In 2019, Hasbro purchased the production company Entertainment One for $3.8 billion dollars. eOne is responsible for widely popular preschool television shows such as PJ Masks and Peppa Pig.
Many of Hasbro’s popular toys are based on popular movies and television shows; for example, Star Wars. When acquiring eOne, Hasbro stated that they intend to reverse this process and develop television series and movies based on already popular toys. At the time of the merger, Hasbro announced plans for over thirty productions including its most recent release, My Little Pony: A New Generation. Other productions in the works include a Clue-based animated series and a G.I. Joe cinema film.
The project with the biggest budget so far announced will be a remake of the 2000 film Dungeons & Dragons. The film is based on the popular fantasy tabletop role-playing game also owned by Hasbro Inc.
The upcoming fantasy adventure film is directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley and will star actors, Chris Pine, and Michelle Rodriguez. Due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the film is now set to be released on March 3rd, 2023. Filming was conducted in Iceland between April and August 2021. Although very little information is known about the project, it has already developed a large cult fan base. A big-budget film such as Dungeons & Dragons 2023 will create a new demographic of Dungeons & Dragons fans some of which will then purchase D&D merchandise and board game pieces.
