Avatar & merchandising tie-ins

As a reminder how important merchandising is nowadays to movie projects, check out this list of tie-ins to Avatar per Cynopsis Kids:

Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox Licensing) unveils its merchandising campaign to support the release of James Cameron's Avatar (PG-13), which opens wide December 18, 2009. For the initial Avatar merchandise program Fox Licensing has teamed with several key partners for a range of products across four main categories:

• Ubisoft is releasing the video game title James Cameron's Avatar: The Game for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS, Sony PSP and PC. There is also a Limited Edition of the title for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii. Additionally, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions will include two exclusive 6-inch Mattel action figures - Avatar Jake Sully and Na'vi Warrior Tsu'Tey - that will only be available by purchasing the limited edition game.
• Toy partner Mattel will release a line of toys based on the movie featuring its new technology, augmented-reality. Each action figure, vehicle and creature in the line will come with a 3D web tag, called an i-TAG, which consumers can "scan" using a home computer's webcam, which will reveal special content onscreen unique to the corresponding product. Content varies for each item, but could include biographical information, additional images and animated models of the figures. When the i-TAG for deluxe figures/vehicles/creatures are scanned, animated 3D models will "come alive." Place two i-TAGs from the Battle Pack together and the 3D images will interact with each other.
• Fox Licensing has also signed Sideshow Collectibles to develop a line of collectible statues, maquettes, life-size busts and dioramas. Next year will also see additional collectibles introduced by Gentle Giant Studios, Inc. and The Noble Collection.
• In the apparel category partners include JEM Sportswear and Awake Inc. creating a line of t-shirts, sweatshirts and fashion tops for older boys and young men. Additional, Accessory Innovations will introduce a line of backpacks and bags.
• Publishing partners will initially publish five new books simultaneous to the movie's release, Abrams releases The Art of Avatar: James Cameron's Epic Adventure with a forward by Peter Jackson and epilogue by James Cameron. HarperCollins is set with four titles, Avatar: A Confidential Report on the Biological and Social History of Pandora, and the other three are for from HarperCollins' Children's Books for young readers, James Cameron's Avatar: The Movie Scrapbook, James Cameron's Avatar: The Reusable Sticker Book, and the chapter book James Cameron's Avatar: The Na'vi Quest.

Video games, toys / collectibles, apparel, publishing. It's a case where the tail (merchandising) that used to wag the dog (movie) is fast becoming the dog itself.

UPDATE: Courtesy of Jeff in comments, here's Yogur (Mel Brooks) from the movie Spaceballs providing some wisdom re the Force:



"Merchandising!"