Get ready, preschoolers, there’s going to be a new Thomas the Tank Engine rolling into town.
Mattel says that it planning a full franchise relaunch of Thomas & Friends, the long-running children’s brand, including a “bold new look” for Thomas the Tank Engine (pictured above).
Thomas the Tank Engine made his debut in a series of British children’s books in 1945, but it was the U.K. TV series, which debuted in 1984, that made the blue train a global phenomenon. Ringo Starr served as the original narrator, with stars like Pierce Brosnan, George Carlin and Alec Baldwin all lending their voices to the program at various points during its multi-decade run. The show has been at times live action, CGI, and most recently 2D animated (the latest iteration wrapped its run on Netflix late last year).
But the new look will spark a new era for the brand, and likely new media ventures, with news of original content, live experiences and products.
“Thomas has been a trusted companion for families for more than 80 years, and the new look reflects both where the brand comes from and where it’s headed on its next adventure,” said Ted Wu, senior VP and global head of vehicles & building sets at Mattel. “We returned to the elements that parents and kids love most while updating the design to feel relevant for today’s preschool audience. Authentic train details, timelessness and emotional storytelling form the foundation for the years ahead for Thomas & Friends.”
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