Angelic Pictures announces:
How Hollywood Trilogy Partnerships Actually Work
As we approach final partnership decisions for Space Samurai: Oasis, we’re addressing an important question:
Why must brand partnerships cover all three movies in the trilogy?
THE QUESTION:
Can a Brand partner, just integrate with one movie of a trilogy and allow the movie to switch to the competitor’s Brands for the sequels?
THE ANSWER:
Absolutely not. Here’s why trilogy exclusivity isn’t just preferred—it’s essential.
THE TRILOGY RULE: LESSONS FROM HOLLYWOOD’S BIGGEST SUCCESSES:
- Back to the Future: The DeLorean Time Machine didn’t switch to Ford for Part II nor to a Chevy in Part III. Brand continuity became part of the story’s DNA.
- The Fantastic Four: Characters and technology slide seamlessly between all four movies. Switching brands mid-franchise breaks narrative continuity.
- F1 Racing Movie: Brad Pitt drives a Mercedes in the movie and switches to a Ferrari in a sequel movie? Never happens, racing partnerships are locked for the franchise.
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Beyond the in-universe Brands, the sequel trilogy includes: United Airlines, General Electric, Samsung, Porsche, Coca-Cola, Duracell, General Mills, Verizon, Covergirl / Max Factor, and HP — Brand partnerships are locked for all sequel movies.
THE DUKES OF HAZZARD PRINCIPLE:
You don’t put the Duke boys in a 1969 Dodge Charger for season one, then switch them to a 1969 Ford Torino for season two. The Charger IS part of their identity.
Burt Reynolds drove a 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in Smokey and the Bandit. Pontiac promised him a new Trans Am each year after the Movie’s success.
Arnold Schwarzenegger rides a Harley in Terminator 2. Harley-Davidson locked in exclusive franchise rights, and sponsorship giving Arnold a new Harley every year.
WHY SCENES MAY SLIDE BETWEEN TRILOGY MOVIES:
The Reality of Franchise Moviemaking:
- Scenes planned for Movie 1 often move to Movie 2 during editing
- Many Trilogy’s are shot back-to-back to maintain Actor & Brand continuity
- Character development arcs often span all three movies
- Trilogy contracts protect both the moviemaker and the brand partner
- Brand Integrations must remain consistent as scenes shift forward and back in the Trilogy timeline.
THE PRODUCTION REALITY:
Current Status:
- Production dates are locked and Oasis is slated to be released Q3 2026
- Partnership agreements must be finalized before cameras roll
The Choices are:
- Option A: Full trilogy partnership signed with an upfront commitment
- Option B: We move forward with other partners
Bottom line: we don’t delay production for indecisive partners.
WHY “PAY AS WE GO” DOESN’T WORK:
Brand continuity requires upfront commitment because story elements are planned across all three movies simultaneously. Trying to fund one movie placement at a time is like buying a house one room at a time, or buying a automobile one tire at a time
It doesn’t work because the commitment IS the value.
So here’s the question: Are you ready to commit to the full trilogy, or should we move forward with partners who understand how successful franchises actually work?
To learn more, see: The Product Placement Insider Newsletter #10:
Hollywood Doesn’t Want You to Know: Product Placement Can Cost Nothing
Questions about exclusive interactive entertainment partnership opportunities?
Reach out to your designated Production Team contact, and I’ll make myself available too…