The Despicable Me toy line from master toy licensee Thinkway Toys BRANDORA Editorial Staff - February 2014

 
Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s worldwide blockbuster Despicable Me 2 featured the return of (former?) super-villain Gru, his adorable girls and the unpredictably hilarious Minions. The film has grossed more than $970 million at the global box office and was 2013’s highest-grossing animated film worldwide and the second-highest grossing film of the year worldwide. It has since gone on to become the third highest-grossing animated film of all time worldwide, and has also earned two Academy Award® nominations including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for Pharrell Williams’ “Happy.”

In addition to its box office success, Despicable Me 2 shattered industry records in its home entertainment debut, ringing in $80 million and selling 4.5 million units in the U.S. in its first week. The title went on to become the #1 DVD/Blu-Ray title of 2013. On the digital front, Despicable Me 2 also vaulted to the top of the U.S. charts, becoming the most successful-selling digital title of all time. And, the original Despicable Me movie ended 2013 as the #1 DVD/Blu-Ray Catalog Title of the Year.

Coming next is Minions, a spin-off from the phenomenally successful Despicable Me franchise, centering on the iconic Minion characters and slated for release in Summer 2015.

Based on the strength of the entertainment and the wildly popular breakout stars, the Minions, toy sales for master toy licensee Thinkway Toys have been brisk around the world. In many countries, the Minions became a top five brand in retailers’ toy departments, even though product was only available for the last six months of 2013 timed to the release of Despicable Me 2. Following the DVD/Blu-Ray release, toy sales have continued to be strong, indicating the ongoing strength of the Despicable Me brand.

Below follows a sampling of licensed toys from Thinkway that are currently available at retailers around the world. Retailers are keen to maintain momentum through 2014 leading into the release of Minions in 2015, and Thinkway Toys will continue to help sustain through the ongoing introduction of new SKUs.

NEW for Spring/Summer 2014! Thinkway Toys: Minion Jerry Bedtime Buddy – The Minions are experts at putting Gru’s girls to bed – now Minion Jerry Bedtime Buddy can help get your kids off to sleep (or keep them up giggling all night)! Press Jerry’s front pocket to hear him talk with more than 20 sayings in his original movie voice. Place Jerry on his back, roll him from side to side, and he’ll sing you a lullaby!

Thinkway Toys: Talking Action Figure Series - These talking action figures from Thinkway include more than 25 sayings in the original movie voices. Each Minion also includes a special “mode”, including LOL Mode, Banana Mode and Singing Mode to double the fun. Talking Action Figure Series includes Gru as well as Minions Stuart, Dave and Tim.

NEW for Spring /Summer 2014! Bee-Do Fireman Minion – One of the most unforgettable scenes from Despicable Me 2 is when Minion Stuart signals a fire emergency by repeating “Bee-do, Bee-do” into his megaphone. In this all-new plush from Thinkway Toys, you can press Stuart’s tummy for Fireman Mode to hear the Bee-Do siren and see the flashing head gear – just like in the movie! For Talk Mode press Stuart’s right hand for more than 30 sayings in the original movie voice. Press his left hand for chat mode phrases with echo SFX. Soft and Huggable!

Thinkway Toys: Fart Blaster – For the rambunctious kids (and adults!) who love toilet humor, they won’t be able to get enough of this Minion gadget. Press the trigger to engage both light and fart sound effects. Switch to joke mode for a 20 second time delay and use it on unsuspecting victims.

Thinkway Toys: Dancing Dave – An 8-inch talking action figure from Thinkway that grooves to music and sounds. He talks, he sings, he dances – Dave is going to be your new best friend to boogie with, so put on your dancing shoes!

Thinkway Toys: Collector’s Edition Action Figure Series – These collector’s edition figures from Thinkway feature moving heads, eyes and mouths and will talk back to you in original movie voices that contain more than 30 sayings! Collector’s editions include a 9-inch Minion Dave, a 14-inch Gru and an 11-inch Agnes. In addition to being chatty, when you press Dave and Agnes’s clothing, they’ll serenade you with a tune. Collector’s Edition Action Figure Series is exclusive to Toys”R”Us.

NEW for Spring/Summer 2014! Thinkway Toys: Purple Minion with Multi-Color Glowing Eye – Evil Minions are the purple, crazy-haired and even more dim-witted versions of Gru’s happy yellow Minions. They are indestructible, mindless eating machines that not only eat everything in your refrigerator, but they eat the refrigerator as well! The 10-inch Purple Minion Plush includes 15 Minion sayings in the original movie voice and a multi-color glowing eye. It’s also soft and huggable, so cuddle up, if you dare…

Thinkway Toys: Minion Mobile – Minions are on the move! This 9-inch vehicle by Thinkway includes an infrared remote control to operate it from a distance. When you press the “talk” button on the mobile you can hear original Minion voices and when you place a second Minion in the back of the vehicle, they will bop happily as it drives away!

Thinkway Toys: Agnes’ Fluffy Unicorn – This 14-inch cuddly Unicorn has an adorable voice from the movie, magical chimes, trotting sounds, a Unicorn Song and a multi-color light up horn. To help get you to sleep, this magical creature has Lullaby Mode - the Unicorn’s horn will glow as Agnes sings you to sleep.

Thinkway Toys: Bedtime Agnes Plush – Get ready to meet your new, cuddly best friend. This plush 12-inch doll from Thinkway is soft and huggable. She’s wearing light up slippers and can chat you to sleep in her original movie voice, so there’s no need to be afraid of the dark!

NEW for Spring/Summer 2014! Thinkway Toys: Undercover Minion Stuart Deluxe Action Figure – Stuart must blend in with the Purple Minions in El Macho’s fortress to assist Gru and save Lucy! He prepares for the rescue mission with a homemade plunger axe. Press Stuart’s pocket for mouth and eye movements. Also NEW for Spring/Summer 2014: Kevin with Jelly Blaster, Jerry with Jelly Blaster. Also available: Gru with H2O Shooter, Dave with Rocket Launcher, Stuart with Fart Dart Launcher, Chomping Purple Minion.

NEW for Spring/Summer 2014! Thinkway Toys: Build-A-Minion Fireman/Lucy – Snap in the parts in this 2-in-1 toy to create Fireman Carl (Bee-do, Bee-do!) or Minion Lucy! Or, intermix the parts to create your own Minion! Also available: Build-A-Minion Mr. Tim/Baby Carl.

NEW for Spring/Summer 2014! Thinkway Toys: Action Figures – These highly detailed figures from Thinkway can pose any which way! You’ll want to collect them all! NEW for Spring/Summer 2014: Medieval Minion, Undercover Minion, Lead Singer Minion, Backup Singer Minion, Popsicle Minion, Hula Minion, Ukulele Minion, Princess Agnes, Gru with Freeze Ray, Agent Lucy Wilde, Pigtails Minion, Lucy Minion, Jelly Minion, Whipped Cream Minion. Also available: Golfer Minion, Ninja Minion.

Thinkway Toys: Minion Surprise Figures – These highly detailed 2-inch collectible figures from Thinkway come with display stands – you can collect everyone from Minions Dave, Tom, Stuart, Tim and Carl to Dr. Nefario and the Unicorn, among others.