Printer Friendly

The LEGO Company and Universal Studios Consumer Products Group Announce New Toys Based on Jurassic Park III.

Business/Retail/Entertainment Editors

ENFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2001-

Kids Bring Jurassic Park III Action to Life with

LEGO(R) & Steven Spielberg MovieMaker Set--

The LEGO Company, makers of the world's best-selling construction toys and Universal Studios Consumer Products Group (USCPG), have joined forces to launch two Jurassic Park-themed LEGO(R) products in conjunction with the release of Jurassic Park III.

The three-year agreement marks the fifth property licensed by the LEGO Company. It gives the LEGO Company rights to produce two construction toys based on Universal Pictures' and Amblin Entertainment's Jurassic Park III, the third installment in the studio's most successful film franchise ever scheduled for release on July 18, 2001.

The two new LEGO Jurassic Park III products will be part of the LEGO Studios line, which was launched in November 2000. Using the marquis set within the line - the LEGO & Steven Spielberg MovieMaker Set, which includes a PC movie camera, kid-friendly editing software and LEGO elements - young filmmakers will be able to re-create their favorite scenes from Jurassic Park III.

Children ages 8 and up can bring to life the menacing Spinosaurus dinosaur featured in the movie as he attacks a plane in a tree, which can also be built into a boat. The set includes one cameraman, a pilot mini-figure and a crane (suggested retail $34.99 US). The second set includes unique elements allowing youngsters to build two Raptors and one Pteranodon dinosaur. This set comes complete with three mini-figures, including male and female "actors" and one cameraman (suggested retail price $19.99 US). The sets are expected to be on store shelves in May prior to the release of the film.

"Joining the Jurassic Park franchise with the LEGO Company's innovative Steven Spielberg MovieMaker Set is the perfect match," stated Bruno Maglione, managing director, Universal Studios Consumer Products Group, Europe. "It brings two favorites together for kids of all ages."

"We're thrilled to be partnering with Universal Studios to produce sets based on the upcoming Jurassic Park III film," said Poul Schou, vice president of marketing, LEGO Systems, Inc. "Kids have been using the LEGO & Steven Spielberg MovieMaker Set to create their own movies. With the two new Jurassic Park-themed sets, they can bring the action home and re-create their favorite scenes."

Jurassic Park III continues the series begun with 1993's Jurassic Park and its 1997 sequel, The Lost World: Jurassic Park. This time, acclaimed filmmaker Joe Johnston (October Sky, Jumanji) directs, with Kathleen Kennedy and Larry Franco producing. Steven Spielberg serves as executive producer.

The strong cast includes Sam Neill, returning in the role of Dr. Alan Grant, which he originated in Jurassic Park, William H. Macy (Fargo), Tea Leoni (The Family Man), Alessandro Nivola (Love's Labour Lost), Michael Jeter (The Green Mile) and Trevor Morgan (The Patriot).

The screenplay was written by Peter Buchman, based on characters created by Michael Crichton. Academy-Award(R) winner Stan Winston and the Oscar(R)-winning wizards at Industrial Light & Magic are once again responsible for creating the visual effects, with new and even more astonishing dinosaurs in store for audiences this summer.

The Jurassic Park franchise has already enjoyed more than $250 million in promotional support and $2.5 billion in worldwide consumer product sales, establishing Jurassic Park as the "premier" and "authentic" dinosaur brand the world over.

LEGO Systems, Inc. (LSI) is the Americas (North America and Latin America) division of the LEGO Company, a privately-held firm based in Billund, Denmark. The LEGO Company employs nearly 2,000 people in the Americas - approximately one half of whom work at LSI's 203-acre headquarters in Enfield, Connecticut. The LEGO Company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is good enough." All of Steven Spielberg's proceeds from the LEGO & Steven Spielberg MovieMaker Set are donated to the Starbright Foundation and Shoah Foundation.

A note to parents: The Jurassic Park films are rated PG-13. Consult www.filmratings.com for further information.

Jurassic Park III is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment, Inc. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing, Inc. All rights reserved.

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is a unit of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com), a part of CANAL+, the TV and Film division of Vivendi Universal, a new global leader in media and communications.
COPYRIGHT 2001 Business Wire
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2001, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

 Reader Opinion

Title:

Comment:



 

Article Details
Printer friendly Cite/link Email Feedback
Publication:Business Wire
Date:Feb 5, 2001
Words:736
Previous Article:Henninger Interactive Authors Double-Feature DVD Release ``Drive-In Discs'' for Elite Entertainment.
Next Article:Transmedia Launches New Dining Rewards Program Targeting Fortune 1000 Companies.


Related Articles
DINOSAURS: LARGER THAN LIFE APPETITE FOR BEASTS FAR FROM EXTINCTION.
DISNEY TRYING TO CUT LINES; RESERVATIONS TRIED IN FLORIDA.
CAN BABE BRING HOME THE BACON?; UNIVERSAL GOES WHOLE HOG IN NEW MERCHANDISE DRIVE.
UNIVERSAL PLANS DINOSAUR DELUGE.
UNIVERSAL TAKING PLUNGE WITH FLORIDA THRILL RIDES : DIVING IN.
MOVIE MARKETING MANIA; FILMS LINKED TO BURGERS, BENZES.
ATTRACTING A CROWD : THEME PARKS OVERFLOW WITH SUMMER VISITORS.
C'MON 'N' RIDE IT - IF IT WORKS : JURASSIC'S JUMPIN' ON UNIVERSAL TOUR, BUT THRILL-SEEKERS AT MAGIC MOUNTAIN FIND SUPERMAN ATTRACTION GROUNDED.
IT'S FUN, FUN, FUN FOR THE SOUTHLAND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND.

Terms of use | Copyright © 2015 Farlex, Inc. | Feedback | For webmasters