Trolls return for TV spin-off

The classic fluffy-haired Good Luck Troll characters have over the past 40 years generated up to $5bn in worldwide retail; now a US company is turning them into an animated TV series.

LA-based DIC Entertainment has partnered with The Troll Company to adapt the characters into a contemporary interactive entertainment and lifestyle brand for tweens called Trollz.

The move comes soon after Denmark-based Troll Company won its copyright infringement lawsuit against Russ Berrie & Co in the US, an action that restored all international rights to the character to Troll Co.

DIC is currently developing the worldwide television, video and licensing and merchandising programme to launch in 2005, while the interactive/web world created for the characters will launch in December 2004.

“The opportunities for Trollz are endless, and we know with the right partners in place that it will be a guaranteed success across all platforms,” said DIC ceo and chairman Andy Heyward.

The deal will “re-introduce the lovely little imps that conquered everyone’s heart for the first time in 1961 to an all new generation,” said Troll Company ceo Calle Ostergaard. “With their expertise in the children’s entertainment business, DIC is the perfect partner to rebuild the Troll brand.”

The Troll toys first appeared in 1961, created by Troll Company founder, Thomas Dam. The DIC/Troll move adds to the very long list of classic toys that have been resurrected as toons: others include Action Man, Hot Wheels, Barbie…