Toys, Mattel | featured news

"Hunger Games" is doing big box office its first day in theaters, and now a Barbie doll is in the works. Mattel's Barbie Collector is in the process of producing a custom collectible doll inspired by heroine Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence in Lionsgate's big-screen adaptation, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that "Twilight" franchise star Taylor Lautner may be the frontrunner to play the title role in Paramount's Max Steel , based on Mattel's action figure toy line.

Toy maker Mattel Inc. said today that sales of Barbie and other toys sank in the second quarter, but profit rose 82 percent, beating analyst expectations, as the company reduced expenses.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Friday said it imposed a $2.3 million civil penalty against Mattel Inc.

Mattel posted a wider first-quarter net loss on a 15% drop in revenue, but Barbie sales rose in the U.S. sales. The stock jumped.

Roll out the pink carpet, grab a feather boa and throw open those Malibu Dream House doors. It's Barbie's 50th, and the iconic doll has plenty to celebrate. Mattel introduced Barbie in 1959, and the doll is now owned by 90 percent of American girls ages 3 to 10 and sold in 150 countries, said Lauren Dougherty, a Mattel spokeswoman.

Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox L&M) has selected Mattel, Inc. to develop a toy line inspired by one of the most anticipated films of the year -- James Cameron's Avatar . Tapped as master toy licensee for the epic sci-fi film property, Mattel will create a line of action figures and vehicles scheduled to hit retail nationwide in October 2009, months in advance of the film's release in December 2009. The announcement was made today by Elie Dekel, Executive Vice President of Fox Licensing and Merchandising.