The merchandising industry is a big one in Hollywood. B-Town is slowly adapting to this trend. One of the recent films to make news was 'Dhoom 3' that had tied up with over 200 brands
The urban legend came true. A few days back researchers unearthed stacks of Atari cartridges from a landfill outside Alamogordo in New Mexico. These belonged to E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial video games that were manufactured by electronics pioneer Atari to coincide with the release of the hit sci-fi flick, E.T.
The video games made by Atari.Inc were a huge flop
ADVERTISEMENT
In 1982, Howard Scott Warshaw conceived this video game that guide the eponymous character through various screens to collect three pieces of an interplanetary telephone that would help him go back to his home planet. After negotiating with the studio to bag the rights to make the game, Warshaw had only five months in hand. Apparently, the makers were so confident that they skipped ‘audience testing’ for the product. When it released it was panned as one of the worst video games ever, and one of the biggest commercial failures of the video gaming industry. It was later reported that Atari.Inc buried the cartridges in a landfill, which came true after the recent excavation in New Mexico.
However, the merchandising industry is a big one in Hollywood generating billions of revenue to all parties. The trend is slowly catching up in B-Town as well. One of the recent films to make news for its merchandising was Dhoom 3 that had tied up with more than 200 brands.
Iron Man
What’s hot: Lifesize bust, USB flash drive, cufflinks, jackets, iPhone case, LED Iron Man shirt — a fan can experience Tony Stark’s alter ego with a variety of accessories. The global retail sales are around $500 million.
Harry Potter
What’s hot: With Harry Potter becoming a rage, stuff such as wands, invisibility cloaks, broomsticks and Quidditch equipments flew off the shelves. The makers pocketed in a magical
$7 billion.
Spider-Man
What’s hot: When the first Spider-Man film released, it sold merchandise worth 45 million pounds, while the second franchise, The Amazing SpiderMan 2, made 34 million pounds in 2012. Fans love Spidey’s net.
Star Wars
What’s hot: Since the release of the first Star Wars in May 25, 1977, the franchise has made more than $20 billion through merchandising alone. From video games to replicas, e-books, apparel; fans are spoilt for choice.
Toy Story
What’s hot: Millions of kids across the globe save their pocket money for a Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Hamm, Mr Potato Head or Slinky Dog toy. Disney sold $2.8 billion worth of merchandise for the Toy Story 3 film alone.
Cars
What's hot: Though Cars was arguably Disney’s least loved film so far, it generated global retail sales of $10 billion till 2011. As per pundits, this was one of the main reasons behind the sequel. Lightning McQueen rules!
Dabangg
What's hot: Salman Khan launched the official merchandise of his 2010 blockbuster Dabangg that included T-shirts, watches and sunglasses. After its release, the glares were quite a hit.
Jodhaa Akbar
What’s hot: Women who love jewellery went berserk over the pieces sported by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Jodhaa Akbar. This prompted Tanishq and many jewellery makers to come up with a Mughal royalty range.
3 Idiots
What's hot: Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani didn’t spare any effort to promote 3 Idiots. The Dudley T-shirts worn by Aamir were a hit amongst youngsters as were the sneakers designed by him.
Dhoom 3
What’s hot: As per experts, Dhoom 3 was one of the best marketed films of last year. As many as 200 brands tied up to market the film’s merchandise. The price of the products ranged from R70 to R9,000, which included Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif dolls, Aamir Khan Hot Wheel bikes and even dog tags.
Krrish 3
What’s hot: In their effort to target kids, Rakesh Roshan and son Hrithik, unveiled Krrish 3 merchandise that included toys, masks, bag tags tiffin boxes, cushions, notebooks, bracelets, etc. The range was quite popular.
RA.ONE
What’s hot: Ra.One was one of the films with aggressive merchandising in recent times. Kids could choose from tiffin boxes, video games, piggy banks and compass boxes. The items available online are quite reasonable.
Drona
What’s hot: In 2008, the makers of Drona partnered with Zapak to launch its merchandise. The products included two sword packs, replicas of the ones used by Abhishek Bachchan and Kay Kay Menon in the fantasy flick.
I want one too!
Makers would have been smart to make these items official merchandise...
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Remember Anjali’s (Kajol) hairbands and Rahul’s (SRK) ‘Cool’ necklace? Every college-goer had one post the release.
Jab We Met
Kareena Kapoor’s patialas, short kurtis and silver bangles still inspires the choices of college girls across the country.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Aishwarya Rai’s net dupatta in the dreamy Chand Chhupa Badal Mein sparked off imitations that were a huge hit.
Maine Pyaar Kiya
The Friend cap and jacket were two of Salman’s accessories that every young man desired to have in his wardrobe.
Bol Bachchan
While Asin was seen in loud lehengas, it was Prachi Desai’s (in pic) dhoti pants that caught the attention of fashionistas.
Not so hot
Not all film merchandises are cool to own. There are some disastrous and weird ones too.
Matrix Reloaded
The Samsung SPH-N270 or Matrix phone was a bar style mobile designed like the phone used in the flick. However, it could hardly be called technologically advanced with no Bluetooth support, video or MP3 features and web browsing capacity.
Twilight
A jewellery firm designed a ring resembling Bella’s engagement ring worth $2,200. To add to that, there were Twilight diapers, Edward-shaped man pillow and tampon case and Twilight condoms. Nauseating!
Alice in Wonderland
Coinciding with the release of the 2010 Tim Burton film, Versace made Alice In Wonderland shoes in myriad colours and designs. However, fashionistas found the platform heels too chunky and uncomfortable to walk in.
The Color Purple
Steven Spielberg’s film The Color Purple was a critically-acclaimed one highlighting the misery of African-American women. The fact that someone would sell purple teddy bears for a flick depicting domestic abuse, racism and sexism hasn’t been fathomed till date.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
