Jaws, Back to the Future and more… Fanattik’s Anthony Marks on old titles and new products

Anthony, great to see you! When we chatted the other day, you reminded me that Jaws turns 50 in June. What makes it such a noteworthy film in your opinion?
Oh, wow! Jaws really stands the test of time. I first watched it aged seven –which did not help me with my swimming lessons – and I can watch it all these years later and it still stands out. A great story, great acting, iconic music – it just ticks all the boxes.

Agreed! And as you said when we chatted, it was also the first-ever summer blockbuster… It changed the history of cinema. So tell me: how does Fanattik help celebrate the brand? What’s in your product range?
The Fanattik x Jaws range includes gifts such as bottle openers, pin badges, key rings, jewellery and drinks coasters. We also have collectibles such as a metal-embossed ticket to the Amity Island regatta and a limited-edition replica shark tooth…

A limited-edition replica shark tooth?! Love it! And I love that you avoid just doing the obvious things…
Ha! Thank you! We also have special 50th anniversary releases to celebrate the brand this summer… There really is something available for everyone whether they’re casual or hard core fans.

Great stuff! Roll on summer. And just so I understand your process, Anthony, what’s your criteria for choosing which products you create?
For a start, we only collaborate with a brand if multiple members of the team are genuine fans of their titles. As we invest in bespoke tooling for each piece, what we do goes way beyond simply flicking through style guides. We revisit the film or game we’re working with and spend time with the brand or studio’s creative team.

You physically spend time with them?
Almost always! Whether it’s in Seattle to sit down with Wizards of the Coast or Netflix in LA, it’s really important to sit with the people who live and breathe the brand. We want to be in that mix as we all handle the samples, plan out what’s coming up and know what really gets the fans going… Whether that’s retro pieces or a new twist.

Let me ask you this: what makes Universal a great partner for you? And on what else do you work with them?
We’ve been working with Universal Studios for over ten years now. Signing this license was a pivotal moment in Fanattik’s history so the studio will always hold a special place in my heart. It didn’t just mean we got to work on my favourite film of all time – Back to the Future – but it also set us on the path from me being a one-man band working out of my spare bedroom to the company we are today… A talented team that shares a passion for film, gaming and entertainment in a soon-to-be purpose-designed HQ and warehouse just outside Manchester.

Exciting times… And I’m delighted that you mentioned Back to the Future! That’s one of my all-time favourite films! It’s a seminal 80’s movie, a seminal sci-fi movie, a seminal comedy… I feel like I’m overselling it!
Ha! I don’t think so; I think you’re right!

If someone’s never seen it, what’s the elevator pitch to get them to watch?!
Oh, no! I’ve met both the director – Robert Zemeckis – and the writer, Bob Gale… So no pressure here! What would I say? Time travel, adventure, danger, bullies, horse manure, trying not kiss your mum and totally mess up your future – that’s it in a short sentence! Ha!

Ha! Brilliant!
I don’t know if I mentioned it when we spoke, but as well as Jaws turning 50, Back to the Future celebrates its 40th this year. For that reason, we’re creating special pieces for that collection too…

And what’s in your Back to the Future range?
Well, as you know, we love creating ‘in-world pieces’ for the fans, so everything from themed playing cards from the Pleasure Paradise Casino that Biff owned and a Hoverboard shaped XL Desk Pad to a clock replicating the face of the famous clock tower and a metal ticket to the ‘Enchantment Under the Sea Dance”…

Where Marty’s parents kissed for the first time and saved their own history!
Spoiler alert!

Oh, yes! Sorry!
We’ve also created a ‘Welcome Hill to Hill Valley’ tote bag. My personal favourite, though, is a metal replica of Marty’s sports almanac which is not only an individually numbered limited edition but it also comes with a replica receipt from the shop he bought it from in the film.

Amazing! I can’t wait to see that. Of which, you’re exhibiting at the toy fair in Nuremberg – Hall 5, Stand A79…
Thanks for the plug!

Not really a plug, Anthony – I’m planning my visit out loud… Ha! After that, you’re at Birmingham’s Spring Fair: Hall 4, Stand 4G63. What might people expect to see?
You know, when Fanattik first started, retailers seemed to focus on just the latest film or video game releases – not existing titles. With the consumer demand for nostalgia, retro and all things kidult, though, the market has caught up with us. So, although it’s impossible to show off product from more than the 150 titles we work on, we’re going to highlight what we feel are going to be the biggest titles of 2025: Fallout, One Piece, Magic The Gathering, Stranger Things and, of course, those anniversary films!

We also have existing ranges for Chucky, E.T, Universal Monsters, How to Train your Dragon and – brand new for 2025 – we’ll be releasing Shrek and Fast & Furious ranges.

Perfect! Now, I’m going to invite people to look back before we look forward because you last did an interview with us in 2021. People can read that here. Looking forward, though, what else is new with you? What’s upcoming?
We can already see 2025/26 being a very busy for us… We’re being asked by major retailers and institutions to create exclusive product for them which is exciting. We’ve also signed up Judge Dredd which has it’s 50th anniversary to look forward to and fan favourite Fuzzballs. This is on top of a great license extension with video game studio Bethesda which sees us producing for even more of their gaming titles in addition to Fallout and Elder Scrolls.

You’re always so busy, Anthony! It’s eye-watering!
Ha! There are also two massive gaming licenses which I hoped to announce before the shows – but it will have to be after. The pieces we release for these titles will make video-game fans and retailers of gaming merch very happy! More than that… It’s no exaggeration to say that it will also be as big a turning point for Fanattik as it was when we signed our Universal Studios license over ten years ago, so all very exciting.

Wow! What a trailer! I hope you’ll come back and tell us all about that. In the meanwhile, thanks Anthony. See you in Nuremberg.