Lots of toy news has been crossing my path lately with my fascination and Peter Pan syndrome, however news of Mattel’s Joker figures inspired by Heath Ledger’s role in the Dark Knight caught me as odd.
The image comes from The New York Post, who revealed it along with a quote from the Ledger family: “Heath was very proud of his work in the film, and his family is aware and supportive of Warner Bros. and its partner’s plans for the movie.” Mattel will sell two versions of the doll, with both hitting toy shelves this May (two months prior to The Dark Knight landing in theaters on July 18).
So the announcement of Mattel putting out a toy to promote the movie isn’t a strange event. But the timing seems a little puzzling to me. A couple weeks before the movie? A month even? Seems a little soon.
But the thing that gets me the most is that there are no OTHER character toys being announced. Just Joker. Heath Ledger’s Joker. Did they have the marketing plans to release this figure this early before Ledger’s passing?
Is this marketing to capitalize on the tragic death of this movie’s co-star? Well Mattel says Ledger’s death is “not exactly a marketing point,” but to me that sounds like someone saying they are marrying a dying rich millionaire and saying the fact he has money is “not exactly the point”.
Not exactly. Just maybe 90% of the motive here. What do you think?
