Enfield, Conn. - The LEGO Company announces a three-year agreement with Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. that gives the Danish toy maker an exclusive license to create and market three Spider-ManTM inspired construction toys in its LEGO� Studios line of moviemaking products for children. The theme sets will be available in April 2002 to coincide with the premier of the first-ever live-action Spider-Man feature film on May 3.
The three Spider-Man sets are part of the LEGO Studios product line that launched in the fall of 2000. The set designs are based on scenes from the Spider-Man movie, allowing young moviemakers to build and direct according to their own imagination. Sets include the lead characters from the film - as well as special pieces that enable Spider-Man to perform stunts similar to those children will see in the theater. Children will be able to combine all three sets to construct the key scene from the film.
Using the marquis set in the LEGO Studios product line, the LEGO & Steven Spielberg MovieMaker Set, consisting of a PC movie camera, child friendly editing software and LEGO elements, children can take on the role of the director in creating their very own Spider-Man movie. As an added bonus, the largest set will include a CD-ROM with software enabling children to experiment with new sound effects similar to the real movie world.
Last year, the LEGO & Steven Spielberg MovieMaker Set received the Toy Of The Year (T.O.T.Y.) award for most innovative product from the Toy Industry Association. The set has received a number of other awards, and the product line continues to receive recognition and rave reviews world wide for its ability to combine technology with entertainment and fun.
Olav Vorup Jensen, product manager at the LEGO Company, says: "The Spider-Man character is hugely popular with children in our target group, and kids love reliving and changing movies they have watched - or comics they have read. Spider-Man is a hero, and children need to role-play with heroes to learn the difference between good and evil."
According to Al Ovadia, Executive Vice President of Sony Pictures Consumer Products, "Spider-Man is a classic, blue-chip property that is embraced by fans around the world. And, the LEGO Company is a premiere toy manufacturer with a stellar reputation to both the consumer and the retailer. We believe it is a ideal partnership and together we will bring to market innovative and robust toy products that children will truly enjoy."
The Spider-Man character was created by Stan Lee and first appeared in 1962 in Marvel's "Amazing Fantasy" no. 15. Immediately popular, Spider-Man was then published in his own comic, "The Amazing Spider-Man". Spider-Man comics have been among the Top 10 most popular comics since the late 1980s.
The Spider-Man movie was directed by Sam Raimi (The Gift, For the Love of the Game, A Simple Plan) and Spider-Man alias Peter Parker is played by Tobey Maguire (Wonder Boys, Cider House Rules). Willem Dafoe (Animal Factory, Morality Play, Shadow of the Vampire) plays Spider-Man's arch enemy, the Green Goblin.
� 2001 The LEGO Group
The LEGO Company is a private company based in Billund, Denmark. It 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". For more information, visit www.LEGO.com.
Spider-Man�, the character, � and � 2001 Marvel Characters Inc.
