Sakar Expands Super Hero Lineup with Two New Marvel Movie Properties, 'Thor' & 'Captain America: The First Avenger'

NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Adding to its portfolio of Super Hero licenses, Sakar International today announced the Q2/Q3 availability of branded electronics based on Marvel Studios' upcoming "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger" action/adventure movies. The products are being developed under license agreements with Marvel Entertainment, marking the sixth collaboration between the two companies.

"Thor," with a May 6, 2011 release, stars Chris Hemsworth as the title character, a once-disgraced warrior who goes to battle with his powerful hammer Mjolnir to save mankind. The cast also includes Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins. Sakar's Thor-branded products will include:

• Walkie talkies molded in the shape of Thor's hammer
• Black light decoders
• "Look and listen" binoculars with attached headsets
• Flashlights
• Adventure kits
• Nintendo DSi gaming kits with a hammer-shaped stylus
• Gaming cases
• Digital and video cameras

"Captain America: The First Avenger," with a July 22, 2011 release, features Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, a frail young man who is transformed through a scientific experiment into a masked super soldier with special powers that he uses to do combat against evil forces in Europe. Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving and Stanley Tucci also star. Emblazoned with the patriotic red, white and blue branding of the World War II-era comic book original, Sakar products complementing the storyline will include:

• A CB radio walkie talkie
• Night vision goggles
• A sonar listening device with headset and receiver  
• A spy watch
• An MP3 player
• Gaming kits and cases including a Captain America-shaped stylus
• Digital cameras

Sakar previously developed branded products for Marvel's "Iron Man," "Iron Man 2," and "The Incredible Hulk" films as well as the "Spider-Sense Spider Man" line.

"Both Thor and Captain America feature iconic characters with unique super powers that lend themselves to an incredible array of highly engaging consumer product applications that we are sure will inspire some of the 'must have' merchandise for next year," said Paul Gitter, President of Consumer Products for North America, Marvel Entertainment. "Sakar's products will play an important part in our license program for these two properties."  

"The American public loves super heroes, and Marvel is among the best keepers of the flame. That's why we embraced the opportunity to work on the Thor and Captain America franchises," said Liza Abrams, Sakar Vice President of Licensing. "The products now under development will appeal both to boys star-struck by the superhuman characters they see on the screen and to the many collectors of all ages who remain fascinated with all things super hero."

Sample items from Sakar's "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger" product lines can be seen at Booth #2445 at the Toy Fair 2011 show that opens today in New York. The products will be sold in the U.S. and Canada beginning in March and May, respectively.

About Sakar International

Sakar International Inc. designs and manufactures a wide range of technology, toy, and consumer electronic products. Founded in 1977, the company is the manufacturer of Vivitar camera equipment and accessories, a market leader in youth electronics, and a producer of licensed products for leading consumer brands. Products range from digital cameras and camcorders with related accessories to computer, iPod, GPS and gaming accessories, binoculars, MP3 players, clock radios, gift and toy electronics. The company is privately held and headquartered in Edison, N.J. For more information, visit www.sakar.com.  

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit www.marvel.com.

SOURCE Sakar International