[perrych]

The movies are in many ways the salvation of the MU line -but for the simple reason that they are release valve for Hasbro to release popular characters outside of the MU line. For example, you can sell IM, CA, Spider-Man, Thor - not to mention other minor comic characters - within the movie lines, and allowing the MU line to continue to produce new characters that collectors want. MU is not really for kids at all - that tends to be the movie lines. But by releasing a Wolverine movie every now and then, it frees the MU line from needing that character. MU was likely in trouble due to the number of IM repaints it was producing - and not selling - but when IM2 came out, it freed MU from having to release IM figures (why they keep doing it, though, I'll never know!). Spider-Man's line freed up MU from releasing the Lizard and Scorpion (and Shocker, in Canada). Thus, the movie lines are letting core characters get released as well as some villains, and freeing the MU line to get to characters that might not get movies but are figures fans want. It really is working well for now, as they have released a ton of figures in a short time.