Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner, who ushered the company's arrival into live-action blockbusters, has died. He was 58 years old.
Hasbro made the announcement in a press release on Tuesday. Variety reports that Goldner was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014. On Sunday, Goldner resigned from Hasbro to focus on his health.
"After careful consideration, I have decided to take a medical leave to focus on my health,” Goldner said in a statement released on Sunday, according to Variety. "I feel confident knowing the Company will be in the skilled hands of Rich Stoddart as Interim CEO, our highly experienced management team and the best employees in the business."
Goldner joined Hasbro in 2000 and became CEO in 2008. The Hasbro press release credits Goldner with broadening the company to include movies, video games, and more. The Transformers movie series is now one of the most successful franchises in box office history and the first two G.I. Joe movies were blockbusters. Even the Ouija board became a successful movie series.
Goldner also oversaw Hasbro's acquisition of eOne in 2019. Now, Hasbro gets to work with other popular properties including Peppa Pig.
Interim CEO Rich Stoddart paid tribute to Goldner and the joy he brought to so many people.
"Since joining the Company more than two decades ago, Brian has been the heart and soul of Hasbro," Stoddart said in a press release on Tuesday. "As a charismatic and passionate leader in both the play and entertainment industries, Brian’s work brought joy and laughter to children and families around the world. His visionary leadership, kindness, and generosity made him beloved by the Hasbro community and everyone he touched. On behalf of the Hasbro family, we extend our deepest, heartfelt condolences to his wife, daughter, and entire family.”
The next movie to be released based on a Hasbro property is Transformers: Rise of the Beasts in June 2022. After that, a Dungeons & Dragons movie will be released in theaters in March 2023.
Rise of the Beasts will introduce the Beast Wars to the Transformers movie franchise with Ron Perlman announced as playing Optimus Primal.
IGN recently talked to Paul Palmer, Hasbro's Star Wars brand manager, about Hasbro's big bet acquiring the rights to Star Wars: Episode I toys.
Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN.
(Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)