has grown by leaps and bounds,...
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 11/22/2022
  • by Saeed Wazir
  • ScreenRant
Things You Didn’t Know About Funko
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What do Ron Weasley, Mariah Carey and the Avengers have in common? They all have their likeness commemorated in the form of Funko Pops. These small, big-eyed vinyl figures are adored and collected by many fans around the world. As Funko Pops continue to steal the hearts of fans and collectors, we thought we’d share some lesser known fun facts about these fun figurines.

How It All Started

In 1998, Mike Becker founded a bobblehead company called Wacky Wobblers, and the Big Boy bobblehead was the first to join the line-up. Since then, the company has expanded to approximately 8,366 designs, ranging from sports icons, Disney princesses, beloved movie and TV characters, and more.

Funko Pop For Breakfast

At one point, Funko Pops didn’t just hold a place in your home as fun decorations, but could be part of your breakfast. In July 2018, Funko released a line of multi-grain cereals called FunkO’s.
See full article at ScreenRant
  • 11/15/2022
  • by Aleena Malik
  • ScreenRant
Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, and Kenny Baker in Star Wars: Épisode IV - Un nouvel espoir (1977)
How Grogu Became The First Star Wars Character To Make The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, and Kenny Baker in Star Wars: Épisode IV - Un nouvel espoir (1977)
As impossible as it may seem, there has never been a Star Wars-themed balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. No Darth Vader soaring above the midtown Manhattan streets, nary an R2-D2 spreading joy across the skyline, not even a giant floating Jar-Jar to rile the crowd of New Yorkers. It’s unthinkable, right?

But then again, there’s never been a character quite like Grogu before. Since making his debut in The Mandalorian, the mysterious green child (whose alleged love of chicken nuggets instantly became the stuff of Internet legend) has captured the imagination of fans across the globe.

As one can imagine, he’s also become a merchandising bonanza. Enter Funko. The purveyor of Pop!s teamed up with Lucasfilm for this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — the event’s 95th — to create a Grogu balloon that is styled like one of the company’s trademark balloons.
See full article at Den of Geek
  • 11/25/2021
  • by Chris Cummins
  • Den of Geek
Funko Celebrates Funkoween with New Horror Pop Figures and Masks This Halloween
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Halloween is almost here. In 4 short months the spooky season will be upon us. Have you started planning out your costume this year? You may want to look into Funko Inch's newest Funko pop product. These aren't the vinyl figures however, these are masks that look like your favorite Funko Pop figure.

A line of Halloween characters Funko calls Funkoween are coming just in time for the spooky season this year. These new pop figures include the iconic clown from the hit movie It (Pennywise) , Ash from Evil Dead, a new version of everyone's favorite Cheshire Cat from the Disney classic Alice in Wonderland, and many more. Not only did they reveal the new pop line, they revealed the next costume for this Halloween season. Funko announced a line of masks that resemble your favorite iconic Funko Pop. Now you can can look like the Pennwywise the clown Funko Pop,...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 6/1/2021
  • by John Jenkins
  • MovieWeb
Funko announce new ‘Marvel Battleworld: Mystery of the Thanostones’ tabletop game
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Funko have today officially announced Marvel Battleworld: Mystery of the Thanostones, a micro collectible tabletop gaming system based on the Marvel Universe.

Marvel Battleworld: Mystery of the Thanostones is an all-new adventure game that combines micro collectible characters, cards and gaming, allowing kids to battle against Thanos in gameplay unleashed through a Battle Ball. Each Battle Ball contains a surprise of two Marvel collectable characters, Hero Cards, Battle Cards and pair of dice, all for a highly accessible price point. Players can collect Marvel micro heroes ranging from icons like Iron Man, Captain Marvel and Groot, as well as characters like Valkyrie Gamora and Throg.

Says Brian Mariotti, Chief Executive Officer of Funko:

We are thrilled that Marvel has chosen to expand the Funko collaboration to engage their younger fans with a new category of products and animation collaboration. Funko enters the toy aisle for the first time with a product offering of tremendous value.
See full article at Nerdly
  • 5/20/2020
  • by Phil Wheat
  • Nerdly
Burt Reynolds at an event for 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2008)
Funko Temporarily Closes Flagship Stores in California and Washington
Burt Reynolds at an event for 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2008)
Funko is closing its flagship stores temporarily as the fight to contain the coronavirus pandemic rolls on. The popular toy-maker has announced that it will temporarily be closing locations in Washington and California in the interest of public health. In the meantime, the company's website will remain up and running, as will its social media accounts.

The announcement was made in a statement Funko CEO Brian Mariotti. This comes as many businesses in the U.S. and abroad have had to shut their doors temporarily as governments have heavily restricted public gatherings. The White House recently recommended that people should avoid gatherings of ten people or more, making the retail business difficult to maintain at this time. Mariotti had this to say.

"There is no higher priority than the health and well-being of the #FunkoFamily. In order to mitigate the spread of Covid-19, we are temporarily closing our Everett and...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 3/19/2020
  • by Ryan Scott
  • MovieWeb
A Bunch of Batman Movie Villains Are Getting the Funko Pop! Treatment
Some of DC's greatest villains from Batman's rogues gallery are getting the Funko Pop treatment as revealed by Funko at the 2020 London Toy Fair. This includes supervillains from a variety of Batman movies and even a 10-inch Super Sized Pop of one of the most popular iterations of the Joker. Officially revealed at the event, sneak peek images of all of the upcoming Pop figures were also shared on Funko CEO Brian Mariotti's Twitter account.

To start, the two primary Batman villains from the Tim Burton sequel Batman Returns will be given Pop figures, as we get our first look at Danny DeVito's Oswald "Penguin" Cobblepot and Michelle Pfeiffer's Selina "Catwoman" Kyle. The Penguin wears his top hat and tuxedo while he holds his trademark umbrella, while Catwoman stands ready for action in her stitched leather suit with a whip in her hand. Best plan on picking up both,...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 1/21/2020
  • by Jeremy Dick
  • MovieWeb
Dolph Lundgren, Robert Duncan McNeill, and Courteney Cox in Les Maîtres de l'Univers (1987)
New Masters of the Universe Funko Pop! Figures Include 10-Inch Skeletor
Dolph Lundgren, Robert Duncan McNeill, and Courteney Cox in Les Maîtres de l'Univers (1987)
A new Masters of the Universe Funko Pop! line has been announced. The popular toy company made the announcement at the London Toy Fair, which is currently under way. The first wave of He-Man Pop! figures were a quick success and the latest wave will certainly replicate that original success, while adding some special additions to the collection. One of those new additions includes a 10" Skeletor figure that looks pretty awesome.

In addition to the larger Skeletor figure, the new Masters of the Universe set includes He-Man with Battle Cat, He-Man by himself, Prince Adam, Sorceress, Tung Lasher, Sy-Klone, Mosquitor, and Webstor. Funko covered most of the well-known characters last time, so it was wise to dive into some deep cuts like Webstor, who will also receive a metallic variety that will be an exclusive to Hot Topic stores. There is not a concrete release date for the new wave at this time,...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 1/20/2020
  • by Kevin Burwick
  • MovieWeb
How Funko Moved From a Family Garage to a Hollywood Studio Lot
It was a big year for Funko, the company known for those small collectible vinyl bobbleheads from everyone’s favorite film, TV series, band, athlete or pop culture icon. The company has capitalized on some impressive growth in 2019, opening its second brick-and-mortar store, a 40,00-square-feet monument to pop culture collectibles in Hollywood, and inking a deal with Warner Bros. to bring stories based on the brand to the big screen. Also Read: Funko Toys to Become Animated Movie at Warner Bros. Funko’s stock, which has taken a hit in recent months, is still up roughly 11% in the last 12 months. And in its third-quarter earnings report, Funko said its sales increased to $223.3 million, a 26% bump compared to the same quarter a year ago, while its net income jumped to $15.5 million from $7.6 million year-over-year. Funko CEO Brian Mariotti spoke to TheWrap about his decision to buy the then mom-and-pop bobblehead company...
See full article at The Wrap
  • 1/6/2020
  • by Trey Williams
  • The Wrap
Funko Pop! Movie Is Officially Happening at Warner Bros. Animation
It's official: we're getting Funko Pop! the Movie. Rumors of just such a project sprang up earlier this year in January, though they weren't corroborated, until now that is. Warner Bros. has partnered with the highly-successful toy company to bring their line of incredibly popular figurines to the big screen. Given the success of The Lego Movie, and with the never-ending line of Pop! figures being produced that seem to fly off the shelves, this felt inevitable.

According to a new report, Warner Bros. has optioned the rights to the Funko brand. Now, Warner Bros. Animation has been set to adapt the toys into a movie. Teddy Newton (The Trouble With Lou) is set to pen the screenplay, with Mark Dindal also on board. Though his role wasn't specified in the initial report, it's presumed that Dindal will direct. Allison Abbate, Executive Vice President of Warner Animation Group, is set...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 9/16/2019
  • by Ryan Scott
  • MovieWeb
From Bts to ‘NSync, These Are the Best New Music Collectibles Coming This Spring
‘NSync is getting back together — at least in figurine form. The boyband is joining fellow groups Bts, Migos and Backstreet Boys as the newest releases from pop culture collectibles site, Funko. Rock icons Kiss, and the singer/rapper Post Malone are also getting immortalized with collectible figures of their own.

The releases lead a slate of announcements from Washington state-based Funko, whose popular Funko Pop! line of vinyl figures continues to expand with artist collaborations both nostalgic and new.

For ‘NSync, the chance to celebrate their legacy — and their memorable...
See full article at Rollingstone.com
  • 3/23/2019
  • by Tim Chan
  • Rollingstone.com
‘Golden Girls’ Aging Well: Sitcom Brand In Demand As Breakfast Cereal
It’s been 26 years since NBC’s The Golden Girls retired from the airwaves but the geriatric sitcom is alive and well as a licensing brand name and — as flaky as it may sound — fan demand for The Golden Girls breakfast cereal is so high that boxes are being hawked on eBay for as much as $100.

The limited-edition Golden Girls multigrain cereal was introduced Sept. 30 as an in-store exclusive at Target stores and online but the sold-out quickly. The blue-hued loops were marketed as a “tasty treat, fun to eat” but the real allure was the anime-style collectible Golden Girls vinyl figures tucked inside each of the $7.99 boxes.

The vinyl figures are made by Funko Inc., the Washington state company that specializes in pop-culture tchotchkes. Funko expanded into the cereal business this past summer with a plan to make film, TV and comics properties into breakfast brands.

On Friday, Funko CEO Brian Mariotti told Deadline that two additional flavors of The Golden Girls cereal will be launched soon with new figures based on the sitcom’s quartet of characters: bossy New Yorker Dorothy (Bea Arthur); the naive airhead Rose (Betty White); Southern sexpot Blanche (Rue McClanahan); and cranky Sicilian matriarch Sophia (Estelle Getty). Funko is also launching The Golden Girls as Pez dispensers next month.

Funko often focuses on of-the-moment brands but Mariotti said The Golden Girls has a fanbase that is diverse and passionate — hence the eBay auction prices. “I’m not really surprised. A few years back we did Golden Girls pop figures and action figures, too. They did insanely well. So we knew doing the cereal and our upcoming Pez makes a ton of sense.”

Asked about the cereal flavors, Mariotti said the product is more about look than taste: “Well, the cereal is a fruity flavor, but the key thing here is the color of the cereal. We have additional Golden Girls cereal planned. We wanted to lead off with blue but you can expect to see white and pink colors in the next two editions with new figures in each.”

Mariotti said fan demand is spread evenly among the four characters and he demurred when asked to name his personal favorite. “I think I am too old. I missed this Golden Girls craze. I was working 85-hour work weeks during the Golden Girls TV run. I grew up on dramatic masterpieces like Three’s Company, The Facts of Life and Silver Spoons.”

The senior citizen humor of The Golden Girls kept the show in the Top 10 for six of its seven seasons (1985-1992). The series won 11 Emmys and racked up an additional 57 nominations. It also spawned two spin-offs, The Golden Palace and Empty Nest.

The show has a curious staying power and some celebrity fans. Among them: Winston Duke(Black Panther)who stopped by Deadline’s New Hollywood Podcast early this year and didn’t hesitate when asked if he has an surprising obsessions. “Easy. The Golden Girls.” Ryan Reynolds is apparently a fan, too. When Deadpool 2 enjoyed its record-setting opening weekend in May the star tweeted his appreciation to his 11 million followers in the form of a Deadpool spoof of the show’s opening credits, complete with the theme song “Thank You For Being a Friend.”

The show’s merchandise isn’t limited to Funko. Online merchants sell t-shirts, sweatshirts, a “Golden Girls” Monopoly edition, coffee mugs, greeting cards, hot sauce, and, perhaps oddest of all, prayer candles featuring the four cast members in beatified poses with stained-glass backdrops. There are limits to any nostalgia, however, as proven by the Golden Girls-themed cafe that opened in Manhattan in early 2017 — and closed by year’s end.
See full article at Deadline Film + TV
  • 10/27/2018
  • by Geoff Boucher
  • Deadline Film + TV
Batman, Joker, and Other DC Characters Get He-man Style Action Figures From Funko's Primal Age Toy Line
Funko has just revealed some of the most awesomely crazy DC action figures ever! This is their DC Primal Age action figure line and they feature characters like Batman, Joker, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Mr. Freeze, Scarecrow, and more in the style of He-Man-style action figures! They even have a Batcave playset that is like the classic Castle Greyskull playset! It’s so cool!

Funko describes DC Primal Age as a "brutal, barbaric world ruled by ferocious warriors" who obviously spend most of their time at the gym working out!

Brian Mariotti, CEO of Funko had this to say in a statement:

“We are excited to finally unveil this new retro line of action figures that pays homage to the unique design that we all remember from the DC comic books of the seventies and eighties. It’s been an incredible experience to bring this nostalgic spin to the iconic...
See full article at GeekTyrant
  • 10/5/2018
  • by Joey Paur
  • GeekTyrant
Funko’s First ‘Fortnite’ Figure is Rex Skin
Pop culture collectibles maker Funko revealed the first toy from their upcoming “Fortnite” line, and it’s pretty adorable.

The figure is based on the Rex skin available in-game, which is reminiscent of Rex from the “Toy Story” franchise, so it seems like the perfect choice for the first “Fornite” themed collectible. The company revealed an image of the upcoming figure on their official Twitter account on Saturday, after unveiling the new design at the Funko Fundays event held in San Diego last weekend.

Just revealed at #FunkoFundays @FortniteGame Pop! pic.twitter.com/xajXrXuld0

— Funko (@OriginalFunko) July 21, 2018

Funko’s Pop line is the “number one stylized vinyl collectible on the market” and sells millions of figures worldwide, according to the company’s corporate profile page.

This figure is just the start of the new “Fortnite” line, as a press release stated that “more than ten different product lines including Funko’s iconic Pop!
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 7/23/2018
  • by Liz Lanier
  • Variety Film + TV
Funko and Epic Games Announce ‘Fortnite’ Collectible Collaboration
Developer Epic Games and pop culture collectibles company Funko teamed up for an upcoming collaboration featuring “Fortnite” toys.

The manufacturer’s upcoming line, based on the popular battle royale-styled third-person shooter, will feature over ten different product lines. Fans can purchase Pop! figures, 5 Star figures, Vynl, keychains, Pint Size Heroes, and Pop! apparel based on popular imagery and characters from “Fortnite” when the collection launches this holiday season.

“This collection will be a true celebration of ‘Fortnite’s’ incredible popularity and cultural significance, and we believe our Funko ‘Fortnite’ collectibles will strongly resonate with fans of the game,” said Funko CEO Brian Mariotti.

Unfortunately, there are no examples at present of what fans can expect from the Funko and “Fortnite” collaboration. Given “Fortnite’s” massive success on consoles, mobile devices, and PC, it will no doubt be a tremendous draw for gifts this holiday season, as the new toys drop...
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 7/18/2018
  • by Brittany Vincent
  • Variety Film + TV
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