Image credits: Hasbro & Disney

On Thursday, April 24th, Hasbro announced that it renewed its longstanding licenses with The Walt Disney Company for Disney's Marvel and Star Wars properties. The license extension spans multiple years and will allow Hasbro to continue producing toys, games, and collectibles related to these properties. How will this affect Magic: The Gathering? Read on, and we will explain how this could affect Universes Beyond.

Hasbro's Dealings With Disney

According to the press release made on April 24th, Hasbro has historically produced many kinds of toys and games for the Star Wars and Marvel brands. They have made Lightsabers and a plethora of Star Wars action figures, while on the Marvel end of things, they've produced Marvel Legends, preschooler toys based on Spidey and his Amazing Friends, and, of course, Universes Beyond. Under this new extension, Hasbro will continue to be able to produce these toys and games for years to come.

Statements From Hasbro and Disney Executives

The press release continues with some quotes from execs at Hasbro and Disney Consumer Products:

"It’s an honor to be able to deepen our relationship with Disney Consumer Products to create even more magical play experiences for consumers across the globe," said Tim Kilpin, Hasbro's President, Toys, Board Games, Licensing and Entertainment. “Star Wars and Marvel provide an extensive array of captivating content that gives us an unlimited trove of fresh ideas to create from. Our collaboration spans more than half a century, and we look forward to strengthening our relationship by bringing consumers everywhere brand-new play experiences tied to the exciting universes and characters of Star Wars and Marvel.”

"We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Hasbro to evolve our expansive portfolio of Star Wars and Marvel toys that bring these iconic adventures into daily life,” said Paul Gitter, Executive Vice President of Global Brand Commercialization at Disney Consumer Products. "From must-have collectibles to Lightsaber toys, we aim to push the boundaries of creativity to deliver innovative products and engaging play experiences that bring our fans closer to their favorite stories and characters.”

Hold Your Horses, Star Wars Fans!

This licensing extension looks extremely promising for Universes Beyond fans, especially with Edge of Eternities looming on the horizon. However, it is extremely unclear whether Star Wars will receive any Universes Beyond treatments. Yes, Edge of Eternities is a space opera setting, just like Star Wars. However, this extension is fresh. We also know Wizards of the Coast works approximately 2.5 years in advance, sometimes longer, on Magic sets. As such, getting a Universes Beyond license is a tricky prospect. Furthermore, with the Star Wars Unlimited card game gaining traction and popularity, Magic may not get a collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd., even if this license allows Hasbro to produce Star Wars toys.

Nonetheless, Marvel's continued collaboration with Magic is full steam ahead. As such, we are excited for the upcoming Spider-Man set and all that will entail!

And now, let's open the floor to you, dear readers. How do you feel about this continued rendezvous between Hasbro and the House of Mouse? Are you excited to see what could come of this license extension? Sound off below!