There is a Spider-Man version of the board game Monopoly with tokens featuring the film's heroes and villains, Dr. Pepper, a unit of Cadbury Schweppes Plc, has special Spider-Man packaging on some of its products. Dr. Pepper is also putting Spidey's image on its NASCAR race car. Kids can even brush their teeth with a Spider-Man toothbrush.
Despite the deluge of products, items from both movies appear to be doing well so far, companies say.
CKE Restaurants Inc have Spider-Man promotions at its hamburger chains, Hardee's and Carl's Jr. Hardee's said last month it was running out of Spider-Man heads that fit the tops of car radio antennae, while Spider-Man figures featured in kids meals are also a hit.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world's largest retailer and No. 1 toy seller in the US, has loaded its toy department with lightsabers, Jango Fett action figures and Spider-Man toys, including a "huggable" Spider-Man that says 15 phrases when you squeeze his chest.
Discount rival Kmart Corp is pushing Star Wars hard, hoping to draw shoppers with contests to win a life-size C3PO and exclusive collections of 16 figurines.
"We're seeing strong sales on both licenses," Dave Karraker, a Kmart spokesman, said.
For example, someone bought US$3,000 worth of the US$89 Star Wars collectors sets that are exclusive to Kmart from the company's Web site, (http://www.bluelight.com). Spider-Man Web blasters and Goblin Gliders are also selling very well, Karraker said.
One Wall Street analyst said that Episode II need not be a huge hit to sell toys and games because there is already an established group of fans and collectors.
"Of course everyone would prefer that the movie is very popular and a big hit, but with Stars Wars it is really an established franchise," Sally Wallick, retail analyst at Legg Mason, said. "There's going to be business done."
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