Lionsgate Won’t Be Hasbro’s New Toy: Takeover Talks End

Companies couldn’t agree on price, Reuters reports

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Toy giant Hasbro has ended talks to buy Lionsgate, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

The two companies could not come to an agreement on a sticker price, the news agency wrote. An acquisition would have further cemented Hasbro’s role as an intellectual property player in Hollywood. Perhaps there’s another deal out there to be made.

Hasbro has teamed up with Hollywood studios in the past on franchises like “Transformers” and “G.I. Joe.” Lionsgate is putting out the Nerf manufacturer’s “My Little Pony” movie in October, which now won’t be awkward at all.

Tony- and Emmy Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth voices a brand-new character in the “My Little Pony” film, Hasbro’s first animated feature. Meghan McCarthy, writer and producer on the “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” animated series, wrote the screenplay, which will be produced by Allspark. Lionsgate will distribute and market the film globally, except in China.

In the movie, a new dark force threatens Ponyville, and the Mane Six — Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity — embark on an unforgettable journey beyond Equestria where they meet new friends and challenges on a quest to use the magic of friendship and save their home.

The film will also feature all-new music with the Mane Six characters voiced by Tara Strong, Cathy Weseluck, Andrea Libman, Tabitha St. Germain and Ashleigh Ball. Jayson Theissen is directing. Brian Goldner and Stephen Davis are producing the film; Michael Vogel co-executive producing.

A Lionsgate spokesperson declined to comment on the Reuters report. Hasbro did not immediately respond to TheWrap‘s request for confirmation that the negotiations were now dead.

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